Biblical References

Spiritual gifts are a source of much controversy and confusion among believers. This is a sad commentary, as these gifts are meant to be graces from God for MANKIND-

Even today, as in the early church, the misuse and misunderstanding of spiritual gifts can bring division in the church. N LIFE.. This resource seeks to avoid the controversies and simply explore what the Bible says about spiritual gifts.

Identifying and Defining Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12 states that spiritual gifts are given to God’s people by the Holy Spirit for “the common good.” Verse 11 says the gifts are given according to God’s sovereign will, “as he determines.” Ephesians 4:12 tells us these gifts are given to prepare God’s people for service and for building up the body of Christ.

The term “spiritual gifts” comes from the Greek words charismata (gifts) and pneumatika (spirits). They are the plural forms of charisma, meaning “expression of grace,” and pneumatikon meaning “expression of Spirit.”

While there are different kinds of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4), generally speaking, spiritual gifts are God-given graces (special abilities, offices, or manifestations) meant for works of service, to benefit and build up the body of Christ as a whole.

Although a great deal of disagreement exists between denominations, most Bible scholars classify the spiritual gifts into three categories: ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, and motivational gifts.​

The Ministry Gifts

The ministry gifts serve to reveal the plan of God. They are characteristic of a full-time office or calling, rather than a gift that can function in and through any believer. A good way to remember the ministry gifts is through the five finger analogy:

  • Apostle – An apostle establishes and builds churches; he’s a church planter. An apostle may function in many or all of the ministry gifts. He is the “thumb,” the strongest of all of the fingers, able to touch every finger.
  • Prophet – Prophet in the Greek means to “forthtell” in the sense of speaking for another. A prophet functions as God’s mouthpiece, speaking forth God’s Word. The prophet is the “index finger,” or pointer finger. He points to the future and points out sin.
  • Evangelist – An evangelist is called to be a witness for Jesus Christ. He works for the local church to bring people into the body of Christ where they can be discipled. He may evangelize through music, drama, preaching, and other creative ways. He is the “middle finger,” the tallest one who stands out in the crowd. Evangelists draw a lot of attention, but they are called to serve the local body.
  • Pastor – The pastor is the shepherd of the people. A true shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The pastor is the “ring finger.” He is married to the church; called to stay, oversee, nurture and guide.
  • Teacher – The teacher and the pastor are often a shared office, but not always. The teacher lays the foundation and is concerned with detail and accuracy. He delights in research to validate truth. The teacher is the “pinky finger.” Though seemingly small and insignificant, he is designed specifically for digging into tight, dark places, shining a light and picking apart the Word of truth.

The Manifestation Gifts

The manifestation gifts serve to reveal the power of God. These gifts are supernatural or spiritual in nature. They can be further subdivided into three groups: utterance, power, and revelation.

  • Utterance – These gifts say something.
  • Power – These gifts do something.
  • Revelation – These gifts reveal something.

Utterance Gifts

  • Prophecy – This is the “forth-telling” of the inspired Word of God primarily to the church, for the purpose of confirming the written Word and building up the entire body. The message is usually one of edification, exhortation or consolation, although it can declare God’s will in a particular circumstance, and in rare cases, predict future events.
  • Speaking in Tongues – This is a supernatural utterance in an unlearned language which is interpreted so that the entire body will be edified. Tongues may also be a sign to unbelievers. Learn more about speaking in tongues.
  • Interpretation of Tongues – This is a supernatural interpretation of a message in tongues, translated into the known language so that the hearers (the entire body) will be edified.

Power Gifts

  • Faith – This is not the faith that is measured to every believer, nor is it “saving faith.” This is special, supernatural faith given by the Spirit to receive miracles or to believe God for miracles.
  • Healing – This is supernatural healing, beyond natural means, given by the Spirit.
  • Miracles – This is the supernatural suspension of the natural laws or an intervention by the Holy Spirit into the laws of nature.

Revelation Gifts

  • Word of Wisdom – This is supernatural knowledge applied in a godly or correct way. One commentary describes it as “insight into doctrinal truth.”
  • Word of Knowledge – This is supernatural knowledge of facts and information that can only be revealed by God for the purpose of applying doctrinal truth.
  • Discerning of Spirits – This is the supernatural ability to distinguish between spirits such as good and evil, truthful or deceiving, prophetic versus satanic.

Other Spiritual Gifts

Besides ministry and manifestations gifts, the Bible also identifies motivational gifts. 

Sources

Bible Gateway:

Giving Answers unto the (3 Ascended Masters- AKA, MIND-BODY-SOUL) (12 signs) – (7 Physical earthly Chakras), And Foundation Stones (CRYSTALS) God Gave Us Direction. Tools for use here on this earth. Knowing we are given Tools, To USE-

…Revelation 21:

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.