Gifts given by the Spirit include the languages of men (for preaching and teaching those of other nations) and angels along with interpretation, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, and the discerning of spirits (Acts 2:4 – 13; 1Corinthians 12:7-11). Read the rest of 1Corinthians Chapter 12, and you’ll learn that these gifts are for the benefit of God’s community, the Church (note the capital ‘C’ used to denote the universal assembly of followers, not local collectives/churches).
We find a reiteration of some of these gifts and their use to unify and train the Church in Ephesians 4:1-6. One important note: The Spirit gifts us according to the Father’s purposes, not ours. We may be enabled to use one or more gifts any given time, but appointing ourselves as apostles, healers, or miracle workers, etc. as if we are assigned permanent gifts may be prideful and could restrict God from working through us dynamically. God will do what He will do through the Spirit to suit His good pleasure (will). Next, we’ll discuss the discernable effects of our walking by the Spirit and what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit.
Blessings,
Ron Braley
Equipping believers to become followers through discipleship! 