I’m Duane Matz and
welcome to Today’s Living Word.
1Co 12:7 But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
Continuing today on the
matter of spiritual gifts as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12. These gifts were
given to the church at Corinth to exhibit (manifest) the presence of the Holy
Spirit in their midst. They were proof positive that the God of the twelve
Apostles was the same God active in the life of this church.
One of the gifts
mentioned here is that of “speaking in different tongues.” Recall, if you will,
how the Holy Spirit showed up on that first day of Pentecost. The unlearned Apostles
hit the streets speaking the wonderful works of God in all sorts of foreign languages.
A supernatural occurrence to say the least!
But that’s not the only
time we see this supernatural gift show up. Look what happened when Peter
preached the Gospel to the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius!
Ac 10:44 While Peter
was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard
the word. 45 And those of the
circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because
the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For
they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
This was indisputable
evidence that salvation is for Gentiles too! The evidence was identical to what
took place on that first Pentecost! “The people in the house of Cornelius, spoke
with tongues and magnified God!
But, let’s be careful
here. Speaking in tongues is not the only exhibition of the presence of the
Holy Spirit in a church. If you take the time to count the other gifts in this
chapter, you will find 8 other evidences as well.
As Paul reminds us
rhetorically in 1Co 12:30. Do all
have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? The answer of course is no!
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And
yet I show you a more excellent way.
More on this topic next
time.
I’m Duane Matz and that’s
Today’s Living Word.
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