The 9 Charismatic Gifts

The 9 Charismatic Gifts

1 Cor. 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

These gifts might be well defined as “A temporary, supernatural intervention of natural laws, bestowed by the Holy Spirit where His presence is invited and accommodated.” Individually, each gift is defined as follows:

(1) Word of Wisdom — A Word refers to “a supernaturally imparted fragment,” while wisdom, which generally means prudence, decision making.

(2) Word of Knowledge – A supernaturally inspired utterance of facts.

(3) Faith — A supernatural impartation of assurance in God.

(4) Gifts of Healings – Supernaturally ministering health to the sick.

(5) Working of Miracles — A supernatural intervention of natural laws. The Greek describes it as “works of power” and implies instantaneous results.

(6) Prophecy — A supernaturally inspired utterance from God. A genuine prophetic utterance never contradicts, neither is equal to, the written Word of God. To forthtell or foretell. To speak from the mind of God. Prophecies are to be judged (1 Cor. 14:29, 1 Thes. 5:20-21).

(7) Discerning of Spirits — This is a supernatural ability to discern a person’s spiritual character and the source of his actions and messages, such as from the Holy Spirit, demon spirits, the human spirit or from the flesh.

(8) Different Kinds of Tongues — A supernaturally imparted utterance in an unlearned language which is interpreted as a prophecy to the body for their edification. (This is distinguished from “praying” in tongues, which is intended to edify one’s own spirit — 1 Cor. 14:14.) A message in tongues to the body is always to be interpreted (by another gift), and is limited to three within a gathering (1 Cor. 14:27).

(9) Interpretation of Tongues — This is the supernatural interpretation of a message in tongues into the understandable language of the hearers. It is not a “translation” but an interpretation.

The Application of the 9 Gifts

It should always be remembered that the purpose of all the gifts are to edify the church, and their distribution within the body is completely dependent upon the discretion of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:11). The scriptures imply that it’s appropriate to seek specific gifts, however, one’s motive must be for the building up of the church, not for self gratification. “…since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel” (1 Cor. 14:12).

There is a difference between spiritual gifts and fruit. Gifts are the Spirit’s manifestation through a vessel, but fruit is the offspring of one’s spiritual character. Spirituality cannot be measured by gifts, but by fruit (Gal. 5:22-24). Love is the predominate feature of spirituality (1 Cor. 13:13), without which, charismatic gifts cannot function effectively (1 Cor. 13:1-2). Paul expressed that the church should have a desire for spiritual gifts, but it should follow the foremost pursuit of love. “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts,” (1 Cor. 14:1).

The service where spiritual gifts function may likely take on a less structured, more spontaneous environment that may seem peculiar to some. But in 1 Corinthians 14, the Apostle Paul established specific guidelines for their use so to remove the potential for confusion and disorder. Rather than banishing the operation of these gifts entirely as some churches have done in fear of mayhem, they should seek to understand and implement the prescribed order, as the Apostle admonished: “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:39-40).