Some believe their operation was limited to early Christianity. According to some Protestant denominations gifts like speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues were enjoyed only for a short time and were suited to the Church's infancy, not to later times. This view is known as cessationism. This opinion is held by John F. MacArthur, Jr., Robert L. Thomas and many other conservative mainline Protestants. Some Christian teachers such as Zola Levitt have maintained that the number of gifts cannot be determined.
Other groups, including Pentecostals, and other Holiness denominations of Christianity, take an opposing view, believing that the Spiritual gifts are still given by the Holy Spirit today, and Pentecostal meetings often involve ordinary parishioners displaying the use of these gifts (1 Cor 14). In addition, Catholic charismatics, Eastern Orthodoxy, and many other Protestant denominations also continue to believe in and make use of Spiritual gifts.
Yet others believe that the lists of gifts found in Scripture are representative, not exhaustive. They maintain that any talent or ability that the Holy Spirit uses for the good of the Church is a Spiritual gift.
Emphasis on teaching about the nine gifts of the Spirit originated from Howard Carter, an early Pentecostal evangelist. This is based on the text from 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 giving the gifts and listing them as the "gifts of the Spirit." They were later taught and popularized by Lester Sumrall, who accompanied Carter on many missionary journeys in his youth. Modern Bible teachers and scholars have come to the conclusion that there are other gifts of the Spirit listed in Scripture, as seen in the chart below.
Certain individuals hold that the short list of Spiritual gifts identified in I Cor 12:27-30 is a list drawn from the top three and is more a summary as Paul's discourse concludes and he speaks in general terms to all Christians who share in the variety of the three sets of Gifts.
The Corinthians category has the distinction of being Gifts as opposed to Administrations and Operations (verses 4-6). Verse 7, however, identifies and clarifies them precisely as manifestations that are available to all in the Body of Christ without reservation and at the will of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit Himself chooses one person or another to exhibit a particular Gift for the profit of all. One may be given the Gift of Healing because of a hospital visit that day, while the following day he may be given the Gift of Prophecy in order to communicate God's will and love to a local congregation. These Gifts are understood to be manifestations given at the time of need for the purpose at hand. Each individual believer, if open and willing to be used by the Holy Spirit, will eventually be used at the discretion of the Holy Spirit.
The Ephesians category is somewhat different in its application and its nature. The Gifts of this category are identified as Gifts given by the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the Body of Christ. Verse 8 implies that these Gifts are part of the benefits of the resurrection which are directly associated with the works of the Son of God. Verses 12 and 13 state that they are given for the Body of Christ and its edification. I Cor. 12:5 tells us that the Gifts are Gifts of Administrations. They can be termed administrative or ministry positions within the Body of Christ that are instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ by a particular calling. This view is supported by Rom. 11:29, which says "The Gifts and Callings of the LORD are without repentance." Jesus Christ, the Son of God, therefore calls individuals to take on administrative positions or roles (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers) within the Body of Christ for the edification of all.
The Romans category lists Spiritual gifts which are given by God (as identified in I Corinthians 12:6). The passage in Romans 12 is a little more obscure in its identification of the Giver, yet the context of the passage and, once again, the verse (I Cor. 12:6) will support the Giver as being God the Father.
Rom. 12:1-4 — "-1- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. -2- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. -3- For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."
Unlike the Ephesians 4 category, these gifts are not administrative nor are they callings (Rom. 12). They are given to all for service in the Body of Christ and considered operational in their application. (I Cor. 12:6) These particular gifts have not been restricted to the Body of Christ like the other two categories, but have been given to all people. As per I Cor. 12:6: "And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." The word "all" being the same as the "all" in Rom. 3:23, "All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" and Jesus Christ died and rose for "all."
Another thought is contained in the book "Discover your God-given Gifts," Don & Katie Fortune, Chosen Books-Baker Book House, 1987, page 17). Referring to these Operational Gifts, the book says they are "innate" or given to everyone in one degree or another. Everybody is able to Teach, Serve, Rule, etc. in various capacities and with varied effectiveness according the measure given to each individual. One may be very comfortable and effective at Teaching while not so effective at Exhortation. God being "no respecter of persons" metes out the seven gifts to all individuals so that everyone can function equally serving one another for the benefit of all.
There are various opinions as to the number of Spiritual gifts. There are also different ways of categorizing the gifts proposed.
Many items appearing as Spiritual gifts are also required by the Bible of all Christians, such as faith, prayer, evangelism and so on. One explanation is that the Spiritual gift of Faith means faith despite the circumstances, or a particularly strong faith in God. The Spiritual gift of Prayer could mean a supernatural confidence in prayer, or a special ability to pray. All believers are encouraged to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with other people, but the gift of Evangelism could mean a particular gift to reach others.
Note: Links are sometimes to a general context, not a specific context as a Spiritual gift per se. For example, "faith" links not to the Spiritual gift of Faith , but to faith in a more general context.
"Speaking in tongues" and "interpretation of tongues" are sometimes viewed as one Spiritual gift, "tongues." The TNIV footnote has "languages" as a possible translation for "tongues," since this is clearly (based on the Acts 2 event) what the word refers to. Also, the nine gifts in 1 Cor 12 are sometimes divided into three categories, "gifts of knowledge" (wisdom, knowledge, discernment), "gifts of speech" (tongues, interpretation, prophecy), and "gifts of power" (faith, healing, miracles).
Others are found in the Old Testament such as:
Gifts of the Holy Spirit are clearly distinguished from the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Jesus predicted the occurrence of false gifts, particularly in the end time (Matthew 24:24, 7:22,23). Hence while Spiritual gifts are very important for a Christian, the fruit of the Spirit is a better test of the genuineness of a person.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12,13 & 14, Ephesians 4
Apostle: One sent by God with a holy mission to fulfill; and the strong powers and Spiritual gifts to fulfill the mission -- (known by the fruit of the Spirit overflowing). Apostolic ministry involves laying foundation(s). In the case of Paul and Barnabas, we see this expressed in 'Church planting' by preaching the Gospel in new areas. Apostles in Scripture worked in teams. An apostolic team shared a 'measure of rule' in churches started through their ministry in regions where they are the first to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. (II Corinthians 10.)
Prophet: One who speaks, or communicates a message, authoritatively, as moved by the Holy Spirit Himself -- (known by their good fruit).
Evangelist: Someone who desires that all should come to know the truth that God loves everyone so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life, die, and rise again for their redemption, or someone who is gifted to proclaim this message.
Pastor: A word that means 'shepherd.' Pastors are gifted to lead, guide, and set an example for other Christians.
Teacher: Someone able to understand the more difficult things of God and explain them in a way that is easy to understand and live by in daily life.
Service: The God-given ability to do for others whatever needs to be done. Divine ability to carry the burdens or tasks of others without seeking notice or earthly reward.
Exhortation: the ability to motivate Christians to do the works of Christ.
Giving: being blessed by God with resources or time and being able to give them where and when they are needed with a cheerful heart.
Leadership: God-given insight into when something needs to be done, who can do it, how it can be completed, and how to lead those people to get it accomplished.
Mercy: A heart to care for and encourage those who are not able to care for themselves and whom no one else would care for. Knowing who to help and when to help.
Word of wisdom: A message, concept, or bit of wisdom that God reveals supernaturally to the recipient. It may or may not be shared with others.
Word of knowledge: A message, concept, or bit of knowledge that God reveals supernaturally to the recipient. It may or may not be shared with others.
Tongues: A gift from God and the ability to speak another language not known by the believer speaking it. The Spiritual gift to speak another language not known by the believer speaking it. "So then tongues are for a sign, not for the believer but the unbeliever". Tongues are not therefore a means of building up the body of Christ. Paul, in speaking of tongues (known languages) as aiding the church, only refers to the gift as a conduit of the blessing of prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14:6.
Interpretation of tongues: The God-given ability to make tongues a clear message to all who are present to edify, exhort and comfort the Body of Christ.
Prophecy: The God-given ability to receive a message from God to edify, exhort and comfort the Body of Christ or a believer. To speak the Truth as moved by the Holy Spirit. Most prophesying statements do not contain predictions about the future.
Working of miracles: The ability to perform supernatural acts by God the Holy Spirit.
Gifts of healing: The God-given ability to bring or release healing to a person in their body or soul.
Ability to distinguish between spirits: The God-given ability to know what is from God and what is not from Him. The Divine ability to reveal an evil spirit or influence and bring God's power (Jesus' blood) and God's love (Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection) in its place.
Faith: Knowing what you hope for, having a conviction about things you cannot see, trusting God, believing God’s Word, and obeying Him. (Hebrews 11)
Examples of online spiritual gifts testing
Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity * Category:Supernatural Category:Christian terms Category:Religious behaviour and experience
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