The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts

Storms, Sam. (2002) The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.Dr. Storms stays true to the title and offers an insightful introductory primer on Spiritual gifts, namely the "charismata" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 by the apostle Paul. Storms weaves non-technical exegesis in related texts, personal testimonies of his relation to the exercise of gifts, historical citations of the Spiritual gifts, cautions, and encouragement.At 165 pages, it is not overwhelming and will serve as a very good book for the curious, as well as for an initial study guide for a church that wishes to introduce to its members the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Sam Storms also heads up his own website, which is a tremendous resource for Biblical Studies, Theology, and Church History. At that cite, you will find additional material relating to what he touches on in this book.In relation to my personal thesis research, this book mentions Peter's usage of Joel on two specific occasions: one dealing with the potential for participation in the gift of prophecy and the other dealing with the inclusion of females in the exercise of prophecy.In answering the question, "Is it okay to pursue prophecy?", Storms (2002:87) replies: Not only is it OK, it's mandatory. In 1 Corinthians 14:1 Paul commanded us to desire earnestly spiritual gifts, "especially that you may prophesy"....This is truly an astounding statement....The pursuit of prophecy is a moral and spiritual obligation to which we must devote ourselves.The guiding texts behind Storms conclusion not only lays in Paul's desire that the church especially desire prophecy as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14, but also in Peter's quotation of Joel on Pentecost (2002:88):We must also keep in mind Peter's quotation in Acts 2 of Joel's prophecy concerning the outpouring of the Spirit. The result of this effusion of the Spirit is that "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy" (Acts 2:17). The characteristic feature of this present church age is the revelatory activity of the Spirit (dreams and visions), which forms the basis for prophetic utterance. Not all will be prophets...but it would appeal that all may prophesy.On the point of the church age being one of God's presence through Spirit-endued gifts, I am agreed. There is some debate among scholars on whether this epoch began even before Pentecost and is preceded by the revelatory activity Luke records early on in his gospel. Luke begins his gospel with some accounts of prophetic utterance that aren't found in the other gospels, namely Elizabeth's Spirit-inspired speech (Lk. 1:41-45), Zechariah's prophecy (Lk. 1:67-79), Simeon's prophesy that prompted Joseph and Mary to marvel (Lk. 2:25-35), and Anna's ministry to all in the temple (Lk. 2:36-39). It appears that Luke intends to bring attention to God's presence among His people even before and during the birth of Messiah.Zechariah was praying for a child and God responds with revelation. Mary is chosen to bear the Christ-child. Mary utters praise in response to being chosen, which immediately follows Elizabeth's own Spirit-inspired speech. Zechariah later prophesies and then we are introduced to Simeon and Anna. Simeon is said to have received revelation that he wouldn't die before seeing Messiah and to have attended the Temple "in the Spirit" (Lk. 2:27), only to subsequently speak blessing over the Christ. Anna is actually called a "prophetess", whose reputation as such must have preceded the birth of Jesus and continued beyond the birth of Messiah. Luke doesn't restrict prophetic activity solely to John the Baptist, though he plays a pivotal role as such, but Luke wishes to validate the Spirit's revelatory activity beyond John and Jesus. It can be argued that Luke's intent is to show that God was indeed speaking to "normal" people and using them to bless others, as prompted and led by the Spirit. Though only a few are mentioned in Luke's initial narrative, the Spirit's ministry intensifies and culminates in the Pentecostal outpouring, to be viewed now as an immersing of Spirit activity upon "all flesh". I would venture to guess that Storms is led to his conclusion that all may prophesy precisely because of the enduring theological significance Pentecost has for us within the even larger scheme of Luke's theological intent throughout his narrative.Lastly, Storms also mentions Peter's quotation of Joel in relation to the question, "Did Paul allow women to prophesy?". Storms (2002:97) states: I believe women can and should prophesy. In Peter's speech on the Day of Pentecost he explicitly said that a characteristic of the present church age is the Spirit's impartation of the prophetic gift to both men and women.While Storms contends that the office of Pastor/Elder should be held by qualified males, he does believe that women may participate in the congregational worship of the church as gifted by the Spirit, which would expectantly include the speaking gift of prophecy. I think that Luke has already answered the question by calling Anna a prophetess and specifically mention her ministry in the temple to those who gathered.Dr. Storms is a blessing to the church and I have long appreciated his academic contributions to Evangelical scholarship. I highly commend this book to you, as well as the many others he has penned, especially "Convergence", which examines even further Storms engagement with charismatic ministry as well as his theological convictions in the form of Calvinism. I, too, am a Calvinistic Charismatic and belong to a small but increasing number of folks who align themselves as such.

Insightful analysis of spiritual gifts and how they can influence the modern day church.

As someone who was brought up in Cessationist churches and schools I was always taught that the miraculous gifts in the Book of Acts and 1 Corinthians had ceased and were no longer in use today. In 1999 I went on a missions trip to India and witnessed several healing miracles, heard several prophecies, and personally experienced the power and presence of the Holy Spirit like I never had before. These experiences didn't jive with what I had been taught about the ceasing of miraculous gifts. Since that time I have participated in several churches that are "open but cautious" and "Charismatic" about miraculous gifts and their usage today.My experience has taught me that the miraculous gifts do indeed exist today. However, what about abuses, and what about sound exegesis and what are the applications today of the relevant biblical texts on miraculous gifts? Is there a theologically sound basis for the usage of the miraculous gifts today, or have these miraculous gifts ceased?Enter in Sam Storms. Following on the heels of another Dallas Theological Seminary grad - Jack Deere - Storms was skeptical of miraculous gifts today. However, Storms', like Deere, was unconvinced of the exegesis of Cessationists and that coupled with his experience of the miraculous gifts through him, and around him changed his course of belief and practice of the miraculous gifting of the Holy Spirit.Dr. Storms defines Spiritual gifts in this manner: "Spiritual gifts are not God bestowing to his people something external to himself. They are not some tangible 'stuff' or substance separable from God. Spiritual gits are nothing less than God himself in us, energizing our souls, imparting revelation to our minds, infusing power in our wills, and working his sovereign and gracious purposes through us...[in summary] Spiritual gifts are God present in, with, and through human thoughts, human deeds, human words, human love." The rest of the book is an expansion and exposition of the miraculous gifts based on this definition of the Spiritual gifts addressed in 1 Corinthians 12-14.Storms does a remarkable job of providing scholarly exegesis and practical insight of the nine miraculous gifts mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12-14: (1-2) Words of Wisdom and Knowledge; (3-4) Faith and Healing; (5-6) Prophecy and Distinguishing Spirits; (7) Miracles; and (8-9) Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues.I highly recommend this book to all evangelicals from the spectrum of Pentecostalism to Presbyterianism. I think Storms gives much needed food for thought to Cessationists, those who hold to an "Open but Cautious" view, Charismatics, "Third Wave," and Pentecostals - as well as needed correction to those who practice "counterfeit" and spiritual gifts in an unbiblical manner. Though this is a controversial topic, Storms writes with much love and patience with those who disagree with his views. I found the book to be convincing in many respects, packed with wisdom, and especially helpful in understanding spiritual gifts that I have never personally experienced, but have been the beneficiary of from other believers - especially the gifts of prophecy, faith and healing. Storms has written an easy to read, yet theologically articulate guide to help Christians understand the miraculous gifts; their function in private and in corporate worship, and guidance for their development and application in the light of the Scriptures.

Good book, although not life changing for me. I've had a lot of issues in my life at that time and was looking for help in various Christian literature; however, I have found little help if any at all.

I have read almost every author on the subject of prophecy and spiritual gifts and I have concluded that the best writer on this challenging subject is this man Sam Storms, I have been in ministry 20 year's and this book will bring clarity and a Godly understanding on the subject of spiritual gifts and prophecy like nothing on the market today, well done Sam Storms.

Love Sam Storms this felt a bit detached.

Regarding Spiritual Gifts, I am in the "Open, but Cautious" category. I have seen great misuse of gifts - perhaps even fraud. However, I also have friends who sensibly and sensitively use the gift of tongues, which makes me open to the subject.I found the book an easy read. It is less than 200 pages long and I took less than a day to read it.Sam Storms is an enthusiastic supporter of Spiritual gifts and uses this book to encourage Christians to engage more. He is very persuasive and bases his assertions on many quotes from Scripture.I don't agree with Sam Storms on a number of topics - for example, although he believes women can prophesy, he doesn't believe that women can hold positions of authority in a church. Something for us to amicably disagree on!Also, the author quotes Jude 20 in his discussion of Speaking in Tongues, which I consider to be irrelevant to the topic. We can all pray in the Spirit, whether or not we speak in Tongues; praying in the Spirit is about the "atmosphere" of our prayers, not the style.On the plus side: For all of us who fear that Speaking in Tongues will turn us into raving idiots, he quietly proves from the Bible that thrashing about, with no control over our actions, is not scriptural. Storms also is very balanced and calm in his discussions on Prophecy, which has helped me better understand this gift.With our disagreements aside, I think this is a very good introduction to the subject and Storms argues his case convincingly.

Sam Storms does it again. In this short, accessible, and passionate book, he offers guidance on the purpose and use of gifts in the church. Worth your time.