Page 64 - Personal Spiritual Life Syllabus w videos

There are actually three Biblical lists of the “gifts of the Spirit”, also known as spiritual gifts. The three
main passages describing the spiritual gifts are Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; and 1 Corinthians
12:28. The spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 are prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving,
leadership, and mercy. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 includes the word of wisdom, the word of
knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in
tongues and interpretation of tongues.

Many of these gifts are considered permanent gifts given to believers throughout the church age.
Others were given as temporary “sign gifts” for the purpose of validating the message of the one
exercising the gift. They were given to the early church to enable the gospel to be preached throughout
the world to all the nations and in all known languages. It involved the divine ability to speak languages
previously unknown to the speaker. This gift authenticated the message of the gospel and those who
preached it as coming from God. The phrase “diversity of tongues” means several kinds of languages
and it eliminates the idea of a personal prayer language as some today say the gift of tongues is. In I
Corinthians 13 we read that the gift of tongues will cease of itself, or fade away.

I Corinthians 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will
cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

It is evident in this verse that prophecies and knowledge will pass and tongues will cease. The Greek
word for “cease” literally means “cease of itself” or “to vanish away.” In church history, shortly after the
st
1 Century church was passed and as the canon of Scripture was completed, the gift of tongues (being
able to speak in an unknown foreign language) ceased as a gift. Let’s take a few minutes to help you
understand what these gifts are:

Prophecy – Prophecy means “speaking forth” or declaring the purposes of God. It does not mean
predicting the future. The prophet or preacher is one who declares God’s will, interprets the purposes
of God, and makes God known to others in a way that the truth of God is upheld.

Serving – Serving comes from the Greek word, diakonian, where we get our modern word, deacon. It
means to serve to minister to the practical needs of others.

Teaching – Teaching involves the analysis and proclamation of the Word of God, explaining the
meaning, context, and application to the hearer’s life. This gift enables the teacher to have a unique
ability to clearly instruct and communicate knowledge, especially the doctrines of the faith.

Encouraging or exhortation – This gift is evident in those who consistently come to the side of another
believer to offer consolation, comfort, or correction in order to build up or strengthen the weak of faith
or those who are in the midst of trials.

Giving – Giving is demonstrated in those who joyfully share what they have with others, whether it is
financial, material, or the giving of personal time and attention. The giver is concerned for the needs of
others and seeks opportunities to share his material blessings with others as needs arise.

Leadership or Administration – This gift enables the recipient to preside over and manage other people
in the church or in service to God. The Greek word means “guide” and carries the idea of one who

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