What are the spiritual gifts?

The concept of spiritual gifts is central to the New Testament’s teachings on how God equips His people to serve Him and each other. These gifts, often referred to as “gifts of the Spirit,” are diverse and are given by God to empower believers to fulfill His purposes on earth. Understanding these gifts and recognizing their presence in our lives can profoundly impact our Christian walk and the health of the Church as a whole.

In this study, we will delve into the various gifts that God gives, with a focus on what the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible says about these gifts, their purpose, and how they operate within the body of Christ.

The Source of Spiritual Gifts

The first thing to understand about spiritual gifts is that they originate from God. They are not earned or acquired by human effort; rather, they are bestowed by God’s grace. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that these gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to each believer according to His will.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV): “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” Paul’s words highlight that while the gifts may differ, they all come from the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God. This unity in diversity underscores the importance of every gift, regardless of its nature, because it serves the collective good of the Church.

The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are not given for personal gain or to elevate one individual above another. Their primary purpose is to build up the body of Christ, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, and to bring glory to God.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NKJV): “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” This passage lists several of the gifts and offices that Christ has given to the Church. The goal of these gifts is to prepare believers for service, to strengthen the Church, and to help believers grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.

Types of Spiritual Gifts

The New Testament provides several lists of spiritual gifts, indicating a variety of ways in which God empowers believers. While these lists are not exhaustive, they give us a broad understanding of the different types of gifts.

The Gifts Listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul provides one of the most detailed lists of spiritual gifts:

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV): “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

This passage mentions nine specific gifts:

Word of Wisdom: This gift involves the ability to apply knowledge in a way that is wise and discerning, often providing insight into difficult situations.
Word of Knowledge: This gift allows a person to understand deep truths or facts about a situation that could only be known by divine revelation.
Faith: While all believers have faith, this gift refers to an extraordinary level of trust in God that enables one to accomplish great things in His name.
Gifts of Healings: This refers to the ability to heal others, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Working of Miracles: This gift involves performing acts that transcend natural laws, demonstrating God’s power.
Prophecy: The gift of prophecy involves speaking forth a message from God, often involving both foretelling (predicting the future) and forth-telling (declaring God’s will for the present).
Discerning of Spirits: This gift enables a person to distinguish between the influence of God, the devil, the world, and the flesh.
Different Kinds of Tongues: Speaking in tongues refers to the ability to speak in a world language that one has not learned.
Interpretation of Tongues: This gift allows a person to understand and interpret the message spoken in tongues.

These gifts are diverse, and each serves a specific function within the Church. Paul emphasizes that they all come from the same Spirit, and they are given “for the profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

The Gifts Listed in Romans 12:6-8

Another list of gifts is found in Romans 12:

Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV): “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

This passage lists seven gifts:

Prophecy: As mentioned earlier, prophecy involves declaring a message from God.
Ministry (Service): This gift involves serving others in practical ways to meet the needs of the Church.
Teaching: The gift of teaching involves explaining and applying the truths of the Bible in a way that others can understand and live by.
Exhortation: This gift involves encouraging and comforting others, urging them to live out their faith.
Giving: Those with the gift of giving are particularly generous to meet the financial or material needs of others.
Leadership: This gift involves guiding and directing others, often in a church setting, with wisdom and diligence.
Mercy: The gift of mercy involves showing compassion and kindness to those in need, often in a way that brings comfort and relief.

Each of these gifts plays a crucial role in the life of the Church, helping to build up the body of Christ and serve the needs of others.

The Fivefold Ministry Gifts in Ephesians 4:11

The passage in Ephesians 4 mentions what is often referred to as the “fivefold ministry”:

Ephesians 4:11 (NKJV): “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”

These are roles within the Church that involve specific gifts:

Apostles: Apostles are those who are sent out to establish and oversee churches. They often have a broad authority and influence within the Church.
Prophets: Prophets, as mentioned earlier, declare messages from God, often providing guidance and correction to the Church.
Evangelists: Evangelists have a particular gift for spreading the Gospel and bringing others to faith in Christ.
Pastors: Pastors shepherd the flock, caring for the spiritual needs of the congregation and providing guidance and oversight.
Teachers: Teachers instruct others in the Word of God, helping them to understand and apply biblical truths.

These roles are essential for the health and growth of the Church, and they often involve multiple gifts working together.

The Proper Use of Spiritual Gifts

While spiritual gifts are given by God for the benefit of the Church, they must be used properly and in love. Paul addresses this issue in his first letter to the Corinthians, where he emphasizes the importance of love as the foundation for the use of spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV): “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” Paul’s words are a powerful reminder that the exercise of spiritual gifts, no matter how impressive, is meaningless without love. Love is the guiding principle that ensures spiritual gifts are used for the right reasons and in the right way.

The Diversity of Gifts and the Unity of the Body

One of the key themes in Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts is the diversity of gifts within the unity of the body of Christ. Each believer has been given a different gift, but all are part of the same body and must work together for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NKJV): “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate how spiritual gifts function within the Church. Just as the body has many parts, each with its own function, so the Church has many members, each with their own gift. No part is insignificant, and all are necessary for the body to function properly.

The Role of Spiritual Gifts in the Church Today

Spiritual gifts are not just a thing of the past; they continue to play a vital role in the Church today. The Holy Spirit is still at work, equipping believers with the gifts they need to serve God and others. However, it is important for the Church to recognize these gifts, encourage their use, and provide opportunities for believers to exercise them.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV): “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Peter’s exhortation reminds us that spiritual gifts are not for personal glory, but for the glory of God. We are called to be good stewards of the gifts we have received, using them to serve others and to bring honor to God.

Conclusion

The gifts that God gives us are a vital part of our Christian life and the functioning of the Church. These gifts, which include a wide variety of abilities and roles, are given by the Holy Spirit to equip believers for service, to build up the body of Christ, and to bring glory to God. While the gifts may differ, they all serve the same purpose and are to be used in love.

As members of the body of Christ, we are called to recognize our gifts, develop them, and use them to serve others and to fulfill God’s purposes on earth. By doing so, we contribute to the unity and growth of the Church and bring glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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