Dear
Wondering One,
This is a
powerful question, and a full answer would certainly take more space than we
have. You ask why gifts are not taught. I cannot answer for another pastor on
that, but I can say that I certainly teach and release the gifts, and know many
fellowships that do.
When Paul says
he speaks in tongues more than you all, he is speaking about our prayer
language, or “speaking in tongues.” This was the first gift given after the
ascension of Jesus Christ. After His resurrection Jesus’ last words to the
disciples are recorded in Acts 1:4-5: And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to
depart from Jerusalem
, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “ which,”
He
said, "you have heard from Me;
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized
with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Notice Jesus said DO NOT DEPART from… The disciples were
already born again and when born again, we have the Holy Spirit within us. But
Jesus knew that for them to do the great work ahead of them, they would need
power from on high. They would need to be immersed in the Holy Spirit! That is
what baptism is!
But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
(Acts 1:8). That word power in the
Greek is Dunamis
… Miraculous
ability! They waited. Then When the Day of Pentecost had fully come . .
. they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues
, as the Spirit gave them utterance
(Acts 2:1-4).
Tongues
was the first and only gift given at Penetcost! The other gifts are mentioned
later in 1 Corinthians 12.
Paul urged
us to desire spiritual gifts, so my friend, if you desire them, the Holy Spirit
will show you someone who can help you understand more fully. My book, Path of
the Spirit is a study on the Holy Spirit, and it will help you to understand
all questions you have concerning the Holy Spirit!
