UNDERSTANDING THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Last Sunday, we looked at “The Gifts of Christ.” Today I am speaking on “UNDERSTANDING THE GIFTS or THE MANIFESTATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

 

In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, the Scriptures listed the Gifts of the Holy Spirit: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to anotherdifferent kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor. 12:7-11).

 

There are different kinds of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:4 the Bible says, “Now there are diversities (different kinds) of gifts….” 

1 Corinthians 12:5 says, “There are different kinds of SERVICE in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving.” 

These gifts operate in different ways, and not always in the same way in different individuals.

What then are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? They are the supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit, which is imparted (given) to the believer during or after the baptism of the Holy Spirit as He wills (decides, determines). 

The Holy Spirit has been given, complete with nine beautiful Gifts (1 Cor. 12:8-10), to help us to minister the love, life and power of Jesus through the supernatural.

These gifts are for the well-being of others. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are our "tools" to enable us minister to others in a God-glorifying way.

What are the purposes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit? 

a)     To build up the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 14:4, 12).

b)     To encourage (1 Cor. 14:3,31).

c)     To comfort (1 Cor. 14:3).

d)     To praise God (1 Cor. 14:16, NIV). The KJV uses "bless" and "giving thanks."

e)     To build yourself up (1 Cor. 14:4; Jude 20).

f)      To win souls to Christ (1 Cor. 14:23-25).

The purpose (aim) of God in these gifts is to raise up a strong army that is equipped to do the same works that Jesus did.

Paul makes it very clear that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are for every believer (1 Cor. 14:31). “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (1 Cor. 12:7; NLT). 

God’s intention is that every believer manifest at least some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is not His intention that the gifts be confined to a "spiritual elite" or to a limited number of "superstars." 

Now, what are these gifts? There are nine manifestations or gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8-10), and they are generally divided and listed as follows in the order of their importance:

 

1. Spiritual gifts that reveal something:

• Word of wisdom (Gen. 37:5-11; Acts 9:10-16; Acts 21:10-11).
• Word of knowledge (Acts 5:3, 9:11; 2 Ki. 6:9; 1 Sam 9:19-20; Acts 10:9-20; Rev. 2 & 3).
• Discerning of spirits (1 Ki. 14:5-6; 2 Ki. 6:32-33, 6:8-17; Acts 16:16-18; Ex. 13:20-23).

 

2. Spiritual gifts that do something:

• Faith [Wonder working Faith or special Faith] (Dan. 6:16-17, 19-23; 1 Ki. 17:2-6).
• Working of miracles (1 Ki. 2:9-14; Jn. 2:1-11).
• Gifts of Healings (Acts 10:38; 1 Cor. 12:9; 1 Cor. 12:28-30).

 

3. Spiritual gifts that say something:

• Prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1-5, 14:3).
• Diverse kinds of Tongues
• Interpretation of Tongues

 

The simplest way to describe the above listed 9 gifts is that (1) three of them REVEAL something [REVELATION GIFTS] – Communication! (2) Three of them Do something [POWER GIFTS] – Action! And (3) Three of them SAY something [VOCAL GIFTS; INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS] – Utterance!

 

Of the three gifts of revelation, the Word of Wisdom is the best because it brings supernatural revelation of the divine plan and purpose of God.

 

Of the three gifts of power, the gift of faith is the best because it is the supernatural ability to work miracles.

 

Of the three gifts of utterance, the gift of prophecy is the best because it is complete in and of itself, and it brings edification, encouragement and comfort to the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 14:3).

 

1 Corinthians 14:1 says, “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:31 says, “For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.”

 

The Scriptures encourage us to covet or earnestly desire the best gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:31 says, “But covet earnestly the best gifts:…” 

 

1 Corinthians 14:39 says, “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

 

Another list of spiritual gifts appears in Romans 12:4-8: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing, leading [Pastor], and showing mercy. 

 

KJV puts it this way, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” 

 

“He that ruleth” is probably synonymous with pastor.

 

Now, let’s consider these gifts in detail:

 

1. REVELATION GIFTS. 

 

What is revelation? Revelation is a word that comes from the Latin word revelatio. It usually means:

1. Revelation can be the act of revealing something so that all people can know about it; or

2. Revelation can be the actual thing that is being revealed.

 

3. Revelation speaks of bringing to light that which was formerly hidden [a secret] (Deut. 29:29). 

Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

 

To be Continued! Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit.

 

•        Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi (Senior Pastor, HOG).