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1 Corinthians 12: Spiritual Manifestations
Given the fact that every individual is different, following a unique path in fulfilling God’s plan, what similarities can you see in the way the Holy Spirit works?
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1 Corinthians 12:1 Now, my friends, I want you to understand how the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
What is the difference between following the direction of the Holy Spirit and seeking to please what people thought were gods?
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1 Corinthians 12:2 At one time, you were foreigners, not knowing God, led astray by what you thought were gods.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
How can a hypocritical Christian be recognized?
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1 Corinthians 12:3 You should know that by the Holy Spirit we recognize Jesus and say he is Lord. A person who curses Jesus is not being led by the Holy Spirit.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
The Egyptian sorcerers duplicated some of the signs done by the hand of Moses. By what means do you think that was done?
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Exodus 7:11 Pharaoh sent for his wise men and magicians, and they were able to do the same thing.
7:20 Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded. Standing before Pharaoh and his servants, Aaron lifted his walking stick and struck the river. The water then turned to blood.
7:21 The fish died, making the river stink. The Egyptians could not drink from the river, and there was blood throughout Egypt.
7:22 The magicians did the same thing. Hard-hearted Pharaoh refused to listen, just as the Lord had said.
8:6 When Aaron extended his hand above the river, frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.
8:7 The magicians did the same thing.
8:17 In obedience to God’s command, Aaron reached out with his walking stick and struck the dust of the earth, so gnats infested both man and beast throughout Egypt.
8:18 The magicians tried to do the same thing, but they couldn’t. The plague upon man and beast continued.
1 Corinthians 12:4 The Holy Spirit is the power source for all kinds of spiritual manifestations.
King James
Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
7:21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.
8:6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.
8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
8:17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
8:18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Should we expect the Holy Spirit to work in people’s lives the same way ? Why or why not?
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1 Corinthians 12:5 Our relationship with the Lord leads to all kinds of ministries.
12:6 The same God works in people’s lives in different ways at different times in different situations.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
How important is the Holy Spirit in fulfilling God’s call upon our lives?
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1 Corinthians 12:7 The Holy Spirit is given to accomplish whatever service we are called to do.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
In how many different ways might the Holy Spirit aid people in ministry?
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1 Corinthians 12:8 For example, the Holy Spirit might give special knowledge or wisdom in helping someone.
12:9 The same Holy Spirit might give unique confidence in what God will do or lead to people’s healing.
12:10 By the Spirit may come miracles, predictions of the future, and knowledge of spiritual activity. One might receive supernatural ability to speak or understand a foreign language.
12:11 The Holy Spirit manifests himself according to whatever God wants to do in each situation.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12:10 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:
12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
What can we learn about the body of Christ by considering the unique functions of different parts of the human body?
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1 Corinthians 12:12 Like the human body has many parts that function differently according to the need, those who are members of Christ’s body are individually equipped to serve different needs.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Of what value is baptism in our relationships?
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1 Corinthians 12:13 In baptism, we joined ourselves as one body intent upon being led by the Holy Spirit, no matter whether we are Jew or non-Jew, slave or free.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
How many parts of the human body are important for its complete functionality?
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1 Corinthians 12:14 The human body is functional because of its many members, not just one.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Why do we think one part of the body is more important than another?
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1 Corinthians 12:15 Would it be right for the foot to say, “I’m not a hand, so I’m not part of the body”? Of course not.
12:16 The ear might say, “I’m not an eye.” It can hear but not see, but that fact does not mean it’s not part of the body.
12:17 If the body was only an eye, how would it hear? If only an ear, how would it smell?
King James
1 Corinthians 12:15 f the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
If the Holy Spirit is working in people to fulfill his purpose, why would they want anything else?
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1 Corinthians 12:18 In order to accomplish his purpose, God determines the function of every member of his body.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Why might it be dangerous to want to be like someone else?
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1 Corinthians 12:19 How strange his body would be if we were all alike.
12:20 So you see, we are made different to form one well-functioning body.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
What causes some people to want independence rather than to depend on others?
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1 Corinthians 12:21 The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say, “I have no need for feet.”
King James
1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Why do we value some people above others? Is this wise? Why or why not?
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1 Corinthians 12:22 Parts of the body that we might think are unimportant are actually essential, the body unable to live without them.
12:23 We pay more attention to the covering of our unseen parts than we give to what is seen.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
What parts of the body of Christ get the most attention?
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1 Corinthians 12:24 The most beautiful parts of the body need no special care. So God gives the most attention to the areas of greatest need.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
What do you think are the greatest causes of divisions among Christians?
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1 Corinthians 12:25 Since we all need one another to fulfill God’s purpose, no division should exist between members of his body.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
How does the wellbeing of one part of the body affect the rest of the body?
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1 Corinthians 12:26 If one member is hurting, others feel the pain. If one member rejoices, others share the joy.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Why should we think we are important to the body of Christ?
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1 Corinthians 12:27 All of you together make up the body of Christ, each of you being a unique, essential part.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
What kinds of aspirations should we have in being used by the Holy Spirit?
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1 Corinthians 12:28 God works among his followers in a variety of ways. Some bring a special message from the Lord while others reveal what is to come. Teachers are used to lay a foundation of truth, and some may be active in doing miracles. Different ministries satisfy the needs for healing, assistance, and oversight. Some will have special ability in different languages.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
What should we do if we don’t seem to have the abilities needed to accomplish what we feel God is calling us to do?
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1 Corinthians 12:29 Is everyone a special messenger from God? Can we all know what the future holds? Is everyone a teacher or worker of miracles? Of course not.
12:30 Is everyone used in healing the sick? Do all speak in unknown languages or understand what has been said? Definitely not.
12:31 Desire the best that God has for you, but let me show you the best approach.
King James
1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.