Charismatic Speech

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." (Ephesians 4: 7,8)

"I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 1: 4-7)

The Greek word for "gift" is "charisma." One who is gifted spiritually is one who may be called "charismatic." Most often, in common usage, "charisma" is generally limited to "gifted speech"; a charismatic individual is one who has exceptional speaking abilities.

It is not limited to speaking gifts, however, in the New Testament scriptures, of course, although speaking gifts are great examples of heavenly charisma. Those who are chosen and gifted as "teachers," "pastors," and "evangelists," in the church of Christ, possess divine gifts in the area of public speaking, being given "aptness" to "teach." (I Timothy 3: 2 & II Timothy 2: 24) This "aptness" is defined as "skilful in teaching."

When a person is "called" into one of these offices and areas of ministry, that person is also gifted and qualified by the Holy Spirit for the work. He is given the basic skills and he is then required to make use of them, and to improve in them.

"The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." (Isaiah 50: 4)

The prophet was gifted, was charismatic, but it was not because he was gifted so naturally, nor because he had been trained in oratory, logic, rhetoric, or in Sophistry. His skills and abilities as a speaker for God were given to him when the Lord called him into the prophet's office.

The effect of these divine gifts can sometimes be truly amazing. Sometimes the Lord saves and calls people who have no public speaking skills, and sometimes even people who are stammerers and slow talkers, people who you would think could never become public speakers.

Many people have become amazed to see such stammerers be miraculously transformed into great public speakers. All we can say is - "It is the Lord's work and it is marvellous in our eyes" (Psalm 118: 23).

"And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?" (Exodus 4: 10, 11)

"Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." (Jeremiah 1: 4-10)

Both Moses and Jeremiah, when called by the Lord to be public speakers, in his name, could not believe that they could ever do such work, both being very timid and fearful about such an activity. They did not know and believe that God, when he calls men into special work, also qualifies them for that work.

To witness such empowerment is truly amazing! People, who knew Moses, before God called and qualified him, and who may have heard him preach afterward, no doubt stood in wonder and amazement at such a transformation!

Men could not understand such workings. Jesus did not go to school to learn to be an orator or rhetorician, and this confounded many in his day.

"Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?" (John 7: 45-47)

"Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me." (John 7: 14-16)

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4: 13)

Unlearned and ignorant men, without collegiate "letters," who nevertheless, speak with such great power and success! Again, "it is the Lord's work and it is marvellous in our eyes." But, such gifted speech is not strictly limited to those who are prophets and ordained spokesmen in the church. All Christians can expect the Lord to qaulify them for the work of teaching the gospel to others.

"The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment." (Psalm 37: 30)

"The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness." (Proverbs 15: 2)

Sometimes the church is blessed with those who are both naturally gifted and trained in public speaking, as well as spiritually gifted. Such a man was Apollos, a compainion of the apostles.

"And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John." (Acts 18: 24, 25)

Paul was not as gifted. He wrote:

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (I Corinthians 2: 4, 5)

Men are not to be won to Christ by the powers of natural oratory or from the skill of public speakers and sophisticated persuaders. They are won to Christ by the power of the word itself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, not by the mere power of natural oratory.

"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4: 5)

Thus it is the duty of every Christian to seek to improve his gifts of witnessing and publicly proclaiming Christ and the good news message. Friend, are you looking to the Lord for opportunities to teach others the knowledge of God? Do you look to him for all the gifts and empowerment you need for such work?