Many churches today argue on the continuity or temporariness of the spiritual gifts. In this paper, the writer will focus on the spiritual gift of tongue should it fall under the permanent gift or not. For clarity, the author is defining some important Greek terms as follows: charismata, pneumatika, merismos, and energemata. Due to the complexity of the Greek language, the writer will try her best to provide the best definition(s) of each of these terms through various sources. For instance, charismata is one of the most often terms associated with the topic spiritual gifts. According to Englishman Concordance, it occurred six times in the Bible: Romans 11:29 “… for the gifts and the calling …,” Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to …,” I Corinthians 12:9 “… to another the gifts of healing by …” I Corinthians 12:28 “… then gifts of healings,” I Corinthians 12:30 “Have all the gifts of healing? Do all …”, and I Corinthians 12:31 “… the best gifts; and ...” Britannica.com defines charismata a spiritual phenomena dealing with the goal to achieve a firm order in the church. It is also defined by The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary as special gifts granted to believers.
“The Holy Spirit is a gift of Christ to His church. In turn, the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church. We call these the charismata, from chairs which means “grace.” The spiritual gifts are evidence of God’s grace, but they differ from the gift of salvation or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God’s grace in giving us salvation grants us entrance into glory, whereas God’s grace in giving us spiritual gifts brings glory to Christ in the church.
Another term is pneumatika. According to Englishman Concordance, it appeared four times in the New Testament, they are...
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...d. Allen C. Myers, (Michigan, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company), 1987, s.v. “Spiritual Gifts.”
Thomas R. Edgar, Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit (Michigan: Kregel Resources, 1996), 41. https://bible.org/article/speaking-tongues (accessed: May 24, 2014). http://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/g/speakingtongues.htm (accessed: May 23, 2014).
Merill F. Unger, New Testament Teachings on Tongues (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1971), 1. https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/when-did-the-gift-of-tongues-cease (Accessed: May 25, 2014).
Donald W. Burdick, Tongues – to Speak or Not to Speak (Chicago: Moody Press, 1978). 35.
Additional sources:
John R. Rice, D.D. Litt.D., Speaking with Tongues, (Tennessee: Sword of the Lord Publishers: 1972)
Evangelical Dictionary of Theology
Kurt E. Koch, Speaking in Tongues
Charles H. Kraft, Christianity with Power
Bloxham, L., Stortz, M., & LaHurd, C. (2003). Book Reviews. Dialog: A Journal of Theology,
Tanner, Laura E. "Uncovering the Magical Disguise of Language: The Narrative Presence in Richard Wright's Native Son." Appiah 132-146.
A foundation needs to be established as we enter into a study of the spiritual gifts
Taylor, Edward. “Meditation 42.” The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lautier. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004
Bailey, Thomas A. The American Spirit. (Lexington: D. C. Health and Company, 1991) , 666.
"EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 & 2." EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.
Heaton, Allan. An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Print.
Bradstreet, Anne. “The Flesh and the Spirit.” The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lauter, et al. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Lexington: Heath, 1994. 302-305.
Andalzúa, Gloria. “How to Tame a Wild Tongue.” Encounters: Essays for Exploration and Inquiry. 2nd ed. Ed. Pat C. Hoy II and Robert DiYanni. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000. 93-101.
Duggan, STD, Rev. Robert D. Confirmation Filled with the Holy Spirit, they proclaimed the Lord Jesus. Allen, Texas: ColorDynamics, 2006. 48-49. Print.
The Church as a whole debates many concepts that are in the Bible, in both theology and in practice. One of these debates surrounds the gifts that are spoken of in the Bible. In one corner are those who believe that charismatic gifts are alive and well in the church today. The Continuationist view believes that the gifts have continued on through Biblical times and are still relevant for today. In the other corner are those who believe that particular gifts have ceased to be used in the modern church and that they were only given for a particular reason in Biblical times. This view is called the Cessationist. Today each view, and other views in between, and the practice of the gifts in the current culture will be examined for truth, validity, and application by searching through each view and holding fast to the scripture as the final word of authority.
Pneumatology is the doctrine that focuses on the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Through out the New Testament the Holy Spirit is granted specific characteristics and duties. Following the resurrection, Jesus said “another” is coming in my place. In John Jesus says, “Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” During the ministry of Christ, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the encourager, comforter and enabler. This paper will discuss the multidimensional portrayals of the work of the Holy Spirit as it applies to global missions. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God is described in terms of God’s efficacious authority and in the New Testament Jesus refers to the spirit of God as another advocate who was sent from the Father. While the Holy Spirit does not pose a physical body it contains the characteristics of a person. “In accordance with Scripture the “personality” of the Holy Spirit is confessed and defined in the Creeds and in all the Church’s doctrinal judgments concerning the divine Trinity.” The Hoy Spirit embodies the essence of both the Father and the Son.
Throughout the Western culture, Christianity has played a crucial role in the spiritual life of many people. In fact, it is a one of the largest religion in the world with an estimating range from 2 to 3 billion Christians (Religions of the World: Numbers of Adherents; Growth Rates). Spreading with this worldwide religion, the idea that God is at the centre of daily life has a high importance to many people. In the early 20th Century, one of the significant developments of Christianity was the Pentecostal Movement (A Brief History of Christianity). More specifically, Pentecostalism is “the principles and practices of Pentecostal religious groups, characterized by religious excitement and talking in tongues”; its most remarkable detail is its emphasis of the Holy Spirit and the value of prayer (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn). It has outspread around the world by the people who believed that they had experienced the marvelous moves of God.
Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Harnold W. Hoehner. "Ephesians." The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1983. 613-45. Print.
Richardson, William E., and Dave Kidd. “Articles.” Pentecostal Evangel. General Council of the Assemblies of God. Web. 13 Nov. 2011.