Spiritual Gifts

Sam · #1 06-11-2010, 11:45 PM

Ordinarily when I hear or read about "the gifts of the Spirit" they are limited to the nine that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Specifically these are:
word of wisdom
word of knowledge
faith
gifts of healing
working of miracles
prophecy
discerning of spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues.

These are some times broken down into three neat little packages of three each as follows:
1. Revelation Gifts (knowing) or thinking like Jesus (knowledge, wisdom, discernment)
2. Power Gifts (doing) acting like Jesus (faith, miracles, healings)
3. Vocal Gifts (speaking) talking like Jesus (tongues, interpretation, prophecy)

But, later in that same chapter in verses 28-30 other gifts are mentioned such as:
apostles
prophets
teachers
helps
governments

Then there are other gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 and in Ephesians 4:11

The gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11 are
Apostles who govern
Prophets who guide
Evangelists who gather
Pastors who guard
Teachers who ground

The gifts listed in Romans 12 are:
prophecy (speak out)
ministry or serving (help out)
teaching (live out)
exhortation or encouraging (work out)
giving (give out)
ruling or administration or leadership (lead out)
showing mercy (love out)

Some differentiate between these 3 lists as follows:
1. Motivational Gifts given by God as Father and listed in Romans 12:6-8
2. Ministry Gifts given by God as Son and listed in Ephesians 4:11
3. Manifestation Gifts given by God as Holy Spirit and listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

some questions:
-how many gifts are there?
-are these lists just examples of some gifts and are there others not mentioned here?
-are these gifts still available to us in 2010 AD?
-does every child of God have at least one of these gifts?
-are gifts resident in believers or does God just drop them into a life when a certain gift is needed?
-can a believer have more than one gift or maybe all of the gifts?
-is prophecy more important since we are told to "desire" that gift in 1 Corinthians 14:1 and we are told to "covet" (desire earnestly, or be eager, or strongly desire) to prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14:39?
-do you pray for God to give you gifts or use you in the gifts?
-what gifts do you have or manifest?

Sam · #2 06-11-2010, 11:58 PM

A member named Keith .... once posted a study titled "You Have A Spiritual Gift" on here or on a previous version of this forum. Perhaps he would repost it here.

Sam · #3 06-12-2010, 12:05 AM

This is a Bible Study I gave at our local church a couple of years ago.

Timmy · #4 06-12-2010, 12:28 PM

Why is faith listed as a gift? Never thought of it before, but isn't that a little odd? Consider: God gives out gifts as He sees fit, different ones to different people. Right? But that one (faith) stands out, in this list. It alone (unless you also think tongues are required) is a thing that God actually requires of everyone! Without faith, it is impossible to please God! What's the deal?

Sam · #5 06-12-2010, 05:07 PM

The gift of faith is called "extraordinary faith" by Kenneth Hagin. This would be faith beyond what most Christians have. The late George Mueller (September 27, 1805 – March 10, 1898) and Smith Wigglesworth ((June 8, 1859 – March 12, 1947) are probably examples of men who had the gift of faith. Each Christian has faith. It is given by God. Ephesians 2 says we are saved by faith and even that is not of ourselves but it is the gift of God. So, our initial faith for our salvation comes from God. Romans 12:3 says that God has granted to every one of us a measure of faith. That measure of faith gets us saved. 2 Thessalonnians 1:3 speaks of faith which grows or develops. As we use what faith we have, it can grow and develop. But then there is a faith that must only be a gift from God.

Timmy · #6 06-12-2010, 08:14 PM

This faith that is a gift from God and isn't of ourselves: is it always good enough to save us?

easter · #7 06-12-2010, 08:16 PM

Great Post Sam!
I think that the Lord gives us the gift that he knows is best for us to use for him.If I could ask for a certain gift I would ask for the gift of Faith.If one had the gift of that kind of Faith from God then I believe that all the other gifts are wrapped up into the special gift of Faith!With Faith from God a person could move a mountain!

Esther · #8 06-12-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Ordinarily when I hear or read about "the gifts of the Spirit" they are limited to the nine that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Specifically these are:
word of wisdom
word of knowledge
faith
gifts of healing
working of miracles
prophecy
discerning of spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues.

These are some times broken down into three neat little packages of three each as follows:
1. Revelation Gifts (knowing) or thinking like Jesus (knowledge, wisdom, discernment)
2. Power Gifts (doing) acting like Jesus (faith, miracles, healings)
3. Vocal Gifts (speaking) talking like Jesus (tongues, interpretation, prophecy)

But, later in that same chapter in verses 28-30 other gifts are mentioned such as:
apostles
prophets
teachers
helps
governments

Then there are other gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8 and in Ephesians 4:11

The gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11 are
Apostles who govern
Prophets who guide
Evangelists who gather
Pastors who guard
Teachers who ground

The gifts listed in Romans 12 are:
prophecy (speak out)
ministry or serving (help out)
teaching (live out)
exhortation or encouraging (work out)
giving (give out)
ruling or administration or leadership (lead out)
showing mercy (love out)

Some differentiate between these 3 lists as follows:
1. Motivational Gifts given by God as Father and listed in Romans 12:6-8
2. Ministry Gifts given by God as Son and listed in Ephesians 4:11
3. Manifestation Gifts given by God as Holy Spirit and listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

some questions:
-how many gifts are there?
-are these lists just examples of some gifts and are there others not mentioned here?
-are these gifts still available to us in 2010 AD?
-does every child of God have at least one of these gifts?
-are gifts resident in believers or does God just drop them into a life when a certain gift is needed?
-can a believer have more than one gift or maybe all of the gifts?-is prophecy more important since we are told to "desire" that gift in 1 Corinthians 14:1 and we are told to "covet" (desire earnestly, or be eager, or strongly desire) to prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14:39?
-do you pray for God to give you gifts or use you in the gifts?
-what gifts do you have or manifest?

Yes. But you will only use the gift needed at the needed time.