In today’s world, there’s been much talk, much confusion and in all honesty, considerable abuse of spiritual gifts. Because of that, I’ve decided to do this series on spiritual gifts. As most of you know, I am on a quest for the radical middle. I am not interested in hype or show. I’m also not interested in Christianity as a mere intellectual exercise. I am interested in that type of Christianity that Jesus modeled. Because of this, I’m sure that there will be those in both the charismatic/Pentecostal camps and the more traditional fundamentalist/cessationist camps that will disagree with me, perhaps even strongly disagree. That is OK! I’ve always believed that in essentials we should have unity, and in nonessentials we should have liberty and in all things we should practice a love. So as you’re reading this series on spiritual gifts, please keep that in mind. This is not an issue that should become divisive or problematic.
What are spiritual gifts?
There are three major passages in the bible that talks about gifts. Many theologians and bible teachers combine these three passages to make what they call a spiritual gifts list. However I do not believe that this is the proper approach in the understanding what are spiritual gifts. The three Biblical passages concerning gifts are found in Romans chapter 12, first Corinthians chapter 12, and Ephesians chapter 4. Is only in the first Corinthians passage that the term “spiritual gifts” is used. I believe, the reason for this is because the gifts listed in first Corinthians 12 are gifts given by the Holy Spirit whereas the gifts listed in romans 12 are gifts given by God the father, and the gifts given in Ephesians chapter four specifically state that their gifts given by Christ. So this series on spiritual gifts is going to deal specifically with the gifts listed in first Corinthians chapter 12.
The spiritual gifts list.
- The word of wisdom.
- The word of knowledge.
- Extraordinary faith.
- Gifts of healings.
- Working of miracles.
- Prophecy.
- Discerning of spirits.
- The gift of tongues.
- The interpretation of tongues.
These nine gifts are what I believe to be, the comprehensive list of gifts that are given to us by the Holy Spirit. Now I know that some could argue that since God is a triune God, and that the three persons of the Godhead, are in fact one, that there is no differentiation between the three. I believe however, that each member of the Godhead has different roles and functions to play within the Trinity. That is why I believe this is the comprehensive list of gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. That is why I believe that this is the correct passage to use when talking about spiritual gifts.
So over the course of the next couple of weeks I will be presenting to you these subjects on spiritual gifts.
- Are spiritual gifts for today?
- The motivation behind spiritual gifts.
- What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
- What is the word of wisdom?
- What is the word of knowledge?
- What is extraordinary faith?
- What is gifts of healings?
- What is the working of miracles?
- What is the gift of prophecy?
- What is discerning of spirits?
- What is the gift of tongues?
- What is the proper use of tongues in the church today?
- What is the interpretation of tongues?
I believe that if you will follow along with me in this series on spiritual gifts that you will come to an understanding on what are spiritual gifts, how each gift operates, and the proper use of these gifts today. I believe that you will find out that you can have spiritual gifts operate in your life without looking like a hyper spiritual nut case or throw out Biblical literacy.
Pastor Duke
Related articles
- 1 Corinthians 12 (biblegateway.com)
About the Author:
Pastor Duke Taber has been a believer in Jesus for 33 years. He has been a pastor for over 20 years currently serving at the Vineyard church in Pine Haven Wyoming and was formerly the secretary treasurer of White Pine County Ministerial Association. He is an alumnus of LIFE Bible College and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He is a syndicated blogger at The Christian Post and Believe.com You can connect with Pastor Duke on Google+, Twitter, or on Facebook
PastorDuke – who has written 727 posts on Taber's Truths Christian Living Magazine.
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Pastor Duke,
Thanks for this great post on Spiritual Gifts. I shared this in religion on IB. You are doing a fantastic job on this site. We are all lucky too have you.
Thanks Tom! You are an awesome friend. You keep up the good work as well!
Pastor Duke,
Thanks for this great post on Spiritual Gifts. I shared this in religion on IB. You are doing a fantastic job on this site. We are all lucky too have you.
Thanks Tom! You are an awesome friend. You keep up the good work as well!
This promises to be an interesting series. I look forward to it.
Thanks Alan, I am working on the second installment of this series right now! Blessings to you!
This promises to be an interesting series. I look forward to it.
Thanks Alan, I am working on the second installment of this series right now! Blessings to you!
I came across your blog from a Facebook friend. I have enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to reading about the gifts. I pray you will reach many people and encourage them to live church at a Walmart.
Thanks Corian! I am glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy all the posts on spiritual gifts. I am hoping to do a post a day until I am finished. We shall see if I accomplish my goal! LOL
I came across your blog from a Facebook friend. I have enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to reading about the gifts. I pray you will reach many people and encourage them to live church at a Walmart.
Thanks Corian! I am glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy all the posts on spiritual gifts. I am hoping to do a post a day until I am finished. We shall see if I accomplish my goal! LOL
Thank you, Pastor Duke, for your commitment to serving God and sharing His Word.
I look forward to this series on spiritual gifts. I agree there is much confusion on this important topic, and I will enjoy reading your insights!
God bless you and your ministry!Caroline
Thanks for stopping by Caroline. Every time you do, it brings a smile to my face and your comments are always wonderful. I truly hope I bring a balanced approach to this topic on spiritual gifts. Over the 33 years I have been a believer, I have seen a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices and hope to be able to distill it all down so that normal people like you and I can walk in all that God has for us.
Blessings to you!
Duke
Pastor Duke, thank you very much!
It is always a blessing to stop by here and refresh in God’s wondrous Word. I am grateful to you for the work you do for Him!
I look forward to reading the divine distillations that you will share! I know this knowledge will bless my journey with Jesus – and the journeys of others!
Abundant Blessings in Christ Always!
Caroline
Caroline, I love your way with words. You are a true poet at heart! As we shared earlier, you have had an experience with a spiritual gift in operation. I hope this teaching series clarifies for you more about what was going on at the time.
Blessings to you. You always brighten my day!
Duke
Thank you, Pastor Duke, for your commitment to serving God and sharing His Word.
I look forward to this series on spiritual gifts. I agree there is much confusion on this important topic, and I will enjoy reading your insights!
God bless you and your ministry!Caroline
Thanks for stopping by Caroline. Every time you do, it brings a smile to my face and your comments are always wonderful. I truly hope I bring a balanced approach to this topic on spiritual gifts. Over the 33 years I have been a believer, I have seen a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices and hope to be able to distill it all down so that normal people like you and I can walk in all that God has for us.
Blessings to you!
Duke
Pastor Duke, thank you very much!
It is always a blessing to stop by here and refresh in God’s wondrous Word. I am grateful to you for the work you do for Him!
I look forward to reading the divine distillations that you will share! I know this knowledge will bless my journey with Jesus – and the journeys of others!
Abundant Blessings in Christ Always!
Caroline
Caroline, I love your way with words. You are a true poet at heart! As we shared earlier, you have had an experience with a spiritual gift in operation. I hope this teaching series clarifies for you more about what was going on at the time.
Blessings to you. You always brighten my day!
Duke