SPIRITUAL GIFT DEFINITIONS AND FAQ'S

What is a spiritual gift?
How many spiritual gifts are there?
Who gives the spiritual gifts?
What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts?
How many gifts do I have?
What gifts do I have?
Does anyone have all of the spiritual gifts?
How do I use my gifts?
What is the difference between talents and spiritual gifts?
What are the definitions of each gift?

 

What is a spiritual gift?

A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to a person at the moment of his or her salvation.

How many spiritual gifts are there?

The Bible lists eighteen spiritual gifts in three different passages. They are: Romans 12, I Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.

Who gives the spiritual gifts?

The Holy Spirit, since the day of Pentecost has given each believer one or more spiritual gifts. See Ephesians 4:7, I Corinthians 12:7, 11

What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts?

The purpose of the gifts is to glorify God and to edify His church. We do this by using our gifts to bear much fruit that lasts. See Revelation 4:11, Ephesians 4:12-13 and John 15:8

How many gifts do I have?

Each believer has at least one spiritual gift given to them on the day of their salvation. See Ephesians 4:7, I Corinthians 12: 7, 11, I Corinthians 7:7, I Peter 4:10

What gifts do I have?

Only God knows, just kidding. We have developed a Spiritual Gifts Discovery Test to help you figure this one out.

Does anyone have all of the spiritual gifts?

No. Each believer is given a gift or gifts according to the will of God. See I Corinthians 12:29-30, I Corinthians 7:7

How do I use my gifts?

The Bible tells us to use our gifts in love. See I Corinthians 13:1-13. There are many ministries around the world that need believers with all kinds of gifts. We suggest you start by contacting someone in our church to find out where you can serve.

What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?

Good question. A talent is a natural ability given at birth. This could be anything from athletic ability to musical talent to artistic genius. Talents cannot be used to glorify God unless the Holy Spirit allows them to. The possessor of a particular talent cannot use it on his own power to glorify God if he is not a Christian. If, however, that person receives Christ, the Holy Spirit may then transform his talent into a supernatural gift that would fall under one of the gifts listed below. The Holy Spirit may also decide to give that person a totally different gift or gifts.

 

Administration/Ruling
 Giving
Miracles
Apostleship
Healing
Pastor/Teacher
Discernment of Spirits
Helps/Serving/Ministering
Prophecy
Evangelism
Interpretation of Tongues
Teaching
Exhortation
Knowledge
Tongues
Faith
Mercy
 Wisdom

 

Administration/Ruling

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to organize, administrate, and promote the various affairs of the local church's ministry to direct them effectively. A local church cannot grow beyond a certain point without the ministry of these individuals. See I Corinthians 12:28 Romans 12:8, Titus 1:4-5

 

Apostleship

This is the spiritual gift that refers to certain men called by Christ Himself and given special power to charter the newly formed church. See Ephesians 4:11, I Corinthians 12:28 See also Acts 1:21-22, I Corinthians 9:1

 

Discernment

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to know without a doubt whether a statement or behavior is of God, satan, or man.
See I Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:3-6, 16:16-18, I John 4:1

 

Evangelism

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables particular Christians to share the Gospel to unbelievers and burdens Christians about soul-winning. All Christians are called to witness for Christ whether they have this gift or not.
See Ephesians 4:11, Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, 21:8, Matthew 28:18-20

 

Exhortation 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to deliver challenging and encouraging words.
See Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24, 14:21-22, 15:32

 

Faith 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit provides Christians with great confidence to believe and expect great things from God.
See I Corinthians 12:9, Romans 5:1, 12:3, Hebrews 11

 

Giving 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to accumulate and give large amounts of their finances to the glory of God. See Romans 12:8, Acts 4:32-37, Galatians 4:15, Philippians 4:10-18, II Corinthians 8:1-5

 

Healing 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit uses certain Christians to restore physical or mental health to the sick or demon possessed. 
See I Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30, James 5:13-16

 

Helps/Serving/Ministering

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit empowers certain Christians to render practical help in both physical and spiritual matters. Serving one another, like evangelism, is a calling of all Christians, but there are some who have a special desire to serve, and receive great blessing from it. See Romans 12:7, I Corinthians 12:28, Galatians 6:1-2

 

Interpretation of Tongues

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit gives certain Christians the ability to clarify and interpret messages uttered in an unknown language. See I Corinthians 12:10

 

Knowledge 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit gives certain Christians the supernatural ability to understand God's Word and to effectively communicate it to others. See I Corinthians 12:8

 

Mercy 

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to minister to and have compassion for those who are suffering or afflicted.
See Romans 12:8, Luke 10:30-37

 

Miracles

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit empowers certain Christians to perform events that are outside the realm of nature. See I Corinthians 12:28

 

Prophecy

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit empowers certain Christians to receive revelation of events in the future. See Romans 12:6, I Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-5, 30-33, Ephesians 4:11, I Peter 1:20-21

 

Pastor/Teaching

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables certain Christians to preach and teach the Word of God and to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a body of believers. See Ephesians 4:11, I Peter 5:1-11

 

Teaching

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables particular Christians to communicate and clarify the details and truths of God's Word for others to learn.
See Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:11

 

Tongues

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit enables a Christian to supernaturally speak a previously unknown language. See I Corinthians 12:10, 30, 14:4, 39, Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6

 

Wisdom

This is the spiritual gift where the Spirit empowers particular Christians with a supernatural understanding of God's Word and the will to apply it to life situations. See I Corinthians 12:8, James 3:13-17.

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