Servias Ministries Blog

John, the Beloved Disciple, lived to be 101 years old.  He did not live out his days in isolation but continued the ministry of establishing the Way.  Polycarp studied under John and much has been written concerning Polycarp.  Being taught of John who gave first hand accounts of the ministry of Jesus Christ, Polycarp continued faithfully to spread the Gospel of Love.  The following is his letter to the Philippians.  Polycarp’s witness provides us with a consistent witness of the ministries of both John and Paul.  Mankind continues dealing with the same issues today as they did in 100 A.D. and after.  Polycarp taught Love and unity among the brethren:

"Stand fast, therefore, in this conduct and follow the example of the Lord, ‘firm and unchangeable in faith, lovers of the brotherhood, loving each other, united in truth,’ helping each other with the mildness of the Lord, despising no man."

As you read this, note that the love of money was an issue then just as it continues to be a primary issue today.

THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS.^[1]

OLYCARP, and the presbyters^[2] with him, to the church of God sojourning at Philippi: Mercy to you, and peace from God Almighty, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, be multiplied.

Chap. i.—Praise of the Philippians.

I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because ye have followed the example^[3] of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days^[4] long gone by, endureth even until now, and bringeth forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, who for our sins suffered even unto death, [but] "whom God raised from the dead, having loosed the bands of the grave."^[5] "In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory;"^[6] into which joy many desire to enter, knowing that "by grace ye are saved, not of works,"^[7] but by the will of God through Jesus Christ.

Chap. ii.—An exhortation to virtue.

"Wherefore, girding up your loins,"^[8] "serve the Lord in fear"^[9] and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and "believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory,"^[10] and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things^[11] in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead.^[12] His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him.^[13] But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise^[14] up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil-speaking, false-witness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,"^[15] or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: "Judge not, that ye be not judged;^[16] forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you;^[17] be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy;^[18] with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again;"^[19] and once more, "Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God."^[20]

Chap. iii.—Expressions of personal unworthiness.

These things, brethren, I write to you concerning righteousness, not because I take anything upon myself, but because ye have invited me to do so. For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom^[21] of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and stedfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter,^[22] which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, "is the mother of us all."^[23] For if any one be inwardly possessed of these graces, he hath fulfilled the command of righteousness, since he that hath love is far from all sin.

Chap. iv.—Various exhortations.

"But the love of money is the root of all evils."^[24] Knowing, therefore, that "as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out,"^[25] let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness;^[26] and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord. Next, [teach] your wives [to walk] in the faith given to them, and in love and purity tenderly loving their own husbands in all truth, and loving all [others] equally in all chastity; and to train up their children in the knowledge and fear of God. Teach the widows to be discreet as respects the faith of the Lord, praying continually^[27] for all, being far from all slandering, evil-speaking, false-witnessing, love of money, and every kind of evil; knowing that they are the altar^[28] of God, that He clearly perceives all things, and that nothing is hid from Him, neither reasonings, nor reflections, nor any one of the secret things of the heart.

Chap. v.—The duties of deacons, youths, and virgins.

Knowing, then, that "God is not mocked,"^[29] we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In like manner should the deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ,^[30] and not of men. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued,^[31] or lovers of money, but temperate in all things, compassionate, industrious, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who was the servant^[32] of all. If we please Him in this present world, we shall receive also the future world, according as He has promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead, and that if we live^[33]worthily of Him, "we shall also reign together with Him,"^[34] provided only we believe. In like manner, let the young men also be blameless in all things, being especially careful to preserve purity, and keeping themselves in, as with a bridle, from every kind of evil. For it is well that they should be cut off from^[35] the lusts that are in the world, since "every lust warreth against the spirit;"^[36] and "neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God,"^[37] nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming. Wherefore, it is needful to abstain from all these things, being subject to the presbyters and deacons, as unto God and Christ. The virgins also must walk in a blameless and pure conscience.

Chap. vi.—The duties of presbyters and others.

And let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those that wander, visiting all the sick, and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor, but always "providing for that which is becoming in the sight of God and men;"^[38] abstaining from all wrath, respect of persons, and unjust judgment; keeping far off from all covetousness, not quickly crediting [an evil report] against any one, not severe in judgment, as knowing that we are all under a debt of sin. If then we entreat the Lord to forgive us, we ought also ourselves to forgive;^[39] for we are before the eyes of our Lord and God, and "we must all appear at the judgment-seat of Christ, and must every one give an account of himself."^[40] Let us then serve Him in fear, and with all reverence, even as He Himself has commanded us, and as the apostles who preached the gospel unto us, and the prophets who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Lord [have alike taught us]. Let us be zealous in the pursuit of that which is good, keeping ourselves from causes of offence, from false brethren, and from those who in hypocrisy bear the name of the Lord, and draw away vain men into error.

Chap. vii.—Avoid the Docetæ, and persevere in fasting and prayer.

"For whosoever does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is antichrist;"^[41] and whosoever does not confess the testimony of the cross,^[42] is of the devil; and whosoever perverts the oracles of the Lord to his own lusts, and says that there is neither a resurrection nor a judgment, he is the first-born of Satan. Wherefore, forsaking the vanity of many, and their false doctrines, let us return to the word which has been handed down to us from^[43] the beginning; "watching unto prayer,"^[44] and persevering in fasting; beseeching in our supplications the all-seeing God "not to lead us into temptation,"^[45] as the Lord has said: "The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak."^[46]

Chap. viii.—Persevere in hope and patience

Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, "who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,"^[47] "who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth,"^[48] but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him.^[49] Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer^[50] for His name’s sake, let us glorify Him.^[51] For He has set us this example^[52] in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case.

Chap. ix.—Patience inculcated.

I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as ye have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run^[53] in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also they suffered. For they loved not this present world, but Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the dead.

Chap. x.—Exhortation to the practice of virtue.^[54]

Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood,^[55] and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When you can do good, defer it not, because "alms delivers from death."^[56] Be all of you subject one to another,^[57] "having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,"^[58] that ye may both receive praise for your good works, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But woe to him by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed!^[59] Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct.

Chap. xi.—Expression of grief on account of Valens.

I am greatly grieved for Valens, who was once a presbyter among you, because he so little understands the place that was given him [in the church]. I exhort you, therefore, that ye abstain from covetousness,^[60] and that ye be chaste and truthful. "Abstain from every form of evil."^[61] For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness,^[60] he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? "Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world?"^[62]as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended^[63] in the beginning of his epistle. For he boasts of you in all those churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known Him. I am deeply grieved, therefore, brethren, for him (Valens) and his wife; to whom may the Lord grant true repentance! And be ye then moderate in regard to this matter, and "do not count such as enemies,"^[64] but call them back as suffering and straying members, that ye may save your whole body. For by so acting ye shall edify yourselves.^[65]

Chap. xii.—Exhortation to various graces.

For I trust that ye are well versed in the sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted.^[66] It is declared then in these Scriptures, "Be ye angry, and sin not,"^[67]and, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."^[68] Happy is he who remembers^[69] this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who "raised Him from the dead."^[70] Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings,^[71] and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you,^[72] and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.

Chap. xiii.—Concerning the transmission of epistles.

Both you and Ignatius^[73] wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter^[74] with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The epistles of Ignatius written by him^[75] to us, and all the rest [of his epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any^[76] more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were^[77] with him, have the goodness to make known^[78] to us.

Chap. xiv.—Conclusion.

These things I have written to you by Crescens, whom up to the present^[79] time I have recommended unto you, and do now recommend. For he has acted blamelessly among us, and I believe also among you. Moreover, ye will hold his sister in esteem when she comes to you. Be ye safe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with you all.^[80] Amen.

Matthew 24:24  “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. NKJV

One of my greatest concerns is that we not be deceived by false prophets.  What is the difference between a prophet and a false prophet?  A prophet “forth tells” a Word from Our Heavenly Father whereas a false prophet “foretells” the future.  Foretelling means to describe something before it happens.  We must be cautious about attempting to foretell the future and instead seek Our Heavenly Father for instruction to prepare for whatever HE shows us individually or corporately.

I remember the book “88 Reasons for Christ’s Return in 1988”.  He was wrong.  I remember the various prophetic ministries expounding on Christian television that the Apocalypse was to happen immediately.  This was in the 1970’s and 1980’s.  They were wrong.  Ultimately, we must label them false prophets.  The older I get, the less I know.

Each of us needs to hear Our Heavenly Father individually.  Those young in THE LORD rely on the “fathers” to steer them in the right direction.  I have written much on the economic issues surrounding us.  History suggests that we are on a collision course with a severe economic event.  Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill provide me with that conclusion.  I must believe that Our Heavenly Father has provided the venue to expound the warnings.  I do not view the warning as being “prophetic” just as I don’t view the conclusion that if I head north on Interstate 35 I will arrive in Minneapolis as being prophetic.  It is simply a conclusion based on knowledge and experience.  However, the conclusion does not account for unexpected events such as a snowstorm closing down the Interstate.

A prophet’s word starts out with “Thus says THE LORD” in some manner.  The prophet indicates that he is simply speaking what he is hearing from Our Heavenly Father.  This is different from a mature writer warning us of a potential disaster or event that MAY come.  It is up to each of us to watch over our actions in  response to what we hear and want to believe.  Those that keep us always focused on the future may be detrimental to the here and now.  If you are always waiting for some event to happen and you are no longer being a blessing in the here and now, you may be being deceived.  Love operates in the “now” and people need to be ministered to now, not later when some future event has been predicted.

Jesus warned us of the subtlety of false prophets and their cunningness to tickle our ears with certain promises we all want to hear.  It is my understanding that the Apostle John lived 101 years and his last words were to Love one another.  They weren’t to warn us of any impending destruction.  Love should be our focus.

In the past, many of us witnessed certain lawless aspects of the ministry.  Preachers would spend the better part of a meeting beating us up for money.  Only after everyone gave until it hurt would they begin to minister in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit.  Tent meetings became a venue for extracting money.  Greed starts out ever so subtle.  Later, it is fully uncovered for what it is.  Benny Hin was scrutinized by a major news magazine and was asked why he needed multiple houses in gated communities and European luxury cars.  He publicly repented but later was back to a similar lifestyle.  I witnessed the uncovering, the repentance, and the return to luxury.  He originally wanted the same anointing of Kathryn Kuhlman and was believed to carry on her mantle of a healing ministry.

As we move toward the “perfecting” of our faith and walking in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, we must be vigilant not to let greed enter in.  This is why the Baptism of Love is so important to establish our intent.  Paul was well aware of the issue as revealed below:

1 Thessalonians 2:5

• NET© 2:5 For we never appeared ¹ with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –
• NIV© 2:5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
• NASB© 2:5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–God is witness–
• ESV© 2:5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.
• NLT© 2:5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!
• MSG© 2:5 We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.
• BBE© 2:5 For it is common knowledge among you that we never made use of smooth-sounding false words, and God is witness that at no time were we secretly desiring profit for ourselves,
• NKJV© 2:5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness––God is witness.
• NRSV© 2:5 As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed;
• KJV© 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words , as ye know , nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:

The Law does not deal with the intent found in the heart of man, it only deals with his behavior.  Thus the Law could not provide us fellowship with Our Heavenly Father by itself.  We should not exalt the Law as being the fullness of the Gospel but we should honor the fact that Our Heavenly Father provided the Law so that we could see our lawlessness.  Without the standard of the Law, how could we be sure of where we stood in the big picture?  The Law reveals the symptoms of the problem but does not deal with the root of the problem: intent of the heart.  The Law effectively provides a starting point in our journey in the Pentecostal Age of maturing.  To honor means to have high regard.  I have a high regard for anything Our Heavenly Father brings forth from HIS Divine Intent.  After all, HE is the Creator and deserves to be honored in every aspect that proceeds out of HIS Mouth.

The Jews had a problem in that they could not see that the Law was only the beginning point of the maturing process.  They rejected the revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ and continued to walk in the flesh using the Law in it lowest form as being a “monitor” of the actions of the flesh.  Their intent of using the “letter” of the Law took them away from the presence of Our Heavenly Father.  They failed to embrace the “intent” of the Law which was to establish a starting point by which they would mature toward walking in the ways of Our Heavenly Father.  They were unable to comprehend the Love aspect of Our Heavenly Father’s Intent.  Instead, they used the Law to manipulate others to do their fleshly intent.  They rationalized their actions under the guise of the Law.  What was missing?  The revelation of the intent of the Law- Love.

It continues to be a problem today.  Legislators enact more laws to deal with the fleshly intent of the population, never dealing with the root of the problem.  The prisons are full and there are many that should be in prison but their lawyers are using the letter of the law to manipulate the system in order to keep their clients out of jail.  The lawyers’ focus is the love of money, not justice.  The law without the Spirit fails to bring forth the Kingdom.  What is missing is the Spirit of Our Heavenly Father in these matters.

Pentecost means “fifty” which is a jubilee number.  The Law did not bring forth a jubilee, it did the opposite.  It revealed the debt requiring payment.  It continues to fulfill its function of revealing sin.  The jubilee aspect of Pentecost is the giving of the Holy Spirit.  Those who are redeemed of the Blood of Christ need to be matured into vessels of honor.  The Law identified us all as vessels of dishonor.  We needed a change of heart, not just behavior.  Jesus is the door to the maturing process.  The Holy Spirit is to be our comforter, advocate, and teacher as we mature into the fullness as vessels of honor.  The Holy Spirit is to lead us into all truth:

John 16:12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit provides us the means of rising to full maturity as Sons.  We must comprehend the Divine Intent of Our Heavenly Father.  We must be able to discern Truth from the lies of those who would exploit and manipulate mankind to satisfy their lusts.  No longer are we simply attempting to manage behavior with an underlying nefarious intent contrary to Our Heavenly Father, but now we are aligning ourselves with HIS Divine Intent of Love.  In this, I rejoice.

When we rejoice in the process of maturing, we set ourselves up for further revelation which promotes even greater levels of maturity.  The coming Feast of Pentecost is to honor the process that Our Heavenly Father put in place.  It is not to exalt the Law as being the preeminent focus of our lives.  As we walk in The Spirit, we are no longer under the Law for we are now lawfully oriented.  We should be focused on being led by HIS Spirit so that we are fully baptized in Love.  As we walk fully in Love, we are fulfilling HIS Intent and our behavior will simply by an outward witness to that Intent. 

DEFRAUD: To cheat.

1. To deprive of right, either by obtaining something by deception or artifice, or by taking something wrongfully without the knowledge or consent of the owner; to cheat; to cozen; followed by of before the thing taken; as, to defraud; a man of his right.

2. To withhold wrongfully from another what is due to him.

3. To prevent one wrongfully from obtaining what he may justly claim.

4. To defeat or frustrate wrongfully.

If we really want to break through to the fullness of what Our Heavenly Father has for us, we must deal with the most subtle issues of self-preservation.  Your mind will rationalize why you can act or not act in order to preserve your status quo.  You can hide behind the “letter” of the Law but become a vessel of dishonor by acting outside the intent of the Law.  You can claim that the Law doesn’t apply to you so that you can pursue a path of lawlessness and defraud your brother.  Jesus made it quite clear that the intent of the Law is Love and that the Law can be summed up by Love.

The church in years past has discarded the Law in order to be lawless, except for tithing of course.  That is in essence a form of defrauding your brother by deception.  When you selectively demand the sheep to follow one aspect of the Law and no others, you have created an environment of coveting and defrauding.  When this happens, you place yourself under the consequences of breaking the Law, being under the Law.  When you operate in Love, you fulfill the Law and you by nature are not “under” the Law but you supersede the Law by Love, the higher standard.  This does not discard the Law and its consequences, but the its consequences are not applicable to you because you are not a lawbreaker.

In 1 Timothy 1, Paul says it like this:

:8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,

9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,

11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

Paul basically tells us that the Law is still in effect toward the lawless, and by necessity the Law is in effect to this very day.  Paul admonishes us against walking according to our flesh.  As we move toward the fullness of righteousness, we will no longer be under the Law because we walk according to a higher standard of being led by The Spirit of Love.  When we are walking according to the Holy Spirit, we fulfill the Law just as Jesus did and are not under the consequences of the Law.  However, the Law is still in effect for the lawless.  This is why we must embrace the Law and the Spirit, both given at Pentecost.  One to establish our starting point of lawlessness, and the other to establish our path to the fullness of righteousness by being led by The Holy Spirit.

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:

1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

Paul clearly states that Our Heavenly Father is the avenger.  An avenger is one who exacts the penalty against the lawless.  When you act lawlessly, you subject yourself to HIS judgment.  The Blood of Jesus Christ is your path to forgiveness but if you walk in lawlessness, especially habitual lawlessness, you will ultimate reap the reward of that path.

Does this apply to Christians?  Absolutely.  This is who Paul is talking to.  He urges us to “abound more and more” to the point of pleasing Our Heavenly Father.  Is is a process and the Pentecostal age and the associated Feast represent this process.  The self-preserving spirit would have us negate the need to focus on this process as though we are immune from the effects of the Law.  The Law effectively defines lawlessness and you cannot satisfy the Law by your own power or the children of Israel would have.  Jesus pointed us to the path through Him and by receiving the Holy Spirit Who would guide us into all Truth.

The Truth will expose any fraud you are participating in.  By seeking forgiveness, you remove the judgment of those past acts of lawlessness.  As long as you hold on to the lawlessness yet to be dealt with, you will continue to be subject to the Law and the Avenger of the Law.  When asked about prayer, Jesus instructed us:

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

If you truly walk in Love, you will not defraud your brother or be under the Law.  That is the simple Truth.

PS: to cozen means: to deceive, win over, or induce to do something by artful coaxing and wheedling or shrewd trickery.

I was sent this study by a brother and I provide this for you to ponder:

A Study of 1 Cor. 12:1-12

The prophet Hosea said “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hos 4:6) The same can be said of Christians today. When it comes to spiritual matters Christianity seems to be polarized. Many choose to completely ignore anything to do with charismatic matters because they think it strange, bazaar and even devilish. Others have embraced it and then added strange fires to it making it strange, bazaar and even devilish. Brothers and sisters, we need only to go to the word of God and let it explain itself. It is there that we will find proper instruction so that we may bare good spiritual fruit. It is the common ground of the Word of God spoken in love that will bring men into unity on such a matter.

For this study we will be using the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

1 Cor 12:1A Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, The word gifts is in italics. In the KJV of the Bible, anything the translators added to the text is

in italics. The Greek word used here is pnumatikos, meaning matters of the spirit. Therefore the verse should read “ Now concerning matters of the spirit brethren.”

1 Cor 12:1B I would not have you ignorant. The word “would” indicates an intense passionate desire. So this verse could read “My intense

passionate desire is not to have you ignorant.”

Vs. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

A man can go no further than what he is taught. We all have points of reference outside ourselves. Some are correct and some are incorrect. If a man is raised among people who believe the earth is flat, chances are, he will not only believe the earth is flat as an adult but he will also adamantly defend his beliefs. When Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic many thought he would sail off the edge of the earth. Until he proved them wrong by returning with evidence of another land. It takes courage to walk contrary to popular beliefs and a meek heart to learn otherwise. The people at Corinth worshiped man made gods with man made forms of worship. Today we don’t have many idols of wood, stone or precious metals but we have a plethora of idols of the heart. An idol of the heart is anything that takes precedence above our heavenly father. It could be money, social position, family, possessions, incorrect beliefs, etc. In this case it is false beliefs. Paul is lovingly correcting the misunderstanding of the church concerning spiritual matters.

Vs. 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.

Here Paul is correcting a misunderstanding in the church. It was practiced among pagan worshipers to curse their gods when something went wrong. After all, their gods could not talk back to them so why not. This practice is still alive and well in our own society today when you hear someone say in frustration, anger or idle speaking “God damn this…” or “Jesus Christ that…” Hear at Corinth people would hear a Christian speak by the spirit, which is speaking in tongues, and not understanding what they were saying would assume they were cursing Jesus. Nothing could be further from the truth as we will see later in this study.

Vs. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

The word gifts is the Greek word charismata which means a gift of divine grace God to man. To the unsaved it is eternal life (Rom 6:23). To the individual believer it is the ability to operate a manifestation (Acts 2:38). To the church it is the five gift ministries in operation (Eph. 4:11). Vs. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. The word administrations is the Greek word diakonia meaning service ministries. These operate man to man on a horizontal level. For example one may have a ministry of helps another may have a ministry of governments.

Vs. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in

all.

The word operations is the Greek word energema meaning “the thing wrought or the effect” such as the nine manifestations listed later in this chapter. The word worketh is the Greek word energeo. The point being made here is that it is not the man that does the working but it is God that does the working.

Vs. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Let’s take a moment to clarify something. There is one gift which is the gift of holy spirit. There are nine manifestations of that gift. God, who is Holy and is Spirit gives that which he is. The gift of holy spirit. Every man, who is born again of God, has this complete package which has several operations that manifest in the senses or quantum realm in different ways. The emphasis is that when the spirit is manifested there is profit.

Verses 8-10 list the nine manifestations of holy spirit according to their profit

Vs. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of

knowledge by the same Spirit;

The word of wisdom is listed first. The number one indicates unity and the beginning. Therefore, the word of wisdom must be used with all the manifestations. The word of knowledge is listed second because it divides off of word of wisdom. But with the two together, these manifestations are absolutely conclusive and complement each other.

Vs. 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.

Faith, also translated believing, is third because it completes, makes entire and gives perfection. For without it, it is impossible to please God. Gifts of healing is listed forth. Four stands for the earth or material creation. Our bodies are refereed to as earthen vessels our earthen vessel needs healing when we are sick or injured. Every time we are healed it is a gift.

Vs. 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:

The working of miracles is listed fifth. Five is the number for grace and favor. Miracles are God’s grace and favor on our lives. Six is the number for man. Prophecy is listed sixth because it is always given man to man on a horizontal level. Discerning of spirits is listed seventh. Seven indicates spiritual perfection and completion. With this manifestation the overcomer can spiritually discern if there is the spirit of God (holy spirit) or devil spirits involved in a situation. Allowing him to walk in the perfection God desires for his people.

Tongues is listed eighth. Eight is the number for new beginning. All the prophets including Jesus Christ operated the previous 7 manifestations. They prophesied about speaking in tongues but did not have the spiritual ability until the fulfillment of the Feast of Weeks. The manifestation of speaking in tongues represents a new beginning with a new spiritual ability. The manifestation of interpretation of tongues is listed ninth. It signifies God’s visitation. When a person whether believer or unbeliever hears interpretation of tongues it is in his own language. He will understand the interpretation. It will be a message from God. It is God visitation. These nine manifestations of the spirit are the tools needed to produce fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22). They are not an end in themselves but a means to an end which is the desired fruit.

Vs. 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man

severally as he will.

There is one gift, that is the gift of holy spirit. Each individual who has this gift has the ability to operate all 9 manifestations as that individual wills to. Another translation of this verse reads:

Vs. 11 All manifestations are energized by that one and selfsame spirit distributing to every man his own as the man wills. The adversary would have you believe that no one individual has the ability to operate all nine manifestations and that each manifestation is a separate gift. This very teaching has seriously limited the ability of many to function effectively in the body of Messiah. If you leave out one of the nine manifestations, you miss out on the profit and the fruit of the spirit that will be produced by its operation. The gift of holy spirit is “Christ in you.” Let me ask you this, is Christ limited to only one manifestation? Just because a man wills not to operate a manifestation does not mean that he doesn’t have the potential to operate the manifestation. God is no respecter of persons and He is more willing to give than his children are to receive. We the body of Messiah must rise up and claim our spiritual potential.

Vs. 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.

It takes a spiritually mature person to see and appreciate the one body of Christ. Not everyone has the same calling in the one body but each individual is important to the functioning of that body. Denominational dogma has ripped and tore at the body of Messiah for centuries. Separating into “us and them” by claiming to have “the right doctrine.” I ask you dear Christian. Where, in the Word of God, are we commanded to be right all the time. We are told to study to show ourselves approved unto God and with that studying comes the understanding that we are commanded to love. It is love (agape) that holds the body of Messiah together and allows it to function. Speaking by the spirit originates from the gift of holy spirit that is in each born again Christian believer. Among the first century Christians, speaking in tongues was the evidence they looked for, the proof in the senses realm of the gift of holy spirit. Today because of ignorance or wrong teaching it is the exception. In fact many Christian denominations look down on it. It is a travesty that this manifestation of holy spirit would be looked upon with such distain by the very people Jesus Christ poured out his life for.

JUST-A-THOUGHT    No. 410 May 7th. 2014

Do you relate to VASHTI or ESTHER?

(Esther 1:3–) In the 3rd.year of his reign, King Ahasuerus made a feast unto all his princes (those with vague expectations of one day ruling…) and close servants. The king desired to show the riches of his kingdom for 180 days and at the conclusion of those days he made a further feast for the people of 7 days making a total of 187 days of feasting. How can we link this to ‘Tabernacles’? (the 187th. day of the Hebrew year is the day of atonement in the Feast of Tabernacles … the 3rd. feast that God expected His people to celebrate … Leviticus 25). Vashti was conspicuous by her absence! She was the queen of the past seen by her actions, she “did her own thing” …She had the calling of the queen and enjoyed some of the privileges of that position …  but without a ‘now’ desire to please the King as a priority, she missed out on seeing the riches of the King’s kingdom. By contrast Esther fully submitted to the anointing and required only that which would please the king, she laid down her own desires and experienced the full blessings of a true union.

Now ‘the Church system’ is likened to Vashti who has been summoned to the Feast of Tabernacles and has refused to come… but … there is a people within the people of God that delight in pleasing the King.

Now which model is it to be for you … the Vashti or the Esther pattern?

My comment:  It’s all about Love!