GOD'S 7 COMMANDS–BUT THE CHURCH’S REFUSAL
THAT WE "BE NOT IGNORANT"
 

The New Testament exhorts us seven specific times on seven different subjects to "be not ignorant." In studying these passages there is no way to avoid the significance in the number seven or the subjects they address. All are vital. The same Greek word for "ignorance," agnoeo, is used in all seven references--though the King James Version is the only one that translates it consistently. If you observe the word carefully you recognize the similarity between agnoeo and ignore. (agno/igno). It simply means "not to know." Ignorance of the Bible can come from lack of opportunity to learn, lack of personal intelligence--or willful rejection of truth. The problem with the Church is the last–willful rejection of truth. These seven topics are fundamental to Church doctrine. Six of them were written by Paul and one by Peter. None can be disregarded. Also notice they are in pairs:

Two concern Israel.
Two concern the gospel.
Two foretell the end of the earth.

The final topic, # 7, explains the Church’s empowering through spiritual gifts.

Quoting from the King James Version, the seven are these:

1. Israel's rejection. restoration, and the fullness of the Gentiles: "For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." Romans 11:25.

2. Israel's dual baptism in the cloud and sea: "Moreover, brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea." I Corinthians 10:1. Israel's baptism unto Moses in the cloud and sea portrays Christian baptism unto Christ in the Spirit and water. The parallel is exact.

3. Opposition to the gospel in Asia: "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life." II Corinthians 1:8.

4. Opposition to the Gospel in Europe: "Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (but was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles." Romans 1:13.

5. Jesus' Second Coming; Resurrection of the saints: "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." I Thessalonians 4:13.

6. The "thief in the night" destruction of the earth: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day ... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ..." II Peter 3:8,10.

7. The Holy Spirit's miraculous gifts to the Church: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." I Corinthians 12:1.

Sincere Christians cannot deny the value of any of the seven topics. I suggest you test yourself on each of them and determine if you are genuinely informed about their purpose. Are you knowledgeable about God’s future plans for Israel? What is meant by Israel’s baptism in the "sea and in the cloud? (1,2) "Are you aware that the gospel is experiencing explosive freedom in some parts of the earth while in America and other parts it is severely hindered? Do you know the reasons why? (3,4) Do you have a comprehensive understanding of eschatology–end time’s doctrine. (5,6) Can you recite all nine spiritual gifts Paul identified in First Corinthians 12? Are you aware of other gifts of the Spirit? Do you realize that there is no topic about which the contemporary Church is more ignorant than of spiritual gifts?

The Apostle Paul, who received the Spirit's impartation through the laying-on-of-hands by Ananias, later wrote an 84 verse treatise on spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 12,13,14. His explanation provides the most comprehensive, authoritative information we have on the subject. More importantly, It is the only resource bearing the seal of Divine Authorship. All conflicting opinions, no matter how cherished or long-established, are but human speculation and must be discarded. Scripture is our final, absolute authority. The door of heresy is opened every time the Church turns to other opinions to replace the authority of Scripture.

The Apostle begins his dissertation with the plea: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant." 12:1.The request reveals an especially deep concern of the writer. Its appearance here should command the attention of every conscientious believer. The Apostle then proceeds carefully to detail the operation of nine grace-works of the Spirit. These are the direct result of the Spirit's baptism. Having defended the need and purpose of the gifts, Paul then concludes his discourse with the stirring rebuke,

"But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant!" 14:38. In other words, he says, "After this careful explanation of spiritual gifts, if anyone refuses to learn, I have nothing more to say to him. Let him remain illiterate!" Paul seemingly anticipated that some would reject his teaching on miraculous works of the Spirit and added this harsh warning:

"If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." I Corinthians 14:37.

What are the "commandments" of which he speaks? The answer: The Apostolic teachings on spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 12 and 14 speak with God's authority as much as any other of Paul's writings. We are no more at liberty to reject these Biblically mandated instructions than any other commandment of the Lord. Instead of heeding Paul's instruction much of the Church persists in open warfare against the Spirit’s miraculous manifestations. This is being done in spite of Paul's exhortation that we:

1. "Earnestly desire spiritual gifts." I Corinthians 12:31.

2. "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." 14:1.

3. "Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel." 14:12.

These admonitions do not indicate the reluctance that typifies the modern church's attitude against spiritual gifts. There was no such lukewarmness on the part of Paul or the Corinthians. Identically, believers today are encouraged to exercise the gifts for the benefit of everyone: "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills ... But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant." I Corinthians 12:1;4-11;38.

The argument immediately arises, "These gifts passed away." Paul did not believe that. Nor does the New Testament teach it. In the introduction of his Corinthian letters (29 chapters and longest of all New Testament writings) Paul exhorted believers to " ... Come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 1:7. In that brief statement, Paul equated the duration of spiritual gifts to be the same length as the Church's waiting for Jesus' return. Examine it for yourself. This is precisely what the Apostle said.

On the Day of Ascension Jesus told the disciples on the Mount of Olives, "John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now ... You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Acts 1:5,6. In a single statement, Jesus connected baptism in the Spirit to the imparting of His power. That wonderful event occurred on the day of Pentecost when 120 disciples in the Upper Room received the blessing. Scripture carefully explains that others who were not present at Pentecost experienced the same empowering later. That included the Samaritans, Acts 8:14-17, Saul of Tarsus, Acts 9:17, the household of Cornelius, Acts 10:44, and the Ephesians, Acts 19:1-7. Young Timothy followed the example. II Timothy 1:6. Identically, today, 500,000,000 Christians worldwide embrace the Spirit's wondrous baptism. In Africa alone, some 6,000,000 Muslims are being converted to Christ every year by Spirit-baptized preachers. This alarming fact is sending shock-waves through the Islamic world. In spite of that staggering statistic, opponents of spiritual gifts reject them on the claim that gifts of knowledge, tongues, prophecy, disappeared when the canon of Scripture was complete. That argument is based on this verse:

"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." I Corinthians 13:8-10.

The assumption is made that the expression "that which is perfect" refers to the completed Bible. At the time of Paul's writing not all New Testament writings were composed or bound as a single volume. Complete apostolic writings were not finished for approximately thirty years; canonizing of them (determining which ones were to be included as Scripture) did not occur for nearly 300 years--until 367 A.D.

Let's examine the claim, "that which is perfect," being a reference to the completed New Testament:

1. Those who believe in the inspiration of Scripture agree that Paul's letters, including First Corinthian, were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were perfectly composed. Galatians 1:11-12. 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

2. The New Testament when finally completed was also perfect. John 14:26.

3. The argument against spiritual gifts, says that at the precise time the New Testament books were written and bound, Paul's perfect teachings about spiritual gifts in First Corinthians 12,14, became invalid and thus imperfect. Though included in the New Testament, the Apostle’s instructions about gifts of knowledge, tongues, prophecy--which he identified in great length--lost their perfection and became fallacious at the exact moment "that which is perfect" had come. cf. I Corinthians 2:4-6.

4. The long-awaited "perfect" New Covenant-book was not perfect at all. Instead, parts that had been perfect instantly became imperfect. Today, the "perfect book" contains teachings we can't believe. i.e., gifts of knowledge, tongues, prophecy. ---So, we are in worse condition than before. Instead of that "which is perfect" having come, we now have a blighted book with falsified teachings. cf. Hebrews 9:11-16.

Who can believe this double-talk?! Who can sincerely believe that Paul's writings were perfect until they were canonized? This is not systematic theology but religious confusion. It challenges the Holy Spirit’s authorship of the New Testament. The argument disintegrates when exposed to the light of truth: There are no dead passages in the New Testament. The argument is settled. Of what then was Paul referring when he spoke of "that which is perfect" having come? Scripture is abundantly clear. The key is the word "then." Observe its' three usages in the text: "But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done key is the word "then." Observe its' three usages in the text: "But when key is the word "then." Observe its' three usages in the text: "But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away... For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." I Corinthians 12:10,12.

Honesty demands that we answer this Scripture honorably: Have we come to the time when we no longer "see in a mirror dimly, but face to face?" The answer is No. Have we come to the time when we no longer "know in part, but even as we are known?" Again, the answer is No. Then we have not yet come to the time "when that which is perfect has come." In all three cases, the "perfection," "seeing face to face," and "knowing as we are
known," is the same future state. The Apostle John--author of the Revelation–identifies this state for us:

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:1-4.

DO WE BELIEVE IT OR DO WE NOT?

Before closing this discussion there are other opinions--far more valuable than that of modern scholars--who tell us what the Bible says about itself. They give the answer in careful detail. Read their words reverently.

Jesus said: "Heaven and earth shall pass away but My words will by no means pass away." Matthew 24:35.

God the Father said: "My Covenant I will not break nor alter the Word that is gone out of my lips." Psalm 89:34.

Jesus said to the Father: "For I have given to them (the disciples) the words which You have given Me, and they have received them ..." John 17:8.

David said: "Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven." Psalm 119:89.

Peter said: "But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." I Peter 1:25.

Peter said again: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." II Peter 1:21.

Paul said: "Be diligent ... rightly diving the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15.

Paul said again: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable." II Timothy 3:16.

Paul said once more: "But even if we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable 1. For doctrine, 2. For reproof, 3. For correction, 4. For instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16,17.

The writer of the Hebrew Epistle explained: "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the New Covenant (New Testament), by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance." Hebrews 9:11-16.

The allegory in the Hebrew passage is this: As Moses identified, ratified, and sanctified, the unchangeability of the Book of the Law with the blood-sprinkling of bulls and goats so identically the Christ-Messiah has given the same final, unchangeable approbation to the New Testament with the sprinkling of His own blood. Dare the modern church edit what "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" and which was forever sanctified by the "sprinkling of the blood of the Lamb of God?" The answer is an emphatic, exclamatory NO!



Leif Hetland is one of my "sons", a young Norwegian who is anointed for one of the most phenomenal ministries of our time and travels into the world’s "danger zones" with the power of the Holy Spirit. Thousands are converted under his preaching. Pray for him! He writes:

Dear Daddy-Charles, It means so much to me to have a father like you. You would have been very happy as I met with my Spiritual sons in SE Asia. There were about 250 leaders that are touching Asia with the power of the Gospel and with fresh fire. I am going back to Pakistan February for the biggest event ever. It is the highest risk I have ever been involved with. We are doing a healing meeting North of Karachi. We will also be visiting 2 other Arab nations. Please keep us in prayer as this is an impossible task. I have a handful of team members that all are new to the warfare that is taking place in an Islamic country. There is an urgency in my Spirit to see a million Muslims saved in the next year. I will give you a fresh report as soon as returning. Keep in prayer the financial need as I still need a miracle in the next week. I ordered 100,000 follow-up packages and also hired 250 armed guards to help to fulfill the vision God gave me. Pray as I finish the next 5 books in the Eagle series. I am also doing 2 other books in another series. I am proud to be your son. I know the key to the favor I have in my life is because of who's son I am. The Father has given us 22 nations in the past 10 months and I am overwhelmed at being one of the fathers in this next missionary movement. Love you, Dad — Leif
The Prime Minister of Iran recently complained on national t.v. that some 300 Iranians are converting to Christ every week and that it must be stopped. Insiders report that the number is three times that high. Another Islamic telecast recently acknowledged that 6,000,000 African Muslims are converting every year.1,500,000 churches in Africa now serve some 329,882,000 believers–or one-third of the Continent’s total population.

Worldwide:
News sources report that there are 3,000 new salvations every 25 minutes. 175,000 every 24 hours. In the last 7 years, Pastor T.B. Joshua in Lagos, Nigeria, has had 10,000 documented Aids patients totally healed and his church has received 250,000 new members. Some 52 countries worldwide are experiencing New Testament miracles. Please know that it is not the American-form of religion that is doing it. mailto:Fridayfacts@bufton.net.

SONS IN MINISTRY MEETING, 2007

There is still time to sign up for this life changing meeting.

Let Us Hear From You Soon!!

May 24,25,26, 2007, I will host a “Sons In Ministry” meeting for pastors and other Christian workers with whom I am personally and ministerially acquainted. Lodging, meals, and ministry sessions, will be at the Duncan Center--the Episcopal Diocese facility of South Florida--located in Delray Beach. $104.00 per day, or a total of $208.00+ tax per person, double occupancy covers two nights and 6 meals plus. We begin Thursday afternoon at 4:00 and conclude Saturday noon. Thursday and Friday evenings, worship and ministry sessions will be open to the public.

Register Now! Send your deposit to Charles Carrin Ministries.



When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2: 1-4 NIV