Written on February 1st, 2006 - 8:25PM Last Updated: February 1st, 2006 - 8:25PM
For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; (1 Corinthians 12:8)
The word of knowledge seems to be mentioned nowhere else in scripture, specifically as a manifestation of the Spirit. Thus, we can begin with the words themselves, λογος ("word") and γνωσεως ("of knowledge").
λογος ("word") is a common word in Greek, used for many different things. Perhaps the most notable is that of the Son of God Himself, who is called ο λογος ("The Word") and ο λογος του θεου ("The Word of God") by the apostle John (John 1:1-3)(Revelation 19:13). It basically means a subject, matter or even teaching but can also be used to mean a literal word as in a sentence of language. In that way it is an embodiment of meaning, holding truth.
γνωσιν ("Knowledge") is a basic word coming from an ancient Greek verb simply meaning "to know." The heresy of the day for the early Christians was Gnosticism, which basically held that one could ascend spiritually through knowledge. It involved worship of angels and other sub-deities with special words and formulas in order to ascend the ranks of spiritual standing. That word "gnosticism" comes from that Greek word meaning knowledge.
The HolySpirit chooses to manifest "a word of knowledge" in His people, for the profit of all. Combined, this manifestation is a capsule of knowledge given to a person that they did not have before. Because it is not limited here by Paul, it would seem to include anything that can be known.
Examples in Scripture
In the Bible, we see a few examples of God's people suddenly having a knowledge of something that they didn't before, without any discernable natural method of them gaining it: Christ knowing where Nathaniel had been before He met him (John 1:47-50); Christ knowing the woman at the well had separated from five husbands and was living out of marriage with her current man (John 4:16-18); Peter knowing Ananias and Sapphira had lied about the amount for which they sold their land (Acts 5:1-10); and Paul knowing his and his captors' voyage would end in shipwreck (Acts 27:10-22).
Paul elsewhere admits that even with the insight of the Spirit, we still see dimly compared to when we receive our new bodies from Yahweh when Christ returns. However, in the meantime, this wonderful manifestation enables us to receive knowledge of the things that are, when we cannot discern them naturally.
The Way to Walk
This manifestation reinforces the truth that it is impossible to discern rightly according to the flesh, according to outward appearance. It's only by the HolySpirit that we can discern rightly.
Don't judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24)
When we find ourselves in situations where we cannot proceed with the knowledge we have in the natural, which according to the Lord Jesus, is always, we should seek the HolySpirit for this manifestation of a word of knowledge; then we will come to know Him better as He supplies the information that only YahwehElohim holds, and we will be able to act rightly.
As you read this site, you will hopefully come to know Yahweh more fully.
But all of this continuing knowledge is useless unless and until you come into union with Him. I use the word union because it is truly a marriage. It is that deep connection we all seek, for which we most often look in other people. However, the truth is that our hearts will only be fulfilled when we enter that union in fullness with the One Who made us.
This is the grace of God, that He has not stayed distant for us only to worship as Creator. But He has come unto us, even become one of us—in His Son, ChristJesus—in order to share an intimate union with us. He desires such closeness that it truly will envelope our entire life, transforming us into something new and wonderful.
You may have already entered this union with Him and only seek to know Him better through reading here. But if you have not, as you do read, let this Gospel sink into your heart as you read it now.
God loves you, and has cast your sins into the sea. He has sent His only Son as the Savior of the world—that includes you.
That Son, JesusChrist, was born as a man through a virgin who had given her life to Yahweh; He lived without sin, reflected the glory of His Father, God, in all His words and deeds, and was persecuted even unto death because of it.
His death upon a cross was the powerful explosion that separated you from your life of death. It remains for you, now, to enter into that death with Him. As you die to the one you are now, a person separated from God from your many sins, you will be born anew, with a nature predisposed to live rightly. This gift is free to you, with nothing you can do to earn it. It is the mercy of God to offer it to you, as He loves you so much! All you must do is receive it by trusting Him to have delivered you. Simply place your life in His hands and embrace the freedom that came through that death on the cross.
The Gospel is that Jesus did not remain dead, but rose again on the third day after His crucifixion! Death could not hold Him, as He was without sin. And so death will not be able to hold you, as you identify with Him fully through your trust in Him. Let go of yourself and confess Him as Lord of your life. The power of His death and resurrection will work in you all that your Creator has destined for you. You will truly enter a new life and experience that intimate union you have been seeking all of your life.
So ponder these words as you read here of this great God—Yahweh—and all that He has revealed to His creation. Let His Spirit testify to your heart that these words are true, that God is Love, and that He sent His Son so that you might receive the life that is unbound by time and space. As you feel that witness in your heart, simply believe and receive what He is offering to you, even now, and begin your new life as a child of God.
Please write to me and let me know when you take this step, as I will be your brother in Christ—we will be one in Him!
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17These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; 18they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18)
Scripture Quotes: World English Bible Translation.
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