Apostolic Friends Forum - Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

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Aquila

04-30-2013 01:24 PM

Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Are spiritual gifts able to be used in contexts other than "church gatherings"? For example what about the following venues?

Home Bible studies
At home with family and/or friends
At work
When out and about
Per a private request
At family gatherings
Over the internet
Over email

Gifts of the Spirit are defined as being any of the following:

• The gift of wisdom seems to be the ability to make decisions and give guidance that is according to God's will through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of knowledge is the ability to have an in-depth understanding of a spiritual issue or situation through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of faith is being able to trust God and encourage others to trust God, no matter the circumstances through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of healing is the miraculous ability to use God's healing power to restore a person who is sick, injured, or suffering through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of miracles is being able to perform signs and wonders that give authenticity to God's Word and the Gospel message through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of prophecy is being able to proclaim a message from God through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of discerning spirits is the ability to determine whether or not a message, person, or event is truly from God or to see/feel and understand what is happening in the spiritual realm through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in a spiritual language (the tongue of angels) accompanied with prophetic interpretation or in private prayer through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of interpreting tongues is the ability to translate the tongues speaking and communicate it back to others in your own language through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of administration is being able to keep things organized and in accordance with God's principles through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of helps is always having the desire and ability to help others, to do whatever it takes to get a task accomplished through the power of the Spirit.

Thoughts?

Timmy

04-30-2013 01:55 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1246776)

Are spiritual gifts able to be used in contexts other than "church gatherings"? For example what about the following venues?

Home Bible studies
At home with family and/or friends
At work
When out and about
Per a private request
At family gatherings
Over the internet
Over email

...

Thoughts?

Sure! Here are some other venues you can use them in:

TV Shows, such as The 700 Club.
Night clubs
Variety shows
900-number hotlines
Detective agencies
Police investigations

Use your imagination!

Timmy

04-30-2013 01:58 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

But seriously, do you know of anyone who used the gift of healing, going door-to-door at a hospital? What was the result?

Titus2woman

04-30-2013 02:33 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

I've been led to pray for complete strangers at the hospital. I always ask their permission of course but every person I've ever felt I should approach said that they were in desperate need of someone to pray with them and had been praying alone until I got there (even though sometimes family members were present). As far as 'results' I leave those to God.

For the original question... I think those who prayerfully and carefully approach the use of their gifts will have wisdom about when to use them. I don't really see that there is a 'wrong' time or place if God is doing the leading. I have however seen many instances where people have other agendas, as in those mentioned by Timmy, and behave shamefully in the name of God. Too bad really.

Esaias

04-30-2013 02:37 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy (Post 1246806)

But seriously, do you know of anyone who used the gift of healing, going door-to-door at a hospital? What was the result?

Since about 150,000 people die every year from 'iatrogenic' causes (so I've read), maybe ...

Oh never mind.

:highfive

Aquila

04-30-2013 02:44 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

What if someone approached you and asked if you'd pray with them and inquire to the Lord privately (like in your home over coffee next Saturday) about a situation because they heard that you were sensitive to the Spirit when it comes to spiritual discernment, word of knowledge, and word of wisdom? Would you give the private consulation?

Titus2woman

04-30-2013 02:48 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1246834)

I would absolutely be open to that. If it were an adult man I would also ask my husband to be present. Of course when we had a friend feel that Jesus name baptism was important I told Don to take him out to the pond and dunk him. :)

Titus2woman

04-30-2013 02:50 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

I guess I should say outright that I do not see a huge gap between ministry and laity... and believe that every Christian is called to ministry.

Timmy

04-30-2013 03:18 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1246834)

I dunno, but I'd be like :blink.

larrylyates

04-30-2013 03:30 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

First of all, I really like your post. It is a great summary and clarification of the nature and function of the Gifts.

We teach that every believer is a minister and that the gifts are intended to be our tool kit for daily use in whatever venue they happen to be needed.

We teach our teams to go out in the spirit of Matthew 10:7-9 -- And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give

Esther

04-30-2013 09:54 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1246776)

Are spiritual gifts able to be used in contexts other than "church gatherings"? For example what about the following venues?

Home Bible studies
At home with family and/or friends
At work
When out and about
Per a private request
At family gatherings
Over the internet
Over email

Gifts of the Spirit are defined as being any of the following:

• The gift of wisdom seems to be the ability to make decisions and give guidance that is according to God's will through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of knowledge is the ability to have an in-depth understanding of a spiritual issue or situation through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of faith is being able to trust God and encourage others to trust God, no matter the circumstances through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of healing is the miraculous ability to use God's healing power to restore a person who is sick, injured, or suffering through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of miracles is being able to perform signs and wonders that give authenticity to God's Word and the Gospel message through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of prophecy is being able to proclaim a message from God through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of discerning spirits is the ability to determine whether or not a message, person, or event is truly from God or to see/feel and understand what is happening in the spiritual realm through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in a spiritual language (the tongue of angels) accompanied with prophetic interpretation or in private prayer through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of interpreting tongues is the ability to translate the tongues speaking and communicate it back to others in your own language through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of administration is being able to keep things organized and in accordance with God's principles through the power of the Spirit.
• The gift of helps is always having the desire and ability to help others, to do whatever it takes to get a task accomplished through the power of the Spirit.

Thoughts?

No where did I read where it stipulated where the gifts were to be used. No limits is my opinion, as long as it is the Holy Ghost leading and not flesh.

Nor is it limited to only licensed ministers. It is for all believers.

That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it. :)

Aquila

05-01-2013 06:53 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

What if they offered to pay you for your time???

I think any such a consultation should be free.

Titus2woman

05-01-2013 07:13 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1247005)

What if they offered to pay you for your time???

I think any such a consultation should be free.

Money is just money... If someone offers it and you have need of it take it... If God has already provided for your needs in other ways, just say so. By never accepting any gift we cheat others of being a blessing... by soliciting gifts we become prostitutes (lot of paid preachers fall under this umbrella)... there is a very wide and happy medium, let God keep you in the middle.

Timmy

05-01-2013 07:56 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrylyates (Post 1246860)

First of all, I really like your post. It is a great summary and clarification of the nature and function of the Gifts.

Thanks, Doc! Always glad to help.

:heeheehee

Timmy

05-01-2013 07:56 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1247005)

What if they offered to pay you for your time???

I think any such a consultation should be free.

My rates are negotiable. I always start by asking

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...-LteJamP5JAugJ

larrylyates

05-01-2013 08:46 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy (Post 1247026)

Thanks, Doc! Always glad to help.

:heeheehee

You crack me up!:thumbsup

Aquila

05-01-2013 10:47 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus2woman (Post 1247012)

Excellent point. Good post.

navygoat1998

05-01-2013 10:50 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquila (Post 1247079)

Excellent point. Good post.

Simon the sorcer got severely rebuked my Simon Peter for wishing to purchase the ability to market a gift.

Farfel

05-01-2013 10:52 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by navygoat1998 (Post 1247080)

Simon the sorcer got severely rebuked my Simon Peter for wishing to purchase the ability to market a gift.

:thumbsup

Aquila

05-01-2013 11:04 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by navygoat1998 (Post 1247080)

Simon the sorcer got severely rebuked my Simon Peter for wishing to purchase the ability to market a gift.

I wouldn't take money from a person who wanted to pay for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. However, if they just wanted an hour of two for counsel, prayer, and to see if they could get a Word from the LORD, and offered some form of money as a gift, I'd take it if they insisted.

Jay	05-01-2013 11:49 AM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

I agree that this is a rather thought provoking issue. I have no difficulty in all of the gifts being used. The key is that we are not to force the use of any gift, but rather to allow the Spirit to use us at the instrument of His will. This is the only way that such a thing may be beneficial to all parties involved.

I had a couple of incidents regarding my best friend, and while I will not claim it as one of the gifts of the Spirit, I know that I was led of the Lord to speak. The first was a warning that I was given that he would be facing a major decision, and that if he made the wrong choice, he would be lost. There followed a couple of major decisions that fit this billing. He later told me that without that warning, he might not have prayed and given appropriate heed to the will of God.

The second was a bit different. While at work, I started to ponder things that the Lord might one day wish me to say. During this flight of fancy, I noticed that my thoughts had begun to address a situation my friend was going through. I have learned that in these instances to listen, because the Lord is beginning to speak. I was then given information concerning his situation, but I was baffled and felt that I only had half of the picture. I then began to pray about the correct time to approach my friend. Within a couple of weeks or less, the door opened, and I gave him the message from God. I also told him that I did not understand all of it. He then filled me in. Upon hearing the other side of the story, I then could see exactly how all of the parts made a perfect whole.

Paul said that there were many ways that the gifts were used and made manifest, but it was the same God who was at work in every situation.

Aquila

05-01-2013 01:19 PM

Re: Spiritual Gifts: When and where?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay (Post 1247109)

Awesome testimony. I believe I see the gifts of word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and prophesy working together through you.

Quote:

The key is that we are not to force the use of any gift, but rather to allow the Spirit to use us at the instrument of His will.

I don't believe that a spiritual gift can be "forced". One can pray and ask God to impart a special word of wisdom or word of knowledge... but ultimately the Spirit of God divides to every man severally as he wills. A man who is knowledgeable about spiritual gifts will honestly say, "I've prayed and have nothing at this time. I'll call you if God speaks to me about your circumstance." Amen, a gift can't be "forced".

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