DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
1 Corinthians
12:7-11 (01/25 or
02/07)
Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople
Manifestation of the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12:7-11,
especially vs. 7: “But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of
all.” When the newly Baptized Christian is sealed with
“...life-giving Chrismation...,” the
Priest declares the anointing to be “The seal of the gift of the Holy
Spirit.” But what is this
‘gift’ of the Holy Spirit?
The inquirer, Motovilov, sought this
very knowledge from Saint Seraphim of Sarov: “I
do not understand how I can be certain that I am in the Spirit of God. How can I discern for myself His true
manifestation in me?”
As physical beings, we humans are able to touch, consume,
and apply earthly gifts. The
problem of seeing or ‘discerning’ the gift of the Holy Spirit
arises quite simply because the Spirit is “...incorporeal, purely
immaterial, and indivisible” as Saint Basil states. How then can our earthly,
materially-oriented senses apprehend the Spirit’s presence? It seems not to be possible. Our five senses are incapable of such
perception. The Lord suggests that
the Spirit’s gifts become apparent much like the movement of the wind
(Jn. 3:8). As we do not see the
wind, but the action of the wind, so we, too, observe the presence of the Holy
Spirit by His actions as He works in and through the faithful in Christ.
God the Holy Spirit is without form, being of a
‘spiritual’ nature, yet in the present verses the Apostle teaches
that the Spirit does disclose and exhibit His presence, manifesting Himself in
nine different ways through His operations within and among the faithful.
Three of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit are termed
‘illumination.’ Saint
Paul speaks of the “word of wisdom,” the “word of
knowledge” and of “discerning of spirits” (vss. 8,10). As Saint
Basil says, the Spirit “...is the source of sanctification, spiritual
light, Who gives illumination to everyone using His
powers to search for the truth....”
In the past, the Spirit guided both the human authors of Scripture and
the Holy Fathers as they interpreted Scripture and fixed the canon of the
authorized text. Likewise, He
guides those who dig deep, like miners, not for precious ‘things,’
but for the Divine wisdom of Holy Tradition, a most sound knowledge.
Modern technology and science are raising new issues and
problems for the world that were unknown in ‘Biblical times.’ Nevertheless, the writings of Scripture
and the Fathers remain essential, somewhat for technical information but mostly
for the wisdom and knowledge of God.
When the faithful seek the true, right and godly uses of new
discoveries, the Spirit manifests Himself to those who love Christ that they
may discern false spirits that would draw them from the truth of the Lord into
activities such as the ‘mining’ of body parts from infants.
The Spirit of God also enables the faithful to work
miracles, healing the sick of body, soul or spirit. To their faith, the Spirit adds great
wonders in the face of contrary data (vss. 9,10). Countless times, after medical personnel
have given up hope of life, God’s Spirit answers the prayers of the
faithful to effect complete recovery. At other times, when the need for funds
or food has been desperate and the faithful have turned to God, the Holy Spirit
prompted others to supply what was needed, even when all doors of relief
appeared closed.
Saint Paul mentions a third group of manifestations of the
Spirit that involve language. These
include accurate speaking in situations without prior knowledge or the capacity
to use or understand unknown languages (vs. 10). Saint Romanos,
untrained and illiterate, wept in intercession to the Theotokos,
and he was given voice by the Spirit to sing the words of the Kontakion of Christ’s Nativity, “Today the
Virgin,” as well as a thousand other hymns.
“O Lord the Holy Spirit, help Thy people with Thine invincible strength, that we drive away all sins and
let Thee enter in with Thy life-giving gifts.”
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