Spiritual Gifts
The writings of Paul in the Bible serve as the primary source of our understanding of spiritual gifts. Each believer receives a unique combination of gifts from the Holy Spirit, described by the Greek word ”χάρισμα” (charisma), meaning the "grace-endowment”. These gifts, diverse in nature, ranging from prophecy and teaching to healing and speaking in tongues, are given to believers for the edification of the church and the fulfillment of God's purposes in the body of Christ.
Types of Spiritual Gifts in the Bible
The Bible describes various spiritual gifts, each serving a unique purpose in building up the church. These gifts can broadly be categorized into different types:
-
Gifts of Leadership: These gifts equip individuals to lead, guide, and shepherd the church, providing direction, vision, and pastoral care.
-
Gifts of Communication: These gifts enable believers to effectively communicate God's message, including preaching, teaching, prophecy, and speaking in tongues.
-
Gifts of Discernment: These gifts empower believers to discern between truth and falsehood, recognize the presence of spiritual forces, and exercise spiritual discernment in various situations.
-
Gifts of Knowledge and Wisdom: These include the ability to discern spiritual truths, interpret scriptures, and provide wise counsel to others.
-
Gifts of Service: These gifts involve practical acts of service such as hospitality, giving, and serving others with humility and compassion.
-
Gifts of Power: These gifts manifest in miraculous acts such as healing, performing miracles, and exercising authority over spiritual forces.
Biblical Origins and Context
The concept of spiritual gifts finds its origins mainly in the teachings of Apostle Paul, who in his letters to various churches, offers insights into the nature, purpose, and use of these gifts within the body of believers. The Corinthian church, in particular, grappled with the misuse and misunderstanding of spiritual gifts. Paul addressed their concerns by providing clarity on the diversity of gifts, their source in the Holy Spirit, and their intended function within the community of believers.
19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.
-
apostles and prophets are the foundation
-
we are being built into God’s dwelling place
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
-
each one is a member of the body of Christ
-
the first to be appointed are apostles, prophets and teachers
-
then workers of miracles, those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues (Acts 2:4)
-
all have different gifts
11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.
-
Jesus gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers
-
gifts are given to equip the saints to build up the body of Christ
-
Christ is the head of the body
6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; 7 if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
-
gifts are given according to God’s grace
-
gifts are to be used in proportion to one’s faith
-
different gifts are: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and showing mercy
4 There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.
-
different gifts are given by the same Spirit
-
God works in all people in different ways
-
gifts are given for the common good
-
different gifts are: message of wisdom, message of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in various tongues and interpretation of tongues
Purpose and Function of Spiritual Gifts
The primary purpose of spiritual gifts, as outlined in the Bible, is to build up the body of Christ and bring glory to God. Each believer is uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for the common good, and these gifts are to be used in harmony and love within the body of Christ.
Paul emphasizes the importance of love as the foundational principle in the exercise of spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 13 he writes that even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts are meaningless without love.
Furthermore, spiritual gifts are not distributed arbitrarily but according to God's sovereign will. Each believer receives specific gifts according to God's plan and purpose for their lives. Therefore, there is no room for comparison or competition within the body of Christ.
In conclusion, spiritual gifts are integral to the life and mission of the church. They reflect the diverse nature of God's grace and empower believers to fulfill their calling as members of the body of Christ. By embracing these gifts with humility, love, and discernment, Christians can contribute to the flourishing of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom on earth.
While some spiritual gifts are foundational, others equip believers for service and ministry. Together, they foster unity in faith and knowledge, guarding against doctrinal error. Thus, the manifold gifts given to believers play a crucial role in building a steadfast and unified community centered on the Son of God, guiding the church towards spiritual maturity.