Prepper Recon

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 12

The Bible is so crystal clear in what it says about everything. And most everything is stated so plainly and simply. How then, can we explain the vast amount of variation in the interpretation of the Bible?

Much of that can be attributed to what I like to call biblical hopscotch. In hopscotch, the players toss a rock on the board, then have to jump around through several boxes to finally get to the box where the rock landed. Likewise, much church doctrine requires a lot of jumping around to say why a certain passage of scripture does not mean what it says.

In today’s passage, Paul clearly tells the church in Corinth that the Holy Spirit assigns various gifts to different people.

In verse 29 he asks a rhetorical question.  ^“Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”

The obvious answer is “no.” Why then, do we have churches teaching people that if they don’t speak in tongues that they have not yet been baptized in the Spirit? This passage of scripture should be as clear as a bell. Everyone does not get that gift.

Today’s study is not an attack on any particular denomination, in fact, Assemblies of God are in my top-3 list of major denominations and movements when I’m looking for a church. Today’s message is yet another challenge for you individually to read the Bible for yourself. You cannot depend on Church doctrine. You must know it for yourself.

However, if you believe that people who don’t speak in tongues are not baptized by the spirit,the consequences of this doctrine can be severe. If you haven’t been given this gift, you may never look to see what gifts you have been given. Wouldn’t it be a shame to have the gift of prophecy, teaching, or discernment and never use it?

If I didn’t pick on your denomination this week, don’t worry, we’ll be looking at part two next week.

Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?” Prepper translation: “What good will it do you to survive the coming economic collapse, nuclear war, or even a zombie apocalypse if you don’t know you will go to heaven when you die.” A recent study found that 10 out of 10 people die! On that day we will meet our Maker. It only makes sense to be prepared for that day. Click here to learn more about knowing GOD.

Have a blessed day and happy prepping!

Mark