| Spiritual
Gifts
A few weeks ago my youth group and I were discussing
what Spiritual Gifts are. This is basically just an overview of
everything I've found and some really helpful information.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto
a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." -- Ephesians
4:11-16
What is a Spiritual Gift?
A Spiritual Gift is a special divine empowerment
bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given
ministry God's way according to His grace and discernment to be
used within the context of the Body of Christ.
The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
A spiritual gift is a divine empowerment bestowed
on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry
God's way according to His grace and discernment . . . to be used
in the context of the Body of Christ. Numerous passages show the
purpose of spiritual gifts to be the affect they have on the Body
of Christ: 1 Corinthians 12:7 - "Now to each one the manifestation
of the Spirit is given for the common good." Ephesians 4:12
- "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the
body of Christ may be built up" 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each one
should use whatever gift he has received to serve others..."
As you can read in these references, spiritual gifts are not for
my individual benefit or selfish gain. Rather, they are for the
benefit of the body of Christ. When properly exercised, spiritual
gifts will contribute to the overall health and growth of the church.
How Many Are There?
Well, right now, I've found 22, and the description
are listed below it.
Spiritual Gifts Profile Sheet
Missionary
It is the special gift given by the Holy Spirit
to certain members of the body of Christ (local church) to minister
whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture or
second community. See 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Healing
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit employs
certain Christians to restore health to the sick. See James 5:13-16,
Luke 9:1-2.
Intercession
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to pray for extended periods of time with great
positive effect for the building of the Kingdom. See 1 Thessalonians
3:10-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
Craftsmanship
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit endows
certain Christians to use hands and minds to build up the Kingdom
through artistic, creative means. See Exodus 28:3-4.
Hospitality
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to open their homes willingly and offer lodging,
food, and fellowship cheerfully to other people. See Genesis 18:1-15.
Faith
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit provides
Christians with extraordinary confidence in God's promises, power,
and presence so that they can take heroic stands for their future
of God's work in the church. See Hebrews 11.
Discernment
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit certain
Christians to know with assurance whether some behavior is of God
or of Satan. See Acts 5:3-6, Acts 16:16-18.
Mercy
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to feel exceptional empathy and compassion for
those who are suffering so that they devote large amounts of time
and energy to alleviate it.
See Luke 10:30-37.
Giving
It is the special gift of whereby the Spirit
enables certain Christians to offer their material blessings for
the work of the church with exceptional willingness, cheerfulness
and liberality. See 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
Administration
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to understand the goals of a given segment of
the Church's ministry and to direct that area effectively, keeping
the Church on course. See Acts 15:12-21.
Leadership
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to motivate, direct and inspire God's people
in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together
to do the Church's work effectively. See Hebrews 13:7, Judges 3:10,
Exodus 18:13-16.
Helps
It is the spiritual gift whereby the Spirit
empowers certain Christians to willingly bear the burdens of other
Christians and help them in such a way that they can do their tasks
more effectively. See Acts 6:2-4.
Serving
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit empowers
certain Christians to willingly bear the burdens of other Christians
and help them in such a way that they can do their tasks more effectively.
See Galatians 6:1-2.
Knowledge
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to understand in an exceptional way the great
truths of God's Word and to make them relevant to specific situations
in the church. See Ephesians 3:14-19.
Wisdom
See It is the special gift whereby the Spirit
endows particular Christians with an understanding of God's will
and work as it relates to the living of life. See James 3:13-17
Exhortation
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to stand beside fellow Christians in need and
bring comfort, counsel and encouragement so they feel helped. See
Acts 11:23-24, Acts 14:21-22.
Music
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to praise God through various forms of music
and enhance the worship experience of the local congregation. See
1 Corinthians 14:26, Mark 14:26.
Teacher
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
particular Christians to communicate the truths of God's Word so
that others can learn. See Hebrews 5:12-14.
Pastor
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
certain Christians to assume responsibility for the spiritual welfare
of a group of believers. See 1 Peter 5:1-11.
Evangelist
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit enables
particular Christians to share the Gospel to unbelievers in such
a way that the unbeliever becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
See Acts 8:26-40.
Prophet
It is the special gift whereby the Spirit empowers
certain Christians to interpret and apply God's revelation in a
given situation.
See 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 1 Corinthians 14:30-33, 1 Corinthians
14:37-40.
Apostle
It is the gift whereby the Spirit appoints
certain Christians to lead, inspire and develop the churches of
God by the proclamation and the teaching of true doctrine. See Acts
12:1-5, Acts 14:21-23.
Some information adapted from http://www.cforc.com/sgifts.html
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