Many think that experiencing a miracle, vision, or prophecy is the greatest thing God can do for you this side of heaven. (It’s not.)
Holy Ghost power is popularly seen as the pinnacle spiritual experience, even though most churches cannot exhibit these Holy Ghost powers (sometimes called spiritual gifts).
Sometimes people think these powers are seen where the church is pure, spiritual, passionate, full of faith and love. I was told recently that “We don’t see them in America because fewer are faithful to know the truth, but we do see them overseas.”
In other words, the powers are absent in churches that are “lukewarm” or lack faith and charity. If the church would “get on fire”, repent, or seek the Lord more fervently, then God would pour out the miraculous signs and wonders like he did in the early church.
The problem with this explanation is that it is contrary to the Biblical evidence. In the Bible, the gifts are found prominently in those places that had problems with doctrine, behavior, and charity.
As far as we know, the Corinthian church manifested more spiritual gifts than any other church (since we read more gifts and powers in those epistles than any other).
Yet, the Corinthian church was described as carnal, babes, ignorant, unable to hear meat doctrine, struggling with sin, divisions, strife, doubts about the resurrection, pride, a lack of charity, and a misuse of the very powers the Spirit gave them (see 1 Cor 3:1-3 for one example).
The idea that Spirit powers are given to those with greater spirituality, faith, or fervor fails to explain why the most carnal church in Paul’s ministry had abundant powers.
No, the powers of the Spirit must have been prevalent in the early church for another reason that accommodates immature and flesh driven saints and aligns with the Bible.
Just such an explanation is found in apostolic writings after Pentecost. Years after the Holy Ghost was given, Christ returned and revealed to the apostle Paul unknown spiritual information.
The reason the Corinthians could have Holy Ghost power and be weak in faith and spirituality was because they did not yet understand this more perfect revelation.
The Holy Ghost power was given before they were able to see what is the fellowship of the mystery of Christ (Eph 3:9). This matches the Biblical explanation.
The reason many think the powers of the Holy Ghost are signs of peak spiritual experience is because they think it was the last thing Christ revealed. It was not.
The powers of the Spirit were always a means to an end. God has dispensed a more excellent way to that end. Have you heard? (1 Cor 12:31; Eph 3:1-10)
Learn more here:
https://graceambassadors.com/spiritual-gifts
To Make All Men See,
Justin “powerful message, pastor” Johnson