The gifts of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in several places in Scripture.
Romans 12:6–8 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
From this text come seven spiritual gifts: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, and Showing mercy.
Ephesians 4:11–12 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ….”
From this text come four spiritual gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, and Pastors and teachers.
1 Corinthians 12:7–10 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”
From this text come nine spiritual gifts: Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning spirits, Tongues, and Interpretation.
1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”
From this text come eight spiritual gifts: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracles, Healing, Helping, Administration, and Tongues.
1 Peter 4:10–11 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
From this text come three spiritual gifts: Preaching (Speaking), Ministering, and Hospitality.
Exodus 35:30–36:1 “And Moses said to the children of Israel, ‘See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works. And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.’”
From this text come three spiritual gifts: Craftsmanship, Wisdom, and Teaching.
When we put these texts together, we see over twenty categories of spiritual gifts that are given by God for the building up of His church on Earth. These gifts God gives in the church overlap each other and work together to carry out the mission God has given to His church. For example, an evangelist will also use God’s gifts of knowledge and wisdom. Someone with the gift of hospitality may also teach, and speaking in another language works along with teaching, preaching, or exhortation.
God sometimes gives to men and women particular gifts for a limited time to serve Him in a specific place or situation. Receiving a spiritual gift doesn’t mean God gives us a superpower we have unlimited control over. For example, when God gives the gift of healing, it is something that He exercises through us. We don’t have the power to heal whoever we feel closest to. We must appeal to God for healing through prayer and obedience to His methods of healing. God also gives gifts in His measure. When we have an ability that God has given, others may have the same gift in a different measure (either more or less). “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6). There is no competition, and no dishonor in giving glory to God for the gifts He has given others.
Below is an explanation of the categories of spiritual gifts that God has placed in the church:
- Administration – The ability to make wise decisions, using foresight and careful planning. Setting goals, delegating tasks, evaluating needs and resources. Coupled with gifts of wisdom and leadership so that God’s people stay on course.
- Apostleship – Taking the gospel to a new place, adapting its presentation to their needs, culture, and experience. Establishing an organized church structure in a place where there has not been one before.
- Craftsmanship – Working with the hands and with the intellect to create useful items for the service of God.
- Discerning spirits – Separating truth from error in the messages and lives of others. Evaluating whether a teaching, message, or behavior is inspired by a godly or ungodly source.
- Evangelism – Communicating the gospel to nonbelievers.
- Exhortation – The ability to speak words of encouragement that inspire people to live lives worthy of God’s calling. Comforting and helping others so they are strengthened to follow God’s will.
- Faith – Trusting God’s promises and commands when there appears to be no human reason to believe. Inspiring others by your faithfulness to trust in God. See Hebrews 11 for Biblical examples of faith in action.
- Giving – Managing resources well so that there is freedom to generously support the work of evangelism and Christian service. Inspiring others to embrace a self-sacrificing spirit.
- Healing – Using God’s means to restore the sick to health.
- Helping (or service) – Recognizing work that needs to be done and joyfully helping with tasks that lift the burden from other workers.
- Hospitality – Welcoming guests and strangers to meet their needs with God’s love for the purpose of caring for or discipleship.
- Interpretation of tongues – Translating the gospel message so others can understand what is being spoken in a language they don’t speak.
- Knowledge – The ability to study wisely, and to analyze and organize the data in the Bible. Comprehending and organizing things God has revealed so they are able to be understood and applied.
- Leadership – Direct the actions of others with carefulness, attention to detail, and the ability to motivate others to follow God’s specific instructions.
- Ministry – Interacting directly with the needy by responding to their needs with help, encouragement, and care.
- Miracles – Asking in faith for God’s miraculous intervention when God gives the instruction to do so.
- Pastors – To care for the flock of God’s followers by protecting them from false teachers or teachings, giving timely instruction, knowing each family’s needs and helping others to use their gifts to meet those needs.
- Preaching – Presenting the gospel message to the church in a way that addresses current needs in the body of Christ.
- Prophecy – Speaking specific messages from God to others.
- Showing mercy – Empathy and sensitivity to the situation others are in. The desire to address the needs of others. Inspiring in others a desire to show God’s love in action.
- Teachers – Effectively communicating knowledge that inspires spiritual growth and strengthens the church.
- Tongues – Speaking the gospel message in a foreign language so others can understand.
- Wisdom – Understanding God’s will for individuals and for the church. Wisdom from experience, from understanding the principles of Scripture, and from a living connection with God through the Holy Spirit.
What gifts has God given you to use for His church? How do you know, and what should you do? Below are some steps you can follow to understand and put into practice the gifts God has given you to use for Him.
- First, surrender your life to Jesus. Commit all that you have and are to Him to be used for His purpose.
- Then, think about times when you felt that you were doing work God meant for you to do, using your talents for God’s purposes. Make a list of what you were doing, and what strengths from the list were present in your life at that time. Look for the top three to five gifts that come to your mind.
- Consider ways you help in the body of Christ now, and how you enjoy meeting needs around you. What types of needs touch your heart and make you long to reach out and help? List the spiritual gifts that would be important to meet the needs you care a lot about.
- Think about times people have responded to you by moving closer to God. This may be a response to something you did, to something you said, or to an example you set without knowing it. Occasionally someone will tell us that we have had a positive impact on their spiritual life. These encouragements can indicate where God has given us a spiritual gift to use for strengthening others.
- Look around you and ask God to help you notice what needs to be addressed? As you think and pray about those needs, see if God impresses your mind with ideas for how your talents or labor could be useful.
- Finally, make a list of the abilities or passions others have noticed in you. Ask several people who know you well and who care about you. They also need to have a close personal relationship with God themselves and demonstrate wisdom. Ask them to pray about your life and let you know what spiritual gifts they recognize in your life; especially gifts you may not identify or may be reluctant to use for God.
- When you have spent time putting your thoughts on paper and praying about the spiritual gifts God has placed in your reach, then pray about your list so that you can step out in faith to serve God. Ask Him to guide you as He has promised He will in James 1:5–6, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”