The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

I Corinthians 12:4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the

same Spirit.”

“Diversities”, here, means distinction, variety, difference.

Then, this is saying, there are many different gifts, but all gifts

come by the same Spirit. James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect

gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with

whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The differences

in the gifts are as wide as the people receiving the gifts.

I Corinthians 12:5 “And there are differences of administrations,

but the same Lord.”

This, on the basis of an individual, means that a person

administers the gift God has given them in his own unique way. I

believe this goes even further than individuals and is speaking of

different denominations, who might not cross every T and dot every I

the way another denomination does, but is still administering the

gifts the Holy Spirit has given them to the best of their ability. One

may call themselves Methodist and another call themselves Baptist,

but they are serving the same Lord. I could have used any other

protestant church, but everyone is very familiar with these two. No

harm was intended.

I Corinthians 12:6 “And there are diversities of operations, but

it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

I always say, it is alright to be a Baptist, if you are a

Christian Baptist, not a Baptist Christian. Or a Methodist, or an

Assembly of God, or a Pentecostal, etc. We are all worshipping the

same God. We may be taking a little different route to get to heaven,

but we all have the same destination. Read the 4th chapter of

Ephesians to understand better. Why do we Christians fight each other

about denomination, when we should be banning together fighting the

atheist and those who do not look to Jesus as their Saviour?

I Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given

to every man to profit withal.”

It is not for God’s profit for us to have the gifts of the

Spirit. It is to help us be more effective ministers. How would you

like to build a house without a hammer? The gifts of the Spirit are

the tools that we build with. They are our very present help.

Manifestation is something that is made real. The world cannot see God

with their physical eyes. They see the followers of Jesus. We must be

so full of the Lord Jesus that when they look at us, they will not see

us, but will see Christ in us. A very good friend of mine explains

Jesus in us, this way. He says, we are the glove, and Jesus is the

Hand in the glove. We Christians are actually a kingdom in exile. Our

King is in exile, as well. He is Jesus Christ. We will be in exile,

until Jesus comes back to this earth and sets up His Kingdom. He is

King of kings and Lord of lords. We are better workers, if we have the

Holy Spirit inside of us guiding us and teaching us as we minister.

I Corinthians 12:8 “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of

wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;”

“Wisdom” is an understanding that is a gift from God. “Knowledge”

is accumulated learning. In this case, there would be a supernatural

ability to accumulate learning through the teaching of the Holy

Spirit. Wisdom is from above and knowledge is from within. I know a

number of older people who never went past the second grade in school

who have great wisdom. Many of them can understand the Bible better

than some of the highly educated people. Wisdom is a gift from God.

You do not earn it, or accumulate it. Knowledge is accumulated

learning. The gift of knowledge could be explained by someone who

studies his Bible regularly and the Holy Spirit helps him understand

what it is saying.

I Corinthians 12:9 “To another faith by the same Spirit; to

another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”

Everyone has their measure of faith. This is not speaking of

that, but a supernatural knowing and trusting in God. This is the

faith that moves mountains. We read in the 14th chapter of John

beginning with the 12th verse, that all believers can heal the sick

with the power of Christ working in them. This is speaking of

something more. Some have been anointed of God to pray for healing.

This, again, is a supernatural ability to heal, such as Paul had.

Peter had so much of this gift operating in him, that his shadow

falling on people healed them.

I Corinthians 12:10 “To another the working of miracles; to