How many gifts of the Spirit are there?
We often hear about the nine gifts of the Spirit. These are found in verses 8, 9, and 10 of 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and are listed as:
word of wisdom
word of knowledge
faith
gifts of healing
working of miracles
prophecy
discerning of spirits
diverse kinds of tongues
interpretation of tongues.
Some times it is taught that through these nine gifts we can
-think like Jesus (discerning of spirits, word of knowledge, word of wisdom)
-talk like Jesus (tongues, interpretation, prophecy)
-act like Jesus (faith, healing, miracles)
But what about other gifts listed in verse 28 like
apostles
prophets
teachers
helps
governments
And what about gifts listed in
Ephesians 4:11 like
apostles
prophets
evangelists
pastors
teachers
And what about gifts listed in
Romans 12:6-8 like
prophecy
ministering (serving)
teaching
exhorting
giving
ruling/administration
showing mercy
Are the gifts of the Spirit limited to just the nine found in
1 Corinthians 12:8-10?
In a book called "Foundational Truth" by Dale Yerton, copyright 1984, he breaks down these gifts differently. He calls them all the gifts of God. He states that God is a Trinity or a Tri-unity, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each of these has given gifts unto mankind.
God the Father has given motivational gifts.
Romans 12:6-8.
God the Son has given ministry gifts.
Ephesians 4:11
God the Holy Spirit has given manifestation gifts.
I Corinthians 12:8-10
1. Motivational Gifts/Gifts of the Father
First he lists the Gifts of the Father which he calls motivational gifts. He says these gifts are given to us at birth and are our responsibility to develop. This is our temperament or personality:
The 7 gifts are:
Prophecy (speak out)
Ministry (help out)
Teaching (live out)
Exhortation (work out)
2. Ministry Gifts/Gifts of the Son
These are our office or calling
Apostle (governing)
Prophet (guiding)
Evangelist (gathering)
Pastor (guarding)
Teacher (grounding)
3. Manifestation Gifts/Gifts of the Spirit
These are divine abilities or God’s skills
Revelation Gifts (to know)
--word of wisdom
--word of knowledge
--discerning of spirits
Power Gifts (to do)
--faith
--healings
--miracles
Utterance or Vocal Gifts (to speak)
--tongues
--interpretation of tongues
--prophecy