Understanding Spiritual Gifts
The spiritual gifts can be found in the following passages of Scripture:
Romans 12:6-8 - Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:7-13 - But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore He says: "When He Ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Now this, "he ascended"-what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11;28-31 - There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Peter 4:10-11 - As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Exodus 35:29-35 - The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done. And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. "And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver-those who do every work and those who design artistic works.
Definition
To understand the nature of spiritual gifts we must first look at the words in Scripture used to describe them.
The term "spiritual gifts" comes from the Greek words “charismata” (gifts) and “pneumatika” (spirits).
Viewing these terms together yields a more complete description of the gifts they are describing.
Although they are known as "spiritual gifts", the Greek simply reads "spirituals" (ton pneumatikon), meaning "things characterized or controlled by the Spirit." Spiritual gifts, then, are first of all things controlled or characterized by the Spirit.
The word "gifts" which translates from the Greek word charisma; hence, our term "charismatic." The root word (charis) means "grace." So now if “pneumatikon” tells us that spiritual gifts are things characterized by the Holy Spirit, “charisma” teaches us that they are gifts of God's grace. They are not something we earn or deserve. They are gifts of grace. Regardless of what the term "charismatic" has come to mean and imply today, there really is no such thing as a non-charismatic gift. All gifts are charismatic; that is, all gifts are freely given by a gracious God.
Spiritual gifts are given to prepare God's people for service and for building up the body of Christ.
A spiritual gift is a special divine empowerment bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry God's way according to His grace and discernment to be used within the context of the body of Christ. It is a God-given ability to serve the church effectively. God has graciously, undeservedly equipped each of us with the ability to minister to others within the body of Christ. A spiritual gift, then, more than being a possession, is a channel through which the Holy Spirit ministers to His church. This is the means He has chosen to edify the church.
Spiritual gifts are abilities or doing tasks which God assigns for us to do, with His power and skill, by His direction, for serving in the body of Christ, while Christ does His work on earth through us.
A spiritual gift is an expression of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers which empowers them to serve the body of Christ, the church.
God has sovereignly and variously equipped each member to function in his or her unique place in the body. This function is not optional but expected and essential to the body as a whole. And while no one gift is universal, all within the body are to care for the others in every way possible. This is God's way of ministering to His church, not through a gifted pastor only, but through all the members gifted to serve one another. This is the only way a body can function.
Differences in ministries
1 Corinthians 12:5 - There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
Romans 12:6 - Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.
Although opinions differ on the actual number of spiritual gifts, God's Word clearly indicates a variety of gifts.
The most significant gift Christ has given His church is the Holy Spirit. No gift is more important for Christ’s followers today.
Paul was speaking of different ways of ministering, or using, these gifts. In other words, two people could have the same gift yet minister or use it differently. There is plenty of room for different ways of ministering the same gift, but it is the same Lord controlling them all. Therefore, they must conform to these guidelines that Paul was giving.
He mentioned that different people in the body of Christ have different positions or functions.
Manifestation
1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Spirit. A church functioning as a gifted body is a wonderful display of the Spirit. A spiritual gift is not only an ability to serve but it is the channel through which the Holy Spirit ministers to the body.
When you exercise your gift in the service of other believers, it is to be recognized as the manifestation or the display of the Spirit of God. God has chosen to minister to His people through us.
All believers who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit have the ability to demonstrate the reality of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through some gift of the Holy Spirit if they will but believe.
Diversity
1 Corinthians 12:4 - There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Even though there are different gifts and different ways of administering the gifts, all the spiritual gifts come from the same Lord through the same Holy Spirit.
There is a diversity of gifts or different gifts of the Holy Spirit. No one person necessarily possesses all the gifts of the Spirit. It is possible for one person to operate in more than one of these gifts, but it is not every believer's right to do so.
The distribution
1 Corinthians 12:11 - But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
All believers can operate in the gifts without having a specific gift of the Spirit. For example, all believing Christians can lay hands on the sick and see them recover.
At times, every member of the body of Christ can prophesy, discern spirits, speak in tongues, and interpret tongues, yet not all Christians have these things as supernatural gifts of the Spirit in their lives.
All believers are to teach others about their faith in Christ, but that does not mean they have been called to be teachers. The person who has a specific gift of the Spirit will repeatedly operate in this area, and it will come relatively effortlessly compared to those who operate in that area without a gift. The Holy Spirit can give more than one gift to one individual.
It is not unusual for some of these gifts to normally operate together in one person such as the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, and prophecy, etc.
The gifts of healing and the working of miracles often are given to one individual to accomplish a healing ministry. It is the Holy Spirit who decides who receives which gifts.
Gift and gifts
Acts 2:38 - Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the gift of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was the promised gift to all who believe in Jesus. Jesus spoke of this on several occasions and relates to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Gifts relate to the different spiritual gifts that are imparted as a result of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Gifts and fruit
The gifts of the Spirit are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Gifts are services to be performed for others whereas fruit is the character traits of a person indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
When the Spirit of God takes up residence in a believer, that person is not only able to serve but is able to cultivate holiness.
Both the fruit and the gifts are essential and are manifestations of the indwelling Spirit.
The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the lives of believers. These are virtues that demonstrate Jesus' righteousness in the lives of His disciples.
Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Many Christians think that the more fruit they have in their lives, the more the gifts will operate in and through them.
This is not true. Someone may move seemingly powerfully in the gifts but have very little fruit. The opposite is true also and in reality, both are needed.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
The fruit of the Spirit is related to our character and the gifts of the Spirit relates to our power.
