What the Church Does:
Spiritual Gifts

God has also given each person in His church at least one spiritual gift to use to build up the other believers. Remember that God loves unity and diversity. He has placed each person in the Body with purpose and all are needed. Here are the gifts:
Read:
1 Cor. 12
1 Cor. 12
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Administration
This gift enables certain Christians to organize, direct, and implement plans to lead others in the various ministries of the Church.
Acts 27:11, Rev. 18:17
This gift enables certain Christians to organize, direct, and implement plans to lead others in the various ministries of the Church.
Acts 27:11, Rev. 18:17
Apostleship
Believers with this gift will plant new ministries and churches, go into places where the Gospel is not preached, reach across cultures to establish churches in challenging environments, raise up and develop leaders, call out and lead pastors and shepherds, and much more. They are typically entrepreneurial and are able to take risks and perform difficult tasks. Eph. 4:11, 1 Cor. 12:28, Acts 1:21-22
Believers with this gift will plant new ministries and churches, go into places where the Gospel is not preached, reach across cultures to establish churches in challenging environments, raise up and develop leaders, call out and lead pastors and shepherds, and much more. They are typically entrepreneurial and are able to take risks and perform difficult tasks. Eph. 4:11, 1 Cor. 12:28, Acts 1:21-22
Discernment
The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation. The church needs those with this gift to warn believers in times of danger or keep them from being led astray by false teaching. I Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:3-6; 16:16-18; 1 John 4:1.
The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation. The church needs those with this gift to warn believers in times of danger or keep them from being led astray by false teaching. I Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:3-6; 16:16-18; 1 John 4:1.
Evangelism
Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Holy Spirit to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth with them. Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, 21:8,
Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Holy Spirit to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth with them. Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, 21:8,
Exhortation
This gift to is to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. Those with the gift of exhortation can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth and action. Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32.
This gift to is to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. Those with the gift of exhortation can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth and action. Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32.
Faith
The Holy Spirit distributes this gift to some in the church to encourage and build up the church in her confidence in God. Those with the gift of faith trust that God is sovereign and He is good. They take Him at His Word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands. 1 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11:1-40.
The Holy Spirit distributes this gift to some in the church to encourage and build up the church in her confidence in God. Those with the gift of faith trust that God is sovereign and He is good. They take Him at His Word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands. 1 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 11:1-40.
Giving
The Holy Spirit imparts this gift to some in the church to meet the various needs of the church and its ministries, missionaries, or of people who do not have the means to provide fully for themselves. Romans 12:8, 13, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-15; Acts 4:32-37, Galatians 4:15, Philippians 4:10-18
The Holy Spirit imparts this gift to some in the church to meet the various needs of the church and its ministries, missionaries, or of people who do not have the means to provide fully for themselves. Romans 12:8, 13, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:6-15; Acts 4:32-37, Galatians 4:15, Philippians 4:10-18
Healing
Those who have this gift are compassionate toward the sick and pray over them regularly. They have great faith and trust that God can and will heal some and are not deterred when He chooses not to.
1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30, James 5:13-16.
Those who have this gift are compassionate toward the sick and pray over them regularly. They have great faith and trust that God can and will heal some and are not deterred when He chooses not to.
1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30, James 5:13-16.
Knowledge
The person with this gift is usually well-versed in the Scriptures and often has much committed to memory. They can retain the truth and communicate it effectively at the appropriate times. The gift of knowledge allows a believer to relate the Scriptures, and particularly the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to all aspects of life in this world. Romans 15:14; 2 Corinthians 2:14.
The person with this gift is usually well-versed in the Scriptures and often has much committed to memory. They can retain the truth and communicate it effectively at the appropriate times. The gift of knowledge allows a believer to relate the Scriptures, and particularly the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to all aspects of life in this world. Romans 15:14; 2 Corinthians 2:14.
Leadership
The purpose of this gift is to care for God’s people and lead them into deeper relationship with Christ and each other. They are able to accomplish many different tasks and objectives as they lead, but they will always lead relationally and with a deep concern for the well-being of others. They are “visionary” and less concerned with mundane details than those with the spiritual gift of administration. They will go to great lengths to protect those under their care and are well-equipped to lead through crisis situations. Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12; 5:17.
The purpose of this gift is to care for God’s people and lead them into deeper relationship with Christ and each other. They are able to accomplish many different tasks and objectives as they lead, but they will always lead relationally and with a deep concern for the well-being of others. They are “visionary” and less concerned with mundane details than those with the spiritual gift of administration. They will go to great lengths to protect those under their care and are well-equipped to lead through crisis situations. Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 12; 5:17.
Mercy
The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of mercy to some in the church to love and assist those who are suffering, and walk with them until The Lord allows their burden to be lifted. Romans 12:8, Matthew 5:7; Luke 10:30-37; James 3:17; Jude 22-23.
The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of mercy to some in the church to love and assist those who are suffering, and walk with them until The Lord allows their burden to be lifted. Romans 12:8, Matthew 5:7; Luke 10:30-37; James 3:17; Jude 22-23.
Miracles
Miracles were given by God to the church to reveal the presence and glory of God among His people and to create a sense of awe and wonder and Godly fear. Those with the spiritual gift of miracles often have a heightened sensitivity to the presence and power of God through His Holy Spirit. They take care not to draw attention to themselves or have a following of people but are constantly pointing others to Jesus. Those with this gift understand that God is sovereign and He can work when and how He desires, but they make sure they are available and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 3:5
Miracles were given by God to the church to reveal the presence and glory of God among His people and to create a sense of awe and wonder and Godly fear. Those with the spiritual gift of miracles often have a heightened sensitivity to the presence and power of God through His Holy Spirit. They take care not to draw attention to themselves or have a following of people but are constantly pointing others to Jesus. Those with this gift understand that God is sovereign and He can work when and how He desires, but they make sure they are available and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 3:5
Pastor Shepherd
The primary way the pastor will use this gift is by teaching the Word of God to the church. The gift of pastor is directly linked to the gift of teaching in Ephesians 4:11 and elsewhere. In fact, this gift could be called the gift of pastor-teacher. The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of pastor to some in the church to humbly teach them, guide them, protect them, and to lead them in the mission that God has for His church, namely the Great Commission. Acts 20:28; John 10:11-18
The primary way the pastor will use this gift is by teaching the Word of God to the church. The gift of pastor is directly linked to the gift of teaching in Ephesians 4:11 and elsewhere. In fact, this gift could be called the gift of pastor-teacher. The Holy Spirit gives the spiritual gift of pastor to some in the church to humbly teach them, guide them, protect them, and to lead them in the mission that God has for His church, namely the Great Commission. Acts 20:28; John 10:11-18
Prophecy
This is the ability to receive a divinely inspired message and deliver it to others in the church. These messages can take the form of exhortation, correction, disclosure of secret sins, prediction of future events, comfort, inspiration, or other revelations given to equip and edify the body of Christ. Those with this gift are sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body. They should be humble and continually study the Scriptures in order to test these revelations before speaking them. When they do speak, they should allow and even expect others to weigh what is said against the Scriptures and interpret the message accordingly. Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:10-11.
This is the ability to receive a divinely inspired message and deliver it to others in the church. These messages can take the form of exhortation, correction, disclosure of secret sins, prediction of future events, comfort, inspiration, or other revelations given to equip and edify the body of Christ. Those with this gift are sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body. They should be humble and continually study the Scriptures in order to test these revelations before speaking them. When they do speak, they should allow and even expect others to weigh what is said against the Scriptures and interpret the message accordingly. Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Serving
The goal is to energize the church and free up others to use their gifts to the fullest. They serve in ways that benefit others with different gifts and ministries that are more public. They are content with serving in the background knowing that their contribution will bless the church, display the love of Christ to the world, and bring glory to God. Acts 20:35; 2 Timothy 4:11; Revelation 2:19.
The goal is to energize the church and free up others to use their gifts to the fullest. They serve in ways that benefit others with different gifts and ministries that are more public. They are content with serving in the background knowing that their contribution will bless the church, display the love of Christ to the world, and bring glory to God. Acts 20:35; 2 Timothy 4:11; Revelation 2:19.
Teaching
Teachers have been entrusted with the task of effectively communicating what the Bible says, what it means, and how we as followers of Jesus Christ are to apply it to our lives here and now. They hate when Scripture is abused and used out of context or with ill intent. They love the truth and speak the truth in love. They will never hide or withhold it. Romans 12:7; James 3:1
Teachers have been entrusted with the task of effectively communicating what the Bible says, what it means, and how we as followers of Jesus Christ are to apply it to our lives here and now. They hate when Scripture is abused and used out of context or with ill intent. They love the truth and speak the truth in love. They will never hide or withhold it. Romans 12:7; James 3:1
Tongues
This is a supernatural ability to speak another known language. It was used as a sign to the Jews that the movement of the Church (consisting of Jews and Gentiles) was, indeed, of God (1 Cor. 14). The intention of the spiritual gift of tongues is to glorify God now, but also to prepare ourselves as His church to glorify Him forever in heaven. The gift, however, is only partial, in that it is not given to all believers, and in the context of the church requires an interpreter in order for it to be edifying. Tongues are not “ecstatic speech” but are always orderly and are able to be controlled by the one speaking. No tongues should be spoken in the church gathering without interpretation. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30, 14:4, 39, Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6.
This is a supernatural ability to speak another known language. It was used as a sign to the Jews that the movement of the Church (consisting of Jews and Gentiles) was, indeed, of God (1 Cor. 14). The intention of the spiritual gift of tongues is to glorify God now, but also to prepare ourselves as His church to glorify Him forever in heaven. The gift, however, is only partial, in that it is not given to all believers, and in the context of the church requires an interpreter in order for it to be edifying. Tongues are not “ecstatic speech” but are always orderly and are able to be controlled by the one speaking. No tongues should be spoken in the church gathering without interpretation. 1 Corinthians 12:10, 30, 14:4, 39, Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6.
Interpretation of Tongues
The spiritual gift of interpretation is given by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals to reveal messages spoken in an unknown tongue to God for the building up of the church.
The spiritual gift of interpretation is given by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals to reveal messages spoken in an unknown tongue to God for the building up of the church.
Wisdom
Believers with this gift are able to take from God’s word and their own life experiences and share what God has taught them through those things. They can easily recognize where a decision or action may lead and can warn against those that may be harmful or unfruitful. They can often see through the confusion of a situation and can give direction that would help an individual or group obtain a God-glorifying goal. Colossians 1:9-10, 2:1-3; James 3:13-18
Believers with this gift are able to take from God’s word and their own life experiences and share what God has taught them through those things. They can easily recognize where a decision or action may lead and can warn against those that may be harmful or unfruitful. They can often see through the confusion of a situation and can give direction that would help an individual or group obtain a God-glorifying goal. Colossians 1:9-10, 2:1-3; James 3:13-18
Use spiritualgiftstest.com for a tool to learn about your spiritual gifts. Seek to serve God in various ways and ask others in the church what they think your gifts might be. Then, use them!
What are your spiritual gifts?