Does the Spirit give all of the elect the same understanding of the Scriptures?

[trav]

1 Cor 12:1-31, (NASB), Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. (2) You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. (3) Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. (4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. (6) There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. (7) But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (8) For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, (10) and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. (12) For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. (13) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. (16) And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? (18) But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. (19) If they were all one member, where would the body be? (20) But now there are many members, but one body. (21) And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (22) On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; (23) and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, (24) whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, (25) so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (26) And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (27) Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. (28) And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. (29) All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? (30) All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? (31) But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.

Here is my question: Does God give by His Spirit the same understanding of the Scriptures? Or can God's elect have differing views of Scripture (Romans 9 for example)?

[Robert R. Higby]

The question is one of maturity in the gospel; the elect can vary in Scriptural understanding in their immaturity but agree more and more as they mature in Christ!

[Saint Nicholas]

[/I]Here is my question: Does God give by His Spirit the same understanding of the Scriptures? Or can God's elect have differing views of Scripture (Romans 9 for example)?

Firstly we must discuss the state of the elect. Have they been regenerated, or are they still dead in their trespasses and sins (unregenerate)?

Unregenerate elect behave, think, and act similar to all other unbelievers. So prior to any regeneration that leads to repentance and faith, these elect will have no true understanding of the scriptures, for the scriptures are spiritually discerned. “Who knoweth the things of God save the Spirit of God “

In view of the regenerate elect, The role of the Holy Spirit is to ultimately guide His people into all truth. I believe this will be accomplished in the New Earth when Christ returns to destroy this shadow creation. But until then we still see through the glass darkly.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (YLT)
12 for we see now through a mirror obscurely, and then face to face; now I know in part, and then I shall fully know, as also I was known;

Now most definitely the Holy Spirit is going to give the same understanding of scripture. For there is only one correct and true understanding that He can illumine and reveal to us. However this truth is revealed at appointed times in the believers life. Not all at once. There is a growth process that all believers undergo.

Jesus said when the Holy Spirit comes He the Spirit will testify to Christ and not Himself.

Therefore the initial role of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin, regenerate, cause repentance in our hearts, reveal Christ’s Gospel to us, and to give us the gift of faith to believe on Christ alone.

Once salvation has commenced in this new man, school begins. Babes need to grow.The Holy Spirit will cause God’s people to hunger for truth in all areas of doctrine. Mainly and first most a fuller understanding of soteriology. This is crucial! Without a complete understanding of the Gospel. All other areas of theology will be misunderstood.

Now there will be times when God’s regenerate elect will in fact have differing views of the scriptures. This is not without purpose though. We who possess the true gospel have a greater burden placed on us by Christ to faithfully teach our errant brethren so they can grow into a fuller knowledge of truth.

Nicholas