The Holy Spirit's gifts enable the Church to share the fullness of God's love with the world. One type of manifestation gift is the gift of manifestation “Spiritual gifts are provided to the Church for the benefit of believers and nonbelievers alike. These gifts symbolize the work that God conducts in a believer's life to display His supernatural power in a specific scenario.
Before You Continue...
Do you know what is your soul number? Take this quick quiz to find out! Get a personalized numerology report, and discover how you can unlock your fullest spiritual potential. Start the quiz now!
The Apostle Paul added this crucial comment after describing the manifestation gifts: “But all of these are worked by the same Spirit, who divides to each man as he wills” (I Corinthians 12:11). Remember that the Spirit of God is the source of these abilities, and they are manifested to bring God honor as you learn about them.
Some of these manifestation gifts are only mentioned once in the Bible, and no comprehensive explanation is given. Several of these gifts, on the other hand, are listed in numerous Bible verses, and some are addressed in depth.
We must rely on a study of the terminology (in context), a correct interpretation of the Greek language employed, and insight from the Spirit to understand the gifts. (For more on this, see John 14:26.) We'll give an overview of each of these talents, define the Greek words used to describe them, and discuss biblical experts' perspectives.
Word of Wisdom
The Bible only mentions this spiritual gift once, in I Corinthians 12:8: “For to one the Spirit gives the word of wisdom…”
The Greek term for word is logos, which is described as “anything uttered (including thought): by implication a topic (matter of conversation), also reasoning (the mental capacity), or purpose” in Strong's Concordance. This Greek term is variously rendered as account, preaching, query, saying, speech, talk, utterance, work, and news in the New Testaments. The word wisdom is derived from the Greek word sophia, which means “wisdom.” A supernatural provision of heavenly wisdom or the proper application of knowledge might be defined as a word of wisdom.
The following are some thoughts from John Rea, author of The Layman's Commentary on the Holy Spirit: Christians are given “to enable them to know what to do or say in various situations.” When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question about paying a tax to Caesar, He famously replied, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's' (Matt. 22:21 NASB). ‘For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that precise hour what you ought to say,' he promised us (Luke 12:12: NASB….)” (Rea, p. 138.)
“In a difficult or dangerous situation, a word of wisdom may be delivered which settles the dilemma or silences the opponent,” writes Arnold Bittlinger in his book Gifts and Graces. It is a word of knowledge given to someone in a specific moment, not natural wisdom as a personal possession, that is stated here” (Bittlinger, page 28). He cites I Kings 3:1628, Luke 20:2026, Luke 13:7, Luke 14:6, and Luke 20:40 as examples of the word of wisdom being demonstrated in action.
Word of Knowledge
Another spiritual gift is referenced in the Bible only once, in I Corinthians 12:7, and no explanation is given within the verse.
Here, the Greek term logos is translated as word once more, while the Greek word gnosis is translated as knowledge. Gnosis is a Greek word that means “knowledge.” “knowing (the act), i.e. knowledge (by implication).” (In I Timothy 6:20, it is also translated as science:) “Keep what has been entrusted to your care, Timothy, by avoiding profane and foolish babblings, as well as so-called scientific oppositions.”)
Many scholars agree that a word of knowledge should be regarded as a “supernatural revelation of facts past, present, or future that were not learned through the efforts of the natural mind,” as described by biblical scholars (Rea, page 138).
This spiritual gift is a manifestation of heavenly knowledge that is delivered when information is urgently required and the only way to obtain it is through supernatural means: a divine revelation. The Apostle Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 2:16 that “We have Christ's mind.” “This gift is given to Christians to protect them, to show them how to pray more effectively, or to show them how to serve others” (Rea, page 139).
Faith
Faith as a manifestation gift is distinct from faith as a saving gift or faith as a fruit of the Spirit. Confidence is a spiritual gift “a burst of faith, frequently in the midst of a crisis, in which we confidently believe that as we act or speak in Jesus' Name, it will come to fruition” (Rea, page 141). When this gift of faith is active, believers have unwavering faith in God's ability to fulfill His promises, even when it appears impossible. (See Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:2224; Luke 17:6; and I Corinthians 13:2.)
The Greek word pistis is translated as faith in I Corinthians 12 and is defined in Strong's Concordance as “persuasion, i.e. credibility; moral conviction (of religious truth or God's or a religious teacher's truthfulness), especially reliance on Christ for salvation; abstractly, consistency in such a profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself.” Pistis is also translated as certainty, belief, believe, and fidelity in the New Testament.
Gifts of Healing
Again, I Corinthians 12 does not give a full description of this gift or its characteristics, and Bible experts disagree on how to understand the Greek term iama.
iama is defined by Strong's Concordance as “When this Greek word is translated as healing in the New Testament, it means “a cure (the result).” The word “gifts” is derived from the word “charisma,” which means “power.” “a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion): (particularly) a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. religious qualification or (objectively) supernatural faculty.” Throughout the New Testament, the word charisma is only rendered as gift or gifts.
Healing, by definition, entails the removal of diseases from the spirit, soul, or body. Most of us are familiar with diseases of the body, but spiritual ailments such as bitterness, greed, and guilt can also be healed by God's power. Discouragement, worry, jealousy, and other damaging attitudes are some of the diseases of the soul. Healing refers to supernatural healing of infirmities and diseases for the glory of God in this text regarding spiritual talents.
Working of Miracles
The Apostle Paul refers to the gift of “working of wonders” in I Corinthians 12:10. Working is a translation of the Greek term energema, which is defined as “an effect” in Strong's Concordance. In the New Testament, this Greek term is also translated as activity. Miracles is a translation of the Greek term dunamis, which implies “particularly miraculous power (typically implying a miracle itself).” Dunamis is also translated as capacity, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y deed), power, strength, violence, and mighty (amazing) work in other New Testament verses.
The phrase “working of miracles” appears only once in the Bible, in this list of the Holy Spirit's manifestation abilities. There is no explicit explanation for this gift. The word, on the other hand, looks to be simple. This is a supernatural ability to serve others as a channel of God's miracle-working power, according to the definitions of the Greek words. The concept implies that there are no boundaries or constraints, which is suitable given that our powerful God's strength has no bounds.
This spiritual gift is revealed by direct, heavenly interventions that provide dunamismiracle powerto address demands. The term “working of miracles” refers to more than just physical healing. “The exorcism of demons and the resurrection of the dead, such as Dorcas and Eutychus (Acts 9:3641, 20:612), would fall under the category of miracles” (Rea, page 142). Another way that God's working of miracles might be seen in our midst is through natural or supernatural events with precise timing that bring glory to God.
Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is the only spiritual gift that falls into all three categories: motivating gifts (see Romans 12:39), ministry gifts (see I Corinthians 12:2731), and manifestation gifts (see I Corinthians 12:711). The Holy Spirit uses this gift to convict people of sin, righteousness, and impending judgment. (See John 16:711 for further information.)
Prophecy is an English translation of the Greek word propheteia in I Corinthians 12:10. Propheteia is translated as either prophecy or prophesying in the New Testament, while Strong's Concordance defines it simply as “prediction (scriptural or otherwise).” As a result, Wayne Grudem, author of Systematic Theology, concludes that “a fresh examination of the New Testament teaching on this gift will show that it should be defined not as ‘predicting the future,' nor as ‘proclaiming a word from the Lord,' nor as ‘powerful preaching'rather as ‘telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind.'” (See Grudem, p. 1049.)
Preaching, according to John Rea, is a way of expressing and explaining what one already knows, what one has already learned or studied. “Prophesying, on the other hand, is immediately expressing God's mind through the Holy Spirit's inspiration and prompting, rather than one's own thoughts.” “It's supernatural communication in a language I'm familiar with…” (Rea, p. 144.) The Holy Spirit inspires believers to speak realities that are consistent with the Bible's teachings.
Discerning of Spirits
The Greek term diakrisis, which implies discernment, is translated as discerning in I Corinthians 12:10 “judicial assessment.” According to John Rea, this term refers to “The ability to see right through to the inner reality and make a decision based on that understanding. According to Dennis Bennett, “this gift enables the believer to recognize immediately what motivates a person or situation (The Holy Spirit and You, p. 143).” (Rea, p. 140.) Diakrisis is also translated as disputation in the New Testament.
The word “spirits” is derived from the Greek word “pneuma,” which means “breath.” “a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational and (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit.” In the New Testament, it is variously rendered as ghost, life, spiritual, spiritually, and mind.
God expects His children to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. God has given us His Word, among other things, to help us achieve this aim. (For more on this, see II Timothy 3:1417.) The spiritual gift of discerning of spirits, on the other hand, is not a discernment that can be learned through a thorough knowledge and understanding of God's Word, though a thorough knowledge and understanding of God's Word would certainly equip any believer with increased discernment of good and evil.
This spiritual gift is given to believers by the Holy Spirit under specific circumstances. It is supernatural insight, understanding that comes straight from the Holy Spirit rather than information gained via study, training, instruction, or maturity. This is how Wayne Grudem puts it: “Distinguishing between spirits is a unique ability to distinguish whether a person is under the influence of the Holy Spirit or demonic spirits” (Grudem, page 1082).
Divers Kinds of Tongues
The spiritual gifts of various kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues have been misconstrued and misunderstood by believers more than any other. It's crucial to realize that all of the talents are beyond natural explanation. It's a case of miraculous gifts. We should look into what the Bible says about these gifts and allow God to use them as He sees fit. Believers are empowered to serve others and glorify God as the Holy Spirit bestows these gifts.
“Various sorts of tongues” is listed as one of the spiritual gifts that God has provided to equip the Church in I Corinthians 12:10. Diverse types is derived from the Greek term genos, which means “kinabstract or tangible, literally or symbolically, individually or collectively.” Genos is variously translated as born, country (-man), diversity, generation, kind (-red), nation, offspring, and stock in the New Testament.
The English term tongues is derived from the Greek word glossa, which Strong's Concordance describes as “the tongue; by implication a language (particularly one learned natively).” Glossa is solely translated as tongue in the New Testament (singular or plural). As a result, “different sorts of tongues” could be defined as “kindred languages that are not acquired naturally.”
When we look at what the Bible says regarding this gift, we see that it can be given for a variety of reasons:
- Individually as a kind of divine adoration, praise, or prayer. (See Jude 2021.)
- Instruction, encouragement, or correction with the goal of edifying the Church. In these situations, tongues interpretation is required since God's word to His people in a tongue cannot be comprehended without it. (See I Corinthians 14:5, 9, 12, 13, 27, 28, 39, and 40.)
Interpretation of Tongues
The word interpretation comes from the Greek word hermeneia, which means “to interpret.” “Transcription.” Another instance of the Greek word glossa (tongues) being used in this phrase is the word tongues “The phrase “on the tongue”) is used. “Translation of non-naturally acquired languages” could be summed up as “interpretation of tongues.” Simply said, Grudem defines tongue interpretation as follows: “telling the overall meaning of whatever said in tongues to the church” (Grudem, page 1076).
“So, are tongues recognized as human languages? This ability may occasionally result in the speaker speaking in a human language that he or she has not learned, but more often than not, it appears to include talking in a language that no one knows, whether that language is a human language or not” (Grudem, page 1072).
Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order
The Apostle Paul spends a significant portion of his first epistle to the church at Corinth discussing spiritual gifts. He concludes I Corinthians 1214's instructions and insights with this exhortation: “Let everything be done in a decent and orderly manner” (I Corinthians 14:40). Paul had noted earlier in the letter, “As in all churches of the saints, God is not the creator of confusion, but of peace” (I Corinthians 14:33).
The Holy Spirit's motivating, ministry, and manifestation gifts all contribute to the orderliness of God's plan for the Church and the world. These supernatural, spiritual abilities are incredible. Instead of surrendering to the influence of our sinful natures, we must aim to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and submit to God as instruments of God's work. There will be peace and order, not strife and turmoil, as the Holy Spirit works among Christians and bestows spiritual gifts. The Church will be edified and God will be praised!
What are the 7 manifestations of the Holy Spirit?
Wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. While some Christians regard them as a comprehensive list of precise characteristics, others see them as illustrations of the Holy Spirit's work through the faithful.
How do you know you have a spiritual calling?
You get excited when someone asks you to do something for them out of the blue.
You put your whole heart and soul into the task, as if it were the most essential task in the world.
You realize it's been a few months since you've felt that passionate about doing something.
One of the pillars of a spiritual calling is being of service to others. We feel a sense of belonging when we do our share to aid those around us.
Perhaps a buddy asked for your opinion on which online courses to take, or someone requested you to keep an eye on their dog.
If you like assisting others with their requests, it could be a sign that your spiritual calling is approaching.
Understanding the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher
After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven and granted the church five unique ministry gifts to be strengthened, equipped, and matured. Each of these gifts exposes a different aspect of Jesus, but they must work together as a team to portray the full image of Jesus Christ.
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ,” says Ephesians 4:11-13. (NASB).
The five-fold ministry gifts require unity and interdependence to function well. God created these gifts to complement and strengthen one another while also serving and leading the community of believers. Each gift is valuable and distinct from the others, but they compliment one another when used in tandem.
Together, the five-fold ministry gifts present the whole picture of Jesus Christ. It's vital to remember that each gift has its own set of rules, as well as a unique perspective and group of individuals to which it leads. To be able to use these gifts, we must first grasp how they work.
“The apostle interacts with leaders; the prophet interacts with God; the evangelist interacts with the lost; the pastor interacts with the congregation; and the teacher interacts with the text.”
This image depicts the five-fold gifts in action within the body in a beautiful and accurate way, as well as providing insight into each gift's perspective.
When the five-fold ministry gifts are united, they bring enormous power and reliance on one another's gifts. We must all value each other's unique callings in order to avoid jealousy in the Kingdom. Each gift that God gives has a purpose, and each gift that God gives has enormous value and strength. It's also worth noting that a person's gifts aren't determined by his personality, skills, or physical abilities, but by God's call and anointing on his life. Without even realizing it, many of us are pulled to the same gifts that we operate in. It is critical, however, that we surround ourselves with others who have varied gifts so that we can support and collaborate. This necessitates being deliberate as well as knowing and understanding our own gifts and callings. This is how apostolic leadership teams should work, with each team member using his or her own gifts and strengths to collaborate with others who have similar gifts and strengths. At the end of the day, we all need each other, and God created us to function in this way, especially within the ministry and the church.
What are the spiritual gifts of the spirit?
The New Testament has a number of listings of spiritual gifts, the majority of which are found in the Pauline epistles. Although each list is distinct, there is some overlap.
The charismata were prophesied in the Book of Joel (2:28) and promised by Christ (Mark 16:1718), according to Christians. This promise was realized on Pentecost Day and as the church spread around the world. Paul devoted much of his First Epistle to the Corinthians (chapters 1214) to spiritual gifts in order to rectify misuse surrounding spiritual talents in Corinth.
Two Greek phrases are translated as “spiritual gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12. The word pneumatika (“spirituals” or “things of the Spirit”) appears in verse 1. The word charisma is used in verse 4. The word comes from the Greek word charis, which meaning “grace.” The terms diakonia (translated “administrations,” “ministries,” or “service”) and energemata (“operations” or “inworkings”) are used in verses 5 and 6 to describe the nature of spiritual gifts. The term “manifestation (phanerosis) of the Spirit” is used in verse 7.
Christians interpret spiritual gifts as enablements or capacities conferred by God on individuals, based on these scriptural texts. These cannot be earned or merited because they are freely supplied by God. These are activities or manifestations of the Holy Spirit, not of the gifted person, even though they are carried out via persons. They are to be used for the benefit of others, and they are given to the church as a whole rather than to individual members. The gifts are distributed in a variety of ways; no single person will have all of them. The church is edified (built up), exhorted (encouraged), and comforted through spiritual gifts.
Many think that there are as many gifts as there are needs in the church of Christ, despite the fact that Paul did not mention all of the Spirit's gifts. The gifts have been categorized in the past based on their similarities and differences with other gifts. Some categorize them into three groups based on Old Testament offices. Any gift that involves teaching, encouraging, or rebuking others is considered “prophetic.” Mercy and concern for the poor are examples of “priestly” gifts, as is intercession before God. Gifts involving church management or government are referred to as “kingly.” Others classify them as “gifts of knowledge” (words of wisdom, word of knowledge, differentiating between spirits), “gifts of speech” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy), and “gifts of power” (tongues, interpretation, prophecy) (faith, healing, miracles). The gifts have also been divided into those that promote the church's inner growth (apostle, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, teaching, word of wisdom/knowledge, helps, and administration) and those that promote the church's outer development (apostle, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, teaching, word of wisdom/knowledge, helps, and administration) (faith, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues).
What are the 12 gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or patience), mildness (or gentleness), faith, modesty, continency (or self-control), and chastity are the twelve fruits. (The three fruits of longanimity, modesty, and chastity are only present in the longer form of the passage.)
Charity is the unselfish love of God and neighbor, without expecting anything in return. Charity, on the other hand, is not a “warm and fuzzy” sensation; it is manifested in actual action toward God and our fellow man.
Joy isn't emotional in the traditional sense; rather, it is the state of being unaffected by the negative aspects of life.
Peace is a calmness in our hearts that comes from trusting in God. Christians, rather than being anxious about the future, trust God to provide for them, thanks to the Holy Spirit's leading.
Patience is the ability to bear other people's flaws while also being aware of our own flaws and need for God's love and forgiveness.
Kindness is the willingness to offer to others beyond our own possessions.
Goodness is avoiding evil and embracing what is right, even if it means sacrificing one's material fame and money.
Longanimity is the ability to remain calm in the face of adversity. While patience is appropriate when directed at others' flaws, long-suffering is defined as quietly enduring others' attacks.
Mild behavior means being kind rather than vindictive, forgiving rather than angry. The gentle person is meek; like Christ, who stated, “I am gentle and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29), he does not demand his own way but yields to others for the sake of God's Kingdom.
Faith, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, entails always living in line with God's will.
Being humble is humbling oneself and admitting that any of your accomplishments, talents, or accomplishments are gifts from God.
Self-control or temperance are terms used to describe continence. It does not imply denying oneself what one requires or even what one desires (as long as what one desires is good); rather, it entails exercising moderation in all areas.
Chastity is the act of submitting one's physical desires to reason and hence to one's spiritual character. Chastity entails just enjoying our bodily impulses in proper situations, such as during marriage.
How do I discover my gift?
We don't always recognize ourselves in the same way that others do. Request a message from a friend, relative, or Church leader describing a gift or talent you possess.
During difficult times, we have the option of allowing our finest or worst qualities to shine through. When things get challenging, concentrate on identifying and utilizing your best qualities and abilities.
Our heavenly Father is well aware of our divine potential. He can assist us in seeing that in ourselves if we are having trouble seeing it in ourselves. You might pray for guidance in recognizing your talents.
Are we merely developing our gifts that we already know we have because we're afraid to try something new? Now is the moment to branch out and find new talents.
Through hints contained in the scripturesusually in the form of calls to actHeavenly Father assists us in discovering and developing our gifts. Take, for example, the following verse: “Cease to contend with one another; cease to talk evil of one another” (D&C 136:23). What gifts could you be able to cultivate as a result of this invitation? The gift of kindness, the gift of calming others, the gift of moderation, and so on. That's from just one verse!
When we're not focused on ourselves, but rather on how we can work with and benefit others, our best traits can emerge. When we do that, we'll notice that we have a plethora of Christ-like abilities.
Who do you look up to as role models? You can compile a list of all the gifts your role models possess and, rather than focusing on the ones you don't share, appreciate the ones you do.
What are some of your siblings', parents', or grandparents' gifts? Go a step further! Find more about your family's history, hear stories, and find even more gifts you have in common with them.
Your blessing may speak to you about gifts you possess and should cultivate, as well as pointing you down a road that will lead to the discovery of new gifts and skills.
What does activate mean in the Bible?
Activation happens when we constantly exercise God's presence in our daily lives. Our hearts are continuously being enlightened by God. We are to live in Christ in the same way that we received Him: by believing in our hearts and announcing it with our words.
How do you know if you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
Speaking in tongues is one of the evidences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. A Christian can be baptized in the Holy Spirit after salvation and speak in languages. “And the Holy Spirit came upon them all, and they began to talk in different tongues as the Spirit gave them voice.”