No. 3.
BUT there was need of instruction in those days on this very subject of “spiritual manifestations” (1 Cor. 12:1), for the heathen were familiar with displays of excitement through demoniacal possession. There were evil spirits as well as the Spirit of God; so here at the very threshold of our inquiry, we are afforded a conclusive test to which all pretensions to spiritual guidance must be submitted. This test has a double application. In the first place, “no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed” (1 Cor. 12:3). From this it is evident that the Spirit of God will never lead any one to speak slightingly of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost is here to glorify Christ (John 16:14), and therefore whatever in the smallest degree robs Him of His glory cannot be the prompting or the leading of the Holy Ghost.
But in the second place, wherever there is a true confession of Christ, wherever there is a bowing of heart and conscience to Jesus as Lord, there we are entitled to recognize the action and leading of the Holy Ghost. There may be much ignorance of other things, but “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
The importance of such a verse cannot be overestimated. How needful this crucial test was for the saints in those days will be recognized by the fact that more than thirty years after the apostle John urged it home to the consciences of his fellow-believers (1 John 4:1-3). It is as needful for us to-day, never more so.
But this being recognized: the person of the Lord Jesus being unequivocally owned and acknowledged by the assembly of God’s people, room must be left and liberty given to the free and unfettered action of the Holy Ghost. Where this is not the case, where a man is looked to as president or leader, let him be the very best of men, the gathering cannot be recognized as the coming together of the assembly of God in accordance with the revealed Word of God. It may be an assembly of saints, but it lacks the special characteristic of the assembly of God, namely, an assembly where “God is among you of a truth.”
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” Men would concentrate all the different gifts in one man, and call him the clergyman or the minister, but it is not so revealed in Scripture. “Diversities of gifts” — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers — “but the same Spirit”; “all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” Where amidst all the machinery of Christendom is this seen carried out in actual practice?
When God revived the testimony as to the Spirit seventy years ago, bringing to light afresh the long forgotten truth of the Church of God, its unity as the body of Christ, its responsibility as the house of God, and its true hope as the Bride of Christ, many saints were gathered together and experienced the power and the joy of being thus guided in their assemblies for prayer, worship, and edification. They recognized in a practical manner the truth of the words, that “where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst” (Matt. 18:20), and the leading and liberty of the Spirit in contrast to the dead formality of human arrangement gave immense freshness and power to their meetings.
This does not in the smallest degree lessen the importance of the exercise of any individual gift the Lord may have given to His people.
All are not gifted as preachers of the gospel, or teachers of the saints, and for any to attempt to do what they are not called to by the Lord, or qualified to do by having received a gift, can only result in confusion and failure. We must not confound the gift of the Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit. Whereas every Christian has received the gift of the Holy Ghost and is indwelt by the Spirit, some only are gifted by the Spirit. “God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers.... Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers?” &c. (1 Cor. 12:28-31.)
If verses 7 and 11 of this same chapter be quoted as implying that every man in the assembly possesses some gift, we reply that the language there used does not involve any such conclusion. The emphasis in verse 7. should be laid on the word “profit.” Wherever a gift or manifestation of the Spirit has been given, it is for the profit of the hearers and not for the exaltation of the speaker. This was a most important principle, for at Corinth many were gifted with the gift of tongues, and the danger was that they should use this gift for their own glorification and not for the edification of the Church. This will come before us more fully presently.
In verse 11. the emphasis should be laid on the clause “severally as He will;” that is to say, the one Spirit that indwells every Christian divides His gifts severally or separately in accordance with His own sovereign will. This strikes at the root of the whole “one man ministry” idea. Evangelists, pastors, teachers are separate gifts; they are not concentrated in one man, but divided separately to different individuals according to God’s own will.
While all this is true, there is another side to the question which must not be forgotten, especially in these days of weakness and confusion. “Covet earnestly the best gifts” 1 Cor. 12:31). Again, “Desire spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1). And again, “Covet to prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:39). Let none be disheartened. We would earnestly encourage all our young brethren to diligent prayer that whatever ability may be latent, whatever gift may be possessed, though it may appear small, it may be stirred up. Diligence is required; diligence in prayer, diligence in the study of the Word, diligence in communion with the Lord. Avail yourselves of whatever helps God may put in your way; “Having then gifts differing” — notice again the different gifts “according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith” — don’t attempt anything beyond your faith, though you may well pray, “Lord, increase our faith” —; “or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching,” &c. (Rom. 12:6-8).
What an exhortation have we here to diligence in the stirring up of the gifts. We believe that attention to this is greatly called for. Let no young men be above learning from those who have been in the work before them, and let the older ones lay themselves out to help and encourage the younger. Never shall we forget the help and encouragement received from an old evangelist now with the Lord, when first attempting gospel work.
Again let us say to our younger brethren: Begin young; you cannot suddenly develop a gift at thirty, forty, or fifty years of age. In writing this we are, of course, addressing ourselves to those who have been early converted. The grace of God may call a man out of his sins and distance when far advanced in life, and may set him to work at once; but for a young Christian to waste his best days in sloth and worldly pleasure is like wrapping up his talent in a napkin, — it is damaging to himself and dishonoring to the Saviour and Lord to whom he owes everything.
But let us imagine a feeble little company of the Lord’s people. They may possess no gifts, yet a more excellent way is before them. In 1 Corinthians 13. we are shown what never fails. Love never fails. Gifts of power may exist, but without love they are valueless, nothing but sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. Where a spirit of love exists, though there may be no gifts, sinners will be sought for, saints comforted, gatherings cemented together and increased.
Where gifts exist without love, the conversion of sinners will be neglected, saints will be harassed and distracted, gatherings scattered and broken up.
“Love never faileth.” Let us heed the aged apostle John’s words: “Beloved, let us love one another.” “Beloved, we ought also to love one another.” “And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:7, 11, 12). Brotherly love is not only an exhortation but a command.
(To be continued.)