The body of Christ operates through a variety of spiritual gifts, empowering believers in diverse ways. These abilities, often referred to as the nine gifts of the Spirit, are outlined in the Bible and serve to build up the church and minister to the world. These gifts are categorized as: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation, and prophecy. Each plays a unique and vital role in the Christian faith.
A word of wisdom is a supernatural understanding of truth and the right course of action, especially in complex situations. This gift equips individuals to make sound judgments that are aligned with God’s will. For example, the Apostle Paul demonstrated a word of wisdom in Acts 27:9-19 when he cautioned the Roman centurion against setting sail, preventing potential disaster. This gift is about applying divine insight to practical decisions.
A word of knowledge involves receiving information or understanding beyond natural means. It’s a supernatural awareness that can reveal facts or insights that are not accessible through normal human senses or learning. An example of this is found in Acts 5:1-10, where the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter the deception of Ananias and Sapphira, exposing their lie about their offering. This gift unveils hidden truths and provides clarity in specific situations.
Discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability to distinguish between different spiritual influences at work. It allows a person to identify whether an action or behavior is motivated by the Holy Spirit, a demonic spirit, or the human spirit. In Acts 16:16-18, Paul exercised discernment when he recognized that a girl was possessed by an evil spirit and commanded the spirit to leave her, liberating her from demonic influence. This gift is crucial for spiritual protection and maintaining purity within the church.
The gift of faith is a supernatural endowment of unwavering trust in God’s power and promises in specific circumstances. While all believers have a measure of faith for salvation (Romans 12:3), this gift is a heightened capacity to believe God for extraordinary things and to inspire others to trust Him. It’s a faith that goes beyond the ordinary, enabling believers to see and believe for the miraculous.
Miracles are supernatural events that defy natural laws, demonstrating God’s power in tangible ways. These are acts that cannot be explained by human ability or natural phenomena. Acts 20:9-12 recounts an instance where Paul operated in the gift of miracles, raising Eutychus from the dead after he fell from a window. Miracles showcase God’s intervention and power over the natural order.
Gifts of healing are divine abilities to restore health and soundness to the spirit, soul, or body. While believers are generally called to pray for the sick, some are specifically gifted with a unique capacity to minister healing. This gift goes beyond natural recovery, bringing about supernatural restoration and wholeness. Healing addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments, reflecting God’s compassion and restorative power.
The gift of tongues serves two primary purposes. Firstly, speaking in tongues as a personal prayer language is available to all believers for private devotion. Secondly, the gift of tongues, when used in a church setting, is meant to edify the entire congregation. This public use of tongues requires interpretation to be understood by all present.
The interpretation of tongues is intrinsically linked to the gift of tongues in public settings. As Paul explains in I Corinthians 14:27-28, when tongues are spoken in church, they should be interpreted so that everyone can understand the message from God. This gift enables someone to supernaturally understand and communicate the meaning of a message given in tongues, ensuring that the church is edified.
Prophecy, the ninth spiritual gift, is a divine communication in a language understood by the hearers. It encompasses two aspects: forthtelling and foretelling. Forthtelling is speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, delivering a message relevant to the present. Acts 2:38-41 illustrates Peter forthtelling on the day of Pentecost, leading to repentance and salvation. Foretelling, on the other hand, is revealing future events through the Holy Spirit. Agabus, in Acts 11:27-28, foretold a coming famine, allowing believers to prepare. Prophecy, in both forms, guides, encourages, and directs God’s people.
Developing these spiritual gifts is crucial for the maturity and effectiveness of believers. Hebrews 5:14 emphasizes the importance of exercising our spiritual senses to discern good and evil. Just as physical senses are developed through use, so too are spiritual gifts. Engaging in practices, activations, and learning environments like schools and conferences helps to sharpen our spiritual senses and cultivate these divine abilities.
Alt text: Chris Reed of MorningStar Ministries speaking about spiritual gifts, emphasizing the importance of their development for believers.
By understanding and actively seeking to utilize these nine spiritual gifts, believers can more fully embody the power and purpose of the Holy Spirit in their lives and contribute to the growth and strengthening of the church.
