Works of God by Richard T. Ritenbaugh
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” I Corinthians 12:7-11
How does the manifestation of God's Spirit work?
God gives His Spirit to a person, and out of his mouth flow words of wisdom. The Spirit itself is not part of these words of wisdom, but the Spirit is working with the speaker's mind, and the person himself speaks the words. Nevertheless, who gets the credit?
God—by working through His Spirit!
We do not see the Spirit itself flowing into the churches, guiding and directing individuals. What we see are the works that the Spirit produces when it flows into individuals who are receptive to it through faith.
We see things such as sermons given and articles written. We see healings. We see people acting in faith through many trials, but all of them--the minister who preaches, the writer, the ordinary believer at the moment of trial--know that it is God who provides.
We see believers use their gift of tongues to help others to understand the truth in interpreting God's message. We see the manifestation of whatever the Spirit inspires people to do for the good of the church, to equip the faithful to fulfill the roles to which He has called them.
All of these are manifestations of God's Spirit. Even though the Spirit works in so many different ways, all these works come from our One True God. It is He who wills them to be manifested through each individual.
God gives His Spirit to a person, and out of his mouth flow words of wisdom. The Spirit itself is not part of these words of wisdom, but the Spirit is working with the speaker's mind, and the person himself speaks the words. Nevertheless, who gets the credit?
God—by working through His Spirit!
We do not see the Spirit itself flowing into the churches, guiding and directing individuals. What we see are the works that the Spirit produces when it flows into individuals who are receptive to it through faith.
We see things such as sermons given and articles written. We see healings. We see people acting in faith through many trials, but all of them--the minister who preaches, the writer, the ordinary believer at the moment of trial--know that it is God who provides.
We see believers use their gift of tongues to help others to understand the truth in interpreting God's message. We see the manifestation of whatever the Spirit inspires people to do for the good of the church, to equip the faithful to fulfill the roles to which He has called them.
All of these are manifestations of God's Spirit. Even though the Spirit works in so many different ways, all these works come from our One True God. It is He who wills them to be manifested through each individual.
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