This article is part of the Corinthians Controversy article series, linked in the sidebar.
In some churches, 1 Corinthians 12 can be a point of contention. Many churches teach and believe that the spiritual gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 are not for today. Having this form of interpretation is dangerous, because if they choose to believe that chapter 12 isn't for today, then how do they decide what parts of the Bible are "for today," and what aren't? While they are at it, why not throw out John 3 and Romans 10?
I'm writing these Corinthians Controversy articles, because some churches throw out half of 1 Corinthians 11, most of chapter 12, they change part of 13, throw out most of 14, misinterpret part of 15, and never seem to preach on 2 Corinthians chapter 3. These are all some of the most controversial chapters in the Bible, and I wonder if some churches say they aren't for today, because they don't want to face up to them.
There is nothing in the Scriptures that say the above chapters aren't for today. In fact, the language and context makes it abundantly clear that those Scriptures are for today, just as ALL of the Bible is.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." -Luke 21:33
Even the Torah is for today, because the Bible tells us that the Old Testament is full of examples for us to learn from:
"Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." -1 Corinthians 10:6
As for being Torah Observant, take a look at the controversial 2 Corinthians chapter 3 scripture. That makes it clear we are dead to the law, and alive unto Christ. It also tells us that Torah Observants have a vail over their hearts, which needs to be done away in Christ. See my Torah vs. Grace article series.
1 Corinthians 12 lists gifts Christians are given from the Holy Spirit.
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." -1 Corinthians 12:1
A quick side note on the following verse:
"Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." verse 3
Anyone can say that Jesus is Lord, but the above doesn't say that. It says "Jesus is THE Lord." This is one's claiming Jesus as THE Lord of their life, with none or nothing other being above or equal to Christ. Jesus, the one and only Lord.
WHO is qualified to receive gifts of the Spirit? The below tells us:
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." -Verse 7
EVERY Christian (which are members of Christ's body). Every true Christian has one or more gifts from the Holy Spirit. Now, this chapter doesn't tell us that we get all of the gifts, or that we will always have the same gifts. I believe it's possible that we may have different gifts depending on what the Lord's will is, during certain times in our lives. I believe certain gifts are manifested on a wider scale only during certain times or eras, while other gifts are used for other seasons and in other areas in the world - all only as the Lord wills.
Many charismatic churches focus on speaking in tongues. That is only one of the many gifts, and contrary to what some churches teach, not everyone can speak in tongues. Tongues is one of many gifts, and not everyone has every gift:
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many." -Verses 12-14
"If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body?" -Verses 17-19
"Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." -Verses 30-31
The church is not just some local building. This blows away the teachings of some Baptist Brideriests and Landmarkists. The Scriptures are clear that the body of Christ is made up of ALL born again Christians, all over the world. We are the body of Christ, with Christ as our head. Just as we are each a different member, with different gifts, we are all part of the same body.
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." -Verses 12-13
Verses 8-11 gives us a list of some of the gifts of the Spirit, and reminds us that God's Holy Spirit chooses who to impart which gifts to:
"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."
God imparts church gifts and jobs, which could be in a church congregation, or in the body of Christ in general:
"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 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 shew I unto you a more excellent way." -Verses 27-31
I've recently heard a teaching that states that there are no longer apostles, because, taught this person, "only people who have seen Jesus can be apostles." I have yet to find that stance supported in the Scriptures. When I look up the context of "apostle" in the Bible, and figure in that the definition of apostle is "a person sent by another, a messenger." This is from the Bible dictionary on Dictionary.com, then it seems clear to me that an apostle is a missionary - especially when it comes to church planting.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" -Ephesians 4:11-12
Those who teach what I believe to the be the wrong interpretation of what an apostle is, probably also tend to believe that there are no more prophets. Are there still evangelists, pastors, and teachers? Most of us would agree - yes, there are. To take part of the above Scripture, or part/many of the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 and say that those parts are not for today is, in my opinion, a private interpretation. What does the Bible say about private interpretations? Take a look:
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." -2 Peter 1:20
Now, some may say that the above verse is referring to the Old Testament only. I think it's referring to all the Scriptures, but either way, I will give another verse as well:
"But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." -2 Corinthians 4:2
All Scripture is given of God, and the New Testament is part of that, regardless of when it was written.
I believe all the gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and elsewhere in the New Testament are indeed still for today, and are still practiced. While there are fakers, that doesn't mean there isn't the genuine article, as well.
