The Operation of the Nine Supernatural Gifts in Church History

Some of the early church fathers, (so-called), around the third century came up with some interesting ideas as to why the gifts had decreased or had stopped operating altogether in there meetings. Historically there is a close connection in this happening with the days of Constantine, Emperor of Rome, who stopped the persecution of Christian's and carnalized the church as an institution. Much later at the time of the Reformation some of these theories and thoughts of men became an almost dogma right down to our present day in teachings that say the supernatural ministries of Ephesians four have ceased and the gifts so clearly taught of in Corinthians are no more in operation. In the past century many good men who love Christ and his Word have sadly been influenced by such views. Of course there are those who have drawn back from any thought of their true operation in the Church because of the abuse and counterfeiting of true gifts.

For years I have taken note of unusual incidents in the life of men of God from every age, culture and denomination. In beginning to compile the present study I am amazed at how much has come easily together. For year's I have wanted to compile something of a list but now have quickly found out that the list is endless. The movements that have seen operations of the gifts cover the Waldenses, Huguenots, Mennonites, Reformers, Covenanters, Quakers, Moravians, Methodists and Pentecostals, to give a rough overview.

Men of God who either bore witness in teaching or practise to tongues, healing and prophesy continuing are Patrick, Martin Luther, Richard Baxter, Samuel Rutherford, John Welch, Alexander Peden, George Fox, Count Zinzendorf, F.B. Meyer, Andrew Murray, A.B. Simpson, Samuel Chadwick, Edward Irving, Thomas Erskine, George Muellor, Charles H. Spurgeon, John Sung of China, Leonard Ravenhill, and so the list moves on. Those who only put these things in the Book of Acts must squint or close there eyes in reading scripture and again do the same with church history.

Before anyone would want to argue or challenge the scriptural present use of the gifts I would suggest you read the classic exposition by Harold Horton called The Gifts of the Spirit.

As time allows I will compile a fuller study

Martin Luther

"How often has it happened, and still does that devils have been driven out in the name of Christ; also by calling on his name and prayer that the sick have been healed." In a letter in 1545 to one of his followers desiring advise concerning the sick he says, "When you depart lay your hands upon the man again and say, `These signs shall follow them that believe; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.'" And he suited his action to his words on this point; for when they brought him a girl saying that she was possessed with a devil, Luther laid his hand on her head, appealed to the Lord's promise, "He that believeth on me the works I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do," and then prayed to God, with the rest of the ministers of the Church, that, for Christ's sake, he would cast the devil out of this girl. Perfect recovery is recorded in this instance, as well as in several others where he prayed for the sick.

Another incident was his prayer for Philip Melancthon, his assistant, "Luther arrived and found Philip about to give up the ghost. His eyes were set; his consciousness was almost gone; his speech had failed, and also his hearing; his face had fallen; he knew no one, and had ceased to take either solids or liquids. At this spectacle Luther was filled with the utmost consternation, and turning to his fellow-travelers said: `Blessed Lord, how has the devil spoiled me of this instrument!' Then turning away towards the window he called most devoutly on God." Then follows the substance of Luther's prayer: "He besought God to forbear, saying that he had struck work in order to urge upon Him in supplication, with all the promises he could repeat from Scripture; that He must hear and answer now if He would ever have the petitioner trust in Him again." The narrative goes on: "After this, taking the hand of Philip, and well knowing what was the anxiety of his heart and conscience, he said, "Be of good courage, Philip, thou shalt not die. Though God wanted not good reason to slay thee, yet He willeth not the death of a sinner, but that he may be converted and live. Wherefore give not place to the spirit of grief, nor become the slayer of thyself, but trust in the Lord who is able to kill and to make alive." While he uttered these things Philip began, as it were, to revive and to breathe, and gradually recovering his strength, was at last restored to health. Melancthon writing to a friend said: "I should have been a dead man had I not been recalled from death itself by the coming of Luther." Luther writing to friends said: "Philip is very well after such an illness, for it was greater than I had supposed. I found him dead, but, by an evident miracle of God, he lives." It was said that "Dr. Martin Luther was a prophet, evangelist, speaker in tongues and interpreter, in one person, endowed with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit."

Below you see him challenging the religious and political power of Rome in 1521 at Worms where he made his famous STAND, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."

Charles H Spurgeon

Alexander Peden