* As to if the gifts of the Holy Spirit went out with the early church or not:

Some use the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:10-13 to prove that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer in operation, but went out with the early church. Let us look at the scriptures.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:10-13   But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

* They use the part that says “that which is perfect is come” and say that it means when the Bible was completed, or the church was formed.

My answer to this is, why were the gifts given? Vs.7 below

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11   Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10. 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:
11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The gifts are manifested for the good of the church members “to profit withal” for the good of all.

Question: Do people still need healing today?
                 Do people still need a miracle?
                 Do people still need prophecy? ( prophecy is for edification, exhortation,
                 comfort. ) etc.

* The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for the good of all Christians, of every era.

Question: When will Christians no longer need the gifts of the Spirit? healing etc.

Answer: When the Lord Jesus comes and we are caught up to meet him in the air.
              ( 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 )

1 JOHN 3: 2   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

PHILIPPIANS 3:20-21   For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:51-56   Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Jesus said of the religious leaders of his time “that their traditions had made the word of God of non effect”

Jesus could do no mighty miracles in his hometown because of their doubt and unbelief.

Doubt, unbelief, and traditions of churches, hinder the Holy Spirit. Much of it is out of fear.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifested through imperfect man.

The Corinthian church had the gifts of the Holy Spirit in operation, but Paul had to reprove them and set things in order, they were carnal Christians (gifts do not necessarily mean spirituality) and were misusing the gifts.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10. 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:
11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, these can be classified into three categories.

A.   Gifts that say something - gifts of utterance

       Prophecy - Tongues - Interpretation of Tongues

B.   Gifts that do something - gifts of power

       Faith - Gifts of Healing - Miracles

C.   Gifts that reveal something - gifts of revelation

       Word of Wisdom - Word of Knowledge - Discerning of Spirits

* Note These gifts are as he wills. The Holy Spirit manifests them according to the will
            of God; through Spirit filled Christians.

       To be used we must:

                           Exercise faith
                           Be willing and obedient
                           Our motive must be love

* In the following we will examine each of these gifts.

A. Gifts that say something - gifts of utterance

1. Prophecy - A supernatural forthtelling (speaking, utterance) in the language of the
                         speaker. Not preaching of teaching

Other gifts can work with Prophecy, such as Word of knowledge, which reveals something. Remember Prophecy to a believer should be for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

Prophecy to the believer ( a Christian )

1 CORINTHIANS 14:3   But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Prophecy to the unbeliever

1 CORINTHIANS 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

* An New Test. illustration of prophecy in operation

LUKE 1:67-79   And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73. The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

* A forthtelling - that also reveals things

______________

2. Tongues - is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, that brings forth a language, that has
                      never been learned by the speaker.

ACTS 2:4-8   And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8. And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

ACTS 8:14-17   Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

ACTS 10:44-46   While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

ACTS 19:6   And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

* Speaking in Tongues edifies self

1 CORINTHIANS 14:4   He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

JUDE 1:20   But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

* Speaking in Tongues - to God - speaking mysteries

1 CORINTHIANS 14:2   For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

_______________

3. Interpretation of Tongues - This manifestation of the Holy Spirit, interprets a
                                                  message that has been given in tongues, into human
                                                  language that can be understood by those present.

* This is a gift for the edifying of the church and can be used to individuals.

* There is a difference in an individual’s prayer language (tongues) to the edifying of self
  and a tongue that comes forth to the church for interpretation. (see following scripture)

* Guidelines for:

1 CORINTHIANS 14:27-28   If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:5   I would that ye all spake with tongues; but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:12-13 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Facts concerning tongues:

Notice what Apostle Paul says:

1 CORINTHIANS 14:14-15   For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:39-40   Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40. Let all things be done decently and in order.

* The gifts of the Holy Spirit themselves do not cause confusion, God is not the author of confusion. Confusion is caused by people, for a great many reasons.

_______________

B. Gifts that do something - power

1. Faith - This gift is not normal faith that comes from reading, or hearing God’s word,
                  but is a supernatural impartation of God’s faith. ( Special Faith ) This faith in
                  operation, will be able to believe and receive from God, according to his will.

HEBREWS 11:33   Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

DANIEL 6:16   Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

DANIEL 6:19-23   Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
20. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21. Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

_______________

2. Working of Miracles - A supernatural intervention in the course of nature. It is a
                                         specific act.

JOHN 2:7-11   Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
8. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
9. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
10. And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
11. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

MATTHEW 14:17-21   And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18. He said, Bring them hither to me.
19. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

MATTHEW 14:25   And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

ACTS 3:6-8   Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

* There are many miracles recorded in the Old and New Test.

________________

3. Gifts of Healing - A Supernatural healing of diseases without medical means.

ACTS 10:38   How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

MARK 16:17-18   And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

ACTS 28:8-9   And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

______________

C. Gifts that Reveal Something - gifts of Revelation

1. Word of wisdom - A supernatural impartation of divine wisdom, concerning a
                                     person, place, or thing and how to handle the immediate
                                     situation.

LUKE 20:22-26   Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
23. But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
24. Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
25. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
26. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

JOHN 8:4-8   They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6. This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

ACTS 23:6-7   But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

______________

2. Word of knowledge - A Supernatural impartation of divine knowledge, concerning a
                                       person, place, or thing. It is just a word (a piece of
                                       information). It is not natural knowledge but something revealed                                        that one did not know before.

JOHN 4:15-18 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
16. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18. For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

2 KINGS 6:9-12   And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
10. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
12. And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

3. Discerning of spirits - A Supernatural discernment for the purpose of discerning
                                          something in the spirit realm. It can be about the Spirit of
                                          God, the spirit of man, demonic spirits, or angels.

JOHN 1:47   Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

LUKE 8:29-30   (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30. And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.

ACTS 16:16-18   And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

_______________________________