Summer 1993

Now Concerning Spirituals Brethren
Wade E Taylor

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words
of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and
of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom
of men, but in the power of God" I Cor 2:4.

The phrase, "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" tells us that there should be a manifestation, or operation of the power of the Holy Spirit along with the ministry of the Word of God. A part of this "demonstration of the Spirit" should be an evident anointing upon the speaker. Along with this, there should be a "sign(s)," or confirming Word(s) through the operation of gift ministries.

"These signs shall follow ..." Mark 16:17a.

This "demonstration of the Spirit and of power" that is a part of, or follows the ministry of the Word as a confirming sign becomes meaningful and fulfills its purpose when it has a part in causing the Word that has been ministered to become effectual in the lives of those being ministered to. Thus, this confirming ministry adds to, and strengthens the Word that has been ministered and greatly increases its effectiveness.

If we depend alone on our ability to arrange the Word in intellectual, logical order to accomplish its intended purpose, we will come short in the effectiveness of the power of the ministered Word of God. We cannot, within ourselves, produce this confirming ministry, it comes only as an operation of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel does need to be communicated intelligently. However, there is something more important: it is the quality of His anointing upon the spoken Word as it is ministered, along with the confirming signs that come as a witness to the Word.

We can expound great truths, but unless there is the "substance" and "ring" of spiritual reality within our lives, our ministry will have a lesser than desired effect and may appear as nothing more than "sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal." Our revelation will have no true value and purpose unless it transforms lives and causes us to measure up to the Word received. The operation of God through the power of the Holy Spirit will confirm and establish that which is His Word.

"Now concerning spirituals, brethren, (the realm of the
supernatural) I would not have you ignorant" I Cor 12:1.

There is a pattern and progression in the operation of the Holy Spirit in anointing His Word and confirming it to us.

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the
same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but
it is the same God which worketh all in all" I Cor 12:4-6.

"Diversities of gifts" tells us that there are many varied gifts that are given to help bring the ministered Word into its full purpose and intention.

"Differences of administrations" tells us that these gifts are to function indifferent types of ministry, to meet the needs of the recipients of the ministered Word.

"Diversities of operations" tells us that there are different levels of anointing and impartation under which these gifts, or "Divine enablings" function.

Some minister the Word, along with a functioning of this "confirming ministry of the Holy Spirit" under a very heavy anointing with power (authority); others minister under a much lighter anointing, or no anointing at all. The level of the anointing upon the Word, and the effectiveness of the impartation of the Word into the lives of those being ministered to (apart from intervention) is in direct relationship to the devotional life, and the purity of life of the one being used in this gift ministry.

This anointing is not a gift, but is developed by being a good steward of the gift, or operation of the Holy Spirit that has been given. This means that we can cultivate and increase the level of anointing and impartation that enhance and give value to the gift ministry we have received, that it might be effective. This requires our spending time in His presence.

I Corinthians 12:7 reads,

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

These confirming ministries will become a part of our spiritual life and experience as we make ourselves available to the Lord and begin to respond to the movings of the Holy Spirit.

The true operation of the prophetic Word as a confirming ministry with quality and depth, is urgently needed in the Church - that all may be edified. Our speaking in tongues is the "ground-floor" gift that leads to this prophetic quality and gift operation. When we speak in tongues, our spirit is communicating with the Lord, thus, we are being edified and built up spiritually.

"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not
unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him;
howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries" I Cor 14:2.

We should seek to be edified through "the gift of tongues" in the privacy of our own devotional life. In a Church service, it is more important for the Body of Christ as a whole to be edified through the gift of prophecy.

"He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;
but he that prophesieth edifieth the Church" I Cor 14:4.

This prophetic gift includes the sign ministry of "the demonstration of the spirit and of power," as we speak by the Holy Spirit.

One of the problems (to us) in our being used in a prophetic ministry is that we hear what we are saying and sometimes react. Our understanding gets in the way and we have a tendency to attempt to modify, or amplify the Word that is coming forth through us.

When we pray in tongues, we are giving expression in a realm where our understanding cannot interfere, simply because we do not know what we are saying. Since we do not know, there is a free flow. We are exercising and developing our spiritual senses without any interference from our intellect or will. As a result of this, when we prophesy, or translate the "tongue" into English through the gift of interpretation, there is less chance that our mind will interfere.

Therefore, we are to speak in tongues so that we can rightly and freely prophesy.

"Desire spiritual gifts, but rather (so that) that
ye may prophesy" I Cor 14:1b.

As this "channel" of expression is developed within us because we have moved in the basic level of tongues, there is a greater probability that we will be able to minister in a true prophetic flow.

Prophecy is giving expression to the Word of the Lord through our words. His Word is creative. Thus, "The demonstration of the Spirit, and of Power."

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" Gen 1:3.

Out of this light came structure and life. Whatever God touches, takes us upward. It is creative and brings us to a higher level.

This is what we are seeking; the light and the life of God, which will creatively lift us from one realm up into a higher realm. We must seek this level of impartation. As we pray, we must desire spirituals - the realm of the supernatural.

We are to experience what it is to live and move in this heavenly realm. The gift of tongues is the doorway that leads to all the other gifts. As we begin to function in this area, we will be prepared to operate in higher realms, and His Word will find the confirmation through a sign ministry that will cause it to be effective in its intended purpose.

"Let there be ... and there was" (Gen 1:3).