Where is teaching on 'gifts of the Spirit?”

[shazeep]

Aquila, you might define 'seer' here as it contrasts with our standard def of the word. How is this 'seer' different from the Tarot kind, for instance. And, what do you think of remote viewing' in this context? Is this a gift of the spirit?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by shazeep

Aquila, you might define 'seer' here as it contrasts with our standard def of the word. How is this 'seer' different from the Tarot kind, for instance. And, what do you think of remote viewing' in this context? Is this a gift of the spirit?

Here's the definition I'd typically ascribe to...

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Seer
One supernaturally enlightened to see things which God only can reveal; applied to certain Hebrews prophets, 1 Samuel 9:9 2 Chronicles 29:30 33:18,19 Isaiah 29:10 30:10 . Compare Numbers 24:3,4 .

It's my understanding that "prophets" were first called "seers". However, the prophets became rather organized and even founded a school of the prophets. They served in an official capacity. Yet in some verses we still see prophets and seers spoken of distinctly. Seers often personally served leaders and nobility. Prophets remained in the more religious communities. It is my understanding that a "seer" is essentially a prophet that doesn't serve in an official capacity. They are more private. Also, the gifts of a seer are more visual and sensory in nature as opposed to the gift of the prophet which is vocal. The seer comes with the message of "I see..." or a, "And I saw...". The prophet primarily speaks, "Thus saith the LORD..." The word as delivered by a prophet is typically a message directly from God. As is a prophetic utterance. However, the words of a seer need a degree of interpretation.

An older man sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch that shares the dreams and visions God has given him about history, politics, the family, the church, and the state of society... and gives you something to chew on for yourself after it's obvious that he has "read your mail"... he is a seer. The man who speaks publically to the crowd with a message from God... he is a prophet.

Yes, the term "seer" is used in some circles as it might relate to those who are supposedly psychic or use tarot cards and other methods of divination. The issue at hand isn't the visual/sensory nature of the giftings... but the source. Is it the Holy Spirit or is it demonic? Is it rooted in prayer and love for God... or cards, mirrors, crystals, etc.?

Remember, Satan doesn't come up with anything original. Anything Satan's agents have is nothing but a counterfeit of a divine original. As for remote viewing... can't the Holy Spirit give a vision or word of knowledge by opening the spiritual eyes of a man or woman to see what is happening elsewhere? Did not Jesus see Nathaniel under the fig tree... when Jesus wasn't physically present?

[renee819]

Aquila This part is true.

Word of Wisdom - Divine wisdom or insight about a situation that is delivered straight from God.

Word of Knowledge - The impartation of knowledge pertaining to a person, situation, or chain of events that the gift holder could not have known by any natural means.

Discernment of Spirits - The ability to supernaturally know the motive of a human spirit or the presence and nature of spiritual beings (human, angel, demon).

Gift of Faith - The impartation of supernatural faith that defies all logic in a given, seemingly hopeless, situation or circumstance.

Gifts of Healing - The impartation of the power to heal various maladies in the body, soul, or spirit.

Gift of Miracles - The impartation of the power to pray and have prayers answered, even if the outcome requires supernatural means that defy the laws of nature.

Gift of Tongues - The impartation of the ability to speak a message directly from God "in the Spirit" or to supernaturally "pray in the Spirit".

Gift of Interpretation of Tongues - The impartation of the ability to "interpret" (not translate) unknown tongues spoken under the "Gift of Tongues" before listeners.

Gift of Prophesy - The impartation of the ability to speak a message directly from God concerning the future or a present spiritual reality or situation ("Thus saith the LORD...").

But you scare me with the word 'seer.” I know it is in the OT. But not in the New Testament. In the NT it would be a 'prophet' Why not use NT terms since we are in the New Covenant.

Also this raises a red flag to me.
Aquiia wrote,

For example, they will explain what the four different kinds of "visions" are:
Dreams
Inner Vision
Open Heavens Vision
Spiritual Vision In Translation

I left a church that was getting into false doctrine, basing everything on dreams and visions, until they hardly talked of anything else. Even boldly proclaiming that.” if you weren't having dreams and visions, you weren't where you ought to be with God.”

I believe that God does give dreams and visions, but I don't see it emphasized to that extent in the Bible, anywhere..

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by renee819

It seems to me, that the churches I have been in, in the past, take for granted that the 'gifts' will just happen. Not much teaching on them, and yet Paul used 3 chapters in 1 Cor to teach the people about how to use the 'gifts.'

I believe the gifts were given to guide the church. To increase faith, when they see healings being done and prophesies fulfilled and people with the gifts of knowledge and wisdom speaking out.

I can't even find a good book on this subject. People talk about tongues and interpretations, but there are 7 other gifts that we need in each group.

Don't get me wrong, Im not trying to pick on you, but you sound as if you haven't visited many churches for an extended period of time...at least not long enough to make such a statement unless you expect these churches to teach on the gifts once a month.

There are MANY bible topics and many different things God wants to say to His church.

On the other hand, David Bernard has an excellent book on the topic and recently it was developed into a small group discussion. I taught this to my bible study group...sorry you weren't there :-)

We, and I, regularly emphasize the gifts in teaching on them, having discussions and encouraging others to pray about them.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

When gifts are experienced and put into practice... it's often hard to keep people under human control.

Human's aren't supposed to control. Humans facilitate and regulate.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by renee819

Aquila This part is true.


But you scare me with the word 'seer.” I know it is in the OT. But not in the New Testament. In the NT it would be a 'prophet' Why not use NT terms since we are in the New Covenant.

The words can be used interchangeably. However, those prophets who walk more in the visionary/sensory gifts have found using the term "seer" to more accurately reflect their gift.

Also this raises a red flag to me.
Aquiia wrote,

I left a church that was getting into false doctrine, basing everything on dreams and visions, until they hardly talked of anything else. Even boldly proclaiming that.” if you weren't having dreams and visions, you weren't where you ought to be with God.”

I believe that God does give dreams and visions, but I don't see it emphasized to that extent in the Bible, anywhere..

Amen. I wouldn't say that a focus on dreams or visions is false doctrine, if that is one's gift. However, there must be balance. Not everyone has the same gifts. And that should be respected. In the end, the focus should be the glory of Jesus and the spreading of the Gospel for the salvation of men and women.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Don't get me wrong, Im not trying to pick on you, but you sound as if you haven't visited many churches for an extended period of time...at least not long enough to make such a statement unless you expect these churches to teach on the gifts once a month.

There are MANY bible topics and many different things God wants to say to His church.

On the other hand, David Bernard has an excellent book on the topic and recently it was developed into a small group discussion. I taught this to my bible study group...sorry you weren't there :-)

We, and I, regularly emphasize the gifts in teaching on them, having discussions and encouraging others to pray about them.

Many have discovered that a traditional "church service" is no place to use your gifts. In fact, in a traditional service the minister's gifts are more readily displayed. This is why small groups and development groups are valuable for individuals and the development of their gifts.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Human's aren't supposed to control. Humans facilitate and regulate.

True. But sadly human beings choose to control.

[Aquila]

Benjamin Disraeli once said, “Most people die with their music still locked up inside them.”

Sadly, this is true for most born again Christians. There is a spiritual dimension to biblical Christianity that is very personal, spiritual, and deeply revelatory. Most only walk in the realm of doctrine. Few actually venture into the deeper waters of the Spirit.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Many have discovered that a traditional "church service" is no place to use your gifts. In fact, in a traditional service the minister's gifts are more readily displayed. This is why small groups and development groups are valuable for individuals and the development of their gifts.

Not me. I find the traditional church service (I suppose that depends on your view of what traditional is) is a GREAT place/Event for the gifts to occur.

Let's not forget there were 120 speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost and then with 3000 or so more visiting many more miracles were done.

The problem isn't the type of meeting. The problem is the teaching