Grace-gift, as an external evidence of inward grace, is translated seventeen times in the New Testament as "spiritual gift." Significantly, the word grace
provides the first syllable in the Greek spelling of "spiritual gift." This interchange, using the same root-word for either spiritual gift or redemptive grace, reveals a vital New Testament truth:
Key Point: Spiritual gifts cannot exist apart from grace. Grace cannot be fully revealed apart from spiritual gifts.
There is no exception to this rule. As a "pearl of great price," an inseparable whole, grace is an indivisible jewel; to break it is to destroy it. In illustrating this truth, the Greek New Testament uses both words, charisma and charis, in the same sentence: "As each one has received a gift (charisma), minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace (charis) of God." I Peter 4:10. In acknowledging the two grace-functions as one, the Apostle is explaining that whoever possesses the ministry-gift is a steward of God's grace. In the Biblical context, the word "steward" means "one entrusted with authority;" in this case, he is authorized with the ministry of spiritual gifts. As if to fortify the multiple function of grace, Peter uses the word "manifold," meaning "various in character."
Each operation of grace compliments the other. There is no conflict between them. Men have created theological contention, but it is non-existent in Scripture and in the intent of God. After Saul of Tarsus' encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, he went into the city where Ananias laid hands on him to be "filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:1-19. In the precise order of the first Apostles, Paul experienced charis, saving-grace, then charisma, gifting-grace. As a "good steward of the manifold grace of God," Ananias administered spiritual gifts to Paul. That imparting came through the laying-of-hands and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5,8.
Much is preached about Paul's experience on the Damascus Road; tragically little about what happened in the Damascus Room. This loss is regrettable. On the Damascus Road, Paul was born-again; that is, he received grace in the general sense. In the Damascus Room, he received spiritual gifts, that is, specific grace, that ultimately presented him to the Throne of Caesar and reshaped the history of mankind. Paul's invasion of the Roman world cannot be credited to the man himself. The Holy Spirit, using Paul's body as His Temple, emptied pagan shrines and brought heathen philosophy to ruin. Grace, in the operation of spiritual gifts, accomplished these powerful works. The absence of such success today is the direct result of believers renouncing grace in its full operation. Many are willing to accept grace in the general experience but not in the specific. One thing is certain: God has not withdrawn any part of original grace.
In the same fashion that Paul received the Spirit's imparting from Ananias, he later bestowed the gift to young Timothy. II Timothy 1:6. To the Roman Church, he wrote, "I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established." Romans 1:11.
Though Paul addressed the Romans as saints, he knew they still needed additional grace-gifts to be fully established. These gifts could not be communicated in the letter; Paul had to be present for the laying-on-of-hands. Though it is not apparent in our English translations, Paul used the word "grace" five times to identify miraculous gifts in I Corinthians 12. The word "grace," charis, appears ten times in the Book of Acts, giving equal emphasis to both its saving and gifting concepts. In Paul and Barnabas' ministry in Iconium, for example, "The Lord ... was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands." Acts 14:3. Observe, it was grace
that produced signs and wonders. A major demonstration was the healing of the lame man at Lystra. Acts 14:8-10. This display of grace was an exact parallel of the man healed earlier at the Temple Gate in Jerusalem. Peter's command had been, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." Acts 3:6. Paul's command was, "Stand up straight on your feet!" The results were exactly the same.
In each case, the grace-gift of healing was operating. The explanation later given of the man in the Temple was this: "With great power the Apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all." Acts 4:33. Clearly, the most convincing proof of Jesus' resurrection was not the Apostles' preaching. It was the sight of the lame man running and leaping into the Temple. Grace, in the form of a spiritual-gift, had touched him. This visible manifestation of healing-grace spoke more powerfully to the people about the invisible reality of saving grace than did the Apostles' preaching. Why had it happened? The Holy Spirit confirmed the word of grace by demonstrating a grace-gift. Luke 16:20.
Key Point: It was not grace as a doctrine but grace as a manifested power that proved Jesus to be alive.
A similar demonstration of grace is described when Barnabas arrived in Antioch: "Who, when he came, and had seen
the grace of God, was glad ..." Acts 11:23. How did Barnabas see
grace in action? Multitudes were born-again, healed, cleansed from demons, baptized in the Spirit, with other life-changing effects taking place. We have the same pattern when the disciples "went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." Mark 16:20. Two things happened: The disciples preached the word of grace, and the Holy Spirit validated its truth by bestowing grace-gifts. The presence of grace was evidenced by miraculous signs. These manifestations were visible, tangible, and obvious to the eye. Jewish authorities had been able to deny the Apostles’ preaching, but after the healing of the lame man at the Temple gate, they had this to say of Peter and John: "That a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it." Acts 4:16. Had the disciples held to the modern concept of a disrupted grace-system these miracles would never have taken place. Now, as then, the miraculous life should identify every Christian life.
In introducing the Book of Acts, Luke emphasizes two aspects in the ministry of Jesus: "The former account, I made, O Theolphilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach." Acts 1:1. The ministry of Jesus was doing and teaching. This is the pattern intended for all New Testament disciples then and now. Our lives teaching are to be confirmed by "signs following." Both aspects are required if grace is to be fully revealed through us. The perfect structure of New Testament grace has a parallel in the structure of Old Testament Law. Like grace, the Law was an indivisible whole. No one could add to it; no one could take from it. To violate one point made the offender guilty of the Law's total consequence. Christians have no difficulty accepting this Old Testament truth. At the identical point of comparison, many refuse to make the same application to the New Testament's grace-system. Bias against spiritual gifts is so deeply ingrained that some claiming to believe in the in errancy of Scripture will argue that I Corinthians, 11 is valid, but twelve is not. Thirteen is valid, but fourteen is not, and so on. Such hop-scotch theology emasculates the Word of God.
Key Point: Believing in grace and in grace-gifts is one and the same belief. Denying grace and grace-gifts is one and the same denial.
If we accept Paul's statement to the Ephesians, "For by grace (charis) you have been saved through faith," Ephesians 2:8, we are equally obligated to accept his statement to the Corinthians regarding gifts of healings (charismata) by the same Spirit. I Corinthians 12:9. The expression, "by the same Spirit" gives unchallengeable authority to the reality of grace-gifts. To deny them is to disrupt the operation of grace as an inviolate God-designed pattern. We are commanded to preach the full system of grace. Redemptive-grace without gifting-grace is an abortion of truth; it is a contradiction of terms. Without hesitation we must preach that "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word
that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Luke 4:4. That includes all
New Testament teachings about the full operation of grace. Grace cannot be divided; it must be accepted as an indivisible unit. Scripture solemnly warns us against abusing grace.
1. To "receive the grace of God in vain." II Corinthians 6:1.
2. To "frustrate the grace of God." Galatians 2:21.
3. To "insult the Spirit of grace." Hebrews 10:29.
Opposition to the grace-system does not originate within the Church; it comes from powers of darkness projecting itself upon the Church. Satan does not fear man. He fears the Spirit's grace-gifts operating in man and will go to any length to stop them. Remember that Satan appeared to Jesus immediately after His anointing in the Jordan river. Today the devil tries to stop us before we receive the Holy Spirit's power. If he can prevent that through unbelief, fear, and harassment, he will. In cases where individuals have already received the imparting, he erects barricades to handicap them. This attack should not intimidate the Spirit-filled believer who knows "He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world." I John 4:4.
This article is quoted from my book, The Edge Of Glory, which may be purchased on-line by visiting our website at www.CharlesCarrinMinistries.com.
"TOMORROW ABOUT THIS TIME I WILL SEND YOU A MAN ..." I Samuel 9:16.
I first met David Rhea in Tennessee in 1999 when he came to a meeting where I was speaking and during "hands-on" ministry experienced a fresh impartation of the Holy Spirit. With no explanations, the Lord immediately told me to take him "under my wing" and speak into his life "spiritually, fatherly, educationally." I did not know that his wife had died the year before in a medical accident and he was in a desperate search for God’s direction. But within a very short time it became apparent that he was the one of whom the Lord had earlier told me, "I will send you a man to be your helper."
David has since traveled with me from London to Alaska, Central and South America, and all parts of the U.S. In 2004 my wife invited him to join our family cruise with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. David came and on board met the ship’s Gym Instructor, Marelise Petzer, a beautiful Christian girl from Cape Town, South Africa. In a true cruise-ship romance they fell in love and the following year David went to Cape Town where they were married. Today, he and Marelise live in McMinnville, Tennessee, where they base their ministry, and in November are expecting their first baby. I am delighted to share the following part of David’s testimony with you. His message touches the "cutting edge" of Christian experience in a surprising way. — Charles Carrin
My Journey Into The Presence Of The Lord
David Rhea
Like many others, my childhood caused me to enter into a false delusion of fear and poor self-esteem.
The bondage brought such dread that if I were in a group of people I would sometimes break-out in sweat and cold chills. My inner thought-life was dominated by fear. Things took a turn toward some very hard and trying times and I couldn’t handle the pressure that was coming against my mind. I had spent most of my life being more afraid of Satan deceiving me than believing that the Lord would bless me. It was as if fear of deception kept me away from the real encounter of God I needed. During that dark time, Zig Ziglar--a Christian motivational speaker--had a dramatic influence on my life. His message taught me that I could change my world for the good by dwelling on positive truths. That is–turning lemons into lemonade--by filling my mind with positive truth that replaced the negative. In one part he had me to write positive words on an index card, look at myself in the mirror, and speak their positive message to myself. Like Joel 3:10, he taught me to say, "Let the weak say I am strong." Over a period of time I saw my life beginning to change. I even started speaking words of life and encouragement to those with whom I came in contact.
Falling On My Face And Getting Up In Grace I made a decision that Jesus was truly Lord and that I would put my trust in Him. I started reading the Bible, books about God, teachings about the Spirit, and discovering truth for myself. In one book I found a prayer asking Jesus to be "more real than any earthly thing". I realized this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30 I asked myself do I love Jesus more than my family and friends? I could say yes, but did I mean it in my heart? Did I know it!? I fell on my face before the Lord and finally got up in grace.
Seeking His Face I went back to my training with Zig, took an index card, and wrote on it: "Father, I ask for an impartation of the Holy Spirit to make Jesus more real than any earthly thing. And, that I will love Him like You love Him." John 17:26. I have to admit it didn’t feel right at first, asking that I would love Jesus like the Father loved Him. I thought that it would be impossible. But that is the prayer Jesus prayed. Nor did I know that to love Him that way would take me into a divine encounter with Him.
Because of the negative thoughts, I knew my mind had to be renewed. I was full of questions and doubts. But according to Isaiah 55:10, 11, His word is true and will not return void. By soaking in His presence, speaking,\ His word, and dwelling on the positive, I knew I could renew my thought-life. Instead of fearing a room full of people I would be able to lift those same people and encourage them. Like Isaiah said, the word sometimes comes like rain. Rain refreshes immediately. Other times it’s like snow. Snow piles up. I went after this desperately, knowing it would be ok if it came like rain. If it piled up like snow that would be ok Isaiah’s prayer was truth and I wanted it.
I looked at that index card when I woke up and prayed it. I prayed it through the day. I prayed it before I went to bed. At first it was like snow. It was so light I felt nothing. It seemed dry and far away. Then the weeks went by and as they turned into months the snow began to melt. I found myself on the floor weeping and crying out with a hunger; "Lord! I have to know this! Be more real to me than any earthly thing. Father! I asked for an impartation to love Jesus like You do!!"
During my journey the Lord led me to a friend, Chuck Taylor, who took me to the outpouring of God at Brownesville Assembly in Pensacola, Florida. I grew up in the Church of Christ and the Holy Spirit’s manifestations at the Revival were all new to me. Again I said "Lord I trust Your power more than the devil’s and I opened my heart to receive from Him." Chuck’s brother was a member of the church and asked if I wanted to be baptized. I agreed and later when I found myself standing in the baptismal pool there was a weight of glory hovering over me like nothing I had ever experienced before. It left me trembling in tears and barely able to talk.
I gave my confession to the two men standing in the tank with me and as soon as my body hit the water a Bolt of Glory
struck me. The power knocked me out and slammed the two who did the baptizing down into the water. Others who were watching from the steps jumped into the tank, picked me up, carried me out of the pool, and laid me down on the floor. I lay there--lifeless in the Glory of the Lord. It was the most awesome experience I had ever had. When I was able to get up I walked past people in the hall who started falling–out from the glory of the Lord that was upon me. Little did I know that the journey was just beginning and I would never be the same.
I Didn’t Know God Would Manifest Himself Like This. My prayer-life intensified and at times I found myself on the floor of my home with my face in the floor, weighted under the presence of the Lord. Most of the time I would just feel His wonderful love. Other times He would reveal different aspects of who He is. One time He revealed Himself as "King" and His goodness was overwhelming--even as a King He was willing to die for His people. His putting us before Himself left me broken and undone.
In the following months I made several trips back to Pensacola and took my Pastor, Donald Vinson, with me. From the very start of the trip we began pressing into the Spirit’s realm. Donald started talking about the tabernacle of God and the steps into the Holy of Holies. I remember thinking, I feel like I am standing at the veil of His presence. Each day we were at the revival I kept getting deeper into His presence. On Sunday the worship became very intimate, almost sounding angelic. There were no words, just soft voices being lifted up. When this happened the presence of the Lord came flooding into the room. It kept getting stronger and stronger until I could only fall to the floor and weep. It was more powerful than any other time I had felt Him. People started crying out and the place became noisy. Then He lifted and I felt like a fish out of water wanting to get back into His glorious presence.(Psalm 63:1) But my words fail to explain what happened next.
He Became More Real Than Any Earthly Thing!
Donald and I started the eight-hour trip back to Tennessee. I was driving and Donald talked about the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit. When he had finished we both settled in the seats with our thoughts on the Lord. We were so deep in the Spirit we can only remember a few places along the way. I put some worship music on and started thinking how awesome the presence of the Lord had been in church that morning. Suddenly the Holy Spirit started settling on me. His presence was so strong that it scared me to be driving. In the next moment He began to lift and I said in my heart. "Don’t go! Please don’t go!" Immediately He started settling back on me. Again there was some fear in my mind and He lifted. This happened a few more times and the only way I can describe what happened next is that I became like a child with all his heart reaching up to his parent. I said "Don’t go!! Please don’t go!!" The moment my heart felt 100% that it wanted only Him I was suddenly caught-up out of my body. II Corinthians 12:2-4. The last thing I remember was shoving back against the seat yelling from the impact of what happened.
An angel must have done the driving because I was out of my body in another realm. Suddenly, I was standing before the Lord. We communicated without using words. Love, Purity, Holiness, and so many more feelings that I have no words to describe, were BURSTING forth from Him. I knew in my natural body it would have killed me. Even being there, I knew I was receiving only a speck of mist coming from an ocean of His Love and Glory. It was like the love of a mother and a father all mixed into one. He made a move toward me with His arms reaching for me yearning for me. My words fall void in trying to explain the message that He revealed to me. He has a fiery, unquenchable, vehement flame of love for His children. We are beyond cherishment in His eyes. This love is going to catapult His Bride into her destiny and eternity will not even begin to exhaust it.!!!
Suddenly I was back in my body. I was weeping heavily and couldn’t stop. Donald had me pull over so he could drive. God had answered my prayers. He had become more real to me than any earthly thing. And I had a small taste of being able to love Jesus like the Father loves Him and me. I was left with a burning message in my heart. God is still calling His children to the Mountain of His Presence. He loves you and wants fellowship with you now–not only after you leave this earth. Numbers14:21. Jesus reconciled us back to intimacy and glory with the Father like we had before Adam fell. Romans 5:11. He wants us to walk in the fullness of what He purchased. Your invitation begins now!! If you would like to contact David he may be reached at: The Fathers Desire Ministries, David & Marelise Rhea, 627 Pinewood Lane, McMinnville, Tennessee 37110, dmrhea@charter.net.
David and Marelise
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
