Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace
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The concept that miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit can be possessed without saving grace is a topic of significant theological discussion. This notion is rooted in the understanding that the Holy Spirit can bestow gifts upon individuals for the edification of the church and the fulfillment of God's purposes, irrespective of the recipient's personal salvation status.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Judas Iscariot: One of the most prominent examples is Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve apostles. Despite his eventual betrayal of Jesus, Judas was among those sent out by Christ to preach the kingdom of God and perform miracles. In Matthew 10:1 (BSB), it is recorded, "Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness." This suggests that Judas, like the other apostles, was endowed with miraculous powers, yet his later actions indicate a lack of saving grace.

2. Matthew 7:21-23: Jesus warns about those who perform miracles in His name but lack a true relationship with Him. "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’" (BSB). This passage underscores the possibility of performing miraculous works without possessing saving grace.

3. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2: The Apostle Paul emphasizes the supremacy of love over spiritual gifts, indicating that possessing gifts without love is meaningless. "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (BSB). This suggests that spiritual gifts can exist apart from the transformative love that characterizes saving grace.

Theological Implications

The distinction between possessing spiritual gifts and having saving grace raises important theological considerations. It highlights the sovereignty of God in distributing gifts according to His will, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:11 (BSB): "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines." This distribution is not necessarily indicative of the recipient's spiritual state or eternal destiny.

Furthermore, the presence of miraculous gifts does not equate to spiritual maturity or assurance of salvation. The gifts are intended for the common good and the building up of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7, BSB), rather than as a measure of personal holiness or divine favor.

Historical and Contemporary Perspectives

Throughout church history, there have been individuals and movements that demonstrated miraculous gifts yet were later found to be lacking in doctrinal soundness or moral integrity. This serves as a cautionary reminder that the presence of spiritual gifts should not be the sole criterion for evaluating one's spiritual condition or the authenticity of a ministry.

In contemporary settings, the discernment of spirits and the testing of teachings against Scripture remain crucial (1 John 4:1, BSB). Believers are encouraged to seek the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, BSB) as evidence of genuine faith and to prioritize a personal relationship with Christ above the pursuit of miraculous manifestations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 7:22,23
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 13:1,2
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
... we are forbidden to "believe every spirit, and commanded ... at Corinth, which abounded
with miraculous gifts, and among ... only inferior to charity, or holy love, but ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xiv gifts no certain.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit
... apostles"though he were endowed with miraculous gifts, though he ... So, beloved, you
see"I might enlarge, but ... in the soul, has to do with God the Holy Spirit. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the work of the holy.htm

A Word to Workers
... should go away, in order that the Spirit might come; and ... the church of the Corinthians,
the Holy Spirit came with power to work miraculous gifts, and yet ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/vii a word to workers.htm

Acts VI
... iii.16,) that the degree of miraculous power exerted by those who possessed spiritual
gifts depended upon ... suppose Luke refers to the Holy Spirit, who supplied ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... nature, or rather above nature, doing a miraculous work in ... From the East came those
who brought gifts to Him ... to the flesh; and where the Holy Spirit is praised ...
/.../the second homily on the.htm

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
... Son in the distribution of spiritual gifts (1:Cor.12 ... Evidently some miraculous
outpouring of the Spirit is intended ... The Holy Spirit seeks"so we learn from the ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the holy.htm

Final Perseverance
... of the world to come." Not miraculous gifts, which are ... or dares to suppose a being
superior to the Holy Spirit! ... Is there a might greater than that which dwells ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/final perseverance.htm

Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion ...
... through "gifts" bestowed by the Holy Spirit, and in ... the Spirit and the bestowal of
miraculous gifts for the ... the Quaker's "piercing eyes." In spirit they were ...
/.../chapter vii coornhert and the.htm

The Master Rejected: the Servants Sent Forth
Expositions of Holy Scripture. ... His miraculous energy followed, in general, the same
law as His ... His gifts assimilate the receiver to Himself, and only in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the master rejected the servants.htm

The Main Current of the Reformation
... is, the power of sanctification through the Holy Spirit. ... to give nobody the internal
gifts except through ... restored the mysterious and miraculous real presence ...
/.../chapter i the main current.htm

Resources
Are the miraculous gifts of the Spirit for today? | GotQuestions.org

What is continuationism? What is a continuationist? | GotQuestions.org

What is demythologization? Does the Bible need to be demythologized? | GotQuestions.org

Miraculous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Miraculous

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit of Different Kinds

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Despised

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Neglected

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Purchased

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were to be Sought After

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Christ Was Endued With

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated by the Laying on of the Apostles' Hands

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Confirmation of the Gospel

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Edification of the Church

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated: Upon the Preaching of the Gospel

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Counterfeited by Antichrist

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Dispensed According to his Sovereign Will

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Enumerated

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Foretold

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Poured out on the Day of Pentecost

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Temporary Nature of

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Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Foretold
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