(Taken from my book, “Healing for the Church,” available for order here.)

In Chapter 3 of my book, “Healing for the Church,” I sought to show that God gives certain ones in the church the responsibility and enablement to develop others in ministries. And though all in the body share a common faith in Christ, not all are equipped in the same way for spiritual service to God.

Clearing the Vision

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (I Cor. 12:7). One’s spiritual gifts are here said to be an expression of the Holy Spirit and are entrusted to an individual believer for the good of fellow members. It is important, then, to distinguish between a particular gift of the Spirit for service and the gift of the Spirit that belongs to every true believer. Study John 7:39 and I Corinthians 12:13.

Furthermore, a gift of the Spirit must be distinguished from the fruit of the Spirit — that enrichment of character produced by the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self- control. Against such things there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).

Still further, a gift of the Spirit must not be confused with natural talent. The two might dovetail, but generally speaking, natural abilities are one thing, and spiritual capabilities given specially by God are quite another thing. No one can serve effectively in the spiritual realm with only natural talents, and counterfeits are dangerous. The apostle Paul instructed the young Corinthian church in this distinction at the outset of his first epistle (1 Cor. 1:5-7,26-31).

God demands healthy unity in the Christian congregation.  However, the very diversity provided by the Spirit makes unity difficult. No doubt that is why the love chapter, I Corinthians 13, is set squarely between two chapters treating the gifts at great length.

Look at I Corinthians 12:4-7 and you will see three sources of variety in local church ministries. First, believers differ in their gifts (v, 4). For example, some will be like builders who work with saws, while others are equipped with drills. To continue the figure, look at verse 5, where there is difference not only in gifts but in ministries. Thus, some craftsmen might do rough, unfinished framing, while others construct fine-detail cabinet work. Finally, verse 6 indicates diversity of still another kind — perhaps in scope and intensity.

Church members should therefore not all strive to do the same things in the same ways or to the same extent. The Lord Jesus Christ must superintend his church. Still further, some allowance must be made for human personality differences and for much variation in spiritual attainment.

But are the gifts for today? Several answers are commonly given to this inquiry:

1. No gifts exist today.
2. Some gifts exist.
3. All gifts exist just as in the early New Testament

My position is a modification of no. 3. Since there is no one official gift list given in Scripture, a certain flexibility is evidently expected. As needed and required, gifts are available — some for launching, others for continuing in more mature orbit. If not needed, they are not intended.

A Brief Examination of the Gifts

Before presenting a general list of gifts, let me set forth what we could call the foundational ministries. These are the basic works necessary to plant the church, edify it, shepherd and protect the flock, and extend the work. Ephesians 4: 11 enumerates these four foundational ministries.

First, there is apostle. The term carries two connotations. The Twelve, who laid the church’s foundation and were vehicles for revelations of truth, were apostles in a special sense. On other occasions the term simply meant “one sent on a mission;” for example, that of assisting in planting new churches. This latter function is that of the missionary-evangelist today.

Prophet is next mentioned. The contemporary preacher who uses the Word in the Spirit’s power fills this role today.

The evangelist referred to is not the same as the modern professional evangelist. In early church history evangelists were those who not only propagated the gospel but had much to do with establishing the churches. Today what is still required of the apostolic function of founding congregations for Christ in new areas is committed to the hands of the missionary-evangelists.

The pastor (elder) will preside and shepherd the local flock.  Very often also the pastor will be equipped by the Spirit as teacher. However, not all teachers will be fully engaged in shepherding. Using truth with a primary concern for the believers’ behavior is the pastor’s concern. Teachers aim first at instructing in truths of the Word and do not have the heavy responsibility for the flock carried by the shepherd. Teachers fulfilling basic ministries might be settled in a single local church, or they might be given by God to travel among numbers of churches.

Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 offer the two major gift lists. A somewhat organized and unified listing might run as follows:

1. Prophecy. In the apostolic day this meant speaking new revelation. Today it involves proclaiming the core of truth “once for all delivered.” Even in the Old Testament sense, prophecy was not primarily a predicting of events, though that often was involved. Basically, the prophet is one who gives God’s Word to the people. Now that the Word is written in full, the preacher uses it to shine as a light in dark areas of lives, thus the shades are raised and new light floods regions needing exposure and enlightenment. “But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort” (1 Cor. 14:3).

Figure 5 presents the relationship between the prophet of biblical days and the preacher in today’s church — now that we have the full Scripture. Notice, too, that this kind of prophecy or preaching brings to unbelievers deep conviction and exposure of sin and to believers it brings encouragement (1 Cor. 14:24-25, 31).

2. Teaching –– the ability from God to pass on truth to others in a form that instructs their understanding and fits life.
3. Exhortation — enablement to counsel, encourage, or perhaps steady a faltering believer before personal disaster and corporate problems develop.
4. Wisdom — ability to apply biblical insights to specific situations arising in the life of the church or an individual’s life.
5. Knowledge –– a spiritual capacity to understand and systematize truth for the church’s benefit.
6. Faith — a certain belief in Jesus Christ is required of all believers, but the particular gift of faith is a spiritual endowment that enables some to function as “eyes of the body.” They possess an unusual vision of the will of God and a strong confidence in his power to perform tasks at hand.

In some cases the person of faith will see the goal but might not be able to plan how the goal shall be attained. In contrast, one gifted in administration might be so concerned with mechanics that he or she has not the clear confidence to step out in faith. The congregation therefore needs them both!

7. Discernment –– the ability to discover the true spiritual implications of issues and attitudes, to distinguish between what is of the Holy Spirit and what is merely a production of human carnality or even that which is demonic. In 1 Corinthians 12:10 the gift is described as “the ability to distinguish between spirits.” All believers are to question, examine, judge, search into matters in the appropriate manner. See 1 Corinthians 2:14 and I John 4:1-6. Some believers will have discernment in a special sense, thus sharpening the insight of an assembly, and on particular occasions these might speak up to instruct or warn the church. In contrast with speaking gifts, discernment is more a gift of listening and observing. In churches where this gift has gone to seed, so to speak, a critical, judgmental cloud chokes the good life of the people; in contrast, the church without this gift functioning is apt to be naive and polluted with hypocrisy and error. Let the balance of I Corinthians 13:5-6 prevail, and the motivation will be a delight in the truth.
8. Mercy—-results in a demonstration of pity and kindness to those in the church who are more miserable and less popular. The exercise of the gift brings an easing of burdens on older ones and help for the handicapped and misfits. This gift is related to that of service or helps, and it shines out especially to those in humiliating or awkward conditions-in other words, the disadvantaged. Romans 12:8 adds an interesting requirement, saying that the mercy must be shown with a cheerful, gracious attitude.
9. Administration (or leading) — the capability to execute, implement, and coordinate the various functions in a local body of Christ. This spiritual ability maintains unity, order, and harmony so that there can be growth, fruitfulness, and achievement of goals. Churches desperately need those who can visualize goals, organize, and preside, carrying things through to the desired end. Confusion is kept to a minimum in congregations where this gift is recognized and relied upon. See Romans 12:8.
10. Service (or helps) –– the ability to lend a helping hand exactly when and where needed. Properly applied, this gift frees bogged-down members from practical hindrances so that they have greater freedom to exercise their own gifts effectively. The recipients of this assistance are thereby delivered from embittering burdens and enter happily into their own service. Behind the scenes in every vibrant, happy, growing congregation are those exercising this blessed gift.

11.  Giving — the capacity to earn and share with wisdom and cheerfulness. Such gifted members manage their own affairs with special wisdom and are enabled thereby to share more largely in the needs of others. On the one hand, they will resist mere emotional appeals, and on the other, be quite sensitive in discovering true needs. This spiritual capability is to be distinguished from the general duty of all Christians to give tithes and offerings for God’s work. Study Romans 12:8, 13 and Acts 20:33-35. Notice also the attitude of love required for a proper exercise of this particular gift (I Cor. 13:3), which results in an overflowing of thanksgiving from many hearts (2 Cor. 9:12).

12.  Healings — the capability of using Spirit-given faith to foster healing by God’s power. God can and does heal today. He might do so with any sickness, regardless of its type or degree of seriousness. God might heal immediately or gradually, with or without medical means. However, God does not always heal (2 Tim. 4:20), and even the apostle himself had to bear his thorn in the flesh. Notice that 1 Corinthians 12:9 speaks of “gifts of healings,” using plural terms. Probably this indicates various levels and types of healing ministries as required in the church.

James instructs the sick one to seek help from the elders of the church (James 5:14). This apparently was a private function in the home. Healings at levels deeper than physical will require application of Scripture and prayer. In conclusion, remember that the gift of healings was originally a sign gift but now more appropriately functions for the relief of the members and continues as a special ability to help the church be sound in body, mind, and spirit.

13.  Miracles — a sign gift predominant in the launching phase of the church. These wonder works were linked with the spread of God’s Word and served to confirm his message. Study carefully Romans 15:18-20 and Hebrews 2:3-4.

14.  Tongues –– the gift of languages, known or unknown. It is a sign gift. I will say more about this shortly.

15.  Interpretation –– ability to understand tongues.