What are Spiritual Gifts? – FAQ EndTimes.com

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁸He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1: 7-9)

Spiritual Gifts

⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12: 6-8)

⁷Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. ⁸To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, ⁹to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ¹⁰to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12: 3-10)

²⁸And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12: 28)

¹¹So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers… (Ephesians 4: 11)

³and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— ⁴to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, ⁵to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (Exodus 31: 3-5)

Each person who has received God’s Holy Spirit will also have received at least one Spiritual gift. Some people will have multiple Spiritual gifts. There are a variety of Spiritual gifts.

Spiritual gifts include: prophesy, evangelizing, shepherding, teaching, encouraging, serving, giving, leading, mercy, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, faith, healing, helping, guidance, miracles, spiritual discernment, artistic designs, craftsmanship, speaking in languages, and the interpreting of languages.

Christians are called to show some portion of many of these gifts (e.g. mercy, faith, evangelism, service) but when God’s Holy Spirit officially gives a gift, it is received and demonstrated more intensely.

The Gifts

Administration – This is a detail-oriented gift that enables Christians to organize, direct, and implement plans to guide others toward a goal. (1 Corinthians 12: 28) (Titus 1:4-5)
Apostleship – This gift enables Christians to plant new ministries and churches, lead leaders, and minister unto ministers. (Ephesians 4: 11) (1 Corinthians 9: 1, 12: 28) (Acts 1: 21-22)
Craftsmanship / Artistic Designs – This gift enables Christians to build or design things for the glory of God. In the Old Testament, they helped to demonstrate the beauty of what God creates inside the Temple. (Exodus 31: 3-5)
Discernment – This gift enables Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation. It helps keep believers from being led astray by false teaching. (1 Corinthians 12: 10) (Acts 5: 3-6; 16: 16-18) (1 John 4: 1)
Evangelism – This gift provides additional abilities to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel to others. Burdened for the lost, they reach out to unbelievers and are able to communicate with all types of people. (Isaiah 52: 7) (Ephesians 4: 11) (Acts 8: 5-12, 26-40; 21:8) (Matthew 28: 18-20)
Exhortation / Encouragement – This gift enables Christians to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. It uplifts, motivates, challenges, and rebukes Christians to increase spiritual growth and action. (Romans 12:8) (Acts 11: 23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32)
Faith – This gift enables Christians to have a trust and confidence in God that allows them to live boldly for Him. It enables Christians to take God at His Word and not be surprised when He answers a prayer or performs a miracle. (1 Corinthians 12:9) (Hebrew 11: 1-40)
Giving – This gift enables Christians to share their blessings and meet the needs of the church and its ministries. It involves good stewardship of what God has provided and a love of sharing with others. (Romans 12:8, 13) (2 Corinthians 8: 1-5; 9: 6-15)) (Acts 4: 32-37) (Galatians 4: 15) (Philippians 4: 10-18)
Healing – This gift reveals God’s compassion for the sick and tormented. But physical healing is still contingent upon God’s will. If healing is not granted, we can conclude that God has greater plans for allowing the infirmity. Spiritual healing is more important than physical healing. Those who have this gift have great faith and are not deterred when God chooses to heal some but not others. (1 Corinthians 12: 9, 28, 30) (James 5: 13-16)
Knowledge / Understanding – This gift enables Christians to bring about understanding regarding things in this world that are founded in the Scriptures. It connects every situation to the truth of the Gospel and helps inform decisions that Christians make. (1 Corinthians 12: 8) (2 Corinthians 2: 14) (Romans 15: 14)
Leadership – This gift enables Christians to lead the church into a deeper relationship with Christ and each other. It is less focused on detail and more focused on a vision. It motivates people to work together in unity toward common goals. (Romans 12: 8) (1 Thessalonians 5: 12) (1Timothy 3: 4-5, 12; 5:17)
Mercy – This gift enables Christians to have great compassion and empathy for those who are suffering. Those with this gift are able to quickly discern when someone is not doing well. (James 3: 17) (Jude 22-23) (Luke 10: 30-37) (Matthew 5: 7) (Romans 12: 8)
Miracles – This gift is subject to God’s will and His purposes (not the one who performs the miraculous works). It may include miracles such as: casting out demons, healing, raising people from the dead, calming storms. It is intended to glorify God and He must be given the credit for what He does. (Acts 1: 8) (1 Corinthians 12: 10, 28-29) (Galatians 3: 5)
Pastoring / Shepherding – This gift calls shepherds to humbly care for God’s sheep. Pastors are to humbly teach, guide, protect them, and lead them. They are to love the Gospel and put Christ at the center of their own life and ministry. (Acts 20: 28) (Ephesians 4: 11) (Jeremiah 3: 15) (John 10: 11-18)
Prophesy – This gift enables Christians to receive a divine message from God and deliver it to others. It may take the form of comfort, correction, disclosure of secret sins, exhortation, prediction of future events, inspiration, or other revelations to equip/edify the church. This gift is also described as proclaiming the Word of God boldly and may manifest in preaching and teaching. (1 Corinthians 12: 10; 14: 1-5, 26) (Ephesians 4: 11-12) (1 Peter 4: 10-11) (Romans 12: 6)
Serving / Helping – This gift enables Christians to serve discretely without expecting recognition, in a way that blesses the church, displays the love of Christ, and brings glory to God. (Acts 20: 35) (1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, 28) (Romans 12: 7) (2 Timothy 4: 11) (Revelation 2: 19)
Teaching – This gift enables Christians to effectively communicate what the Holy Bible says and how it can be applied to believer’s lives. It loves the truth of God’s Word. It speaks the truth in love. It will reveal the truth to the world without fear. It helps the believers to mature in their faith. (1 Corinthians 12: 28) (Ephesians 4: 11) (James 3: 1) (Romans 12: 7)
Tongues: Interpreting – This gift enables Christians to reveal/interpret/explain a message that is uttered in an unknown language for the building up of the church. (1 Corinthians 12: 10, 30; 14: 1-28)
Tongues: Speaking – This gift enables Christians to share God’s Word so that every tribe/people can hear it in their own language. It also speaks in a language that most people do not understand. It is not to be spoken in the church without interpretation. It is to glorify God. (Acts 2: 4; 19: 6) (1 Corinthians 12: 10, 30) (1 Corinthians 14: 2, 4, 27-28, 33, 39-40)
Wisdom – This gift enables Christians to impart truth and understanding to believers. It sees through the confusion of a situation and offers direction in a goal that glorifies God. It easily recognizes where a decision may lead and can warn against harmful/unfruitful actions. It speaks to the life of an individual with understanding and righteous perspective. (Colosians 1: 9-10; 2: 1-3) (1 Corinthians 1: 17-31; 2: 1-16; 12: 8) (James 3: 13-18)

(For more information, visit: Spiritual Gifts Test.com)

The Holy Spirit distributes the Gifts

⁴There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12: 4-6)

¹¹All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12: 11)

The Holy Spirit decides what Spiritual gift(s) each person will receive. Spiritual gifts are distributed at the Holy Spirit’s discretion. The Holy Spirit determines what gift is needed for the edification of the body of Christ.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1: 13-14)

³⁸Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2: 38-39)

³Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12: 3)

The Holy Spirit is a seal that guarantees our redemption as God’s possession. It is an invisible mark that identifies those who belong to God. The Holy Spirit is given as a gift to each person who repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

When you are sealed by God’s Holy Spirit, you can truly say “Jesus is Lord.” Anyone who curses Jesus Christ (Yeshua) is not speaking by the Spirit of God.

The Body of Christ

⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (Ephesians 4: 4-7)

¹²Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12: 12-14)

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. (1 Corinthians 12: 27-31)

When we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we receive God’s Holy Spirit. Just as we are baptized by one Spirit, we are to unite to form one body: the body of Christ. Each believer is a member of that body and each person is to fulfill their part.

Using Spiritual Gifts

¹⁰Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4: 10-11)

¹¹So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4: 11-16)

In all things, God is to be praised through Jesus Christ. Whatever Spiritual gift you have received, you are to use it to glorify God. Christians are the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of the church (Christians).

Spiritual gifts are to be used to build up the body of Christ so that we can reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Each part is to do its work. As a result, we will be able to mature in our faith and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. We are to speak the truth in love. Together we can endeavor to become more like Jesus Christ.

Accountability to God

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (Luke 12: 48)

God expects His children to make use of the gifts He has given them. Unto whom much is given, much will be expected. We are not to squander God’s gifts. And everything that we do is to be for the glory of God.

Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. (1 Corinthians 12: 31)