The God Of Possibilities: “Baptisms - Earth: Water, Wind and Fire” - Part 2d

Recap of 4/25/2011:
We did a side-by-side comparison of tongues "the sign" and "the gift" and also a comparison of prophecy "the gift" and prophetic "the function/office". This comparison is not to say that one is better than the other, but, rather, to show when, where, how, and why they are different.  Here is a summary of the information we covered:

Tongues: The Sign

1. All may speak at one time (Mark 16:17)
2. All may speak at one meeting (Acts 2:4, 33)
3. No interpretation (Acts 19:6; Acts 10)

Tongues: The Gift

1. Only one speaker at a time (1 Corinthians 12:10)
2. At the most, three may speak (1 Corinthians 14:26-28)
3. Must be interpreted (1 Corinthians 14:5)

Now, when it comes to discussing the topics of prophecy "the gift" and prophetic "the function/office", it's important to understand that the prophet (function/office) is still necessary in the church today.  There is a thought stream that attempts to separate the Ephesian 4 ministries of apostles and prophets from the other ministries we have and allow today: evangelists, teachers, and pastors.  If we accept the latter ministries, we are compelled to accept the former (apostles and prophets).  The purpose of the Ephesian 4:11 ministries are given "until we all reach the unity in the faither and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).  The responsibility of the Ephesians 4 ministries is to "to equip his people for works of service" (Ephesians 4:12).  In other words, "body ministry".  When the whole body is doing the work of the ministry and:

• we have reached unity in the faith
• we have unity in the knowledge of the Son of God
• we have become mature
• and have attained the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

then, and only then, will the Ephesians 4 ministries not be necessary any longer.  In light of this truth, here is a comparison of the prophecy "the gift" and prophetic "the function/office":

Prophecy: The Gift (1 Corinthians 14:3)

1. Strengthens
2. Encourages
3. Comforts

Prophet: The Function/Office (Acts 13:1; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:3-5; Ephesians 4:11-12; 2 Peter 1:21) (the prophet can be used in the "Prophecy: The Gift" as well)

1. Predictive (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11)
2. Rebuke
3. Directive

For 5/2/2011:
Brief: We will conclude with the remaining gifts of the Spirit - hopefully - and then move to the Baptism In Fire.  Once again, I count it a privilege to be working with you during this time of discovery and am VERY excited for what God has in store for you as a minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!!

Homework
As part of our response to this learning, consider the gifts we've covered thus far and spend time with the Lord asking which of them are areas He wants to begin moving you into. If we have time, we'll spend some of it talking about this … don't worry, we have a few weeks to cover this part of the homework. So, we'll give it the time and space needed - as He leads.

“God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul!”
-- Genesis 2:7 (MSG) --