What Are The Spiritual Gifts?

Time Needed: 1 hour

We cannot be ourselves unless we are true to our gifts.
--- Elizabeth O’Connor

There is an urgent need for the gifts to be exercised. One of the major problems in the church at large is that so few are exercising their gifts. The church growth expert Eddie Gibbs said, ‘The present high level of unemployment in the nation pales into insignificance in comparison with that which prevails in the church.’ As a result, a few people are left doing everything and are totally exhausted, while the rest are underutilized. The church has been likened to a soccer match, in which thousands of people desperately in need of exercise watch twenty-two people desperately in need of rest!”
--- Nicky Gumbel

Scripture Meditation:
“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. … But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12: 7, 11-12

Teaching:

The Apostle Paul says this, “Now, friends, concerning spiritual gifts I do not want you to be unaware.” And people in the church have been confused and ignorant almost ever since. From the time of the Early Church Fathers until the turn of the 20th century, the topic and teaching of spiritual gifts was largely ignored in the Church. Now, after a century of writing and thinking on the topic, spurred on by charismatic renewals both genuine and fake, there is the confusion of too much teaching! What are the gifts? Are the gifts for today and which ones?

Sometimes there is a temptation to think that studying the gifts is a cure-all for personal and church problems; it isn’t. Your life won’t be perfect by knowing your “gift mix” – for starters, there’s the responsibility of serving in our gifts as part of a life of obedience. Yet, study of the gifts, and applying the teaching to your life, is very important. It helps us see how God is at work in our lives and in the lives of others in our community; it builds our faith and helps us discover the joy of serving in a way which God has created and blessed us to serve in.

It reminds me of the line from “The Chariots of Fire” – Eric Liddell, the main character, is describing to his sister about his choice to run in the Olympics and delay his departure to China on the missions field … “Jenny, I believe God has called me to China … but he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.” When you “run” in your gifting, you feel the pleasure of God. You also will experience fruit through your service, as you are joining with God as He works through you and not working in your own power. Spiritual gifts are an important element of our discipleship to Jesus. Following is an outline of a teaching on the spiritual gifts, provided because there is a fair amount of misunderstanding on the gifts.

You may have a vague sense of what a spiritual gift is, in general, and what it is in your life, or you may have no idea at all. The following is one definition of spiritual gifts from an important theologian who has influenced many in the Vineyard.

Wayne Grudem: “A spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church.” (Systematic Theology)

A working definition for us will be: “Special abilities given by God for the accomplishment of Jesus’ mission in the Church and the world.”

Now, none of these definitions are exactly perfect, but they do highlight a few things for us.
• First, spiritual gifts are from God. The term comes from the Greek for “grace” (charism or charismata) – they are a gift of grace, based on the cross of Jesus. They come from God and return the glory to Him. They are received by us. They are for service, not for our glorification or satisfaction, but for serving others and God. From Jesus – Ephesians 4:7-10 From the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:4,5,11 rewrite

• Also, notice what these definitions leave out, so that we know what spiritual gifts are not. They are not personality traits. Just because you’re an extrovert doesn’t mean you’re gifted with evangelism. They also are not “skills” per se. They may be related, but are not identical. Learning to play the guitar does not bestow the gift of leading worship. Also, they are not the same as “calling” or “mission”. Gifts are a subset of calling and mission – they are the tools to help you carry that mission out.

Let’s spend some time answering some main questions by using the Bible.

Why did God give people the Gifts?
1 Peter 4:10-11
Ephesians 4:11-16
1 Corinthians 12:7, 24-26

How do I know I didn’t get skipped when God was passing out the gifts?
1 Corinthians 12:7,11,18
How do these gifts affect my relationships with other people in the church?

Please read 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and use these notes to help you understand what it is saying. The notes are broken down by verse.

• Vv. 1-3 This sets the context – again, the gifts are not isolated or just for us, but relate to the glorification of God.
• Vv. 4-11: There are varieties of gifts and ministries, a diversity of expression or manifestation, but they all come from the same source – the Holy Spirit, our Lord.
• V. 12 – The Body is one, with many members; many members compose the one Body; balance between individual and community.
• V. 13 – The two metaphors of “baptism” and “drinking” from the same Spirit. Two “errors” to avoid in discussion of “baptism”– it does not refer to a second experience, after conversion, in which the people are “baptized in the Spirit” (some people have an experience something like that, but that is not being taught here); on the flipside, this verse is not teaching that the Spirit is automatically imparted at water baptism (which is the opposite of the previous). Rather, the Spirit is imparted at conversion. These are best understood as metaphors of powerful experiences of the Spirit which were common to these early Christians. The Corinthians are unified as a body through the common experience of the Spirit. (Taken from Gordon Fee)
• Vv. 14-26 – This elaborates on the two aspects (diversity and unity) by countering some common objections.
• Vv. 14-19: “For the body is not one member, but many”. The body is composed of many members, not all the same. Individual members often feel like that if they aren’t a certain type of member than they really aren’t significant or that they truly don’t belong. The community would lose out if everyone were the same member, in other words, don’t be pressured that everyone has to have the same gift.
• vv. 20-26: “Now there are many members, but one body”. The individual members are not isolated, but are one body. There is temptation for some members, esp. the “nobler” or more “visible” ones, to say that they don’t need the other members of the body but, in fact, the reverse is true. Paul perspective, which is radically different from the world’s perspective, is that we’re to hold the “less visible” members in higher esteem even as we carefully guard the “less visible” members of our physical bodies. This is to avoid division, etc., and is related to the goal of the common good and the building up the body toward unity of faith, to maturity, for and in and through love.

What kinds of gifts are we talking about?
To help us understand the great variety of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in our midst, the New Testament gives us “gift lists”, listings of the various ways that the Spirit empowers people in the church. Please take a moment to read through the various spiritual gift lists in the New Testament:
1 Pet. 4:11
Ephesians 4:11
1 Corinthians 12:8-10
Romans 12:6-8
A few comments on the “lists”;
• Notice, the similarities and differences among the gifts on the lists. We should not assume that these gifts are exhaustive. Given the variety of the Spirit’s manifestations, we can guess that they are more than those listed here. Plus, the breakdown in 1 Peter seems to be a major breakdown which could include many particulars.
• Some other gifts are commonly recognized, but are not mentioned on the lists, like hospitality, celibacy, cross-cultural missions, intercession, craftsmanship, etc.

Why may I have heard so much about Tongues, Prophecy, and Evangelism?
Among all the gifts, these three are often at the center of controversy or misunderstanding. For that reason, we’d like to take a little extra time to highlight a few points that should serve to clarify these gifts and their applications in our lives. Again, these bullet points are just that, simple points of clarification … each could easily take up an extended discussion. If you have more questions, please be sure to discuss them with your gifts counselor (or pastor).

What is tongues?
• Primarily it is prayer language with God.
• Tongues is not evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
• It not something to be forced, though it can be encouraged.
• We can expect that many will have this gift, though not all.
• When should we pray in tongues? Often, but never in a public setting out loud, unless you are convinced there will be an interpretation, or we know that someone in the community is gifted with interpreting tongues. There might sometimes be the occasion to “sing in tongues”, but this is rare and at the direction of the worship leader.
• See Acts 2:1-21 and 1 Corinthians 14:1-19,27-28 for more information

What is prophecy?
• “Human reporting of what God spontaneously brings to mind.” (Wayne Grudem)
• Purpose: Exhortation, edification, encouragement; result of convicting people in attendance of reality of God and their own sin.
• It is not “judgment”. Nor is prophecy primarily concerned with “prediction” or “foretelling”; prophecy is primarily concerned with what we can call “forthtelling” – revealing how things are, “calling like it is”; in fact, this is what much of OT prophetic literature contains – the prophets revealing to the people what is really going on and how God feels about it!
• OT vs. NT prophets – the continuation of the OT Prophetic office is more properly associated with the Apostles of the NT, and not the gift of prophecy in the NT.
• We can definitely be in danger here of the “superstar” mentality – seeing certain people as the “prophets” (we don’t use that term around here) and chasing after them to get a word from the Lord; this is NOT God’s ideal – He longs to be in conversational relationship with each of us, and the latter can be a lot like tarot card reading, etc.; God is often pleased to speak to us, to ourselves and through each other, way more than we realize, but we shouldn’t go chasing after the “prophets”.
• See especially 1 Corinthians 14:1-3,24-25,29-33 for more information

What about Evangelism?
• Lots of emotional guilt associated here, because of evangelicalism’s emphasis on personal, confrontational-style evangelism.
• Also, because here, more than anywhere else perhaps (except maybe service), we brush up against gifting vs. duty. All Christians have responsibility, associated with calling, to serve, to evangelize, even to teach, etc. We often acknowledge readily that we won’t be as effective in serving or teaching or interceding, etc. as those with gift, but we subtly expect that we ought to evangelize like those with gift (usually, because they are our only models).
• Roughly 10% of Body has gift, based on research by C. Peter Wagner, of the Church Growth Institute at Fuller Seminary.
• We need new understandings and models of evangelism. “I planted, Apollos watered” – both were involved in evangelism, in different ways; the sower and the reaper ought to rejoice together; find a model that “fits” you, realizing that it will never be “discomfort” or “persecution” free (relational, apologetic, dialogical, “bringing”, etc.)

Exercise

Directions: Read through the following list of Spiritual Gifts. It includes definitions, with some illustrations. Please circle gifts that you have further questions about. At this point, don’t worry about trying to identify the gifts you have. An inventory will assist you in doing that in the next exercise.

A few points to remember:
• These are not airtight definitions, but contain elements of opinion; many of the gifts do not have a universal consensus regarding what exactly is meant by the term
• There are several points of “cross-over” between many of the listed gifts. They are not to be seen in isolation, but should be understood as mutually supporting.
• Many of the gifts have corresponding practices or disciplines that can be engaged in to refine our character or deepen our spiritual life. These are related ideas, but should not be confused as the same thing.

Teaching: The ability to instruct, explain, expose, and/or communicate biblical truth in such a way as to cause believers to understand truth. The ability to apply God’s word causing greater Christ-likeness in the lives of listeners. 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11-14; Rom 12:7; Acts 18:24-28,20:20-21

Encouragement/Exhortation: The ability to urge people to action in terms of applying truth. The divine enablement to present truth so as to strengthen, comfort, or urge to action those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith. Rom 12:8; 1 Tim 4:13; Heb 10:25; Acts 14:22

Prophecy: The capacity to deliver a message from God in human words, in order to correct by exhorting, edifying, or consoling believers and to convince non-believers of God’s truth. People with this gift: expose sin or deception in others for the purpose of reconciliation, speak timely words from the Lord, have a way of understanding God’s heart and mind through experiences He takes them through. 1 Cor 12:10,28; Eph 4:11-14; Rom 12:6; Acts 15:32, 21:9-11

Missionary: The ability God gives to some people to minister their other spiritual gifts in a second culture. They adapt to different surroundings by being culturally sensitive & aware, and desire to serve unreached people in other communities or countries. 1 Cor 9:19-23; Acts 13:2-3, Rom 10:15

Pastoring: The ability to nurture, care for, and guide people toward ongoing spiritual maturity and becoming like Christ. They assume long-term personal responsibility for the welfare of a group of people. They protect them from error and disseminate truth. They are responsible to nurture the whole person, not just “spiritually.” Eph 4:11-4; 1Tim 3:1-7; John 10:1-18; 1 Pet 5:1-3

Evangelism: Ability to effectively communicate the gospel to unbelievers so they respond in faith and become disciples of Jesus and responsible members of Christ’s Body. They communicate message with clarity and conviction, seek out those who don’t know the truth, and challenge them to faith and following Jesus. They tend to have a “burden” or “passion” for seekers and for people to know the gospel, building relationships with them. Eph 4:11-14; Acts 8:5-6,26-40, 14:21, 21:8

Leadership: The ability to cast vision, motivate and direct people to harmoniously accomplish the purposes of God. They provide direction for God’s people or ministry; motivate others to perform their best; present the “big picture” for others to see; model ministry values; and take responsibility and establish goals. 1Tim 5:17; Acts 7:10, 15:7-11; Rom 12:8; Heb 13:17; Luke 9:51

Wisdom: The ability to apply spiritual truth effectively to meet a need in a specific situation. They provide divinely given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion; hear what the Spirit is saying, and help to provide direction. 1Cor 2:1-13, 12:8; Acts 6:3,10

Knowledge: The capacity or sensitivity to perceive revealed knowledge from God which otherwise could not or would not be known and apply it. They receive truth which enables them to better serve the body; search the scriptures for insight and understanding; gain knowledge which at times was not attained by natural means; can be known for organizing information for teaching and practical use. 1Cor 2:14, 12:8; Acts 5:1-11; Col. 2:2-3

Faith: The ability to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for His work. They act in confidence of God’s ability to overcome obstacles. They advance the cause of Christ because they go forward when others will not. The ask God for what is needed and trust Him for His provision. It is trusting until He brings it to pass. 1Cor 12:9; Heb 11; Acts 27:21-25

Healing: The ability to be God’s means for restoring people to wholeness. People with this gift demonstrate the power of God, by praying, touching or speaking words that miraculously bring healing to one’s body (and their whole person). 1Cor 12:9,28; Acts 3:1-10; Luke 9:2, 10:9

Miracles: The ability to release God’s supernatural power so that the miraculous intervention of God is perceived and God receives recognition. To serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature. 1Cor 12:10,28; Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-20; Rom 15:18-19; 2Cor 12:12

Discernment: The ability to distinguish between truth and error, to discern the spirits, differentiation between good and evil, right and wrong. They can sense pure and impure motives, identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness; identify authentic works of God; recognize inconsistencies in teaching; are able to sense the presence of evil. 1Cor 12:10; Acts 5:1-11

Tongues: The ability to speak, worship, or pray in a language unknown to the speaker. They may receive a spontaneous message from God which is made known to the body through the gift of Interpreting Tongues. They may worship the Lord with unknown words too deep for the mind to comprehend. 1Cor 12:10,30; 1Cor 14:13-19; Acts 2:1-13

Interpretation of Tongues: The ability to respond to a message given in tongues by interpreting the word and clearly communicating the message given to the church. They are often prophetic when exercising this gift for the church. 1Cor 12:10,30, 14:13,26-28

Giving: The ability to contribute their material resources (all of them) to the work of God with liberality and cheerfulness. They are usually not of the mindset, “How much money do I need to give to God?” but “How much money do I need to live on?” They often manage their finances and limit their lifestyle in order to give as much as possible; trust God for provision; may have a special ability to make money so that may use it to further God’s work. Rom 12:8; Mark 12:41-44;2Cor 8-9

Mercy: The ability to willingly and practically help those who are suffering or are in need – compassion moved to action; especially those suffering physical, mental or emotional problems, or the lonely and outcast. Rom 12:8; Luke 10:33-35; Mark 9:41

Helps: The ability to unselfishly meet the needs of others through very practical means, with a sense of enjoyment. They take on necessary tasks that free up, support, and meet the needs of others, usually so that their gifts and ministries become more effective. 1Cor 12:28; Rom 16:1-2

Administration: The ability to understand what makes an organization function, and to plan and execute procedures that accomplish goals of the ministry. They develop strategies or plans to reach identified goals; assist ministries to become more effective and efficient; create order out of organizational chaos; organize people, tasks or events. 1Cor 12:28; Acts 6:1-7; Titus 1:5

Service: The ability to identify unmet needs involved in a task, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired results. Those with this gift usually find joy in being behind the scenes, helping in small ways. 1Pet 4:11; Rom 12:7; Acts 9:36-39

Craftsmanship: The ability to creatively design and/or construct items to be used for ministry. They work with various raw materials, using tools and their hands, and enjoy doing so, often to increase effectiveness of another ministry or bring glory to God. Exodus 35:10-19, 30-35

Hospitality: The ability to enable and care for others by providing fellowship, food and shelter. They provide an environment where people feel valued and cared for; meet new people and help them feel welcomed; create a safe and comfortable setting where relationships can develop; seek ways to connect people together into meaningful relationships; set people at ease in unfamiliar surroundings. 1Pet 4:9; Heb 13:2; Rom 12:9-13; Rom 16:23; Acts 16:34

Creative Communication: The ability to communicate God’s truth through a variety of art forms; using the arts to communicate truth, including dance, drama, writing, classical art, music. 2Sam 6:12-15; Exodus 15:1-18

Intercession: The ability to consistently pray on behalf of and for others, seeing frequent and specific results. They feel compelled to earnestly pray on behalf of someone or some cause; have constant awareness of spiritual battles being waged and pray; pray in response to the leading of the Holy Spirit, whether they understand it or not. Eph 6:18-19; Acts 12:12

Exorcism: The ability to cast out demons and evil spirits. Acts 16:16-18; Luke 10:1,17-20

Celibacy: The ability to remain single and enjoy it; to be unmarried and not suffer undue sexual temptation. 1Cor 7:7-9