Spiritual FAQ's
What are the different names for God in the Bible and what do they mean?
“
The Names of God"
The Bible speaks of the importance of
knowing God.
Daniel 11:32
"The People that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits"
Phil. 3:10
: "..That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection"
Hosea 4:6
warns "my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge"
God wants us not just to know about Him,
but to know Him.
One of the ways that God reveals Himself to us is through His Names
What's in a name? Very much!!
Three basic ways in which God has revealed Himself by His Names.
1. "ELOHIM" or "El" Gen. 1:1 "God" (upper case/lower case)
A) Power and Might
Used nearly
2500 in the OT and translated "strong One" in the Hebrew
(reflects the
power and might of God, especially in the creation)
Used 25 times in Gen. 1- the creation account
Psalm 19:1
"The Heavens declare the glory of God(Elohim) and the Firmament showeth His handiwork"
Isa 40:18
"To whom will you liken God (Elohim) It is He that sits upon the circle
of the earth and the inhabitants are like grasshoppers"
Elohim conveys the idea of God's power and creative might.
(Beauty of the
ocean/mountains/the universe/the sunset/all the work of Elohim-the Mighty One, the Strong One
When Israel was delivered it was Elohim that delivered/and us!
B) Plural
Always in
mascular,plural though singular in its sense
(Gen.1:26) God is
plural but the verb is in the
singular--indicates the Trinity
Cannot be given in the
neuter sense, testifying to a personal Godhead
Isa. 9:6 -
"For unto us a child is born unto us a Son is given and His Name shall
be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God (Pl.Elohim)
C) Faithfulness (Strength) in Keeping Promises
Gen. 50:24 - Joseph said to his brethren - "God will surely visit you.." (Abrahamic Covenant confirmed to children of Israel)
No power greater than God that could keep Him from fulfilling His Word!
"I am the Lord God, I change not...Jesus Christ, the Same Yesterday,Today, and Forever".
When God says that we are saved He means it and performs it!
Many Bible characters had in their names the principle of the mighty power of God. "El"(Dani--el/Samu--el/El--ijah/El--isha)
We
serve and belong to the mighty God/the Strong One!
2
"Jehovah"- "LORD" or "GOD"(all upper case) -
Gen. 2:4ff
Used
6, 823 times in OT
Heb.
"Havah" -
"to be" context-
"always is".
"YHWH"- no vowels, so sacred that no offical pronunciation (Messiah will announce properly- we pronounce-Jehovah)
"The Self-Existent One" - He needs no one else!
Ex. 3:13-14 - "What is His Name who shall I say sent them?.. I AM that I AM"
(
Used of Christ in NT)
A) Sense of Personal Relationship
Gen. 2:4-First use of Name is introduced in the
creation of man
B) Sense of Holiness
Ex. 15:11 "Who is like you LORD among the gods "elohims",
glorious in holiness, fearful in praise, doing wonders?"
C) Sense of Responsibility/Judgment
Gen. 3 - Jehovah seeks out the sinning pair/LORD who is referred
The serpent not using the name of Jehovah but of Elohim (not conveying responsibility)
Gen.3:1
D) Sense of Redemption
Isa 53:6 - "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him..."
Turn of the century critics claimed different uses of the Names was because of different authors-actually different aspects of His character being revealed
E) Sense of Unchangeableness
Jer. 31:3 'The
LORD has appeared of old saying to: I have loved you with an
everlasting love, therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you"
Mal. 3:6 "I am the LORD I change not"
As the Self-Existent One constantly revealing the nature of His character as a
loving, personal, caring, holy unchanging redeeming God in contrast to the gods of world
This is our God!
3. Adonai - "Lord"
(Gen. 15:2)
Used
300 times in OT
"Master"--always in
plural
Abraham looking for
direction and guidance
Used in the context of these things.
Ex. 4:10 - Moses looking for direction (LORD, Lord, "send")
Josh. 5:13-14- "What does my Lord say to His servant?"
Joshua. 7:7-8 "O Lord what shall I say"
Isa. 6 (Isaiah's commission) LORD/Lord looking for direction
Psalm 110:1 "The LORD said to my Lord"
(David referring to Jehovah speaking to the Lord Jesus, David's Master)
Referred to by Christ in Matt 22:41-46
Therefore
when we call upon the Lord- we can expect that He will lead us as we
ask Him (no matter if it is a change in
career/marriage/retirement/service for the Lord. etc)
Conclusion
These are the
basic Names of God
There are also
compound Names for God
Some of them:
El Shaddai (God who Provides)
El Olam (Everlasting God
El Elyon (The God Most High)
Jehovah Jireh (The God who provides)
Jehovah Shammah (The God is there)
Jehovah Rapha (The God who heals)
Dan. 11:32
"The people that know there God shall be strong and do great exploits"
What does the Bible teach about the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit and about the Gifts of the Spirit?
“
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit”
Mark Kolchin
Introduction/Overview
There are four NT passages that deal directly with the topic of spiritual gifts:
Romans 12:3-8
1 Cor. 12:1-14:40
Ephesians 4:7-16
1 Peter 4:7-11
The NT cites all members of the Godhead as being involved in providing the Church with gifted believers:
(1 Cor 12:28 NKJV) And
God has appointed
these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations,
varieties of tongues.
(Eph 4:11 NKJV) And
He Himself (Christ) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
(1 Cor 12:11 NKJV) But one and
the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Though
the Godhead is involved, specifically the source of these spiritual
gifts is the Holy Spirit and are divine enablements and capacities for
specific spiritual works:
(1 Cor 12:11 NKJV) But one and
the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
(Heb 2:4 NKJV) God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and
gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Every believer has at least one gift from the Holy Spirit to be used not for personal benefit but for the benefit of the Church:
(1 Cor 12:7 NKJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to each one
for the profit of all:
(1 Cor 12:11 NKJV) But one and the same Spirit works all these things,
distributing to each one individually as He wills.
(Eph 4:7 NKJV) But
to each one
of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
(1 Pet 4:10 NKJV)
As each one has received a gift,
minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Spiritual
gifts are differentiated from natural talents in that they have been
given for the purpose of the spiritual edification of the Church and
come to a believer only
after he has received the gift (singular) of the Spirit through faith in Christ. (Acts 2.38; Acts 10.45)
The
NT does not make clear whether or not the bestowal of spiritual gifts
comes simultaneously with salvation or subsequent to it. However, in
the case of the Corinthians it seems that spiritual gifts can (but not
necessarily must) follow after salvation. (1 Cor. 13.31)
There is a difference in value of some of the gifts:
(1 Cor 12:28 NKJV) And God has appointed these in the church:
first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
(1
Cor 14:5 NKJV) I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that
you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks
with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive
edification.
(1 Cor 14:19 NKJV) yet in the church I would
rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others
also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
A Listing and Description of NT Spiritual Gifts
The following is a list of NT spiritual gifts that were operational in the Church during the first century:
(Bold face represents first-time mention)
Romans 12:3-8
Prophecy (Rom. 12.6/1 Cor. 12.10/Eph. 4.11) - the ability to declare future events before they occurred (Acts 11.28/21.10)
Ministry/Serving (Rom. 12.7/1 Peter 4.11) - the ability to serve the Lord by serving others in an effective way
Teaching (Rom. 12.7/Eph. 4.11/1 Peter 4.11) - the ability to clearly explain the doctrines of the Word of God
Exhortation (Rom. 12.8) - the ability to motivate God's people to action
Giving (Rom. 12.8) - the exceptional desire to give financially to the work of the Lord
Leadership(Ruling)/Administrations/(Rom. 12.8/1 Cor. 12:28) - the ability to administrate, lead and organize in Church-related matters
Mercy (Rom. 12.8)
- the ability to empathize and respond to the needs of others
1 Cor. 12:4-11/28-31
Word of Wisdom (1 Cor. 12.8) - the ability from the Lord to discern truth from error
Word of Knowledge (1 Cor. 12.8) - God-given revelation of scriptural knowledge
Faith (1 Cor. 12.9) - the unusual ability to trust or rely upon the Lord
Healings (1 Cor. 12.9) - the ability to heal people of verifiable, organic diseases
Miracles (1 Cor. 12.10) - the ability to perform unusual works contrary to the laws of nature
Discernment of Spirits ( 1 Cor. 12.10)
- the ability to discern what is of God and what is not
Tongues (1 Cor. 12.10) - the ability to speak in foreign languages not previously learned
Interpretation of Tongues ( 1 Cor. 12.10) - the ability to interpret the known languages spoken
by those who spoke in tongues
Apostle (1 Cor. 12:28/Eph. 4.11) one who is equipped by God to perform miracles and wonders and signs (2 Cor. 12.12)
Helps (1 Cor. 12.28) - the ability and desire to help others in the ministry of the Church
Eph. 4:7-16
Apostles (Eph. 4.11)
Prophets (Eph. 4.11)
Evangelist (Eph. 4.11)
- the ability to clearly explain to the unsaved the need to repent and believe the Gospel
Pastor (Eph. 4.11) - the ability to care and nurture the Lord's people in a special way
Teacher (Eph. 4.11)
1 Peter 4:10-11
Speak/Teaching (1 Peter 4.11)
Ministry/Serving (1 Peter 4.11)
NT
gifts may be divided into two broad groups: sign gifts and service
gifts. (The gifts with a + signifies the individuals with the specific
abilities cited)
Sign Gifts (temporary)
Healings
Miracles
Discernment of Spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues
Apostle+
The following gifts are considered temporary by some and permanent by others in a more general sense.
Prophet+
Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
These
gifts were foundational to the early Church in order for it to be
established and to authenticate it's message and messengers.
(Eph
2:20 NKJV) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
(Acts 2:43 NKJV) Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
(Acts
8:13 NKJV) Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized
he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs
which were done.
(Acts 19:11 NKJV) Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul...
(2
Cor 12:12 NKJV) Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among
you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Service Gifts (permanent)
The remaining gifts are service-related gifts and have been operational throughout the entire dispensation:
SPEAKING
Teacher+
Exhortation
Evangelist+
Pastor+
NON-SPEAKING
Ministry/Serving
Giving
Leadership(Ruling)/Administrations
Mercy
Helps
Keys Points Related to Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12:3-8
1.
The believer is not to think that he/she has received gift through
personal merit or favor (v. 3) but to "think soberly".
2. The use of spiritual gifts are not with an attitude of independence, but rather interdependence. (vv.4-5)
3. These gifts are to be put to use for the Lord to the full extent of our ability. (vv. 6-8)
1 Cor. 12-14
Chapter
12 deals with diversity of gifts but unity in purpose by the Church.
Chapter 13 deals with the use of these gifts in an attitude of love.
Chapter 14 deals with the controversy that existed in the Corinthian
assembly: the use and misuse of the gift of prophecy and tongues.
1.
The Spirit gives the gifts (11:4); the Lord gives the sphere of service
(v. 5); and God gives the opportunities within that sphere of service.
(v.6)
2. Those that have less prominent gifts should not think they are less valuable to the body (vv. 15-20)
3.
Those that have more prominent gifts should not think any less of those
who possess less prominent gifts (vv. 21-26) since as with the human
body, all members are important in the functioning of the whole.
(vv. 25/27)
4.
Prophesying in the Corinthian assembly was especially upheld as a
desirable gift, more than tongues (vv. 14:1-3, 19,39); was to the
edification of the Church (v. 3) is to be orderly and in accord with
the Scriptures (vv. 32-33), and not to be performed in the public
meeting by women. (v.34)
Eph. 4:7-16
1. Christ has given the Church gifted individuals who have been gifted by the Spirit (v. 11)
2.
The purpose of the use of gifts is to equip the saints for the ministry
of edifying other believers (v. 12) to bring about maturity in Christ
(vv. 13-14) and to knit together believers in love for spiritual growth
through the use of everyone's spiritual gift. (vv. 15-16)
1 Peter 4:10-11
1. The use of spiritual gifts should be put to use (v. 10) with the ability that the Lord gives. (v. 11)
2. The ultimate purpose of spiritual gifts is the glory of the Lord. (v. 11)
The
manifestation of spiritual gifts in others does not negate my
responsibility to obey the Lord inthe same areas in which others do
exceptionally well through the Holy Spirit. I am also responsible to
evangelize, teach, help, proclaim the Word etc. when called upon by the
Lord to do so.
"But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions,
do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim 4:5)
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the
ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 4:11 NKJV)