THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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The Holy Spirit gives us nine sign gifts to help in the body of Christ. Here is what the Bible says:

1Co 12:7-11

(7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

(8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

(9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

(10)  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

(11)  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Here are the nine gifts organized by category:

Revelation gifts – these gifts reveal something

Word of wisdom (vs. 8) – gives supernatural wisdom such as Jesus had when he was in the Temple at 12 years old and knew more than those that had studied for years in the seminary.

Word of knowledge (vs. 8) – reveals things that only one or a few know

Discerning of spirits (vs. 10) – allows the user to discern the heart and intent of others

Action gifts – these gifts do something supernatural

Faith (vs. 9) – allows you to believe above all else; it can also be called supernatural faith

Gifts of healing (vs. 9) – allows the user to invoke supernatural healing on the sick

Working of miracles (vs. 10) – causes the user to perform the supernatural

Edification gifts – these gifts provide edification to the body of Christ

Prophecy (vs. 10) – causes the user to supernaturally reveal some future event

Diverse kinds of tongues (also called the gift of tongues) (vs. 10) – causes the user to speak in another language to give a message in tongues in the church; this not the same as the prayer language which all receive at their infilling.

Interpretation of tongues (vs. 10) – Interprets the message in tongues given by one who possess the gift of tongues

Purpose of the Gifts

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph 4:8-12)

Covet the best gifts:

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

Summary

Here is what we have learned in our study. God gave us, in addition to the Holy Ghost, nine gifts to further enhance this awesome gift:

  • Word of Wisdom
  • Word of Knowledge
  • Discerning of Spirits
  • Faith
  • Gifts of Healing
  • Working of Miracles
  • Prophecy
  • Tongues
  • Interpretation of Tongues

God gave us these gifts for three reasons:

  1. The perfecting of the saints
  2. The work of the ministry
  3. To edify the body of Christ

We are also told to seek them:

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.       (1 Corinthians 12:31 KJV)

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