Apparently I was composing my last response at about the same time as Steve. I see spiritual gifts pretty much the same way. They may or may not correspond in kind to a natural talent. I thought Steve's thought of "a supernatural overlay" of some preëxisting natural talent an interesting concept.
Again, I don't think the laying on of the hands of the presbytery is a necessary component to the impartation of spriritual gifts but I do think it was a usual practice in the apostolic church, and that God imparted gifts when they did so.
Spiritual Gifts
Re: Spiritual Gifts
Paidion
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
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backwoodsman
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Re: Spiritual Gifts
I don't see how a non-trinitarian view would affect either Spurgeon's or my thinking on this point, unless possibly if one were to understand the 'dove of peace' to be the Spirit. I didn't take it that way, but I was unable to find the quote in Spurgeon's own writings, so I don't know in what context he said it. I understand it to be a caution against being sidetracked from Jesus, even if by things that are otherwise good; that seems to be more or less the way it's understood by most who quote it, including those very close to Spurgeon's time.Paidion wrote:Since Jesus IS the Spirit [2 Cor. 3:17), would it make any difference?backwoodsman wrote:"I looked at Jesus, and the dove of peace flew into my heart; I looked at the dove of peace, and she flew away."
Are you suggesting that their actions amount to resorting to guesswork and 'spiritual gifts tests', or the equivalent? I would never dream of suggesting such a thing about the likes of Paul and Timothy. I think they had a very clear idea of what spiritual gifts are, what they're for, and how they're gotten; it's when we misunderstand and twist the words of such men that we get into trouble.So do you think that Paul and Timothy (and those who laid their hands on Timothy to impart a gift to him) belonged to this class of "carnally minded and spiritually destitute" Christians?
Re: Spiritual Gifts
Some notes I've been working on for this series...
..........
What is a spiritual gift?
A special ability, proficiency, or status that God providentially grants to particular individuals by the Spirit for the purpose of continuing Jesus’ work of drawing unbelievers and building up believers.
What are the relevant Scriptures?
The following passages are generally agreed upon as having the most relevancy to the subject of spiritual gifts: Mark 16:15-20, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Peter 4:10-11.
What are the over-arching principles?
Spiritual gifts have a unified source
Mark 16:20, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11
Spiritual gifts are very diverse
Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31, 1 Peter 4:10
Spiritual gifts are given for the common good
Mark 16:15-20, 1 Cor 12:7, 14:1-19, 26, Eph 4:11-13, 1 Ptr 4:10-11
They can create chaos (without order)
1 Corinthians 14:27-33, 39-40
They can create disunity (without love)
1 Corinthians 12:12-13:13, Ephesians 4:1-6, 15-16
They can be counterfeited (without discernment)
1 Corinthians 12:3, Ephesians 4:14
How many ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ are there?
The Bible does list a number of spiritual gifts, but there is no widespread agreement on just how many. What’s more, there is no indication that every possible gift is mentioned in Scripture.
Mark 16:17-18
Driving out demons
Speak in new tongues
Pick up snakes with their hands
Drink deadly poison without being hurt
Place hands on sick and they will get well
Romans 12:6-8
Prophesying
Serving
Teaching
Encouraging
Contributing
Leadership
Showing Mercy
1 Corinthians 12:7-10
Message of wisdom
Message of knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Distinguishing between spirits
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
1 Corinthians 12:28-30
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Workers of miracles
Healing
Able to help others
Administration
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpret
Ephesians 4:11
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
1 Peter 4:11
Speaking
Serving
Why is there disagreement as to the number of gifts?
Some disagree on which lists to include
Some disagree on the amount of overlap
Some disagree on if there are other ‘gifts’ in Scripture
Some disagree on whether ‘extra-biblical’ gifts exist
Can and Should the Gifts be Categorized?
There have been many attempts to categorize the gifts, but we must recognize these attempts as somewhat artificial. In any case, categorization may help us to better understand the purpose of the gifts.
6 Sign Gifts (point others toward the body)
Driving out demons
Faith
Healing/Survival
Interpretation of tongues
Miracle working
Tongues
8 Speaking Gifts (build up the maturity of the body)
Apostleship
Distinguishing between spirits
Evangelism
Knowledge
Leadership
Prophecy
Teaching
Wisdom
6 Serving Gifts (meet the needs of the body)
Administration
Contributing
Encouragement
Helping/Serving
Mercy
Pastoring
What Do the Various Gifts Entail?
It is now time to examine each individual gift. We will appraise the 20 gifts already listed in alphabetical order. Subsequently, other probable (likely biblical) and possible (likely extra-biblical) gifts will be considered.
Administration (1 Cor. 12:28)
Administration is akin to steering/piloting. The vessel does the actual work, but the administrator makes sure that it is functioning as efficiently as possible and guides it in the appropriate direction. The administrator plans, organizes, and coordinates to maximize efficiency.
Apostleship (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11)
An Apostle is someone sent by Jesus to establish and/or develop the Kingdom of God amidst a new territory or people. The original Apostles were with Jesus from baptism to ascension and authorized as witnesses of His resurrection, a witness which serves as the foundation of The Church. Subsequent apostles served and serve similarly, but without the need to establish the original foundations of The Church all over again.
Contributing (Romans 12:8)
The gift of contributing or giving has to do, primarily, with financial support for those in need. The gift may imply a blessing from God in terms of resources, allowing the giver to generously supply the needs of others. Contributors make sure that the other ministers in the church have their needs met and the resources necessary to carry out their work.
Encouragement (Romans 12:8)
All Christians, of course, should be encouragers and some of the speaking gifts will specifically include public encouragement, but some individuals are especially gifted to come alongside other people (especially new believers and those dealing with difficulty) and bring them the motivation and hope necessary to continue on in Christ.
Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
The church as a whole serves as a witness for Christ, but some individual members have a special gift in the area of evangelism. Gifted evangelists bear frequent fruit when the present the Gospel to unbelievers.
Distinguishing between spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10)
This gift goes hand-in-hand with the gift of prophecy. All mature/biblical Christians develop an ability to distinguish between right and wrong, but certain members of the body are specially gifted to distinguish between true and false prophecies.
Driving out demons (Mark 16:17)
Whereas distinguishing between spirits likely has more to do with prophecy than the demonic, this gift does have to do with evil spirits. Some Christians are specially gifted to accomplish spiritual victories via exorcism.
Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
It is hard to say exactly what Paul means by listing faith as one of the spiritual gifts. Clearly all Christians are called to faith. The gift is often interpreted as an extra bit of psychological certainty about some particular future act of God. Perhaps a better understanding of this gift, though, is that it is the special ability to live without secure earthly means and, instead, depend directly on God’s faithfulness.
Healing/Survival (Mark 16:18, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28)
Normally interpreted as the special ability to lay hands on the sick and heal people, it may be that gifts of healings refer to the status of having been healed. It is certainly a gift to be healed from (or survive) a deadly sickness (or situation) and a person healed in Christ’s name is a sign of Jesus’ authority.
Helping/Serving (Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28)
This fairly general gift is utterly important to the body. Every ministry in the church depends on practical and necessary tasks being done behind the scenes. Those with this gift not only accomplish such tasks, but do so cheerfully with the knowledge that they are putting other ministers in a position to succeed. Since so much ‘help’ is needed in the typical local church, this is a good place for new Christians to begin as they await further clarity as to their dominant spiritual gift.
Interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10, 30)
This gift comes alongside the gift of tongues and is integral to making that gift edifying to the body of Christ. When someone speaks in tongues in a congregational setting, it must also be interpreted for the rest of the church.
Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)
This gift is often interpreted as the special ability to know/share pieces of information about someone that cannot be explained without recourse to God. Since, however, that is parallel to the gift of prophecy, it may be better to understand this gift simply as a God-given proficiency regarding His word/truth. This would entail a broad understanding of the biblical method and the ability to fruitfully convey as much.
Leadership (Romans 12:8)
Leadership has to do with ruling/governing. Biblical leaders are hard-working servants and they serve the body primarily by casting vision and then helping the body keep its eye on the prize.
Mercy (Romans 12:8)
The word is closely connected to compassion. Those with this gift have a heightened sense of compassion for the last, least, and lost. Not only do the sense the need, but they find ways to meet the need. This, in turn, often softens the hearts of the unbelieving world and sets the stage for evangelism. Again, compassion as a spiritual gift is done cheerfully and passionately.
Miracle working (Mark 16:18, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28-29)
This is another broader category as various acts are referred to as miracles in Scripture (exorcisms, healings, power over nature). It is not that someone with the gift of miracle working could do miracles at will (all gifts are under God’s sovereignty), but certain people seem to be utilized by God in a miracle working ministry.
Pastoring (Ephesians 4:11)
The word, in the original languages, is shepherd. A shepherd is someone who makes a long-term commitment to a flock. Shepherds guide, protect, and feed the flock. The biblical usage assumes multiple people will be gifted in this area in each local church (collectively serving as elders).
Prophecy (Rom. 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, 28-29, Eph. 4:11)
There is no shortage of information or example in Scripture when it comes to this gift. Prophets boldly bring God’s word to people (whether it be about their present or, perhaps, about their future) in a way that often seems to shake the status quo. Prophets provide God’s guidance in areas beyond, though not in contradiction to, written revelation. Some seem to be gifted in this area for life (Prophet), while others are given the gift occasionally. False prophets arise as well, which explains the need for the gift of distinguishing between spirits. Despite the dangers that accompany it, this gift is to be especially desired due to the value that it has for the local assembly.
Teaching (Rom. 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28-29, Eph. 4:11)
The gift entails the ability not only to understand revealed truth about God, but also to communicate such truths to God’s people in ways that improve the overall health of the body of Christ. Spiritual teaching results not only in the transfer of information, but the transformation of the students. Teachers carry a great responsibility to choose their words wisely so as to not lead others astray (false teachers do just that).
Tongues (Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30)
This gift was a source of controversy in Corinth and remains a source of controversy today. Basically, it is a God-given ability to speak to God in a language not native to the speaker. Corporately, it is to be used only in tandem with the gift of interpretation so that the words spoken may be edifying to the congregation.
Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
Wisdom may be described as the combination of head-smarts and street-smarts. It is not only the awareness of truth, but the ability to apply the right truth at the right time. The gift of wisdom is the special ability to do this. Those with this gift are willing and able to provide good judgment in the midst of a crisis.
PROBABLE BIBLICAL GIFTS
The following gifts are probably intended to be viewed as spiritual gifts in Scripture despite the fact that they are not included in any of the ‘lists’ studied above.
Artistry/Craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3, 35:31, 35)
Many spiritual gift surveys leave out Old Testament references like this. Some are filled by God’s Spirit to make things for the Lord and the Lord’s people via ingenuity and skill.
Martyrdom (1 Corinthians 13:3)
In discussing the uselessness of gifts without love, Paul mentions surrendering one’s life as if that, too, is a spiritual gift. The status of a martyr would serve to remind the church of the extent of our commitment.
Voluntary Poverty (1 Corinthians 13:3)
In the same verse (see Martyrdom, above), Paul mentions voluntary poverty as if that, too, is a spiritual gift. The status of such a person would speak a message to the rest of the church concerning materialism.
Singleness (Matthew 19:11-12, 1 Corinthians 7:7)
Both Jesus and Paul seem to speak of singleness/celibacy as a spiritual gift. The ability to remain celibate and the status of singleness may demonstrate single-minded devotion to the church.
POSSIBLE EXTRA-BIBLICAL GIFTS
The number of extra-biblical gifts may be too great to list, but some of the more obvious possibilities are described below.
Celebrity
Some people come to a place of prominence in society, perhaps due to their personal accomplishments. Such a status may be used to bring glory to Christ in the public sphere.
Hospitality
This would be the special ability or proficiency for making people feel warmly welcomed. It may even be the case, given the context, that 1 Peter 4:9 intends for us to see hospitality as a spiritual gift.
Joy
Paul mentioned ‘faith’ as a spiritual gift. This opens up the possibility that other elements of the fruit of the Spirit may also be given to someone in a special sense as a spiritual gift. Some Christians seem to radiate joy.
Marriage
Paul clearly speaks of singleness/celibacy as a gift, but some have argued that marriage may also be a gift to the body in that it can demonstrate the beautiful union between Christ and the Church (see Ephesians 5:31-32).
Missionary
Though possibly overlapping with apostleship and/or evangelism, the missionary is a gift to the church. He/she both helps build up the church on the field and reminds the sending church of its missional purpose.
Music
Some are gifted with a special ability or proficiency in music that, when used to assist the body of Christ in praise and worship, are essentially that persons spiritual gift to the church.
Prayer
All Christians, of course, are called to pray continually, but some Christians are especially gifted with a great proficiency and/or the time to be prayer warriors for their local church family and/or the worldwide church.
Statesmen
This would be someone either with a special ability or who has become proficient at working within the worldly structures without compromising their faith. They bring the God’s wisdom to a broken world system.
Writing
Some people are clearly gifted writers. When someone uses this special ability or proficiency for the Kingdom of God and it produces spiritual fruit, their work may be viewed as a spiritual gift.
Questions & Answers about Spiritual Gifts
The Q&A below aims to address some of the most often asked questions pertaining to spiritual gifts.
Is every Christian given a spiritual gift?
Yes. A key spiritual gift passage (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) is bracketed by Paul’s statement that gifts are given to ‘each one.’
Can non-believers possess spiritual gifts?
Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is yes. In some cases, God (perhaps temporarily and unbeknownst to the individual) endows unbelievers with spiritual gifts that fulfill godly purposes Caiaphas prophecies in John 11:49-51. Similarly, Gamaliel seems to have a message of wisdom that bore fruit for the kingdom in Acts 5:35-39.
Is my giftedness set in stone at conversion?
Not necessarily. While it may be common to possess the same spiritual gift(s) throughout the course of one’s life, it is quite possible to acquire gifts subsequent to conversion (why else would Paul tell the Corinthians to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy?)
Are gifts permanent or occasional?
Some gifts are likely given on a permanent basis (throughout the course of the believer’s earthly life) while others are given occasionally (for an momentary purpose). It may also be possible to forfeit a gift through neglect.
How are they different from talents/skills?
Most spiritual gift literature draws a sharp distinction between natural talents/abilities and spiritual gifts. In reality, the line is quite blurred. Three factors combine to cause this misunderstanding. First, it must be recognized that there really is no such thing as a ‘natural’ talent. All good things (including talents) are gifts from God. Second, there is no such thing as a person totally void of a relationship to God’s Spirit. God’s prevenient grace works in all people. Third, the distinction between talents and spiritual gifts should not be made solely on the basis of their content, but on the motivation behind them and the fruit which God produces through them.
How do spiritual gifts relate to Warren’s S.H.A.P.E.?
Rick Warren has developed a popular tool helping Christians determine their fit for ministry. It involves looking at their S.H.A.P.E. (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences). In his model, spiritual gifts are narrowly defined and just one aspect to consider when determining a ministry fit. Conversely, this study defines spiritual gifts more broadly and includes factors like heart/passion, ability/talent, personality, and experience within the spiritual gift terminology. These are just two different ways of looking at the data. Both models may be helpful.
Just how is H.A.P.E. incorporated into this model?
This study assumes that when God grants someone a spiritual gift, that gift comes with a burden or desire or passion for that area of ministry. This doesn’t mean that every person WANTS to serve in the area that they are gifted (though that is the norm), but one will at the very least be burdened by the area of ministry for which they are gifted. Spiritual gifts may be God-given talents that are developed for godly service. The same gift might vary in style due to personality or the experiences we’ve been through, but that doesn’t mean we need to engage in exhaustive personality tests or go down memory lane to figure out where to serve. Christians should serve where they are spiritually gifted. Rather than being competing components, our passions, talents, personality, and experiences help us to identify our spiritual gifts. They stylize the spiritual gift in the individual and bring about beautiful diversity.
Were some gifts only for the 1st century?
Cessationists teach that the miraculous gifts ceased in the 1st century as they were only given to build the foundation for The Church. While it is true that the miraculous gifts served such a purpose (and that that particular purpose has ceased), there is no good biblical argument for the cessationist position. Miraculous gifts serve as signs to unbelievers, meet the needs of people, and grow God’s people to maturity. All three of these purposes continue to exist and so, given the fact that the Bible does not indicate cessationism, it makes very much sense that the miraculous gifts continue.
Just how many extra-biblical gifts might there be?
How many parts does a body have? It depends on how detailed you want to get. The most important thing is not to figure out how many spiritual gifts exist, but to figure out how many ways we can serve God, God’s work, and God’s people.
Are some gifts just for men?
While this subject can be controversial, this study finds no reason to believe that God only dispenses certain gifts to one gender. In the Bible we find females serving as apostles, prophets and teachers.
What if this study interpreted a specific gift incorrectly?
It is, of course, possible that some of the gifts defined above have been interpreted incorrectly. But given the reality that there are many ‘extra-biblical’ gifts, it is unlikely that any of the gifts included in this study do not exist. At worst, the study is incomplete and includes some incorrect labels.
How do I determine what gifts I have been given?
There are many ways: Perhaps God will reveal it to you through another Christian or via church leadership; Perhaps by trial and error; Perhaps a written test; Perhaps your passions, talents, personality, and experiences will point you in the right direction; Perhaps the affirmation of the body will bring clarity; Or perhaps God will reveal it directly or as a calling. The greatest determining factor, however, is whether God produces spiritually beautiful results through you.
6 Step Assessment Tool
The following 7-Steps are offered as an imperfect method for discovering your spiritual gift(s).
STEP 1 PRAY
Spiritual gifts are spiritual. To best determine your spiritual gifts you should be in a spiritual state. Talk to God about this topic. Tell God that you want to serve Him as fruitfully as possible. Ask Him to empower you for this service through spiritual gifts. Ask Him to reveal to you what your gifts are. Listen for an answer (not only through silence but through the remaining steps if necessary).
STEP 2 STUDY
You’re welcome to use this study as a guide, but by all means get into the Scriptures themselves. Study the relevant biblical material. Follow up with topical studies on specific gifts that intrigue you. Start thinking about the various gifts and see which ones stay in your mind. Write down the gifts that you seem to most resonate with. Keep praying too.
STEP 3 TALK
Talk to Christians that you respect about spiritual gifts. The conversation should include discussion of your passions, talents, personality and experiences. Ask them what they think your gifts might be. See if their thoughts correspond to the ones you wrote down. Pray together. Study together. Stay in conversation throughout the rest of the process.
STEP 4 TEST
If you desire further confirmation, take a spiritual gift assessment test. There are many such tests available online (just search for ‘spiritual gift test’ or ‘spiritual gift analysis’ or ‘spiritual gift assessment.’ You’ll find plenty of options. If you don’t have internet access, ask your local church to provide you with one (or more… they’ll likely be thrilled at your interest). Just keep in mind that they are just tools. Some of them will be better than others. Keep praying, keep studying. Keep talking. Take as many tests as you like (so long as you’re not just avoiding action!)
STEP 5 TRY
Working with your church family, attempt to put a spiritual gift that has come to the forefront as a result of prayer, study, talking with other Christians, and test results into practice. See how it goes over a period of time. Don’t get discouraged too easily and don’t jump to conclusions. Keep praying, studying, talking, testing, and trying. Wait for affirmation from the Spirit and the Church. Determine if there are spiritually positive results coming from your ministry.
STEP 6 TRY AGAIN
If the previous steps did not lead to affirmation and spiritual fruit, don’t be discouraged. Try another gift that was on the forefront of your mind throughout the process. Stay engaged in prayer, study, conversation, testing, and trying new ministries. God is not trying to hide your gift(s) from you, but it may take some time.
..........
What is a spiritual gift?
A special ability, proficiency, or status that God providentially grants to particular individuals by the Spirit for the purpose of continuing Jesus’ work of drawing unbelievers and building up believers.
What are the relevant Scriptures?
The following passages are generally agreed upon as having the most relevancy to the subject of spiritual gifts: Mark 16:15-20, Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Peter 4:10-11.
What are the over-arching principles?
Spiritual gifts have a unified source
Mark 16:20, Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11
Spiritual gifts are very diverse
Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 27-31, 1 Peter 4:10
Spiritual gifts are given for the common good
Mark 16:15-20, 1 Cor 12:7, 14:1-19, 26, Eph 4:11-13, 1 Ptr 4:10-11
They can create chaos (without order)
1 Corinthians 14:27-33, 39-40
They can create disunity (without love)
1 Corinthians 12:12-13:13, Ephesians 4:1-6, 15-16
They can be counterfeited (without discernment)
1 Corinthians 12:3, Ephesians 4:14
How many ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ are there?
The Bible does list a number of spiritual gifts, but there is no widespread agreement on just how many. What’s more, there is no indication that every possible gift is mentioned in Scripture.
Mark 16:17-18
Driving out demons
Speak in new tongues
Pick up snakes with their hands
Drink deadly poison without being hurt
Place hands on sick and they will get well
Romans 12:6-8
Prophesying
Serving
Teaching
Encouraging
Contributing
Leadership
Showing Mercy
1 Corinthians 12:7-10
Message of wisdom
Message of knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Distinguishing between spirits
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
1 Corinthians 12:28-30
Apostles
Prophets
Teachers
Workers of miracles
Healing
Able to help others
Administration
Speaking in different kinds of tongues
Interpret
Ephesians 4:11
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
1 Peter 4:11
Speaking
Serving
Why is there disagreement as to the number of gifts?
Some disagree on which lists to include
Some disagree on the amount of overlap
Some disagree on if there are other ‘gifts’ in Scripture
Some disagree on whether ‘extra-biblical’ gifts exist
Can and Should the Gifts be Categorized?
There have been many attempts to categorize the gifts, but we must recognize these attempts as somewhat artificial. In any case, categorization may help us to better understand the purpose of the gifts.
6 Sign Gifts (point others toward the body)
Driving out demons
Faith
Healing/Survival
Interpretation of tongues
Miracle working
Tongues
8 Speaking Gifts (build up the maturity of the body)
Apostleship
Distinguishing between spirits
Evangelism
Knowledge
Leadership
Prophecy
Teaching
Wisdom
6 Serving Gifts (meet the needs of the body)
Administration
Contributing
Encouragement
Helping/Serving
Mercy
Pastoring
What Do the Various Gifts Entail?
It is now time to examine each individual gift. We will appraise the 20 gifts already listed in alphabetical order. Subsequently, other probable (likely biblical) and possible (likely extra-biblical) gifts will be considered.
Administration (1 Cor. 12:28)
Administration is akin to steering/piloting. The vessel does the actual work, but the administrator makes sure that it is functioning as efficiently as possible and guides it in the appropriate direction. The administrator plans, organizes, and coordinates to maximize efficiency.
Apostleship (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11)
An Apostle is someone sent by Jesus to establish and/or develop the Kingdom of God amidst a new territory or people. The original Apostles were with Jesus from baptism to ascension and authorized as witnesses of His resurrection, a witness which serves as the foundation of The Church. Subsequent apostles served and serve similarly, but without the need to establish the original foundations of The Church all over again.
Contributing (Romans 12:8)
The gift of contributing or giving has to do, primarily, with financial support for those in need. The gift may imply a blessing from God in terms of resources, allowing the giver to generously supply the needs of others. Contributors make sure that the other ministers in the church have their needs met and the resources necessary to carry out their work.
Encouragement (Romans 12:8)
All Christians, of course, should be encouragers and some of the speaking gifts will specifically include public encouragement, but some individuals are especially gifted to come alongside other people (especially new believers and those dealing with difficulty) and bring them the motivation and hope necessary to continue on in Christ.
Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
The church as a whole serves as a witness for Christ, but some individual members have a special gift in the area of evangelism. Gifted evangelists bear frequent fruit when the present the Gospel to unbelievers.
Distinguishing between spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10)
This gift goes hand-in-hand with the gift of prophecy. All mature/biblical Christians develop an ability to distinguish between right and wrong, but certain members of the body are specially gifted to distinguish between true and false prophecies.
Driving out demons (Mark 16:17)
Whereas distinguishing between spirits likely has more to do with prophecy than the demonic, this gift does have to do with evil spirits. Some Christians are specially gifted to accomplish spiritual victories via exorcism.
Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
It is hard to say exactly what Paul means by listing faith as one of the spiritual gifts. Clearly all Christians are called to faith. The gift is often interpreted as an extra bit of psychological certainty about some particular future act of God. Perhaps a better understanding of this gift, though, is that it is the special ability to live without secure earthly means and, instead, depend directly on God’s faithfulness.
Healing/Survival (Mark 16:18, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28)
Normally interpreted as the special ability to lay hands on the sick and heal people, it may be that gifts of healings refer to the status of having been healed. It is certainly a gift to be healed from (or survive) a deadly sickness (or situation) and a person healed in Christ’s name is a sign of Jesus’ authority.
Helping/Serving (Romans 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:28)
This fairly general gift is utterly important to the body. Every ministry in the church depends on practical and necessary tasks being done behind the scenes. Those with this gift not only accomplish such tasks, but do so cheerfully with the knowledge that they are putting other ministers in a position to succeed. Since so much ‘help’ is needed in the typical local church, this is a good place for new Christians to begin as they await further clarity as to their dominant spiritual gift.
Interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10, 30)
This gift comes alongside the gift of tongues and is integral to making that gift edifying to the body of Christ. When someone speaks in tongues in a congregational setting, it must also be interpreted for the rest of the church.
Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)
This gift is often interpreted as the special ability to know/share pieces of information about someone that cannot be explained without recourse to God. Since, however, that is parallel to the gift of prophecy, it may be better to understand this gift simply as a God-given proficiency regarding His word/truth. This would entail a broad understanding of the biblical method and the ability to fruitfully convey as much.
Leadership (Romans 12:8)
Leadership has to do with ruling/governing. Biblical leaders are hard-working servants and they serve the body primarily by casting vision and then helping the body keep its eye on the prize.
Mercy (Romans 12:8)
The word is closely connected to compassion. Those with this gift have a heightened sense of compassion for the last, least, and lost. Not only do the sense the need, but they find ways to meet the need. This, in turn, often softens the hearts of the unbelieving world and sets the stage for evangelism. Again, compassion as a spiritual gift is done cheerfully and passionately.
Miracle working (Mark 16:18, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28-29)
This is another broader category as various acts are referred to as miracles in Scripture (exorcisms, healings, power over nature). It is not that someone with the gift of miracle working could do miracles at will (all gifts are under God’s sovereignty), but certain people seem to be utilized by God in a miracle working ministry.
Pastoring (Ephesians 4:11)
The word, in the original languages, is shepherd. A shepherd is someone who makes a long-term commitment to a flock. Shepherds guide, protect, and feed the flock. The biblical usage assumes multiple people will be gifted in this area in each local church (collectively serving as elders).
Prophecy (Rom. 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, 28-29, Eph. 4:11)
There is no shortage of information or example in Scripture when it comes to this gift. Prophets boldly bring God’s word to people (whether it be about their present or, perhaps, about their future) in a way that often seems to shake the status quo. Prophets provide God’s guidance in areas beyond, though not in contradiction to, written revelation. Some seem to be gifted in this area for life (Prophet), while others are given the gift occasionally. False prophets arise as well, which explains the need for the gift of distinguishing between spirits. Despite the dangers that accompany it, this gift is to be especially desired due to the value that it has for the local assembly.
Teaching (Rom. 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28-29, Eph. 4:11)
The gift entails the ability not only to understand revealed truth about God, but also to communicate such truths to God’s people in ways that improve the overall health of the body of Christ. Spiritual teaching results not only in the transfer of information, but the transformation of the students. Teachers carry a great responsibility to choose their words wisely so as to not lead others astray (false teachers do just that).
Tongues (Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30)
This gift was a source of controversy in Corinth and remains a source of controversy today. Basically, it is a God-given ability to speak to God in a language not native to the speaker. Corporately, it is to be used only in tandem with the gift of interpretation so that the words spoken may be edifying to the congregation.
Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)
Wisdom may be described as the combination of head-smarts and street-smarts. It is not only the awareness of truth, but the ability to apply the right truth at the right time. The gift of wisdom is the special ability to do this. Those with this gift are willing and able to provide good judgment in the midst of a crisis.
PROBABLE BIBLICAL GIFTS
The following gifts are probably intended to be viewed as spiritual gifts in Scripture despite the fact that they are not included in any of the ‘lists’ studied above.
Artistry/Craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3, 35:31, 35)
Many spiritual gift surveys leave out Old Testament references like this. Some are filled by God’s Spirit to make things for the Lord and the Lord’s people via ingenuity and skill.
Martyrdom (1 Corinthians 13:3)
In discussing the uselessness of gifts without love, Paul mentions surrendering one’s life as if that, too, is a spiritual gift. The status of a martyr would serve to remind the church of the extent of our commitment.
Voluntary Poverty (1 Corinthians 13:3)
In the same verse (see Martyrdom, above), Paul mentions voluntary poverty as if that, too, is a spiritual gift. The status of such a person would speak a message to the rest of the church concerning materialism.
Singleness (Matthew 19:11-12, 1 Corinthians 7:7)
Both Jesus and Paul seem to speak of singleness/celibacy as a spiritual gift. The ability to remain celibate and the status of singleness may demonstrate single-minded devotion to the church.
POSSIBLE EXTRA-BIBLICAL GIFTS
The number of extra-biblical gifts may be too great to list, but some of the more obvious possibilities are described below.
Celebrity
Some people come to a place of prominence in society, perhaps due to their personal accomplishments. Such a status may be used to bring glory to Christ in the public sphere.
Hospitality
This would be the special ability or proficiency for making people feel warmly welcomed. It may even be the case, given the context, that 1 Peter 4:9 intends for us to see hospitality as a spiritual gift.
Joy
Paul mentioned ‘faith’ as a spiritual gift. This opens up the possibility that other elements of the fruit of the Spirit may also be given to someone in a special sense as a spiritual gift. Some Christians seem to radiate joy.
Marriage
Paul clearly speaks of singleness/celibacy as a gift, but some have argued that marriage may also be a gift to the body in that it can demonstrate the beautiful union between Christ and the Church (see Ephesians 5:31-32).
Missionary
Though possibly overlapping with apostleship and/or evangelism, the missionary is a gift to the church. He/she both helps build up the church on the field and reminds the sending church of its missional purpose.
Music
Some are gifted with a special ability or proficiency in music that, when used to assist the body of Christ in praise and worship, are essentially that persons spiritual gift to the church.
Prayer
All Christians, of course, are called to pray continually, but some Christians are especially gifted with a great proficiency and/or the time to be prayer warriors for their local church family and/or the worldwide church.
Statesmen
This would be someone either with a special ability or who has become proficient at working within the worldly structures without compromising their faith. They bring the God’s wisdom to a broken world system.
Writing
Some people are clearly gifted writers. When someone uses this special ability or proficiency for the Kingdom of God and it produces spiritual fruit, their work may be viewed as a spiritual gift.
Questions & Answers about Spiritual Gifts
The Q&A below aims to address some of the most often asked questions pertaining to spiritual gifts.
Is every Christian given a spiritual gift?
Yes. A key spiritual gift passage (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) is bracketed by Paul’s statement that gifts are given to ‘each one.’
Can non-believers possess spiritual gifts?
Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is yes. In some cases, God (perhaps temporarily and unbeknownst to the individual) endows unbelievers with spiritual gifts that fulfill godly purposes Caiaphas prophecies in John 11:49-51. Similarly, Gamaliel seems to have a message of wisdom that bore fruit for the kingdom in Acts 5:35-39.
Is my giftedness set in stone at conversion?
Not necessarily. While it may be common to possess the same spiritual gift(s) throughout the course of one’s life, it is quite possible to acquire gifts subsequent to conversion (why else would Paul tell the Corinthians to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy?)
Are gifts permanent or occasional?
Some gifts are likely given on a permanent basis (throughout the course of the believer’s earthly life) while others are given occasionally (for an momentary purpose). It may also be possible to forfeit a gift through neglect.
How are they different from talents/skills?
Most spiritual gift literature draws a sharp distinction between natural talents/abilities and spiritual gifts. In reality, the line is quite blurred. Three factors combine to cause this misunderstanding. First, it must be recognized that there really is no such thing as a ‘natural’ talent. All good things (including talents) are gifts from God. Second, there is no such thing as a person totally void of a relationship to God’s Spirit. God’s prevenient grace works in all people. Third, the distinction between talents and spiritual gifts should not be made solely on the basis of their content, but on the motivation behind them and the fruit which God produces through them.
How do spiritual gifts relate to Warren’s S.H.A.P.E.?
Rick Warren has developed a popular tool helping Christians determine their fit for ministry. It involves looking at their S.H.A.P.E. (spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences). In his model, spiritual gifts are narrowly defined and just one aspect to consider when determining a ministry fit. Conversely, this study defines spiritual gifts more broadly and includes factors like heart/passion, ability/talent, personality, and experience within the spiritual gift terminology. These are just two different ways of looking at the data. Both models may be helpful.
Just how is H.A.P.E. incorporated into this model?
This study assumes that when God grants someone a spiritual gift, that gift comes with a burden or desire or passion for that area of ministry. This doesn’t mean that every person WANTS to serve in the area that they are gifted (though that is the norm), but one will at the very least be burdened by the area of ministry for which they are gifted. Spiritual gifts may be God-given talents that are developed for godly service. The same gift might vary in style due to personality or the experiences we’ve been through, but that doesn’t mean we need to engage in exhaustive personality tests or go down memory lane to figure out where to serve. Christians should serve where they are spiritually gifted. Rather than being competing components, our passions, talents, personality, and experiences help us to identify our spiritual gifts. They stylize the spiritual gift in the individual and bring about beautiful diversity.
Were some gifts only for the 1st century?
Cessationists teach that the miraculous gifts ceased in the 1st century as they were only given to build the foundation for The Church. While it is true that the miraculous gifts served such a purpose (and that that particular purpose has ceased), there is no good biblical argument for the cessationist position. Miraculous gifts serve as signs to unbelievers, meet the needs of people, and grow God’s people to maturity. All three of these purposes continue to exist and so, given the fact that the Bible does not indicate cessationism, it makes very much sense that the miraculous gifts continue.
Just how many extra-biblical gifts might there be?
How many parts does a body have? It depends on how detailed you want to get. The most important thing is not to figure out how many spiritual gifts exist, but to figure out how many ways we can serve God, God’s work, and God’s people.
Are some gifts just for men?
While this subject can be controversial, this study finds no reason to believe that God only dispenses certain gifts to one gender. In the Bible we find females serving as apostles, prophets and teachers.
What if this study interpreted a specific gift incorrectly?
It is, of course, possible that some of the gifts defined above have been interpreted incorrectly. But given the reality that there are many ‘extra-biblical’ gifts, it is unlikely that any of the gifts included in this study do not exist. At worst, the study is incomplete and includes some incorrect labels.
How do I determine what gifts I have been given?
There are many ways: Perhaps God will reveal it to you through another Christian or via church leadership; Perhaps by trial and error; Perhaps a written test; Perhaps your passions, talents, personality, and experiences will point you in the right direction; Perhaps the affirmation of the body will bring clarity; Or perhaps God will reveal it directly or as a calling. The greatest determining factor, however, is whether God produces spiritually beautiful results through you.
6 Step Assessment Tool
The following 7-Steps are offered as an imperfect method for discovering your spiritual gift(s).
STEP 1 PRAY
Spiritual gifts are spiritual. To best determine your spiritual gifts you should be in a spiritual state. Talk to God about this topic. Tell God that you want to serve Him as fruitfully as possible. Ask Him to empower you for this service through spiritual gifts. Ask Him to reveal to you what your gifts are. Listen for an answer (not only through silence but through the remaining steps if necessary).
STEP 2 STUDY
You’re welcome to use this study as a guide, but by all means get into the Scriptures themselves. Study the relevant biblical material. Follow up with topical studies on specific gifts that intrigue you. Start thinking about the various gifts and see which ones stay in your mind. Write down the gifts that you seem to most resonate with. Keep praying too.
STEP 3 TALK
Talk to Christians that you respect about spiritual gifts. The conversation should include discussion of your passions, talents, personality and experiences. Ask them what they think your gifts might be. See if their thoughts correspond to the ones you wrote down. Pray together. Study together. Stay in conversation throughout the rest of the process.
STEP 4 TEST
If you desire further confirmation, take a spiritual gift assessment test. There are many such tests available online (just search for ‘spiritual gift test’ or ‘spiritual gift analysis’ or ‘spiritual gift assessment.’ You’ll find plenty of options. If you don’t have internet access, ask your local church to provide you with one (or more… they’ll likely be thrilled at your interest). Just keep in mind that they are just tools. Some of them will be better than others. Keep praying, keep studying. Keep talking. Take as many tests as you like (so long as you’re not just avoiding action!)
STEP 5 TRY
Working with your church family, attempt to put a spiritual gift that has come to the forefront as a result of prayer, study, talking with other Christians, and test results into practice. See how it goes over a period of time. Don’t get discouraged too easily and don’t jump to conclusions. Keep praying, studying, talking, testing, and trying. Wait for affirmation from the Spirit and the Church. Determine if there are spiritually positive results coming from your ministry.
STEP 6 TRY AGAIN
If the previous steps did not lead to affirmation and spiritual fruit, don’t be discouraged. Try another gift that was on the forefront of your mind throughout the process. Stay engaged in prayer, study, conversation, testing, and trying new ministries. God is not trying to hide your gift(s) from you, but it may take some time.
Re: Spiritual Gifts
Matt,
Good work and helpful list, but I would question this one:
And if singing is a spiritual gift it would support the idea that we are, at least, born with them as much as given them when "born again". Perhaps it has happened, but I have never heard of someone who couldn't "carry a tune in a bucket" suddenly be enabled to sing like a bird.
Good work and helpful list, but I would question this one:
If tongues are for the purpose of communicating with God, and practiced in that manner, then your stated principle would seem non-applicable:Tongues (Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30)
This gift was a source of controversy in Corinth and remains a source of controversy today. Basically, it is a God-given ability to speak to God in a language not native to the speaker. Corporately, it is to be used only in tandem with the gift of interpretation so that the words spoken may be edifying to the congregation.
I can think of no scripture that would establish the purpose as communicating with God.Spiritual gifts are given for the common good
Mark 16:15-20, 1 Cor 12:7, 14:1-19, 26, Eph 4:11-13, 1 Ptr 4:10-11
And if singing is a spiritual gift it would support the idea that we are, at least, born with them as much as given them when "born again". Perhaps it has happened, but I have never heard of someone who couldn't "carry a tune in a bucket" suddenly be enabled to sing like a bird.
Re: Spiritual Gifts
In Acts 2, tongues involved declaring the wonders of God... which I take to mean, praising Him.Homer wrote:Matt,
Good work and helpful list, but I would question this one:
If tongues are for the purpose of communicating with God, and practiced in that manner, then your stated principle would seem non-applicable:Tongues (Mark 16:17, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30)
This gift was a source of controversy in Corinth and remains a source of controversy today. Basically, it is a God-given ability to speak to God in a language not native to the speaker. Corporately, it is to be used only in tandem with the gift of interpretation so that the words spoken may be edifying to the congregation.
I can think of no scripture that would establish the purpose as communicating with God.Spiritual gifts are given for the common good
Mark 16:15-20, 1 Cor 12:7, 14:1-19, 26, Eph 4:11-13, 1 Ptr 4:10-11
In 1 Cor 14, it specifically says that "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God"
Thus, tongues without interpretation may serve the 'common good' of being a witness to unbelievers (as in Acts 2). Or, with interpretation, it may serve the 'common good' of being edifying to believers. In either setting it is not contradictory to anything I wrote as far as I can tell.
I directly state that I think spiritual gifts are often connected to our God-given talentsAnd if singing is a spiritual gift it would support the idea that we are, at least, born with them as much as given them when "born again". Perhaps it has happened, but I have never heard of someone who couldn't "carry a tune in a bucket" suddenly be enabled to sing like a bird.