What's your opinion on "the gifts of the Holy Spirit" and their active use in the Pentecostal sect?

Question

I've been to Pentecostal prayer gatherings several times, and have discussed many basics of the sect rather extensively. But I still seem to encounter points that rouse some serious questions. Speaking in tongues for instance; many consider it "senseless babbling", since there is no understandable language being spoken. Slaying in the spirit, like pastor Benny Hinn does in his "crusades"; how plausible can one deem this kind of practice? Prophesying; I mean, if it is the work of the Holy Spirit, can or should anyone ever expect it to err? Miracle working, including healing through faith; can anyone expect this too to be temporal and not conclusive healings? And so on and so forth.
Please, no sarcasm; this is a serious inquiry and I should ask you to abstain should you have no reasonable answer. Note that any abuse will be reported. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I'll answer with the Bible:
1. About prophecy:
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
2. About tongues:
1Co 14:27 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.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
3. The conclusion to all manifestation of the Holy Spirit:
1Co 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

About "slaying," and similar stuff that are NOT in the Bible, just ask God. He IS A GOD OF ORDER.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Answer 2

There are spiritual gifts that are given us by God. If you are looking at those preachers on TV who want money to heal you you will not find a true gift often,( I have not really seen one but what does that mean?.) If a person is speaking in tongues and there is no interpretation than they are just in an hysterical babble. Benny Hinn.......he is the last person I would look to as an example of spiritual gift.
Anything done in faith like healing takes not only the faith of the person with the gift of healing but the person looking to be healed.
You have to be able to discern good and evil and that is a gift in itself and if that is not your gift knowing what/who has a true spiritual gift comes from prayer and being in the Word.

Answer 3

Well, I'd have to turn to the Bible and ask, what is the point and purpose of such gifts of the spirit, when they were being used in the first century?

Let's take for example, tongues. Many Christians could "speak in tongues". But what was this exactly? What was the point. Acts tells us:

"As it was, there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, reverent men, from every nation of those under heaven. So, when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Indeed, they were astonished and began to wonder and say: “See here, all these who are speaking are Galileans, are they not? And yet how is it we are hearing, each one of us, his own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesoptamia, and Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the [district of] Asia, and Phrygia and Pam·phylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya, which is toward Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues about the magnificent things of God.” - Acts 2:5-11

It had a twofold purpose. It allowed ones to hear things in their own language, and also, it gave direct evidence that God had shifted his attention and approval from the Mosaic arrangement, to the new Christian congregation.

But what would eventually happen to the gifts of these gifts of the spirit that were so miraculous? Paul stated that they would no longer show God's blessing. But they would depart, and love would remain as the identifying mark, once "all things had been made complete" I noticed Liz R had some very good Biblical reasoning points and comments along these lines as well

"Love never fails. But whether there are [gifts of] prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with" - 1 Corinthians 13:8-10

Also, I'm not sure how the Pentecostal sect performs their worship, but there were also organizational guidelines laid out. For instance, Paul said that if there was no interpreter present, that the person should NOT speak in tongues.

"And if someone speaks in a tongue, let it be limited to two or three at the most, and in turns; and let someone translate. But if there be no translator, let him keep silent in the congregation and speak to himself and to God." - 1 Corinthians 14:27,28

Also, one would have to be careful. Again, I'm not sure how the Pentecostal sect performs their works, but Jesus did say that when he arrived, ones would be able to perform many powerful works, but that it would have nothing to do with him.

"Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you!" - Matthew 7:22,23

As Paul reiterated what Jesus taught, love would end up being the identifying mark of True Christians, and True Worship. Because the purpose and point of tongues would have been fulfilled. We have "that which is complete." God's word. The first century Christians did not yet have the entire Greek Scriptures. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit to understand his word. We can demonstrate love.

"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” - John 13:34,35

Just some Biblical thoughts on the matter. 8^)

Answer 4

The Scriptures show that the miraculous gifts given to first-century Christians were only temporary in nature. “Love never fails. But whether there are gifts of prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease.” (1 Cor. 13:8) Does the Bible give any indication as to when the gifts would cease? Yes, it does.

Read for yourself the reported cases when the gift of tongues accompanied the outpouring of holy spirit: Acts 2:1-4, 14; 10:44-48; 19:6. You will notice that in every case one or more of the apostles of Jesus Christ were present. According to Acts 8:18, “through the laying on of the hands of the apostles the spirit was given.” Logically, then, with the death of the apostles, the transmitting of the gifts of the spirit, including the gift of tongues, ceased. The gift of tongues had served its purpose. It had been well established that the Christian congregation had God’s favor and backing. Moreover, Christians had grown in number and had been dispersed to many lands, carrying the “good news” with them. Therefore, the need to speak in tongues was no longer necessary and not scripturally based for our time.

Answer 5

Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday and tomorrow. The book of Acts. The early church is still alive and well. The Holy Spirit is still here. And it all comes back to faith. If you believe in faith, just like when you believe in faith to receive your salvation.1 cor means when we are in "heaven" we will no longer need these gifts because the "church" will only be perfect then, and there will no longer be a need for healing for there will be no sickness, nor will there be a need for tongues because we will be speaking one heavenly language, nor will there be a need for discernment or a word of knowledge, or deliverance from evil spirits. But as long as we are in this earth and have these needs, God shall continue to supply them. We have not come into His perfect will yet, because the church is still spotted and wrinkled.

Answer 6

My family is christian...baptist raised..we began doing home bible studies and having church at home. 1 day my grandma spoke in tongues " 1st time we'd ever had that happen" we weren't scared we had such a feeling of joy and love like we never knew. The Holy Ghost spoke to us & my brain didnt understand but my soul ohhhhhhhhh my soul did i found myself smiling and crying...a few words were in english so we understood some of it with our heads, later in life he gave my mom the gift of interpriting but she couldnt do it all the time. Sometimes what he says is just for your spirit private. I do NOT believe he would need a whole church full of ppl speaking in tongues...i think that is false a my moms cousin goes to a church that actually claims to teach tongues...how crazy is that!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I have heard of real speaking in tongues but it happens only on very rare occurences as very few people are filled with the holy spirit enough to be taken over in that fashion. If their is no one to translate it is bogus. Slaying in the spirit I have never actually witnessed nor do I recall hearing about it biblically. Laying hands on someone to heal them is given of God but again so few people are truly holy enough to have received these gifts that I consider most of them to be show and nothing more. I believe it could happen were God to give the gift to someone but I have not personally met any who were truly worthy . But then again God works through all sorts of people to get his work done. And you cannot discount the power of the human mind for healing itself if enough belief is present. That I have witnessed.

Answer 8

The gifts the Holy Spirit are active today, at this day and time. One example is salvation, that's a miracle in it's self.

Answer 9

The thoughts and workings of God are beyond our limited understanding. Live and let live I say. Seek clarity from the Creator and leave the judging to God for only the source of all creation knows all and sees all.

Answer 10

1 Corinthians 14:8But whether there are [gifts of] prophesying, they will be done away with; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially; 10 but when that which is complete arrives, that which is partial will be done away with.

The gifts have been used to show the people during those times the holy spirit at work. The bible is now complete and we know how the spirit works...even Jesus' sacrifice so there's no need for them anymore.