Gift of the holy spirit

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all togeth­er in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. – Acts 2:1-4

INTRODUCTION

The gifts of the Holy Spirit refers to the various manifestations and em­powerments given by the Holy Spirit to believers in the Christian faith.

In 1 Peter 4:10, Peter speaks of spiritual gifts in two broad categories – speaking for God and serving God. “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

The spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthi­ans 12 and Romans 12 are gifts of grace, given by God to encourage the church. These gifts are reflections of God’s grace expressed through individuals by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Here are some key points about the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

1. Biblical Basis: The concept of spiritual gifts is primarily found in passages such as Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:11-13, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. These passages describe a variety of gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the Church.

2. Purpose and Function: Spir­itual gifts are given for the purpose of building up the body of Christ, promoting unity, and equipping be­lievers for service. They are intended to be used in love and to bring glory to God. The gifts are diverse and can include teaching, prophecy, heal­ing, miracles, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, wisdom, knowledge, faith, administration, and many others.

3. Individual and Corporate Ex­pression: The gifts of the Holy Spirit are bestowed on individual believers but are meant to be exercised within the context of the Christian commu­nity. Each believer has at least one spiritual gift, and these gifts com­plement one another for the overall benefit of the Church.

4. Holy Spirit’s Sovereignty: The distribution of spiritual gifts is at the discretion of the Holy Spirit. It is not a matter of personal achievement or merit but a result of the Spirit’s work within the believer. No one gift is superior to another, and all gifts are essential for the functioning of the Church.

5. Discernment and Use: Believ­ers are encouraged to discern and discover their spiritual gifts through prayer, seeking God’s guidance, and observing areas of effectiveness and fruitfulness in serving others. They are also encouraged to use their gifts faithfully and responsibly, under the guidance of biblical principles and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

6. Fruits of the Spirit: While spiritual gifts are distinct from the fruits of the Spirit (such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, good­ness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), they are interconnect­ed. The fruits of the Spirit reflect the character and transformational work of the Holy Spirit within a believer’s life, which then empowers and influ­ences the exercise of spiritual gifts.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

1. The Gift of Wisdom – the gift to make choices and give leadership that is according to God’s will.

2. The Gift of Knowledge – the gift to comprehensively understand a spiritual issue or circumstance.

3. The Gift of Faith – the gift to trust God and inspire others to trust God, no matter the conditions.

4. The Gift of Healing – the wondrous gift to use God’s healing power/ supernatural ability to re­store physical, emotional, or spiritual wholeness through prayer and the laying on of hands.

5. The Gift of Miracles – the gift to display signs and miracles that give credibility to God’s Word and the Gospel message.

6. The Gift of Prophecy – the gift to declare a message from God.

7. The Gift of Discerning Spirits – The ability to distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of er­ror, enabling believers to make wise judgments.

8. The Gift of Tongues – The ability to speak in languages not previously learned or understood, either for personal prayer or public utterance, often accompanied by the gift of interpretation.

9. The Gift of Administration – the gift to keep things ordered and in agreement with God’s principles.

10. The Gift of Service – the gift of a desire and capacity to always help, assist, support and meet the practical needs of others selflessly.

11. The Gift of Mercy: The ability to show compassion, empathy, and kindness to those who are suffering or in need.

12. The Gift of Teaching: The ability to communicate biblical truth in a way that others can understand and apply to their lives.

13. The Gift of Exhortation: The ability to encourage, challenge, and motivate others to live out their faith and pursue spiritual growth.

14. The Gift of Leadership: The ability to guide and direct others toward a common goal, providing vision, organisation, and accountabil­ity.

Conclusion

Every Christian has a role to play within God’s divine plan and is uniquely gifted. Spiritual gifts are meant to work together harmoniously to build up the body of Christ, bringing glory to God, and further His kingdom on earth.

2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Paul instructed that “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us… let [us] use [them] in proportion to [our] faith,” – Romans 12:6.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are part of “everything we need” to accomplish His plans for our lives.

God empowers His people with spiritual gifts to equip them in their service to Him. The church is healthiest when everyone is using their gifts for the mutual edification of God’s people.

Stay blessed!

For further inquiries please con­tact us on Tel Nos. 0243588467 or 0268130615

Email: saltnlightministries@ gmail.com

Website: saltandlightministries­gh.org

By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author