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Commentary on "Spiritual Gifts and Prophecy"
Day 2: Sunday, January 11, 2009
This day’s lesson defines spiritual gifts as coming from the Holy Spirit. It also states that the reason they were given was to complete the mission entrusted to the church. The gifting of the apostles to go out and heal and cast out demons before Pentecost is used as an indication that it is possible to receive more than one baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Problems
In the E. G. White Notes it should be noted that Ellen White blurs the terms “talents” and “gifts of the Spirit”. For instance, when she lists a few examples of gifts, the “gift” of singing is mentioned. What about accomplished singers who do not know Jesus? Singing is an ability that one is born with and is developed through years of study and practice, not a gift that is given when a person becomes a Christian.
The last sentence of the lesson is the most alarming, suggesting that it is possible to receive more than one baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says about baptism, “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4–6. When we become Christians and are born again, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, just as the believers were sealed on Pentecost when they believed. (Acts 2:14-21, Ephesians 1:13,14) This only happens once. There are no Biblical examples of anyone being born again more than once. Equipping with gifts is not another baptism—it is a gift given when needed by the body of Christ.
The Teacher’s Comments for this lesson include a question, which is leading towards the support of Ellen White’s prophetic role in the church: “How do we recognize and affirm if there is a prophet among us?” The Bible’s answer is clear. Deuteronomy 18:20, 22, gives the tests of a prophet. But even more powerful is the statement in Hebrews 1:1–2 which states:
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the World.”
Jesus is the last Word and the greatest Word we have. God will give us no new light or “present truth” through a prophet.
Summary
- Spiritual gifts are given when one becomes a Christian, and don’t include talents and abilities that people are born with or develop.
- There is one baptism of the Holy Spirit given when a person trusts in Jesus. Equipping with gifts is not another baptism—it is a gift given when needed by the body of Christ.
- A person gifted with the gift of prophecy must speak in agreement with the Bible.
Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised January 10, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 3
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 3
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 3
Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings