Testing the Gifts
1. Why do we need to test all spiritual manifestations?
"Because many false prophets are gone out into the world" 1 John 4:1
2. What will the Lord say to many who have prophesied?
"I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" Matthew 7:22, 23
3. What did He say would arise in the last days?
"There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets" Matthew 24:24
4. What four specific injunctions does Paul give?
"Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
5. According to what word must we test all things?
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" Isaiah 8:20
6. How does a false prophet’s appearance deceive people?
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" Matthew 7:15
7. How then can we distinguish the genuine from the false?
"Ye shall know them by their fruits" Matthew 7:16-20
8. What have false prophets done?
"Made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life" Ezekiel 13:22
9. What does the accuracy of a prophet’s predictions indicate?
"When the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him" Jeremiah 28:9
10. What would inaccuracy of prediction indicate?
"If the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken" Deuteronomy 18:21, 22
11. Yet even if a sign should come to pass, what would be a reason to reject a supposed prophet?
"Because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God" Deuteronomy 13:1-5
12. What are some doctrinal tests that we can apply?
"Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God" 1 John 4:3
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" 1 John 4:15
13. How did Balaam describe his experience while in vision?
"Falling into a trance, but having his eyes open" Numbers 24:4
Although never a conclusive test of divine inspiration, supernatural phenomena accompanying a vision can add impact. Daniel gives an interesting account of his experience in Daniel chapter 10.
14. We have many members in one body; and in what respect are all the members of the body different?
"All members have not the same office" Romans 12:4
"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" 1 Corinthians 12:29, 30
15. How do our gifts differ?
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us" Romans 12:6
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will" 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
16. What ranking is given to the various gifts?
"First apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" 1 Corinthians 12:28
17. Among the signs that Jesus mentioned as following them that believe, they would speak with what?
"New tongues" Mark 16:17
The Greek word here refers to the language or dialect used by a particular people.
18. On the day of Pentecost, how did each foreign visitor hear the apostles speak?
"Every man heard them speak in his own language" Acts 2:6
19. How did Peter explain that the gift of tongues at the house of Cornelius was no different from what was experienced at Pentecost?
"God gave them the like gift as he did unto us" Acts 11:17
20. Is this gift for our own benefit?
"Tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not" 1 Corinthians 14:22
21. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as what?
"Sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" 1 Corinthians 13:1
22. Could Paul actually speak the language of heaven?
"He was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" 2 Corinthians 12:4
23. What is the Biblical procedure when speaking in other tongues?
"Let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret" 1 Corinthians 14:27
24. What if there is no one to interpret?
"If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church" 1 Corinthians 14:28
25. Let all things be done unto what?
"Edifying" 1 Corinthians 14:26
"Except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? For ye shall speak into the air" 1 Corinthians 14:9
"Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me" 1 Corinthians 14:11
"If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" 1 Corinthians 14:23
26. Does confusion come from God?
"God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints" 1 Corinthians 14:33
27. How therefore should all things be done?
"Let all things be done decently and in order" 1 Corinthians 14:40