Kade Rystalmane
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1 Corinthians 12-14 – Miracles: Distribution, Duration, and Proper Use
As Paul tends to write in what has been divided into three chapter arcs, and this one is particularly pronounced, I wanted to handle all three of these chapters together in a single post.I also see a lot of confusion about miracles in the world today about miracles. A lot of folks still think they have the ability to perform these miracles (or that God performs them through them as we see recorded throughout the NT). So I will spend some significant time, not only on the apocalyptic material in these three chapters, but addressing miracles accurately.
1 Corinthians 12 – Distribution of Miracles
Paul transitions from speaking about the Lord’s Supper to talking about “spiritual gifts”, i.e. what we call miracles. Just a quick note about miracles: a miracle as used in scripture is a supernatural act of God used for the express purpose of confirming that whatever is being spoken is from God (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4). E.g. birth is not a miracle, it is a natural process.1 Corinthians 12:1-3
“1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 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.”In this transition, Paul lays out a foundation for why he is writing. These Christians are largely Gentile in origin and pagan in their former lives. Their understanding of miracles is based on the baggage they bring with them from their former pagan religions. [Much like folks today who bring baggage with them from the denominations and so their understanding of miracles is in error.]
He then writes words that John parallels in his smaller letters, a basic litmus test for determining who is from God and who not. Judiazers would be wont to call Jesus accursed and would not recognize Him as the Lord. Pagan idolaters as well. If at the very least someone comes along and says Jesus is accursed or will not acknowledge Him as God, that person is not to be listened to no matter what miracles they appear to perform. Remember, Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8) deceived a lot of people by his magic tricks. When Peter and John performed real wonders, Simon even recognized the power and obeyed the gospel. However, he still had some baggage (Acts 8:18-24).
This is not the end all test, however, because there will certainly be folks who acknowledge Jesus is Lord, even demons (Mark 5:2-7). The whole Bible provides the ultimate litmus test for us to try the spirits whether they be of God (1 John 4:1)
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.”
God is not a respecter of individuals (Acts 10:34). However, He understands that individuals are different, have different needs and talents. He provided in this time of miracles according to the needs of the church and the individuals. Paul explains here that the miracles are divvied up as God sees fit for the health of the whole church/body.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
“12 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. 13 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. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”This is an expansion on the thought that God nurtures the body as necessary, knowing that the body has different members with different needs and functions. We can’t all be preachers or even teachers. We can’t all be elders or apostles (which office no longer even exists). Each role exists “that the members should have the same care one for another”. In the same manner, each miracle was given to different individuals to best suit the congregation in which they were a member.
An important note, though. With regard to immersion into Christ: I did a long study on Romans 6 and the type of immersion that saves us. Eph. 4 teaches that there is only one Christian immersion by the time Paul writes the letter, meaning that any others pertaining to becoming a Christian are gone. I wrote how in Romans 6, this immersion was a command to be obeyed and so how this could not be immersion in the Holy Spirit since no one can obey the command. Here in 12:13 we see “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” This is not denoting the element we are surrounded by when we are immersed. It is speaking of the Holy Spirit as the immerse, ultimately the one who does the immersing if it is done right because the immersing is done according to the Word which the Holy Spirit inspired to be written. This verse is echoed in Eph. 5:26.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 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. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”Paul then compares the diversity of gifts to the diversity of offices. He teaches that it is okay to desire the best gifts, so long as they understand what the best gifts are (which are those that edify the church rather than aggrandize self).
However, at the very end of this thought, Paul says he is going to show them a more excellent way. A more excellent way than what the miracles can achieve. A way measured by the complete standard that is the revealed Word of God.