Gifts of the Spirit

There are several sections of the Bible which speak of spiritual gifts. The list can become quite extensive when put together. Here is a potential list the gifts mentioned in scripture:

  1. Administration (kuberneseis - 1 Corinthians 12:28) is a gift of the Holy Spirit provided by God for giving direction or guidance to the Body of Christ.

  2. Apostle (apostolous - 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11) means "messenger". An apostle is therefore one sent forth by God with a "message" for their age. This message is attended by Signs and Wonders to confirm it. The work of an Apostle is to lay the foundation of Christ and nurturing new converts.

  3. Discerning of Spirits (diakriseis pneumaton - 1 Corinthians 12:10) is a supernatural capacity to judge whether the spirit operating in a person is of human, demonic or divine origin.

  4. Gift of Miracles (energemata dunameon - 1 Corinthians 12:10) are events in which people or things are beneficially affected by the power of God working through an individual.

  5. Evangelist (evangelistas - Ephesians 4:11) is one who proclaims the simple message of salvation to those who are nonbelievers, with the result that they become disciples of Jesus and responsible parts of the Body of Christ.

  6. Exhortation (parakalon - Romans 12:8) is the God given grace which urges the community to pursue a certain course of action or conduct that has been revealed by God.

  7. Faith (pistis - 1 Corinthians 12:9) is the mysterious surge of confidence which arises within a person faced with a specific situation or need. It gives that person a divine certainty that God is about to act. It is both the irresistible knowledge that God wills to intervene at a certain point and the authority to effect this intervention through the power of the Holy Spirit.

  8. Gifts of Healings (charismata iamaton - 1 Corinthians 12:9) are used to speed up the process of healing in a sick person by divine intervention.

  9. Giving (metadidous); Aid/Leadership (proistamenos; Mercy (eleon Romans 12:8) These three gifts enable the church to serve the community beneficially Helps (1 Corinthians 12:28) cover the same activities. Giving is the gracelet of sharing money, food and clothing (and other possessions) generously with those within the community who have needs. Aid is the gracelet which renders care to those who are the most vulnerable within the community. Mercy is the gracelet that ministers compassion, forgiveness and practical care to the needy as a reflection of God's unmerited generosity that he has given us in Christ.

  10. Interpretation of Tongues (ermeneio glosson - 1 Corinthians 12:10) The is the God given inspiration to speak in the language of the listeners, giving to them the dynamic equivalent of that which was spoken by the speaker in tongues. It is not a 'translation'. Both tongues and interpretation may be given in song.

  11. Tongues (gene glosson - 1 Corinthians 12:10) These are Spirit inspired, spontaneous utterances in which the conscious mind plays no part. It is speaking in a language (whether earthly or angelic) which the speaker has never learned or understood This is used privately by a believer and may be used at will for his own edification. Tongues are also used in public as an ecstatic utterance following an anointing from God.

  12. Pastor-teacher (poimenos koi didoskalous - Ephesians 4:11) is one who provides for the spiritual needs of the flock by leading, feeding and protecting those sheep put under his/her care.

  13. Prophecy (propheteia - 1 Corinthians 12:10) is declaring the message of God to his Church for the purpose of edification · It is not a skill, aptitude or talent. It is the actual speaking forth of words given by the Spirit in a particular situation and ceases when the words (given by the Spirit) cease. This may be given in poetic form and/or song.

  14. Prophet (prophetas - l Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11) is one through whom the gift of Prophecy is consistently manifested. This person is used by God to communicate that which God wants the community to hear concerning a specific situation. He/she is a spokesman for the Spirit.

  15. Service (diakonian - Romans 12:7) comes as a result of divine prompting and is the spiritually sensitive recognition and constructive response to a particular need within the community.

  16. Teacher (didaskalous - 1 Corinthians 12:28) is one through whom the gift of teaching is consistently manifested. The teaching may be either charismatic teaching, or explaining the truth of revelation already given.

  17. Teaching (diakonian - Romans 12:7) is the gift given by God which may either explain the truth of revelation already given -i.e., teaching Scripture, or it may be an elaboration of an insight received through further revelation which should be subject to the light of Scripture i.e., charismatic teaching.

  18. Word of Knowledge (logos gnoseos - 1 Corinthians 12:8) is an utterance inspired by God and spoken by an individual. It is an insight into the things "freely given us by God" (1 Corinthians 2:12). It shares the truth the Spirit wishes declared concerning a specific occasion, person or thing.

  19. Word of Wisdom (logos sophias - 1 Corinthians 12:8) is an utterance inspired by God and spoken by an individual. It is "seeing" what God "sees" (and/or "saying" it) and applying God's wisdom to a special situation.
The following are some gifts which are listed in various passages:

  1. Celibacy (1 Corinthians 7:7)

  2. Craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3; 35:31-33)

  3. Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9)

  4. Interpretation of Dreams (Genesis 41:25-32; 38-39)

  5. Judge (Judges 3:7-11)

  6. Philanthropy (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Created: 23 - Jan - 1997.
Last modified: 18 - Sept - 1998.
Copyright © 1998, Graham Brodie.

Maintainer: Graham Brodie, Email