A list of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, found in these verses.
(This list may well be incomplete according to other passages in the Bible)
In this Blog we dig into a study of the various Gifts named and look at examples from scripture of where they were put into practice by the disciples of Jesus and His followers.
— To accomplish this we first take a scripture portion naming the Gift, and then look at where it was put into service.
— To do this I will direct you to the POINTS Page, (SEE P1-P17), this page is found by scrolling to the last section of this Blog.
— It is helpful, for simplicities sake if you could hard copy that page for easier quick reference. (KK)
About the gifts of the Holy Spirit from 1st Corinthians 12:1-11 (ERV) Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand about spiritual gifts. (2) You remember the lives you lived before you were believers. You let yourselves be influenced and led away to worship idols—things that have no life. (3) So I tell you that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “Jesus be cursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Q1 — Why does Paul start teaching about spiritual gifts with this introduction to spiritual matters?
(Vs.4-7) There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. (5) There are different ways to serve, but we serve the same Lord. (6) And there are different ways that God works in people, but it is the same God who works in all of us to do everything. (7) Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person. The Spirit gives this to each one to help others.
Q2 – Why the repetition of; same Spirit; same Lord; same God, in Vs.4-6?
Q3 – Why does God give something from the Holy Spirit to each of us?
Q4 – Is there is any true believer who has nothing to contribute?
Now we enter Paul’s teaching on the following Gifts of the Holy Spirit that God gives His people.
(Vs.8a) The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom. (SEE P1) Point #1
(Vs.8b) And the same Spirit gives another person the ability to speak with knowledge. (SEE P2)
(Vs.9a) The same Spirit gives faith to one person (SEE P3)
(Vs.9b) and to another he gives gifts of healing. (SEE P4)
(Vs.10a) The Spirit gives to one person the power to do miracles, (SEE P5)
(Vs.10b) to another the ability to prophesy, (SEE P6)
(Vs.10c) and to another the ability to judge what is from the Spirit and what is not. (SEE P7)
(Vs.10d) The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak in different kinds of languages, (SEE P8)
(Vs.10e) and to another the ability to interpret those languages. (SEE P9)
(11) One Spirit, the same Spirit, does all these things. The Spirit decides what to give each one.
Next we look at more about the gifts of the Holy Spirit from Ephesians 4:1-12…
(Vs.1-5) So, as a prisoner for the Lord, I beg you to live the way God’s people should live, because he chose you to be his. (2) Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love. (3) You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace hold you together. (4) There is one body and one Spirit, and God chose you to have one hope. (5) There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. (6) There is one God and Father of us all, who rules over everyone. He works through all of us and in all of us.
Q5 – What seems to be the chief concern (worry) that Paul tries to correct in these verses?
(Vs.7-11) Christ gave each one of us a special gift. Everyone received what he wanted to give them. (8) That is why the Scriptures say, “He went up high into the sky; he took prisoners with him, and he gave gifts to people.” (9) When it says, “He went up,” what does it mean? It means that he first came down low to earth. (10) So Christ came down, and he is the same one who went up. He went up above the highest heaven in order to fill everything with himself.
Q6 – In Vs.7, what message about God’s gift-giving is repeated here?
Q7 – There is a very important point hidden in these verses about who we represent as we use these gifts, what is that point? (Who do we represent as we use our Spiritual Gifts?)
(Vs.11) And that same Christ gave these gifts to people:
(Vs.11a) He made some to be apostles, (SEE P10)
(Vs.11b) some to be prophets, (SEE P6)
(Vs.11c) some to go and tell the Good News, (SEE P11)
(Vs.11d) and some to care for and teach God’s people. (SEE P12)
(Vs.12) Christ gave these gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.
Now we look into the Gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in Romans 12:3-8 (ERV) God has given me a special gift, and that is why I have something to say to each one of you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us. (4) Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing. (5) In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others. (6) We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us.(Click here to return to study 10b)
— Again, Paul is pushing the point of unity in humility and appreciation of our place in an always victorious team.
(Vs.6b) Whoever has the gift of prophecy should use that gift in a way that fits the kind of faith they have. (SEE P6)
– If we have the gift to declare a message from God, our message will resonate only as far as our faith will carry it.
(Vs.7a) Whoever has the gift of serving should serve. (SEE P13)
(Vs.7b) Whoever has the gift of teaching should teach. (SEE P12)
(Vs.8a) Whoever has the gift of comforting others should do that. (SEE P14)
(Vs.8b) Whoever has the gift of giving to help others should give generously. (SEE P15)
(Vs.8c) Whoever has the gift of leading should work hard at it. (SEE P16)
(Vs.8d) Whoever has the gift of showing kindness to others should do it gladly. (SEE P17)
I agree completely with Romans 12:6 “We all have different gifts. Each gift comes because of the grace God gave us.”
— Let us all try to discover and use the gifts God has given us. Remember, they are for the benefit of others, and are not meant for self-glorification. – God will bless us and those around us, if we make good use of His life changing gifts. (KK)
What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
There is some dispute as to the exact number of gifts of the Holy Spirit, but here is a list of spiritual gifts referenced in the Bible verses above and their essential meanings.
Points of note from this study. – (Click here to return to study)
• P1 – The Gift of Wisdom – the gift to make choices and give counsel that is according to God’s will. (SEE Gal. 2:11-14)
• P2 – The Gift of Knowledge – the gift to understand spiritual issues in life. (SEE Matt. 16:13-17 / John 11;20-27)
• P3 – The Gift of Faith – the gift to trust God and inspire others to trust God, no matter the conditions. (Paul / Acts 27)
• P4 – The Gift of Healing – the gift of using God’s power to cure a person who is ill or suffering. (SEE Acts 3:1-10)
• P5 – The Gift of Signs & Wonders – the gift to display signs and miracles that give credibility to the Gospel message.
(SEE Jesus in Matt. 14:17-21 – loaves and fishes.) & (Peter in Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira)
• P6 – The Gift of Prophecy – the anointing to declare a message from God. (SEE 1st Cor. 14:24-25)
(Click here to return to study 1 Cor. 12:10)
• P7 – The Gift of Discernment – the gift of the ability to recognize whether or not something is truly from God or in accordance with righteousness. (SEE 1st Cor. 12:10 “the ability to distinguish between spirits,”)
• P8 – The Gift of Tongues – the gift to communicate in a foreign language you do not have experience with.
— It can also be a Heavenly language that is understood by God and His angels. (SEE 1st Cor. 13:1 & 14:2)
• P9 – The Gift of Interpreting Tongues – the gift of interpreting the speech and writings of a different language and translating it back to others in your own. (SEE 1st Cor. 14:26-28)
• P10 – The Gift of ‘large A’ Apostle: means; officially a commissioner of Christ (“Apostle”), (with miraculous powers) – an official position. (SEE Col.1:1-2 – Usually a calling noted as “an Apostle of Christ Jesus.”)
— It can also mean a ‘small a’ apostle, – any messenger that God sends out. (SEE 2nd Cor. 8:23)
(Click here to return to study Eph.4)
• P11 – Gift of evangelism – The anointing to preach the Gospel (The Good News of salvation through Christ).
– (SEE Acts 21:8 – “Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.”)
• P12 – The gift of teaching – the anointing to instruct in Christian doctrine and knowledge. (SEE Romans 12:6-7)
(Click here to return to study Romans 12)
• P13 – The Gift of Helps or Service – an anointed desire to help others to achieve a task. (SEE Gal. 6:9-10)
• P14 – The Gift of Encouragement – the anointed desire to comfort and encourage others. (SEE 1st Th. 5:9-11 & Rom.12:8)
• P15 – The Gift of Generosity – an anointed call to give to God’s work and to people’s needs. (SEE Rom. 12:8)
• P16 – The Gift of Administration – the gift of keeping things ordered according to God’s principles. (SEE Rom. 12:8)
• P17 – The Gift of Compassion – The Holy Spirit moving on us to reach out and help the hurting. (SEE Heb. 10:32-34)
These Gifts are given to us so we may serve others with power given of the Holy Spirit.
— I have been taught that each Gift we are given is what you might call your ‘working Gift(s)’ and that these may change as the Lord chooses, according to His call on your life.
— We should desire all these Gifts, and joyfully accept those God chooses to give each of us to serve others.
— It is also noted that we are often blessed with the temporary use of a Gift that is not our ‘working Gift’. For your working Gift might be Teaching, and yet you may be moved in a special moment of compassion to reach out and help someone. These Holy Spirit inspired moments can be crucial in leading others to healing, comfort, and even to salvation.
— I also see that a measure of each of these gifts should dwell in each believer, for indeed at salvation we become the Temple of God’s Holy Spirit, and His Spirit comes to live in each of us.
As an example, read 1st John 4:7-13. (We will discuss other ‘Holy Spirit gifting necessities’.)
These Gifts come from Jesus, and are not earned or acquired from men, and yet we can help each other in seeking our unique anointings (Gifts) by praying for one another to receive the Gifting God has for each of us.
— What we call ‘The Baptism of the Holy Spirit’ happens to each as willed of God and can happen in different ways.
— However, it will always be a life-changing moment in every Christian’s experience.
— If you desire this experience, we can pray with you for this empowerment, and God will answer according to His will in your life and according to His perfect timing.
And so, we will close this study in prayer.
(If you want to comment or add your own testimony of God at work in your life, I would love to hear from you. Please use the comments section at the bottom of this page. Thanks, and God bless.) …KK
Bible references
Click here to return to study…
P1 – The Gift of Wisdom – the gift to make choices and give counsel that is according to God’s will.
Gal. 2:11-14… But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (12) For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. (13) And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. (14) But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
— This is one of the Gifts that can sometimes be a source of irritation to others when wisdom corrects bad behavior.
Click here to return to study…
P2 – The Gift of Knowledge – the gift to understand spiritual issues in life.
Matt. 16:13-17… Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (14) And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (15) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (16) Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (17) And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
John 11:20-27… So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. (21) Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. (22) But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” (23) Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” (24) Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” (25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (26) and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (27) She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Click here to return to study…
P3 – The Gift of Faith – the gift to trust God and inspire others to trust God, no matter the conditions.
In Acts chapter 27, you find the harrowing sea journey and shipwreck of the Apostle Paul. Even though a prisoner, Paul was able to pass on his faith to others of the guarantee of safety for all who would obey God’s plan for all lives to be saved. The centurion’s own faith in Paul’s words is also remarkable.
Click here to return to study…
P4 – The Gift of Healing – the gift of using God’s power to cure a person who is ill or suffering.
Acts 3:1-10… Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (2) And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. (3) Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. (4) And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” (5) And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. (6) But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (7) And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. (8) And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God, (10) and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Click here to return to study…
P5 – The Gift of Signs & Wonders – the gift to display signs and miracles that give credibility to the Gospel message.
By Jesus in Matt. 14:17-21… They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” (18) And he said, “Bring them here to me.” (19) Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. (20) And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. (21) And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Thru Peter in Acts 5:1-11… But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, (2) and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (3) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? (4) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” (5) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. (6) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. (7) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” (9) But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (10) Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (11) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Click here to return to study…
P6 – The Gift of Prophecy – the anointing to declare a message from God.
1st Cor. 14:24-25… But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, (25) the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
Click here to return to study…
P7 – The Gift of Discernment – the gift of the ability to recognize whether or not something is truly from God or in accordance with righteousness.
1st Cor. 12:10… 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.
(Click here to return to study 1 Cor. 12:10)
P8 – The Gift of Tongues – the gift to communicate in a foreign language you do not have experience with.
— It can also be a Heavenly language that is understood by God and His angels.
1st Cor. 13:1… If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1st Cor. 14:2… 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.
(Click here to return to study 1 Cor. 12:10)
P9 – The Gift of Interpreting Tongues – the gift of interpreting the speech and writings of a different language and translating it back to others in your own.
1st Cor. 14:26-28… What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (27) If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. (28) But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
(Click here to return to study 1 Cor. 12:10)
P10 – The gift of a ‘large A’ Apostle: means; officially a commissioner of Christ (“Apostle”), (with miraculous powers) – an official position. (Usually a calling noted as “an Apostle of Christ Jesus.”)
Col.1:1-2… Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, (2) To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
— It can also mean a ‘small a’ apostle – any messenger that God sends out.
2nd Cor. 8:23… As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
(Click here to return to study Eph.4)
P11 – Gift of evangelism – The anointing to preach the Gospel (The Good News of salvation through Christ).
Acts 21:8… On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
(Click here to return to study Eph.4)
P12 – The gift of teaching – the anointing to instruct in Christian doctrine and knowledge.
Romans 12:6-8… 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.
(Click here to return to study Romans 12)
P13 – The Gift of Helps or Service – an anointed desire to help others to achieve a task.
Gal. 6:8-10… For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (9) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (10) So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(Click here to return to study Romans 12)
P14 – The Gift of Encouragement – the anointed desire to comfort and encourage others.
1st Th. 5:9-11… For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. (11) Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Rom. 12:8… 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.
(Click here to return to study Romans 12)
P15 – The Gift of Generosity – an anointed call to give to God’s work and to people’s needs.
Rom. 12:8… 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.
(Click here to return to study Romans 12)
P16 – The Gift of Administration – the gift of keeping things ordered according to God’s principles.
Rom. 12:8 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.
(Click here to return to study Romans 12)
P17 – The Gift of Compassion – The Holy Spirit moving on us to reach out and help the hurting.
Heb. 10:32-34… But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, (33) sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. (34) For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.