I wish to address one of the greatest things I've learned in my own life about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's presence in our lives today is something many have never used or allowed themselves to receive.
Let's begin in 1Corinthians 12 learning about the differences between the ministerial gifts of the Holy Spirit and the power of His presence in the lives of those not being used in the five fold ministry or congregational offices. The Apostle Paul instructs the Church about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the local church. Paul writes about the Gifts of the Spirit in the use of ministering to others and the work of the five fold ministry.
As Paul addresses the Gifts of the Spirit, he made note how he didn't want the Church to be ignorant or misinformed in Verse 13, where he plainly states that, "No one speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit can ever say, Jesus be cursed, nor can they proclaim Jesus is Lord, except by the influence of the Holy Spirit." That statement itself should end satan's lie to the Church that, "speaking in tongues is of the devil." Let's not be misinformed.
As Paul continues his discourse about the Gifts of the Spirit, he defines "special" manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. These are men and women in the Body of Christ, who are called into the five fold ministry. Ephesians 4:11 (Amplified) describes these ministers to the Church, saying, "And His gifts were (varied) He Himself appointed and gave men to us some to be apostles (special messengers), Some prophets (inspired preachers of the gospel, traveling missionaries) Some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers."
These five fold ministries are most likely to operate in the Gifts of the Spirit, but not always. Paul says in 1Corinthians 12:11 (Amplified), "All these (gifts, achievements,abilities) are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same Holy Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually (exactly) as He chooses."
This verse illustrates how even outside the five ministry, there are times the Gifts of the Spirit will work through whomsoever the Holy Spirit chooses. Those who are always sharing and speaking about Jesus and witnessing to the world about salvation, as well as proclaiming Christ, need these Gifts to deliver one from the bondage of the world.
We again see the distinction Paul makes concerning those who are appointed by God in 1Corinthians 12:28 (Amplified), which says, "So God has appointed some in the Church (for His Own use) first apostles (special messengers); second prophets (inspired preachers and expounders); third teachers; then Wonder-workers; then those with ability to heal the sick, helpers; administrators (speakers in) different (unknown) tongues."
God makes a distinction between those He has "appointed" and the rest of the body in Verses 29-30, saying, "Are all apostles (special messengers)? Are all prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God)? Are all teachers? Do all have the power of performing miracles? Do all possess extraordinary powers of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"
These obvious answer to the above questions is, "No!" These are primarily ministry gifts to the world and not necessarily to the Church. Although these gifts are often seen in our local churches, that is not their primary use. We've called in various speakers into our local churches who operate in these gifts. Most local churches invite different speakers from the five fold ministries into our congregations from time to time. We certainly do so that these gifts will flow through our congregations at the operation of the these guest speakers.
Many times the Lord has set men and women into the local Body, who are used by the Holy Spirit on the local level. One of the things that has confused Christians is the difference between the Gift of tongues and the language of the Spirit. Ever believer who is born again, is born of and into the Spirit. As we come into the Spirit realm, there is a language spoken that is not of man, but of the Spirit.
We haven't been taught about this distinction in most of our churches and it has hindered the progress of our church's maturity. Many teachers stop their teachings about the Holy Spirit's gifts at 1Corinthians 12 and never go on to connect that Word with 1Corinthians 14:19. Or, they use 1Corinthians 14:19 to justify their stand about tongues. Let's read that scripture, "Nevertheless, in public worship, I would rather say five words with my understanding and intelligently in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a (strange) tongue (language)."
One must read and consider the preceding verse before dismissing tongues as unnecessary. Thus, 1Corinthians 14:18 (Amplified) says, "I thank God that I speak in (strange) tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together." Verse 19 goes on, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret Truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
The one Gift of Tongues is a ministry gift to the Church and the world, which allows God to speak to and through His people. 1Corinthians 12:10 (Amplified) teaches,"To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose) to another the ability to discern and distinguish between (the utterances of true) spirits (and false spirits) To another various kinds of (unknown) tongues, to another the ability to interpret (such) tongues."
We will find a great distinction between these two verses, if we will allow the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures for us. One gift is a ministry gift where God, by "unknown" or "strange languages" speaks to His Church and then another member by the same Holy Spirit, can interpret to the Church what the Lord has spoken; they can say, "Thus says the Lord."
Paul teaches about the other "strange" tongues in 1Corinthians 14:2 (Amplified), saying, "For one who speaks in an (unknown) tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the Holy Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things (not obvious to the understanding)."
The first of the two is the gift of the Spirit where God speaks to His people using tongues and interpretation of tongues (1Cor. 12:30). The other is your spirit, through the Holy Spirit, speaking to God (1Cor.14:2). One tongues is interpreted as "Thus says the Lord" to edify His Church. The other is your spirit, through the Holy Spirit, to edify your own spirit. 1Corinthians 14:4 (Amplified) says, "He who speaks in a (strange) tongue edifies and improves himself."
So, you can understand that there are differences in the ministry of the Gift of Tongues or prayer language of the spirit through the Holy Spirit. One is God speaking to us (1Cor. 14:4) and the other is our spirit, through the Holy Spirit, speaking to God (1Cor. 14:2). One is to be interpreted to the people for their edification and the other is "secret truths and hidden things" spoken to edify the one speaking.
Both of these gifts are for the edification of the Church, individually and collectively. Both are the Holy Spirit, but both are different as "He wills" to profit or edify God's people. This may be the most powerful weapon the Church has in its arsenal today. This is why satan so voraciously attacks the credibility of these gifts. These hidden things and secret truths are the wisdom of God Himself being fed directly into your spirit and satan cannot stop it or interfere with it because we are "speaking mysteries" in the Spirit.
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