The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More dwells within the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More and actively worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More in it. The glorified Lord has given gifts to His assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More (Eph 4:10-14), and it is the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More who utilizes these gifts to benefit each individual.

The workings of the Holy Spirit are particularly highlighted in 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 to 14. While we consider all our gatherings as believers, we should not limit the Holy Spirit's work to these meetings alone. In 1 Corinthians 12, where the Spirit is mentioned multiple times, the scope extends beyond just the gatherings. The Holy Spirit operates within the assembly as a whole, but His influence is especially evident when we come together "as an assembly." It is important to keep these two aspects in mind.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness but rather of power, love, and a sound mind. Though this passage primarily addresses the believer's mindset rather than the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More directly, it is evident that this attitude is instilled by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More. Therefore, it is reasonable to apply this to 1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 14, where we see the themes of power in chapter 12, love in chapter 13, and prudence in chapter 14.

1. The Spirit of Power (1 Corinthians 12)

This chapter offers important insights into the work of the Spirit within the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More.

1. Different Motivations

Spiritual utterances can stem from various motivations (vv. 1-3). Just because something sounds "spiritual" does not necessarily indicate that the Holy Spirit is leading someone. In the case of the Corinthians, some utterances were influenced by demonic forces without their awareness. This risk persists today, particularly within certain charismatic circles. Additionally, the flesh—especially the "pious" flesh—can also drive us to act in ways that appear Spirit-led. Therefore, each of us must consider: Who is guiding our spiritual activities? What motivates us?

2. Various Gifts of Grace

The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More aims for us to recognize the gifts of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More bestowed by the Lord. Verses 4-6 highlight the roles of the Spirit, the Lord, and God. The Spirit leads us to identify our gifts, the exercise of which relies on the Lord, while God produces the resulting fruit. Concerning the Spirit's activity in verses 7-11:

• The Spirit Works in Each of Us: Gifts of grace are not confined to a select few; every member of the body of Christ—every believer—has a role to play. Verses 7 and 11 highlight that these gifts are given "to each one." This applies to everyone, regardless of gender or age; we all have tasks.
• Diversity of Gifts: The human body analogy used later in the chapter illustrates this well. Although the body functions as a unified entity, it operates with remarkable diversity. Similarly, the assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More benefits from a variety of gifts; no one can function effectively without the contributions of others. Thus, the gifts complement one another rather than conflict, aiming for the growth and edification of the body.

A practical question arises: Do we each recognize the gift (task) the Lord has given us and that the Spirit seeks to ignite within us?

3. Power to Exercise the Gift

The Holy Spirit works within us to help us recognize our tasks and provides the strength necessary to exercise these gifts in specific situations. Verse 7 refers to the "manifestation of the Spirit," indicating when and how we should act. A valuable gift becomes useless if it remains unexercised, merely recognized but not acted upon. The Spirit distributes gifts as He desires (v. 11), prompting us to consider whether we are exercising our gifts or resisting the Spirit's will—and thus God's will.

4. For Benefit

The exercise of a gift, guided by the Spirit, is always intended for the benefit of others. The Spirit never leads us toward self-expression or self-advancement but focuses on the good of others. Verse 7 explicitly states, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for his benefit." Benefit encompasses everything that:

• Brings us closer to the Lord and shapes His image within us,
• Enhances our service to the Lord,
• Intensifies our expectations of the Lord.

Chapter 14 expands on this theme, emphasizing that everything should be for edification, exhortation, and comfort (v. 3).

2. The Spirit of Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Although the Holy Spirit is not explicitly mentioned in this chapter, it is clear that only He can produce the love described within us. Chapter 12:31 introduces a "far more excellent way" that the apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More wishes to reveal to the Corinthians. This way is described in chapter 13, linking the two chapters closely. While chapter 12 discusses the power through which we exercise our gifts, chapter 13 highlights the highest motivation behind every act of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More. There may be many reasons for serving the Lord, but love is the foremost reason. If this motivation is absent, we might as well refrain from serving.

Our Lord provides the perfect example. In the case of the Hebrew servant, we hear Him say, “I love my master, my wife, and my children” (Exodus 21:5). This may serve as an encouragement for us to offer ourselves in service to Him out of love under the guidance of the Spirit.

3. The Spirit of Prudence (1 Corinthians 14)

Love does not make us senseless or unreasonable; instead, it guides us toward prudence, which manifests as sound judgment. This prudence is particularly evident in our gatherings as an assemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More, as illustrated in this chapter.

One might wonder why the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is not mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14, especially since we require His guidance and direction when coming together as brothers and sisters to break bread, pray, or hear the Word of God. Do we not often emphasize the need for the Holy Spirit's guidance during these gatherings? While we need the Spirit's work and direction in our meetings, it would be misguided to think His guidance is limited to these few weekly hours. The Spirit's guidance is essential when we convene as a congregation and in our daily lives. If we neglect to consider the Spirit's guidance in our everyday actions, how can we expect to acknowledge it during our meetings? There is no fundamental difference in principle between the Spirit's guidance in both settings, although our gatherings, marked by the personal presence of the Lord (Matthew 18:20), carry a unique significance.

Just as the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More is sovereign regarding His work in daily life, He is also sovereign in our meetings. His sovereignty pertains to:

• The Method: The Spirit distributes and worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More as He wishes (1 Corinthians 12:11);
• The Person: The Spirit uses whomever He chooses (Acts 13:2; 20:28);
• The Timing: The Spirit acts when He desires (Acts 16:6-10);
• The Content: The Spirit provides specific commissions (Acts 11:12; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

Reading 1 Corinthians 14 in context and connecting it with 1 Corinthians 12:7 quickly reveals that the Spirit's work also relates to chapter 14. Each revelation of the Spirit should aim to benefit the assembly—the brothers and sisters—which is precisely what Chapter 14 elaborates upon in detail.

With this understanding, we will highlight a few relevant and important points that continue to be significant for us today. While 1 Corinthians 14 primarily addresses meetings dedicated to the proclamation of the Word, many aspects can easily be translated to other types of gatherings.

1. Prophecy

Everything said in meetings should be for edification, exhortation (encouragement), and comfort (v. 3). The goal is the spiritual growth of the listeners (cf. Eph 4:11-13). This is accomplished through prophecy—speaking from the presence of God. ProphecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More is directly linked to the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More, as evidenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:20. We can only speak from God's presence if the Spirit guides us. Spirit-led prophecyProphecy includes any message that God saw fit to pass on to his people or anyone from the nations. Romans 16:26 speaks of the New Testament Scriptures as "prophetic writings."... More is conditional:

• No brother enters a meeting with the firm intention to preach or to say specific things.
• Every brother the Lord has given a gift should be willing to be used.
• There should be enough pauses to wait peacefully to see who the Spirit wants to use that day.
• No brother should enter a meeting with a pre-prepared "concept." While the Spirit can draw on what is spiritually present in an individual, having a fixed idea of what to say beforehand can hinder the Spirit's guidance.
• All brothers and sisters should pray for the Spirit to work unhindered.

2. For the Benefit of Others

Everything shared in a meeting should be for the benefit of others, not for personal gain. A meeting should never serve as an opportunity for self-promotion of one's gifts, unlike what unfortunately occurred with the Corinthians. No brother should boast about the gift God has given him, but should instead use it for the benefit of others. If this intention is lacking, the gift fails to fulfill its purpose. The Spirit of God always points to the Lord, never the servant.

3. Freedom of the Spirit

For everything said to be beneficial, the Spirit must have the freedom to work so that all needs are met. We cannot avoid certain topics or questions as a matter of principle; otherwise, the service will become one-sided. Addressing different needs also requires consideration for all those present (e.g., children, the elderly, mourners, unbelievers, etc.).

4. Comprehensibility

Every brother the Lord uses in a meeting should express himself clearly.

This involves:

• Acoustics: What good is the best interpretation of the Word or a spiritual prayer if it is not understood? It's important to articulate loudly and clearly.
• Content: Everything said must also be understandable in terms of content. Consideration should be given to the listeners (e.g., Who is present? Are they adults, teenagers, or children? Are they believers or unbelievers?).

In Nehemiah 8, we see men who wanted to teach God's people the law. We read that "they read in the book...clearly and gave the meaning so that what they read was understood" (v. 8). We should also follow this guiding principle in our gatherings.

5. With Understanding

The work of the Spirit does not mean we should shut off our minds (cf. vv. 19, 32). No brother can excuse his actions by claiming the Spirit urged him to do something if others present have a different impression. This principle applies to practical matters such as:

• A brother who consistently suggests only one or two favorite songs or reads the same specific Bible passages each time.
• A brother who regularly breaks bread or delivers the ministry of the Word on a weekly basis, assuming there are multiple brothers available.
• A brother who dominates the conversation, leaving little room for others to share their thoughts.

We should exercise our "common sense" during meetings. It isn't necessary to constantly question whether the Spirit is leading us—much like breathing, we usually do it without conscious thought. Generally, the Spirit guides us almost "automatically" when conditions are right, and distractions are minimal. Still, it is beneficial for each brother to pause and ask the Lord for guidance before speaking:

• Should I?
• Should I speak now?
• Is what I want to say truly a message from you?

6. The Willingness of All

Aside from special ministries for which the Lord provides specific gifts, the Spirit seeks to use every brother during meetings (v. 26: "everyone"). We do not need a particular gift to suggest a hymn, say a prayer, or read a passage; we only need the willingness to participate. This creates a responsibility for everyone present. Those who remain silent should consider whether they might resist the Spirit's work. Conversely, those who frequently contribute should reflect on whether they are unintentionally preventing others from speaking. Perhaps the pauses between contributions are too brief, or younger brothers may feel intimidated by older ones. We can support and encourage one another in this regard.

In conclusion, we recognize that God does not dictate every detail of our meetings. He provides principles and guidelines, but ultimately, the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More should have the freedom to lead us in various ways. Two important principles can be found at the end of the chapter in verses 33 and 40:

• God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
• Let everything be done decently and in order.

Within this divinely established framework, we can allow the Spirit of God the freedom to guide us. Just as He seeks to lead and direct our daily lives, He also wishes to do so in our meetings for our benefit and blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More.