Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts are part of Gods gift to His church. For a church to be moving forward effectively and efficiently, the individuals inside the church must be exercising the gifts God has given them. If anyone neglects to use their gifts, the body as a whole suffers.

Spiritual gifts are supernatural gifts given to believers at the time of their conversion. Scripture gives several lists of spiritual gifts none of which line up exactly with the other (1 Cor. 12:8-10; 12:28; 12:29-30; Romans 12;6-8). Because the lists do not line up gift for gift, scripture does not seem to support the existence of one exhaustive list. This being said, there are potentially many spiritual gifts that scripture doesn’t specifically name. Whether or not this is the case, the known spiritual gifts are certainly alive and exist in the church today.

At the beginning of the church age, namely the day of Pentacost, the Holy Spirit came upon some believers in a way that had never happened before. The Spirit came upon the apostles, giving them all of the spiritual gifts, while others seem to have been given at least one gift as a part of service to the church. The unexhaustive list of these gifts can be divided into three main categories: utterance, practical ministry, and wonderworking. Gifts of utterance would include: prophesy, teaching, wisdom, discernment of spirits, and speaking and interpreting tongues. Practical ministry gifts would include gifts such as: serving, comforting, hospitality, and compassion. Wonderworking gifts are gifts like healing and miracles.

Paul uses two Greek terms while identifying spiritual gifts: ta pneumatika and charismata. Ta pneumatika stresses the fact that the gifts are solely from the Spirit and that there is only one Spirit who is the source of all empowerment. Naturally, this ta pneumatika supports a global unity among all the gifts. The term charismata emphasizes that the gifts are entirely from God’s grace, not for an individual’s own common good but for the edification of the church. Though many gifts are certainly evidenced throughout the new testament each with a unique role and purpose, all the gifts must unite and benefit the body as a whole (Romans 12).

Spiritual gifts should not be neglected or despised, but earnestly desired (1 Cor. 12:31; 1 Cor. 14:1, 1 Tim. 4:14). Though striving for the gifts is commendable, believers need to be cautious in not overemphasizing their importance. Paul numerously emphasizes the overriding importance of loving and evangelizing all of mankind (Matt. 7:22-23; 1 Cor. 13:1-2). If love is not present, the gifts amount to nothing. Scripture tells us that the gifts are temporary, but that love is eternal, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophesies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away” (1 Cor. 13:8).

There is much debate among the church today as to whether or not some of the utterance and wonderworking gifts such as tongues, prophecy, and healing still exist. Scripture does not give a clear answer to this issue, so neither side of the debate has an extremely strong argument. The original purpose of these gifts was to authenticate the message of Christ, and get the church moving in the right direction (Acts 2). One thing to keep in mind is that even in the early church there was never a huge emphasis put on any spiritual gift. Paul says again and again that believers must put their emphasis on love, unity, and reaching the world with the gospel.

Determining your spiritual gifts takes time, development, and others speaking into your life. Bottom line - discover your gifts and use them - the church is dependent on it.