Sign Gifts

Good morning,

We have another episode of “Pastor Scott has too much sermon” this week.  This Sunday we will be studying the events of the Day of Pentecost found in Acts 2.  It is the first of several passages that we see in the book of Acts that deal with what we sometimes call the “sign gifts” of the Holy Spirit.  Paul teaches on the sign gifts in 1 Corinthians as well. 

There is great debate within the church today regarding the sign gifts (particularly the gift of speaking in tongues) and whether or not they are to be practiced in the church today.  The AMEC Statement of Faith has this to say about the sign gifts:

We affirm our belief in the ongoing ministry of the Holy Spirit of God in the church and in the lives of individual believers. We acknowledge wide variation among evangelical Christians as to the particular ways in which the Spirit manifests Himself and His power in the church and in the world. This same variety extends to the style and content of public worship, including music preference, design of buildings, and times of services.

So as a network we affirm that the Holy Spirit is active and alive in the world and in the lives of believers today.  We also agree that believers can come to different understandings regarding the work of the Holy Spirit and we strive to not allow those understandings to divide us.

So what are the “sign gifts?”  Most evangelical scholars view three of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as “sign gifts:”

1.      The first is the gift of Tongues.  Tongues were manifested in three different ways during the New Testament period.  They were all divinely-powered utterances.  In some cases, they were known languages, used to proclaim Christ to those who would otherwise not be able to understand.  Will study this instance on Sunday as we look at Acts 2.  In other cases, they were unknown languages, which were interpreted, and used by God to bring specific instruction to a distinct context (1 Corinthians 14).  Thirdly, tongues could be employed as a personal prayer language, since their ability to benefit the assembly as a whole is limited (1 Corinthians 14). 

2.     Another of the sign gifts was the gift of prophecy.   Prophecy in the New Testament is specific instruction and revelation by God for a distinct context.  It is not on par with apostolic truth.  A prophetic word lays bare the secrets of the heart (1 Corinthians 14:25).  It was evaluated and judged (1 Corinthians 14:29).  Timothy’s ministry was predicted by the use of prophecy (1 Timothy 1:18).  Prophets were active in Acts and influenced church strategy and policy (11:27-29, 15:32; 21:9-10).  Prophecy was predicted as a sign of the Spirit and confirmation that the last days had begun, as we will see on 1o/5 when we study Peter’s sermon in Acts 2.  

3.     The third “sign gift” is healing.  Healing was the divine ability to pray and affect the healing of a sick person.

Now for the big question - Are the sign gifts for today?*** 

Personally, I do not see a “statute of limitations” in the Scriptures in regard to the “sign gifts.”  While I have not spoken in tongues and would not encourage it in public worship, I feel that we must submit to Paul’s command when he said to not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39).

As far as healing, we pray for it often and sometimes see it miraculously happen, in accordance with James 5.

In regard to the gift of prophecy, we must remember that prophecy entails much more than predicting future events.  At its core prophecy is it is speaking Biblical truth into the lives of people for the purposes of edification and building them up. 

Many missionaries ministering to unreached people groups report the manifestation of the sign gifts in their ministry.  Therefore, it does not seem wise to hold a position that the sign gifts are heretical in all contexts and all situations for today.  Doing so places limits on the sovereignty of God, and that is something that I am not willing to do.

However, the preponderance of so-called "faith healers" and others who claim to have a "special" or "abundant" gift gives me great pause whenever a sign gift (particularly speaking in tongues) experience is claimed. Paul instructed that believers should pursue the "greater" gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31) and consistently taught that speaking in tongues was of no value in public worship and to believers in general.

In my personal experience, many (not all, but many) folks who engage in the regular practice in the “sign gifts” (particularly the speaking of tongues) inevitably believe that the expression of those gifts is necessary evidence of one's salvation.  That is something that I emphatically reject, having found absolutely no basis for it in Scripture.  Salvation is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Here’s what’s happening:

1.      New Hope Ministries in Quarryville has its annual fall fundraiser next Thursday (10/2) at Providence Church outside of Quarryville.  Information and tickets are here: https://www.newhopeministry.info

2.     Our vote for the building expansion project is next Sunday (10/5).  Please plan to stay after the worship service for a few minutes.

3.     The church sponsors a table at the ICCM banquet (O.M. Panicker’s ministry).  It is on 10/9 (NOT on 10/2 – my mistake in last week’s Check In) at the Eden Resort in Lancaster.  Tickets are free…see me on Sunday if you would like one.

4.     Youth Group Nights return on 10/9 at 6:30 pm at the schoolhouse.  Youth Group will once again meet on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of the month.

5.     Ladies Quilt Knotting returns on 10/9 at 6:30 pm at the church as well.  No quilting experience necessary! 

6.     Next Double Nickels luncheon is on 10/12.

7.      There is a sign up sheet by the mailboxes for the Men’s Breakfast on 10/18.  Please let us know that you are coming so we can plan accordingly.  I am looking for a few men to head the cooking that morning – please let me know if you are interested.  Afterwards we will be heading to the woods to split firewood to donate to the Lighthouse Youth Ministry Auction.  However, men are welcome at the breakfast even if they can’t help with firewood!

8.     10/19 – Holy Communion

9.     10/20 – The Double Nickels are heading to Blessings of Hope for another morning of service.  This is a “family shift” from 8:30 to 11 am.  Everyone is welcome to sign up.  Please see Elizabeth or Gary Barrett by 10/12 if you would like to go…they have to submit names to Blessings of Hope.

10.  Cairn University is hosting a one-day conference on homeschooling on October 24th.  Information about it is here: https://cairn.edu/homeschool-conference/

Who is the Holy Spirit? What does He do? What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? We'll look to answer those questions and more on Sunday!

Scott

***Much of this blast is taken from my Position Paper.  I’ve made that available from time to time, but if you would ever like a copy, please let me know.