Estimated Read Time: 9 min

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:1, 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, 1 Corinthians 12:30, 1 Corinthians 14:5, Ephesians 4:11–13, Romans 12:3–8

At this point, it is more than obvious that my position is that of a charismatic (one who shares the conviction that all the charismatic gifts are for today and therefore should be pursued by believers). This is the opposite position of a cessationist (one who holds the belief that the charismatic gifts ceased when the New Testament was completed).

Scripture declares that the gifts are for the body, and both the testimonies of others and my own experience demonstrate that these gifts are undoubtedly in operation today.

Note: While both Charismatics and Pentecostals believe that the gifts of the Spirit are for today, they differ on one central issue: the initial physical evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pentecostals hold that the initial evidence is speaking in other tongues, whereas Charismatics generally maintain that tongues are an evidence, but not the sole evidence.

Personal Note: I was raised within a Pentecostal tradition and operated from that theological position for most of my life. Were it not for 1 Corinthians 12:30 and 14:5, I would likely remain much more firmly committed to my original Pentecostal position.

First Corinthians 12 is generally the place we go when we begin discussing the gifts of the Spirit. There we find an explanation of nine spiritual gifts (which we will cover shortly). However, Romans 12 identifies seven additional gifts, and Ephesians 4 lists several more. This means there are far more than just nine spiritual gifts, but in this article we will focus only on the nine listed in 1 Corinthians 12.

Paul opens 1 Corinthians 12 with the following verse:

1 Corinthians 12:1 – Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

To gain a better understanding, let's break down the Greek words translated spiritual gifts.

• Spiritual (Pneumatikos) – That which pertains to or is characterized by the Spirit; that which belongs to the realm of the Spirit.
• Gift (Charisma) – A gracious gift; an expression of divine grace freely given apart from personal merit.

Spiritual gifts, then, are unmerited gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit.

We can extend this definition even further.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Here Paul argues that the public manifestation of these gifts exists for the common good of the church rather than for self-affirmation, personal fulfillment, or status.

We see this same principle in Ephesians 4:11–13, where Paul explains that the gifts given to the body of Christ are intended to equip the saints for the work of ministry, promote the unity of the faith, deepen the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and bring believers to maturity.

Notice the consistent theme.

The gifts of the Spirit are given to individuals in order to build up the body.

We can now extend our definition:

Spiritual gifts are unmerited gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the Church.

As we move from defining spiritual gifts, we also need to understand what Paul says in verses 4–6.

1. Diversity of Gifts – There are many kinds of gifts, a point we have already introduced and will examine further.
2. Differences of Service – The same gifts may function in different areas of ministry and service.
3. Diversity of Activities – The Greek word refers to "activities" or "workings" (the source of our English word energy). In other words, God determines the measure of power or effectiveness with which a gift operates in an individual.

When it comes to spiritual gifts, God determines which gift or gifts a person receives. Those gifts may then be expressed through a variety of ministries, and each individual may experience different levels of power or effectiveness in exercising them.

For example, two people may both possess the gift of healing, yet one may consistently minister more powerfully than the other. There is nothing wrong with the one who operates in the gift to a lesser degree. Rather, God, in His wisdom, has simply apportioned a greater measure of that gift's operation to the other individual.

The Spirit distributes His gifts as He wills. Every gift we receive is another expression of God's grace that we do not deserve.

Therefore, it should not matter if one person operates in a greater capacity than another. While we are different people, possessing different gifts, serving in different ways, and ministering with varying levels of power, one truth remains the same:
Every gift comes from the same Holy Spirit, whose purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ.

It should also be noted that these gifts are manifested at particular points in time. An individual may not continually operate in every gift.

The first two gifts are closely related. They are articulate utterances (the meaning behind the word word) that communicate God's knowledge or wisdom for the benefit of the church.

1. The Word of Knowledge
The Word of Knowledge is the Spirit-given ability to communicate divine understanding or knowledge. It is closely related to the Word of Wisdom but is primarily concerned with understanding God's truth.

2. The Word of Wisdom
The Word of Wisdom empowers a person to speak God's wisdom into a particular situation. It is the Spirit-given insight to apply God's truth practically. It is not merely intellectual brilliance or philosophical wisdom.

3. The Gift of Faith
The Gift of Faith is a special endowment of confidence for a specific task, distinct from saving faith. It is an extraordinary trust in God for particular situations.

4. Gifts of Healings
The Gifts of Healings involve various manifestations of healing that are distributed sovereignly by God. These include different kinds of illnesses and different expressions of healing. Not every healing is instantaneous or miraculous in the same manner.

5. The Working of Miracles
The Working of Miracles (literally, "workings of powers") includes miracles but extends beyond spectacular supernatural events. It may include divine judgments, exorcisms, mighty acts, and other manifestations of God's power.

6. Prophecy
Prophecy is Spirit-inspired speech that builds up, exhorts, comforts, teaches, warns, and applies God's truth to the church. It is not necessarily predictive, although predictive prophecy is possible. All prophecy is subject to evaluation and testing.

7. Discerning of Spirits
Discerning of Spirits is the Spirit-given ability to distinguish the genuine activity of the Holy Spirit from false spiritual claims, false prophecy, deception, and other spiritual influences. It is broader than merely detecting demonic activity.

8. Kinds of Tongues
Kinds of Tongues involve multiple species or forms of Spirit-inspired speech. Depending on the context, these may include foreign languages, heavenly language, ecstatic speech, prayer, praise, or worship.

9. Interpretation of Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues is the Spirit-enabled rendering of an unintelligible tongue into intelligible speech for the edification of the church. In some instances, it may also involve the speaker praying for the ability to understand and interpret his own utterance.