What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Bionically, the Gifts of the Spirit are outstanding
abilities given to believers baptized with the Spirit, the third component of
the Holy Trinity—Father (God), Son (Jesus the Christ), and Holy Spirit (Embodiment)
(I Corinthians 6:19 – Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy
Spirit within you, whom you have from God?) (English Standard Version).
The Holy Spirit has no beginning or end, and was part of
Creation, Genesis 1:2b – And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of
the waters.
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit just before he
ascended into heaven, Acts 1:8 – "But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Gifts and types of power are listed several places in the New
Testament, along with examples, such as the apostle Paul being bitten by a
poisonous snake and shaking it off. Since there are many versions and
interpretations of the Bible, there are going to be many different words used
to describe these powers and gifts. I don’t believe there is any definitive
list, such as 7 or 9 gifts of the spirit.
I was also not aware when I wrote the original book that a
large proponent of Christian congregations believe the gifts of the Holy Spirit
were only manifest in the first generation, first-era Christians in the first
century. I don’t necessarily want to offend anyone, but I also don’t think that
the God who gave special powers to the Old Testament believers (raising people
from the dead, food without end, calling nature into obedience, builders, and
priests, and all the Judges), would limit his gifts and powers only to those
named in the Bible. What else are miracles, sometimes? New believers are
baptized in the Holy Spirit every day. Paul calls us to be filled with the Holy
Spirit in Ephesians 5:18.
Nevertheless, there are many things we are called upon to
act upon in faith, not judgement.
And, Healing Grace is fiction. That means I made it up.
Partial list of Scriptures specifically referring to New Testament Gifts of the Spirit follows:
Romans 12
6 Having gifts that differ
according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our
faith; 7 if service,
in our serving; the one who teaches,
in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts,
in his exhortation; the one who contributes,
in generosity; the one who leads,
with zeal; the one who does acts of
mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3, 8-11
Now concerning spiritual
gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know
that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however
you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one
speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no
one can say “Jesus is Lord” except
in the Holy Spirit.
8 For to one is given through
the Spirit the utterance of wisdom,
and to another the utterance of knowledge
according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to
another the working of miracles,
to another prophecy, to
another the ability to distinguish
between spirits, to another various
kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation
of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same
Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 14:1-3
14 Pursue love, and earnestly
desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks
in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but
he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who
prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and
consolation.
