Introduction
This
page is one of a number that seeks to provide basic study material for
the Christian who wishes to see what the Bible says about the gifts
of the Spirit.
Because
there are so many Bible references, there will not be links to them
from these pages, and the student is simply advised to copy and paste
the page information into say Word and then study the materials from
there.
In
the pages that follow, we will view each of the gifts from 1 Cor 12
and will give a basic definition, then see it as God moving in the Old
Testament, then in Jesus' ministry and finally as seen in operation
through the early church in the Acts of the Apostles. It could
also be said that each of these gifts can be observed throughout the
period of church history.
a)
The Word of Wisdom
Word
of Wisdom Definition :
Defn.:
a supernatural word that explains how
to proceed, i.e. what to do in a difficult circumstance
Examples
of it happening in the O.T .:
- Joseph
instructing about the famine Gen 41:33-36
- God's
instructions to Moses about the exodus e.g. Ex 4:1-9 - instructions
on how to perform miracles
- God
to Moses on how to get water Ex 17:4-6
- Making
priests' garments Ex 28:3
- How
to make the Tabernacle Ex 31:1-11
- Taking
Jericho Josh 6:2-5
- Solomon's
wisdom 1 Kings 3:16-28
Examples
of Wisdom in Jesus' Ministry :
- Frequently
seen in the way he responded to “catch” questions from the Pharisees
- About
his authority Mt 21:23 -27
- About
paying taxes to Caesar Mt 22:15-22
- With
the adulterous woman Jn 8:3-11
- In
his teaching generally Mt 13:54 Mk 6:2
Examples
of Wisdom in Acts :
- Paul's
instructions at sea 27:21-26,31-35
- Gamaliel's
counsel 5:33 -40
- Apostles
appointing deacons 6:2-5
- Various
other instances where God guided the apostles what to do
Comment
:
May
be sought (Jas 1:5) but is more often just given by Jesus to guide you
(Lk 21:15 )
b)
The Word of Knowledge
Word
of Knowledge Defn .:
Defn.
: A supernatural revelation of fact(s)
that could not have been known by the intellect alone.
Examples
of Word of Knowledge in O.T .:
- Arrival
of Saul shown to Samuel 1 Sam 9:15,16
- Saul's
donkeys found 1 Sam 9:20.
- Gehazi
exposed 2 Sam 5:24-26
- Elisha
revealing enemy positions 2 Kings 6:8-10
Examples
of Word of Knowledge in Jesus' ministry :
- Jesus
knowing the thoughts of men Mt 9:3,4
- “Seeing”
Nathaniel Jn 1:47-50
- Woman
at the well Jn 4:17,18
Examples
of Word of Knowledge in Acts
- Peter
with Ananias & Sapphira 5:3
- Ananias
with Saul 9:10-16 - form of prophecy
- Peter
about Cornelius's servants 10:19
Comment
:
We
are encouraged in Scripture to ask for wisdom when we need it, which
is probably frequently.
The
word of knowledge seems to come to assist in ministry. It may come as
part of a prophecy or just as a word standing on its own. As a gift
of the Spirit it usually comes as the Spirit simply imparts information
but may also come as part of a dream or vision.
Both
“words” are to enable us to progress in ministry, further serving Christ.
They come therefore, to the servants of Christ, to those who are given
over to serving Him.
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