The Prophetic Gift in the Gospel Church

MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT

In Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians he thus speaks of the work of the Spirit, saying: “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. Those manifestations are all by one and the selfsame Spirit. How unlike the communications of Spiritualism, which are from a variety of spirits, many of them being lying spirits! PGGC 17.2

Paul proceeds in his discourse by comparing the church with the human body, representing the gifts of the Spirit as members of the body, the eyes, ears, hands, etc., saying: “Now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.... And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-31. We here read of the Lord’s setting these gifts “in the church;” do we read elsewhere of His setting them out of the church? PGGC 18.1