Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

When we are confirmed the words from the bishop as he makes the sign of the cross on our forehead anointing us followed with the words; “Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirt”  keeping in mind not the words the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  This gift is the Holy Spirit from where comes the other gifts we may receive.  

The Charismatic gifts are different than the normal gifts we all receive at baptism (St. Irenaeus claims we receive all the gifts at baptism).  These special charismatic gifts are found in St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians; healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues and many more.  

A number of years ago a group of students from Duquesne University attended a retreat at a house just north of North Park in Pittsburgh and were praying to the Holy Spirit.  They said as they were praying the wind blew fiercely and the house seemed to shake.  The result was a renewal of the Holy Spirit touching their lives and the Charismatic movement restructured itself in Pittsburgh and around the world.  

Paul mentioned that the gift of tongues is used when a prophecy was to be spoken for the benefit of all.  When this occurs someone else present must have the gift of interpretation so all could receive the prophecy.  If there is no one with that gift in the group then tongues should not be spoken.  Speaking in tongues at the meeting is for the edification of all and the message is from God.  However, discretion is needed here as well.  Paul says; “Therefore one who speaks in a tongue should pray to be able to interpret.  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind is unproductive.  So what is to be done?  I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind.  I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind.  Otherwise, if you pronounce a blessing with the spirit, how shall one who holds the place of the uninstructed say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  (1 Cor. 14: 13 - 16).

“So what is to be done, brothers?  When you assemble, one has a psalm, another an instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.  Everything should be done for building up.  If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, and each in turn, and one should interpret.  But if there is no interpreter, the person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.” (1 Cor. 14: 26-28).  

“If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he should recognize that what I am writing to is a commandment of the Lord, says Paul.  If anyone does not acknowledge this, he is not acknowledged.  So, my brothers strive eagerly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues, but everything must be done properly and in order.”  (1 Cor. 14: 37-40). 

Tongues is not a whim to put credence on one individual as if they have been chosen by the Lord as if he/she has the special gift alone.  This does not mean the group shouldn’t collectively pray in tongues giving God praise and glory with his voice and understanding.  This is where the difference in using tongues has its deepest meaning.  None of the gifts are meant to exult any one individual.  All the gifts are to be used to give praise and glory to God alone and teaching from tongues is for the edification of the group and never is used to put people down.  If the teaching is derogatory or hurting people it is not from God and anyone who interprets this as such is falsely pronouncing the Holy Spirit’s word.  God never teaches or proclaims false words to us. 

Yes, in the Old Testament God warned different prophets that shepherds of his people were negligent in teaching their flock and God was angry.  The Watchmen who were in that category lost their position with God. 

One more point on using tongues; when all in the meeting or group sing collectively in tongues the room will become as an orchestrated assembly and everyone is praising God in unknown languages known only to God.  I have been in those groups and the results are ecstatic knowing God has been praised and his name lifted beyond earthly entities.

Ralph B. Hathaway, Charisms of the Spirit December 2021