Spiritual gifts are exactly that. They are super abilities given to every person who has the Holy Spirit living on the inside of them. They are given by God, and they are given for a spiritual purpose—to build up the body and to reflect the Lord Jesus Christ. Your spiritual gift is a characteristic of Jesus and an ability of Jesus. Did Jesus possess all of the spiritual gifts? Yes! All of these have been distributed to His people so that when they come together, they reflect the fullness of the Lord. No wonder the Apostle Paul says for us not to neglect the gift that we have been given!
The list of gifts mentioned in the New Testament are found in four New Testament passages:
1. Romans 12
2. 1 Corinthians 12
3. Ephesians 4
4. 1 Peter 4
These are not an exhaustive list mentioning all the gifts. Think about it. Does Jesus have more gifts than what’s mentioned here? Yes!
These gifts can be categorized into four sections:
1. Special Gifts: Apostles (one sent forth), Prophets (one who speaks out—God’s mouthpiece), Evangelists (one who proclaims the Good News), Pastors (shepherds), Teachers (explainers of Scripture).
2. Speaking Gifts: Prophecy (the ability to reveal truth and proclaim it in a way that sticks), Teaching (the ability to understand, clearly explain and apply the Word of God), Encouragement (the ability to strengthen those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith), Words of Wisdom (The ability to speak wisdom in a specific situation), Words of Knowledge (The ability to know truth and bring truth to a fellow believer), Evangelism (the ability to explain the Gospel in an understandable way that leads to faith).
3. Serving Gifts: Helping (The ability to take the burden off of someone and place it on yourself), Leadership (The ability to “steer the ship” and get it to its destination) , Administration (The ability to organize), Giving (The ability to give financially with joy and enthusiasm), Mercy (The ability to be filled with compassion and moved to action to help those in need), Discernment (The ability to distinguish between truth and error, good and evil, right and wrong), Faith (The ability to believe God and act on His promises with unwavering belief), Apostleship (divine ability to expand the kingdom), Pastor (divine ability to nurture, protect and shepherd those in the body).
4. Sign Gifts: Speaking in an unknown language (The endowment to speak in a language that is foreign to you), Interpretation of an unknown language (The endowment to interpret what is being said in a language that is unknown to you), miracles (The endowment to do powerful, miraculous things), healing (The endowment to heal and restore others).
Things to know:
These are not natural abilities but supernatural abilities given by God when you become a Christ-follower.
Not all people have the same gift, and no one has all the gifts, except Jesus.
Some gifts are permanent and others are given at certain times as needed.
Your gift is not for you but for others. It is given so that the body of Christ can be built up, not yourself.
Gifts are given for the furtherment of the Gospel and the Glory of God.
They are easy to find. Why would God give you a gift only to hide it from you? Ask Him to show you and reveal it to you!
The closer you are to Jesus, the more you will manifest His character (fruit) and His abilities (gifts).
The best place to display and use your gift is in your box church! Find out what it is and start using it immediately!
For an additional resource,
go to www.spiritualgiftstest.com
The list of gifts mentioned in the New Testament are found in four New Testament passages:
1. Romans 12
2. 1 Corinthians 12
3. Ephesians 4
4. 1 Peter 4
These are not an exhaustive list mentioning all the gifts. Think about it. Does Jesus have more gifts than what’s mentioned here? Yes!
These gifts can be categorized into four sections:
1. Special Gifts: Apostles (one sent forth), Prophets (one who speaks out—God’s mouthpiece), Evangelists (one who proclaims the Good News), Pastors (shepherds), Teachers (explainers of Scripture).
2. Speaking Gifts: Prophecy (the ability to reveal truth and proclaim it in a way that sticks), Teaching (the ability to understand, clearly explain and apply the Word of God), Encouragement (the ability to strengthen those who are discouraged or wavering in their faith), Words of Wisdom (The ability to speak wisdom in a specific situation), Words of Knowledge (The ability to know truth and bring truth to a fellow believer), Evangelism (the ability to explain the Gospel in an understandable way that leads to faith).
3. Serving Gifts: Helping (The ability to take the burden off of someone and place it on yourself), Leadership (The ability to “steer the ship” and get it to its destination) , Administration (The ability to organize), Giving (The ability to give financially with joy and enthusiasm), Mercy (The ability to be filled with compassion and moved to action to help those in need), Discernment (The ability to distinguish between truth and error, good and evil, right and wrong), Faith (The ability to believe God and act on His promises with unwavering belief), Apostleship (divine ability to expand the kingdom), Pastor (divine ability to nurture, protect and shepherd those in the body).
4. Sign Gifts: Speaking in an unknown language (The endowment to speak in a language that is foreign to you), Interpretation of an unknown language (The endowment to interpret what is being said in a language that is unknown to you), miracles (The endowment to do powerful, miraculous things), healing (The endowment to heal and restore others).
Things to know:
These are not natural abilities but supernatural abilities given by God when you become a Christ-follower.
Not all people have the same gift, and no one has all the gifts, except Jesus.
Some gifts are permanent and others are given at certain times as needed.
Your gift is not for you but for others. It is given so that the body of Christ can be built up, not yourself.
Gifts are given for the furtherment of the Gospel and the Glory of God.
They are easy to find. Why would God give you a gift only to hide it from you? Ask Him to show you and reveal it to you!
The closer you are to Jesus, the more you will manifest His character (fruit) and His abilities (gifts).
The best place to display and use your gift is in your box church! Find out what it is and start using it immediately!
For an additional resource,
go to www.spiritualgiftstest.com