THE KING’S BUSINESS
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the power to interpreet the tongues in which those who had the gift of “kinds of tongues” spoke (ch. 14:13, 26, 27, 28). This gift is also claimed today in the same cir cles where “the gift of tongues,” or “speak ing with tongues” is claimed, but in many instances the claimed interpretation of what was actually spoken by the one who claims to speak in tongues is not the actual inter pretation. This is evident from the fact that those who claim to speak in tongues repeat and re-repeat the same ghibberish sounds while the interpreter gives an orderly, coherent interpretation in a vast variety of words which of course cannot be the interpretation of- those constantly repeated same sounds. This catalogue of gifts here mentioned by Paul is divided in the Greek Testament into three sections by the use of a different Greek word for “another” before “faith” and before “kinds of tongues.” The classes thus indicated are: (1) Gifts connected with the interpre tation of truth, “the word of wisdom” and “the word of knowledge.” These come first. (2) Gifts of power—of a miraculous nature—“faith,” “gifts of healings,” “work ings of miracles,” (Greek, Powers), “prophecy,” and “discerning of spirits.” (3) Gifts referring to tongues, “kinds of tongues,” and “interpretation of tongues.” It is to be noted that in all the catalogues of gifts in the Spirit found in the Bible the gift of tongues, “kinds of tongues,” are The Holy Spirit Himself is the One who, in His divine wisdom and sovereignty, decides what gift or gifts He will distrib ute to each individual. He divides “to each one severally even as He will." It is not for me to choose some office in the church and then look to the Holy Spirit to impart to me the gift that fits me for my self- chosen office, but it is for me to put myself absolutely at the disposal of the all-wise and all-loving Spirit to put me in what office He will and impart to me the gift that fits me for the office to which he has always given last. Friday, Nov. 30 . 1 Cor. 12 : 11 .
many arrant imposters along this line, should not make us deny the existence of the gift, it should simply make us cautious about accepting any particular man or woman’s claim to possessing these gifts. We should not say that such a thing is impossible. We should question in each individual case whether it is a fact. Thursday, Nov. 29 . 1 Cor. 12 : 10 . Paul in the immediate preceding verses has mentioned “gifts of healings,” he now. mentions the next gift of the Holy Spirit ^‘workings of miracles (rather, of pow ers.” Then follow “Prophecy“ (this would seem to mean here, “prophecy,” not in the broad sense of all speaking in the Spirit’s power, but in the more restricted sense of prediction of future events, cf. Acts 11:28; 21:10, 11), “discernings of spirits,” i.e., the power to detect what utter ances were really in the power of the Holy Spirit and what were from evil spirits (ch. 14:29; 1 Tim. 4:1; 1 John 1-3), “kinds of tongues” i.e., the miraculously given power to speak in various languages and in a spiritual language unknown to man (Acts 2 :4, 8-11; 1 Cor. 14:2). This gift of “kinds of tongues” led to spiritual pride on the part of many and was greatly abused (ch. 14:2-28). Perhaps this may account for its apparent withdrawal from the church. Little bodies of believers have arisen now and then in the history of the church claim ing this gift, but nothing so far has ever come of their claims. It has always been claimed by the Mormons, where it has been accompanied by all sorts of absurdity and immorality. It has been claimed by various factions and sects in recent years, and with them too has frequently been accompanied with the grossest immoralities and indecen cies. Many missionaries in foreign lands have claimed with apparently good reason that they have been wonderfully helped by the Spirit in acquiring languages, which of course is closely akin to the gifts of “kinds of tongues” mentioned here. The last gift mentioned by Paul in the catalogue given here is “the interpretation of tongues,” i.e.,
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