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| Anointed by the Holy Spirit Courtesy free clip art |
A Study in Spiritual Gifts
As Christians, we desire to serve our Lord and the
Church (his body), we realize that many are naturally gifted with inbred talents,
abilities, and aptitudes.
Although these natural capabilities are needed and
accepted they are not in the same category with the Spiritual gifts we find
listed in the Scripture of Corinthians 12.
This list covers nine (9) Spiritual gifts: Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Special Faith, Gifts of healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Distinguishing between spirits, Speaking
in different kinds of tongues, and the Interpretation of tongues.
The church has also been gifted with Administration gifts which include:
First apostles, second prophets,
third preacher/teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
administrations, varieties of tongues.
When you consider Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians
12 and combine these gifts, you come up with a summary of twenty three
Spiritual Gifts listed here by Uniquelyou.com/
(Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12)
- Administration / Ruling
- Apostleship / Pioneering
- Craftsmanship
- Creative Communication
- Discernment
- Encouraging / Exhorting
- Evangelism
- Faith
- Giving
- Healing
- Hospitality
- Intercession
- Interpretation
- Knowledge
- Leadership
- Miracles
- Pastor / Shepherding
- Prophecy / Perceiving
- Teaching
- Tongues
- Serving / Ministry
- Showing Mercy
- Wisdom
Many confuse the Spiritual Gifts with the FRUIT of the
Spirit. Fruit grows as we learn more
about Jesus and daily walk with Him.
Yes, whether we operate in Administration, or as a body to
use our Spiritual gifts to edify, exhort and encourage, we must also seek and
desire the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The Verses that record Fruit are found in:
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control/temperance. Against such there is no law.
Paul prayed in Ephesians 1:16-19:
“I Paul give thanks for you, making
mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the
riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is
the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the
working of His mighty power”
Paul urged us to earnestly seek the
best gifts. Which is the best gift for
you?
Might we say that it is the gift
needed at the moment. As Christians we
should seek God first in His holiness and volunteer to be equipped with his
anointing. At a necessary time, in
boldness claim His power within you to do the task before you.
Some of the nine Spiritual gifts seem to reside
in the individual while others only use one or more of the Holy gifts
occasionally in their life time.
It is the same Spirit that gives
gifts to his children, and always remember these gifts all operate by the Fruit
of Love.
An excellent book by Howard Carter
is; Questions and Answers on
Spiritual Gifts
by Howard Carter
It is out of print but is available as a used
book
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