Sarah Mitchell
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities bestowed by the Holy Spirit, enabling followers of Jesus to glorify God and serve others. The New Testament outlines various spiritual gifts, including wisdom, faith, healing, prophecy, leadership, mercy, and discernment. These gifts are not chosen by the recipient but are given according to God's will. Believers can discover their spiritual gifts through reflection, prayer, and online quizzes, which help identify their unique abilities to serve God and benefit others. Understanding and properly utilising these gifts is an essential aspect of the spiritual journey for followers of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Administration | The ability to organize people and ministries for their most effective and efficient God-glorifying outcome |
| Apostle | The ability to pioneer new churches and endeavors in uncharted territories and mentor others to do the same |
| Discerning of Spirits | The ability to perceive the motivations of people’s hearts or the presence of good/evil spirits |
| Evangelism | The ability to encourage other believers to share their faith and inspire them to reach their world for Christ |
| Exhortation | The ability to strengthen and edify believers in their walk with God |
| Faith | The ability to trust and believe God in impossible situations even when others have given up or challenged |
| Healing | The ability to pray for those who are sick and see them recover |
| Giving | The ability to provide for the needs of others with great joy and generosity |
| Hospitality | The ability to welcome people and create a warm and charitable environment |
| Interpretation of Tongues | The ability to interpret a message in tongues at a church service or gathering |
| Leadership | The ability to cast a vision and catalyze movement towards a common goal |
| Mercy | The ability to empathize and comfort people who are mourning or suffering |
| Working of Miracles | The ability to exercise power over the laws of nature to bring glory to God |
| Prophecy | The ability to receive previously unknown information from the Holy Spirit to speak to another person |
| Word of Wisdom | The ability to speak a timely word brought forth by the Holy Spirit to bring peace and counsel |
| Serving | N/A |
| Teaching | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Discernment and healing
Spiritual gifts are abilities given by the Holy Spirit to strengthen the Church and reveal the power of Jesus. They are given to Christians through their Baptism and Confirmation. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift, and these gifts differ from person to person.
Discernment is a spiritual gift that involves the ability to perceive the motivations of people's hearts and the presence of good or evil spirits. This gift is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10 as "distinguishing between spirits". Those with the gift of discernment may be able to understand the root causes of people's traumas, fears, and repressed feelings, and pray for their spiritual liberation.
Healing is another spiritual gift, which is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:9 as "gifts of healing". This gift can manifest in various ways, from miraculous or dramatic healing to the use or understanding of medicine. It can also involve the ability to empathize and show love, bringing emotional healing to others. While some believe that miraculous gifts of healing are no longer present today, others argue that God still heals through people and that He has the power to intervene miraculously.
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Faith
The spiritual gift of faith is not about personal faith or belief in God but rather the ability to see and follow God's plan with passion. This gift allows individuals to perceive and align themselves with God's will, leading them to take actions that further God's kingdom. It is a gift that can strengthen and encourage others in their faith journeys.
In the New Testament, Paul writes about the importance of spiritual gifts and warns against being "unaware" of their presence and misuse. The spiritual gift of faith is not just about belief but also about action and service to others. It is through our love for others that we express our discipleship, and spiritual gifts are meant to be used for the common good and the glory of God.
The spiritual gift of faith is closely related to healing, which is also mentioned in the Bible as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Healing can be physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, or relational, and it builds faith while glorifying God and meeting people's needs. Jesus is often referred to as the healer, and his healing methods included laying on hands, casting out demons, and proclaiming healing from a distance.
The gift of faith is a supernatural ability given by the grace of the Holy Spirit, empowering individuals to trust and believe in God in challenging circumstances and to witness and participate in His healing power.
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Evangelism
Those with the gift of evangelism have a passion and natural aptitude for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, leading them to faith in Him. They have a fervent desire to spread the message of salvation and to reach the lost. They are able to communicate the love of Christ, address spiritual questions, and invite others to embrace a personal relationship with God.
To utilise the gift of evangelism, one must be willing to step out in faith and share their beliefs with others, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide and empower their words. This involves building genuine relationships with those outside the faith, creating opportunities for evangelistic conversations through love and compassion. It is important to study the Scriptures and develop a deeper understanding of the gospel and biblical teachings to communicate them effectively.
Personal witnessing is a key aspect of evangelism, involving one-on-one conversations where individuals share their faith story and the gospel message. Prayer for the lost is also important, as evangelists should develop a habit of praying for those who have not yet accepted Christ, asking God to open their hearts to His truth. Additionally, study and training are crucial, as believers should equip themselves with biblical knowledge and practical tools for effective evangelism through books, seminars, or evangelism courses.
The Catholic Church recognises the importance of public preaching and teaching in evangelism. Well-trained and equipped preachers and evangelists are encouraged to effectively communicate the message of salvation to large groups. The Church places a strong emphasis on the role of the laity in evangelism, acknowledging that all believers have a responsibility to share their faith with others.
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Apostles
The spiritual gift of apostle is one of the foundational gifts mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11, and Acts 2:42. The term “apostle” comes from the Greek word "apostolos", meaning “one who is sent out” or “a messenger.” In the biblical context, apostles are those who are specifically called and sent by God to establish and expand the church.
People with the spiritual gift of Apostle are able to plant, cultivate, and grow new churches. They are visionary leaders who exhibit a strong sense of mission and a pioneering spirit. They are adept at identifying locations and communities in need of the gospel and taking the initiative to plant churches. Apostles are gifted with strong leadership abilities and a deep understanding of spiritual authority. They often serve as overseers, providing guidance and strategic direction to churches, ministries, or movements. Their leadership is rooted in servanthood and humility, reflecting Christ’s model. They have a unique ability to inspire and mobilize others, fostering unity and purpose across diverse groups.
Examples of people with the spiritual gift of apostle include Patrick, known as the “Apostle of Ireland”, John Wesley, a revivalist and founder of Methodism, and Dr. Yonggi Cho, the pastor of the world’s largest church, Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea.
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Prophecy
Many people misunderstand the gift of prophecy to be the ability to predict the future. While knowing something about the future may sometimes be an aspect of the gift of prophecy, it is primarily a gift of proclamation ("forth-telling"), not prediction ("fore-telling"). A pastor or preacher who declares the Bible can be considered a "prophesier" in that they are speaking forth the counsel of God.
The New Testament prophet had a unique gift to speak God’s message to the people by means of direct revelation. Prophecy is mentioned more than any of the other spiritual gifts and is usually found near the top of the list. It was highly regarded by believers, but it must be distinguished from the gift of teaching. Prophecy was the result of direct revelation, while the teacher explained divine revelation.
The gift of prophecy is meant to encourage, build up, or comfort the Body of Christ. It is a supernatural utterance in a known tongue and is for the edification of the church body. The Apostle Paul wrote that it was important to strive to prophesy and to be eager to prophesy. He also wrote that the apostles and prophets were God’s gift to the church.
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Frequently asked questions
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by grace from the Holy Spirit to strengthen the Church and reveal the power of Jesus to the world.
You can take a spiritual gifts test to help discern what your spiritual gifts are. The New Testament also includes three lists of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.
Examples of spiritual gifts include the gift of discernment and healing, evangelism, serving, teaching, leadership, mercy, faith, hospitality, and interpretation of tongues.
Spiritual gifts are meant to be used in service to others and for the glory of God. They should be exercised with love and in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Bible.
