Spiritual gift

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"Gifts of the Holy Spirit" redirects here. For the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Catholic tradition, see Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

According to Christian theology, the spiritual gifts (or charismata) are gifts that are supernaturally bestowed on Christians, each having his or her own proper gift (or gifts) to strengthen the church. They are described in the New Testament, primarily in First Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4.

Many believe their operation was limited to early Christianity. According to some Protestant denominations, some of the spiritual gifts, for example speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues, were enjoyed only for a short time and were suited to the Church's infancy, not to later times. This view is known as cessationism.

Pentecostalism, along with Charismatic, Pentecostal, Apostolic, and other Holiness denominations of Christianity take an opposing view, believing that the spiritual gifts are still given by the Holy Spirit today, and Pentecostal meetings often involve ordinary parishioners displaying the use of these gifts (1 Cor 14).

Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and many other Protestant denominations also continue to believe in and make use of spiritual gifts.

1 Enumeration of the gifts
2 Biblical lists of the gifts
3 List of Spiritual Gifts
4 See also
5 External links
6 References

[edit] Enumeration of the gifts

Some Christian scholars say that there are nine gifts and others say there may be as many as twenty-seven. Bill Bright, C. Peter Wagner, Jack Deere, Billy Graham and D.A. Carson have various opinions on the very number. Other Christian scholars say that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are limited in number or they are not active today like in the early church. Commonly called Cessationism, this opinion is held by John F. MacArthur, Jr., Robert L. Thomas and many other conservative main line Christian denominations. Some Christian scholars such as Zola Levitt maintain that the number of gifts cannot be determined, because, as Levitt puts it, "A spiritual gift is anything that a person can do supernaturally well."

The teaching on there being nine gifts of the Spirit originated from Dr. Howard Carter, an early Pentecostal evangelist. This is based on the text from 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 giving the gifts and listing them as the "gifts of the Spirit". They were later taught and popularized by Dr. Lester Sumrall, who accompanied Carter on many missionary journeys in his youth. Modern Bible teachers and scholars have came to the conclusion that there are other gifts of the Spirit listed in Scripture, as seen in the chart below.

[edit] Biblical lists of the gifts

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 Corinthians 12:4-14	1 Corinthians 12:27-30	Romans 12:6-8	Ephesians 4:11
Word of Wisdom Word of Knowledge Faith Healings Working of miracles Prophecy Discernment of spirits Speaking in tongues Interpretation of tongues	Apostles Prophets Teachers Miracles Healings Helps Administrations Varieties of tongues	Prophecy Ministry Teaching Exhortation Giving Leading Showing mercy	Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and teachers*

Note: Some authorities distinguish between Pastors and Teachers in list contained in Ephesians.

[edit] List of Spiritual Gifts

There are various opinions as to the number of spiritual gifts. There are also different ways of categorizing the gifts proposed.

Many items appearing as spiritual gifts are also required by the Bible of all Christians, such as faith, prayer, evangelism and so on. One explanation is that the spiritual gift of faith means faith despite the circumstances, or a particularly strong faith in God. The spiritual gift of prayer could mean a supernatural confidence in prayer, or a special ability to pray. All believers are encouraged to share Jesus with other people, but the gift of evangelism could mean a particular gift to reach others.

Note: Links are sometimes to a general context, not a specific context as a spiritual gift per se. For example, "faith" links not to the spiritual gift of faith per se, but to faith in a more general context.

[edit] Charismatic Gifts (1 Corinthians 12)

Main article: Charisma

Main article: Charism

Also known as the "manifestation gifts" or "miraculous gifts". Some limit the term "spiritual gifts" to just the charismatic gifts. Cessationism claims that these gifts ceased to operate (through individuals) early in Christian history. Its counterpart continuationism claims that they still operate today. They are believed by some to be transmitted through the laying on of hands.

word of wisdom / message of wisdom, 1Cor 12:8
word of knowledge / message of knowledge, 1 Cor 12:8
faith, 1 Cor 12:9
gifts of healing, 1 Cor 12:9, 12:28
miracles / miraculous powers, 1 Cor 12:10, 12:28
prophecy / prophesying / prophets, 1 Cor 12:10, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:6, Eph 4:11
discernment of spirits / distinguishing of spirits, 1 Cor 12:10
speaking in tongues / varieties of tongues / speaking in different kinds of tongues, 1 Cor 12:10
interpretation of tongues, 1 Cor 12:10

"Speaking in tongues" and "interpretation of tongues" are sometimes viewed as one gift, "tongues". The TNIV footnote has "languages" as a possible translation for "tongues".

[edit] Other commonly listed gifts

apostles, 1 Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11. Some believe that the gift of apostleship was for the first apostles (Christian leaders/disciples) only.
teachers / teaching, 1 Cor 12:28, Rom 12:7, Eph 4:11
helps / helping, 1 Cor 12:28
administrations / guidance, 1 Cor 12:28

ministry / serving, Rom 12:7
encouragement / exhortation, Rom 12:8
giving, Rom 12:8
leading, Rom 12:8
showing mercy, Rom 12:8

evangelists, Eph 4:11
pastors, Eph 4:11. Some take "pastors and teachers" to be combined.

[edit] Other Gifts

There is less consensus about other gifts, not mentioned usual lists of gifts:

hospitality
celibacy
(voluntary) poverty

Gifts of the spirit are clearly distinguished from the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). Jesus predicted the occurrence of false gifts, particularly in the end time (Matthew 24:24, 7:22,23). Hence while spiritual gifts are very important for a Christian, the fruit of the spirit is a better test of the genuineness of a person.

Gifts of the Spirit Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12,13 & 14, Ephesians 4

Apostle: One sent by God with a holy mission to fulfill; and the supernatural power and spiritual gifts to fulfill the mission. Known by the fruit of the spirit overflowing.

Prophet: One that speaks with divine authority, what God has made clear. Supernatural power and events to verify God has given the message. Known by their good fruit.

Evangelist: One with the heart of God that all should come to the knowledge of the truth that God loves everyone so very much that He did send His Son Jesus the Christ for their salvation.

Pastor: One with supernatural ability to love and care for the body, soul and spirit of many people at the same time.

Teacher: One with the divine mind of Christ to make the things of God easy to understand and live by in daily life.

Service: Supernatural ability to do for others whatever needs to be done. Divine ability to carry another burden or task without notice or earthly reward.

Exhortation: Supernatural ability to motivate members in the body of Christ to do the works of Christ.

Giving: Supernatural ability to give money or time where and when needed with a cheerful heart.

Leadership: Supernatural ability to know when something needs to be accomplished, who can accomplish it and how it can be accomplished.

Mercy: Supernatural ability to love and care for those who are not able to care for themselves. Divine knowing of who to help and when to help. Divine ability to care for those who no one else would care for.

Utterance of wisdom: Supernatural ability to speak words for God that a person needs to know immediately that will put the person on the path God has for them.

Utterance of knowledge: Supernatural ability to speak words for God that will show what occurred or why something occurred so the person will know, God does see all things and does care for all people.

Tongues: First use is a supernatural ability to speak another language not known by the believer speaking it; the heart of God to build up that believer for service to God and His people. Second use is a supernatural ability to speak another language not known by the believer speaking it; to build up the body of Christ when the message is interpreted.

Interpretation of tongues: Supernatural ability to make tongues a clear message to all that are present to edify, exhort and comfort the body of Christ.

Prophecy: Supernatural ability to receive a message from God to edify, exhort and comfort the body of Christ or a believer. Supernatural ability to know the heart of God through a dream, vision or any divine encounter God would use to manifest Jesus the Christ.

Working of miracles: Supernatural ability to know exactly when, where and how divine power will manifest.

Gifts of healing: Supernatural ability to bring or release healing to a person in their body or soul.

Ability to distinguish between spirits: Supernatural ability to know what is from God and what is not from God. Divine ability to reveal a demonic spirit or influence and bring God's power (Jesus' blood) and God's love (Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection) in its place.

Faith: Supernatural ability to believe God will. Divine ability to know that with God all things are always possible.^[1]