Returning to the Power of Scripture and the Practice of Spiritual Gifts

[Addressing the Confusion Surrounding Spiritual Gifts in the Christian Faith (April 11, 2016)]

Q: Teacher, I minister to university students, many of whom come from house churches and have encountered spiritual gifts. I am not opposed to spiritual gifts. I tell everyone not to isolate spiritual gifts, because we are all seeking Jesus.

A: Not opposed, that is good. You are still leading fellowship groups, correct?

Q: Yes, besides this university fellowship, there is another fellowship I need to lead.

A: Let me share with you a little about this issue. What troubles me is why today's church is so different from the church in the Bible. The Bible must be correct; we are the ones who have erred. Never think the Bible is wrong; it is that we have not aligned ourselves correctly.

Later, I summarized a basic principle: we must align ourselves fully with the Bible. If we pick and choose what to align with, it becomes problematic, isn't it?

With such a mindset, I sought the Bible and saw some very striking discoveries. Later, I followed them. I did what Peter did, and I did what Paul did. Sometimes, you may not learn everything at once; learn a little at a time, and learn everything you can receive, and then you become more and more like them.

To my great surprise, in the past five years, the church has become more and more like the church in the Bible! Although it is still far from the church in the Bible, it is becoming more and more like it! This gives me a very profound realization.

Many people know that their church is different from the church in the Bible, but they never ask the question I asked; or they know that their church is different from the church in the Bible, and they still use their original concepts to criticize things, and the things they criticize are what they do not know. That is the problem.

So, if there is a dispute, never argue between people. Actually, we need to return to the Bible and see. If the Bible says to do it this way, then we do it that way, simply. If the Bible does not say to do it this way, then we do not do it, right? If the Bible says to do it this way, but we do not do it, is that not a serious problem?

I have also read many articles online criticizing spiritual gifts. They criticize and criticize, and I see that some of them even criticize Paul. Do they think they are doing better than Paul? Right?

Q: I do not criticize Paul, because I have a question in my heart: why is our work always so powerless? It is not the feeling of God's presence. Sometimes I feel that the ministry is particularly dry. God is God, and I am me, and the things we do lack God's guidance. I really need God's guidance.

I first accepted spiritual gifts around 2008. At that time, a couple of pastors from Taiwan ministered to me for a period of time. During that time, I had a special release. I had never cried so bitterly, but that time I cried very hard, and then I started speaking in tongues. Actually, at that time, I began to accept spiritual gifts.

When others say that spiritual gifts are not good, I say, Don't randomly criticize others. I feel that I have been searching. Even now, when I share the Bible with everyone in the fellowship, I often share a question: there is a huge gap between our faith and our life. Why can't we put our faith into practice in our lives? I have been looking for this reason.

The Exploration of Spiritual Gifts and Faith Practice

A: I think you are starting to touch on some things. Continue exploring in this direction, and you will see wonderful things. Well, let me share with you the path I have walked. Actually, when I first believed in the Lord, I believed in the Lord in a charismatic church. My wife had an incurable disease, and she was healed by prayer. But I did not like their tongues of prayer. When I heard them praying in tongues there, I buried myself in reading the Bible.

But after reading for two years, I found that the Bible says that there should be tongues of prayer. Later, I was very thirsty, and then I obtained it. From then on, I tried my best to pursue it, and then a large number of miracles followed me. At the end of 2010, I quit my job, and in 2011, I began to serve full-time and establish a church. At that time, it was a very desolate situation, no people, no money, no nothing.

At that time, I gained a few things: First, Paul said, I speak in tongues more than all of you. I said, Okay, I will do what he said. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14: What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. That is to say, both must be present, both to know God fully in the understanding and to know God in the spirit.

I tell you, what is the problem with many churches today? It is that they know God in the understanding, but they do not know Him in the spirit. The Christian faith is actually a faith that operates in the spiritual realm, because this gospel is the power of God. Our God is a Spirit, so we must worship God in spirit and in truth. We can only be honest, but without spirit, it will not work. The spirit is actually worshiping God in the spirit.

That is to say, we worship God in the spirit, so we must use spiritual prayer and spiritual singing. What does the Bible say? When you speak in tongues, you are actually speaking to God. There is no effect in the understanding, but in the spirit, you are speaking all kinds of mysteries. See? Of course, it is important to speak to God. At that time, I had plenty of time. Anyway, the church was not big at that time, and there were not many people, so I started to pray for a long time all day long.

A year later, miracles sprang up like mushrooms after a rain, and many people began to be healed, including cancer and depression. Later, I began to feel that the mystery was all in the Bible. We just need to do what the Bible says. So God said, If you read my words and you do them, you are a wise man; but if you read them and do not do them, but analyze and speculate, you are not a wise man.

You understand when you do God's word, and you cannot understand if you do not do God's word, right? This is a very simple principle, because we also know that practice is the only standard for testing truth. It is not useful to think with your head after patting your head.

Later, I led the brothers and sisters to be filled with the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues in the church. A person is not filled with the Holy Spirit because his life is very good, but because his life is very bad, so he needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit to build up his life.

Because speaking in tongues builds up himself, and prophesying builds up the church. It is very strange for a person who cannot build up himself to build up the church. Later, I discovered a very wonderful thing. In fact, Jesus Christ rarely criticized people for presumption, and he almost never criticized presumption. That is to say, for Jesus, unbelief is a very serious problem, right? Little faith, or very bad faith, is a very serious problem. But presumption is not a big problem for Jesus.

Key and Challenges of Restoring Biblical Faith

For example, Peter came down from the boat and wanted to walk on the water like Jesus. Jesus did not criticize him for presumption, but today many Christian beliefs put such people in the category of presumption. I think that to restore the original teaching of the Bible, to restore the doing of God's word, the amount of prayer is key. If a person does not pray enough, it is impossible to obtain power.

I think some concepts have to change. For example, many people are talking about Reformation. Have you heard of Reformed theology? They say that they want to return to Martin Luther. If you want to return to Martin Luther, why not return to the Apostle Paul? Isn't this a very serious problem?

Martin Luther began to restore the faith of the church in a very desolate dark period of the Roman Catholic Church. He had his limitations. He was standing in a very low position. Why don't we restore to the faith of the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter? That is to say, restore to the faith in the Bible?

If we want to restore, I think we must break through some things. Where is the breakthrough? It is in this spiritual faith. The Christian faith is definitely not a logical faith, but a spiritual authority and power. Why do we not do what Jesus did in this generation, but do a lot of things that Jesus did not do? Don't you find it strange?

When I first built the church, I thought it was very strange. We do not do what Jesus did, and we cannot do it. We do not ask why we cannot do it, and we do not want to do it. Instead, we do a lot of things that Jesus did not do. What are we doing with evangelistic rallies and dinners? Anyway, these things are so strange. Why do we not do what Jesus did? Right? The Bible tells us to imitate Jesus Christ, right? To imitate Jesus Christ, we must do what Jesus did. Jesus said that we must do what I did. Why don't we do it? Isn't this a problem?

Later, I summarized two points: First, I imitate Paul; second, I imitate Jesus. I imitate Paul and Jesus, and I should not be wrong! If I do what Paul did, will I be wrong? I should not be very wrong. If I do what Jesus did, will I be wrong? I should not be very wrong, right? Later, when I followed suit, I found that it was actually an exercise of faith. This exercise of faith directly brought faith into life, because it can solve many, many problems.

For example, when depression comes, I will not tell you to go to the doctor. I will pray and cast out the demon. Some people are very critical of spiritual gifts, but they are less effective in casting out demons. They are good at driving out pastors, but they cannot drive out demons. What is that? Right?

So today I think that we still need to restore the teachings in the Bible. I know that I am still far from the faith written in the Bible, but I am in the process of restoring it! That is to say, no matter which step you are on, everyone must take a step forward, but you must start to take it!

Q: Yes, I am most afraid of going the wrong way. I have also been looking for this point. For example, I practiced speaking in tongues some time ago. I think what we are pursuing may be correct, but when I do it this way, I find that it seems a bit powerful at the beginning, but later I find that I cannot continue praying, and it is still so boring. Then I feel that maybe one person's power is too small.

Then some time ago, my friend excitedly told me that he had started speaking in tongues. I told him that I had also spoken, but later I stopped because there were many doubts that had not been resolved, so I always could not let go, including facing many things. There are always many doubts in my heart, so I don't have so much faith. Just now you said that we should imitate the object, and we must return to the Bible.

The Practice of Faith and Charisma

A: Yes, it is about returning to the Bible. That is how it is written in the Bible, and that is how it was done. What is there to argue about? Isn't it?

Q: Actually, I do not want them to argue about these things. I think instead of arguing about these, you should go out and preach the gospel!

A: Actually, the problem lies here. Many times, we think we are preaching the gospel, but is it the gospel? Is it a modified gospel or an unmodified gospel? This gospel is the power of God to save all who believe, but if this gospel has no power, wouldn't that be fatal? Isn't it? I will not say that there is a problem with how you lead the fellowship, but you must turn back and begin to seek, right?

If there is a problem, you have to solve the problem, right? So where is the problem? The problem lies in faith. So Jesus said, You of little faith, this unbelieving and perverse generation. Why do you not believe? For example, on the matter of charisma, many people do not say that God is in control. Is God not in control? Is it the devil in control? Of course, God is in control.

If God is in control, as long as we have faith, God can work in us. Many people say I have no faith, maybe the devil is in control. Isn't that strange? Isn't it? Fear over faith, can it work? Isn't it? The cowardly will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone. What is there to fear? What is there to be afraid of? Isn't it? God will surely be in control.

For example, people say if you seek the Holy Spirit, you will surely have evil spirits. Be careful. Have you heard this? How blasphemous is this to God? Isn't it? If earthly fathers know how to give good things to their children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? This is what Jesus Himself said. How can we not listen to what Jesus said? Isn't it?

I know you may still have many doubts. I think it is better to replace doubts with faith. Think, a doubtful person should not think he will receive anything from God. A doubtful person will receive nothing, right? I must tell you, I am a person of faith. I am not boasting, really not. Because many people have read the faith out of the Bible. I do not know how they read it. Is it because I pursue miracles that I have miracles? Isn't that nonsense? Isn't it?

It is through practicing faith that miracles come out. So these signs will accompany those who believe, right? If there are no signs and wonders, what is that? No faith. Isn't that a simple truth! These signs will accompany those who believe. Without signs and wonders, what is it called? What is the use of a Christian faith without faith?

Q: This is the feeling of not being able to touch God that I was talking about.

A: Because there is no faith. I believe that in sharing this with you, I really do not want to offend you. If I have offended you, please bear with me a little. How can we become righteous without faith? Isn't it? Why do we not believe that God is in control? Isn't it? For example, some people are even more outrageous. Once they pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, they begin to manifest, begin to act up. Once they act up, they say, See, you asked for the Holy Spirit, so the devil came, right?

Why is there no faith? Besides the name of Jesus, there is no other name by which we can be saved. By relying on the name of Jesus, we can surely be saved! Continue to pray, and drive out the devil. Isn't that it? It is not because we prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit and then the devil came, but the devil was already living inside. So when the Holy Spirit fills, the devil begins to manifest. But people have no faith, so they are afraid.

The Power of Faith and Praying in Tongues

I dare not say anything else. I encourage you to seek well for a period of time, alright? Because the road I have walked is like this. If you feel that you want to walk your own original road, I will not stop you either.

Q: I feel that the period you were seeking is very similar to mine, especially similar.

A: Just return to the Bible, read it carefully, and implement it after reading it. Isn't that simple! Of course, you can seek there yourself, but I encourage you to see more and understand more. I personally do not like to shut myself up and do things myself. I like to learn more, see more, understand more, and then I inherit. I inherited from the Ling Liang Church in Taipei Ling Liang Church, and inheritance is very good! The Bible is the Bible, but sometimes you still need some concrete things. There are many good things to inherit, alright?

Q: Okay, thank you, Pastor.

A: What other confusions do you have? You can ask me.

Q: It is that when I pray, I originally planned to pray more, especially to pray in tongues, but when I pray, I feel less and less power. The more I pray, the more confused I become, and then I quickly pray with understanding. When I pray with understanding, I know what I am praying for, but when I pray in tongues, I suddenly get lost and do not know what I am praying for.

A: Oh, praying in tongues itself does not know, because it is speaking mysteries in the spirit.

Q: Especially when praying alone, the more I pray, the less power I have. It is better when a few people gather together. In that case, there is still that kind of power.

A: The Bible does not write about the situation you are talking about. The Bible has not taught this way, has it? So you have made a very serious mistake. The Bible does not tell us to rely on feelings, but on faith. How can you have power without faith, right? So feeling is not faith, faith is faith.

Why have we Christians started to walk into feelings? Don't you think it is very upsetting? Ah, I have a feeling, a feeling of peace, and then I went to do it. The result after doing it is, Oh, why is it like this? Many people will be like this, right? Why did I feel so peaceful at the time? Because the Christian faith has never told you to rely on feelings.

In the Bible, when have you seen Jesus teach us that as long as you feel at peace, you can do it? Right? So the entire foundation of faith is built on the foundation of faith, not on the foundation of feeling at all. This is a very important point. Secondly, you have made a very serious mistake. The Bible lets us see the results. Praying in tongues is an input, and the result is an output. So what is the output? That is to say, a child eats a meal, and the next day you look and say, Why haven't you grown taller yet? Do you think it is funny or not? It is ridiculous, isn't it?

I prayed in tongues yesterday, why is it still like this today? Many people are like this, right? What kind of problem does praying in tongues solve? Everyone must know that praying in tongues is speaking all kinds of mysteries in the spirit, which allows us to gain power, not eat a meal today and grow a lot tomorrow. That is a monster. That is to say, we must continue to pray, and then you will see what results? Signs and wonders will follow you. Do you understand?

Q: Yes, it is faith.

A: Praying in tongues itself is an exercise of faith. Why? Because without faith, you cannot continue to pray. Because you are praying and doubting at the same time, how can you go on? Right? That is faith! How big is the fellowship that you lead? Is it a Three-Self Church?

The Complete System of Faith and the Key to Winning the Battle

Q: Yes. This fellowship is all young people, some are students, some are working people. There is also a group of young people, some of whom we evangelized ourselves, some of whom we met in the church, and some of whom were brought by friends or mothers who believe in the Lord, or by family members who believe in the Lord. They are all in their twenties and thirties.

A: So I tell you, people live by all the words in the Bible. Why all the words? Because all the words are a complete system. If I build an airplane without an engine, although the airplane has the shape of an airplane, it cannot fly. It does not have power, so it certainly cannot fly. If there is power but no navigation system, it will fly around randomly, right?

The airplane must have both navigation and power. Only then is the entire airplane complete and able to fly, right? The problem lies here. The Christian faith has become powerless. It has no power over the devil. If a person believes in the Lord and the devil does not care, isn't that fatal? What exactly are we doing? The problem comes out. If our faith in Jesus Christ is not believed according to the complete system of faith, it will be fatal.

So in Revelation and Deuteronomy, nothing can be deleted or added. When I talk about this, you will find that if the result of people's faith in Christianity is far from the result of the Bible, then they do not know how to do it, they have done it wrong. I am a person who practices faith. I am an engineer. If I do not do it right, I will adjust and constantly return to the Bible to examine it. It is very simple.

Q: So many people in the church believe in this kind of faith that they cannot get their head around.

A: Do you know why? So God said, Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. People do not seek, they just live day by day. Isn't that fatal? So we must seek well. Do not think that you have done it right. I thank God that you know that you have not done it right.

Q: Yes, I am looking now.

A: Teachings like these are actually all in the Bible. They are all very clear. If you are willing to study the Bible with us, seek well. What you get is your own, alright? I will tell you our core values: First, the church is God's army; second, if the church does not triumph, it will not receive the promise.

Why is it an army? Because it must fight. Although God gave Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promises, they must take up swords and guns to fight to obtain them. If they do not fight, dare not fight, they will die in the wilderness. Do you understand? So Christians must fight and triumph to obtain the promise.

But today there are too few Christians who fight and triumph. Not many dare to fight. When fighting is mentioned, they all hide far away. They are afraid of driving out demons. Then they dare not drive out demons, they are very good at driving out pastors. I will talk to you about this. There is a lot of information on the website that you can check out.

Q: Thank you, Pastor. God bless you.