Originally posted by The Briguy:
DHK, We actually disagree some (for once) as Biblically I don't see reason to say any gifts but Miracles, healing, tongues and interpretations are gone.
Here is a helpful link that discusses the spiritual gifts as set forth in 1Cor.12:8-10.
http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/char/areview.htm
The gift of helps is not included in that list, only in the list at the end of the chapter. I have quoted two paragraphs from Albert Barnes on the words "helps" and "governments." They give quite a bit of useful information. It is my view that these gifts, mentioned in 1Cor.12, were supernatural gifts given for a specific purpose, time, and reason. They are not for today. Consider for example the gift of wisdom mentioned in verse eight (word of wisdom). Many today claim to have that one. But the Bible says clearly in James 1:5
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
---God gives wisdom to those that ask. We do not need a supernatural spiritual gift to have wisdom. We have the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and in prayer may ask our Father, who will give to us freely wisdom.
"While Oral and Richard Roberts are still claiming to have "words of wisdom" from the Lord, Hinn makes similar false claims for what he calls "words of knowledge." Are the "words of knowledge" Hinn gives 100 percent accurate? No, and he admits they are not. But here is his poor explanation given in his own words during his TBN program that aired February 23, 1992: "Man, I remember when God would give me words of knowledge back when I began in this ministry but I missed nine out of ten. Of course, nobody knew it except me." Seeking to excuse this terrible failure, Hinn said: "We are not infallible. When you give a prophecy, sometimes you can be way off. You have to be open enough to say, 'I blew it.'""
http://www.fundamentalbiblechurch.org/Foundation/fbcwhere.htm
"Helps. antilhqeiV. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
It is derived from antilambanw, and denotes, properly, aid, assistance, help; and then those who render aid, assistance, or help; helpers. Who they were, is not known. They might have been those to whom was entrusted the care of the poor, and the sick, and strangers, widows, and orphans, etc.;
i.e., those who performed the office of deacons. Or they may have been those who attended on the apostles to aid them in their work, such as Paul refers to in Ro 16:3, "Greet Priscilla, and Aquila, my helper" in Christ Jesus;" and in Ro 16:9, "Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ." Cmt. on Ro 16:3. It is not possible, perhaps, to determine a precise meaning of the word, or the nature of the office which they discharged; but the word means, in general, those who in any way aided or rendered assistance in the church, and may refer to the temporal affairs of the church, to the care of the poor, the distribution of charity and alms, or to the instruction of the ignorant, or to aid rendered directly to the apostles. There is no evidence that it refers to a distinct and permanent office in the church; but may refer to aid rendered by any class in any way. Probably many persons were profitably and usefully employed in various ways as aids in promoting the temporal or spiritual welfare of the church."
"Governments. kubernhseiV. This word is derived from kubernaw, to govern; and is usually applied to the government or steering of a ship. The word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, though the word kubernhthV (governor) occurs in Ac 27:11, rendered "master," and in Re 18:17, rendered "ship-master." It is not easy to determine what particular office or function is here intended. Doddridge, in accordance with Amyraut, supposes that distinct offices may not be here referred to, but that the same persons may be denoted in these expressions as being distinguished in various ways; that is, that the same persons were called "helpers" in reference to their skill in aiding those who were in distress, and "governments" in regard to their talent for doing business, and their ability in presiding in counsels for deliberation, and in directing the affairs of the church. There is no reason to think that the terms here used referred to permanent and established ranks and orders in the ministry and in the church; or in permanent offices which were to continue to all times as an essential part of its organization. It is certain that the "order" of apostles has ceased, and also the "order" of miracles, and the "order" of healings, and of diversity of tongues. And it is certain that in the use of these terms of office, the apostle does not affirm that they would be permanent, and essential to the very existence of the church; and from the passage before us, therefore, it cannot be argued that there was to be an order of men in the church who were to be called helps, or governments. The truth probably was, that the circumstances of the primitive churches required the aid of many persons in
various capacities which might not be needful or proper in other times and circumstances. Whether, therefore, this is to be regarded as a permanent arrangement that there should be "governments" in the church, or an order of men entrusted with the sole office of governing, is to be learned not from
this passage, but from other parts of the New Testament. Lightfoot contends, that the word which is here used and translated "governments" does not refer to the power of ruling, but to a person endued with a deep and comprehensive mind, one who is wise and prudent; and in this view Mosheim, Macknight, and Bishop Horsley coincide. Calvin refers it to the elders, to whom the exercise of discipline was entrusted. Grotius understands it of the pastors, (Eph 4:1,) or of the elders who presided over particular churches, Ro 12:8. Locke supposes that they were the same as those who had the power of discerning spirits. The simple idea, however, is that of ruling, or exercising government; but whether this refers to a permanent office, or to the fact that some were specially qualified by their wisdom and prudence, and in virtue of this usually regulated or directed the affairs of the church by giving council, etc., or whether they were selected and appointed for this purpose for a time; or whether it refers to the same persons who might also have exercised other functions, and this in addition, cannot be determined from the passage before us. All that is clear is, that there were those who administered government in the church. But the passage does not determine the form, or manner; nor does it prove--whatever may be true--that such an office was to be permanent in the church." (Barnes)
DHK
NE can duplicate today what was done then. The miracle gifts were given to very few in the early church. The active gifts today are more like special abilities or desires. We all know people who always seem willing and show up when help is needed. They have a deep desire and better yet they follow through, That is the gift of "helps". Have you ever heard a preacher who just made you want to stand up and shout amen or one who you grab on to every word because you learn so much from what they say? these are teaching and preaching gifts. Remember the gifts are in us and guide us and are up to us to use. I heard John M. say that we are a snowflake when it comes to gifts, no two exactly alike, each with a measure and mixure of gifts.
