Gifts of the Holy Spirit
1Corinthians 12:1-11
1*Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2* Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3* Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4*Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5*And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7*But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8*For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9*to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10*to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another theinterpretation of tongues: 11*but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Notice that there are nine different gifts listed. I find it best to group them in three different categories as follows.
The vocal inspiration gifts.
gift of tongues
gift of interpretation of tongues
gift of prophecy
The revelation gifts.
gift of word of knowledge
gift of word of wisdom
gift of discerning of spirits
The power gifts.
gifts of healing
gift of working of miracles
gift of faith
Inorder to make this as easy as possible I will make this a three part study , one for each category of the gifts.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Part 1) The vocal inspiration gifts.
The gift of tongues[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)] is the vocal expression given by the Holy Spirit through a person in their normal voice, but not in a language understood by the one speaking. Let me say that this is not the same as "speaking in tongues", the praise and prayer language given to every believer that has experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The difference is simple, speaking in tongues or singing in tongues is where the believer is speaking, praying, singing and praising God by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Now concerning the gift of tongues, God is speaking to us by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It may be in a language known or unknown to man. A good example of the gift of tongues is seen in [/background]Acts 2:7-11[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)], where the language spoken is known to those hearing it but not to the ones speaking.[/background]
7*They were beside themselves with wonder. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8*and yet we hear them speaking the languages of the lands where we were born! 9*Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya toward Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11*Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]The above incident is a confirmation of what brother Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:22.[/background]
"So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers."
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]I think that this is one of the reasons that Paul also instructed the Church not to forbid the speaking in tongues (1Cor. 14:39).[/background]
The gift of interpretation of tongues[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)] is of course a gift that follows the gift of speaking in tongues. This gift is really self explanatory, it is the interpretation of a message spoken in an unknown tongue into the known tongue of those hearing it. Generally it is not word for word, but will express the whole thought that God is articulating through the messenger. It is not uncommon in meetings where one person speaks in tongues and two or three people interpret in part until the whole message is interpreted.[/background]
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]1Corinthians 14:13[/background]
"So anyone who has the gift of speaking in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation in order to tell people plainly what has been said."
The gift of prophecy[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)] is the vocal expression in an articulate way in the known language of those that the message is directed to. Prophecy is to build up the Church, to strengthen, encourage or comfort her members to the glorification of Christ.[/background]
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]1Corinthians 14:3&4[/background]
"But one who prophesies is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. 4*A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church."
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]A good example of the gift of prophecy is found [/background]Acts 21:10-12
10*During our stay of several days, a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. 11*When he visited us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Romans.’” 12*When we heard this, we who were traveling with him, as well as the local believers, begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]Other incidents where the gift of prophecy is noted.[/background]
Acts 19:6
Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.
Acts 21:8[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]&9[/background]
*8 Then we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. 9*He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]In conclusion of this study of the vocal inspiration gifts, it is important that when ever any of these three gifts appear to be in operation, they should be measured or judged by God's Word and the Holy Spirit.[/background]
The Gifts Of The Spirit
Part 2) The revelation gifts
The gift of word of knowledge is a supernatural revelation of anything past or present concerning a person or situation.
This gift is mistaken or mislabeled as the gift of prophecy, but it is not God speaking directly, it is God revealing facts of the past and present. This will always be a new revelation to the person that the gift is flowing through, it will not be a reminder of something already known.
A good example of this Gift operating is in Acts 5 and in Acts 10.
Acts 5:3&4
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Acts 10:19
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
The gift of word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation of the future concerning a person or situation. The gift of word of wisdom like the gift of word of knowledge is often mistaken as the gift of prophecy. And like wise it is not God speaking directly, but God revealing something about the future. This gift is not to be mistaken as natural wisdom or even Godly wisdom. This is a spiritual gift that is the work of the Holy Spirit as He determines and governs. An example of this gift working is found in Acts 5 and Acts 10.
Acts 5:9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Acts 10:19&20
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
The gift of word of knowledge and word of wisdom often are working together at the same time through the same person. In Acts 5:9 and again in Acts 10:19&20 we can see both the gifts of word of knowledge and word of widom working together.
The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural revelation of the spiritual source behind a person, situation, or message.The three sources of spirituality to be discerned are satanic/demonic, human, and God. It is critical for this gift to be in operation to discern any of the other gifts or workings being demonstrated. This is not what many refer to as the gift of discernment, there is no biblical basis for such a gift. and those who claim to have or operate in the gift of discernment are really just operating in a carnal or natural suspicion.
Examples of the gift of discerning of spirits are found in Acts 13 and 16.
Acts 13:9-12
9 Then Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked the sorcerer in the eye and said, 10 “You son of the Devil, full of every sort of trickery and villainy, enemy of all that is good, will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 And now the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be stricken awhile with blindness.” Instantly mist and darkness fell upon him, and he began wandering around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 12 When the governor saw what had happened, he believed and was astonished at what he learned about the Lord.
Acts 16:16-18
16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. 17 She followed along behind us shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and spoke to the demon within her. “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her,” he said. And instantly it left her.
As we can see in the scriptures listed, the three revelation gifts, word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits all work very closely. We can also hopefully see the importance of the gift of discerning of spirits to judge any time the gifts appear to be in operation whether they are of the Holy Spirit or not.
The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
Part 3) The Power Gifts
The gifts of healing are supernatural impartations of God's healing power into the person(s) in need of healing. Notice that they are described as gifts ( plural form) mainly because there are many ways that healing is imparted or ministered to those that are sick. Again this is the supernatural healing power manifested by the Holy Spirit and should not be confused with any natural healing practices like medical sciences or treatment using herbs.
Examples of the gifts of healing are found in many places throughout the scriptures. I will list a couple to show the variety of impartations.
Acts 3:7&8
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
Acts 5:15&16
15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came in from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
Acts 19:11&12
11 God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, 12 so that even when handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and any evil spirits within them came out.
Acts 28:8&9
8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were cured.
The gift of working of miracles is the supernatural intervention or interuption of the ordinary or natural realm as we know it. Through this gift the laws of nature are altered, suspended or controlled. This is a very needful gift because it will stir up our faith and draw the unbeliever.
Acts 7:5&6
5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did.
Acts 7:36-40
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”* 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the city of Azotus! He preached the Good News there and in every city along the way until he came to Caesarea.
The gift of faith is a supernatural faith given to accomplish a specific task according to God's timing and purpose. Many times the gift of faith will manifest in a believer or believers during or directly after a word of wisdom is given to equip or empower the believer(s) to perform the task God has purposed with a supernatural boldness. There are many examples in the book of Acts of the new Church operating in the gift of faith with great boldness.
Acts 4:8-13
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Leaders and elders of our nation, 9 are we being questioned because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’*
12 There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.”
13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:23-31
23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John found the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 Then all the believers were united as they lifted their voices in prayer: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor King David, your servant, saying,
‘Why did the nations rage?
Why did the people waste their time with futile plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.’*
27 “That is what has happened here in this city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 In fact, everything they did occurred according to your eternal will and plan. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching. 30 Send your healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God’s message with boldness.
These power gifts will often work together and also work with the other gifts as well. We can see in the four Gospels that Jesus had all 9 of these gifts operating in and through Him. There are many other examples in the scriptures to confirm the working of the gifts of the Holy Spirit through believers. This has been more of a general study to help in becoming more familiar with the gifts and recognizing them. I encourage everyone to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts in you and to increase your knowledge and experience in the supernatural gifts.
1Corinthians 12:1-11
1*Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2* Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3* Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4*Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5*And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7*But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8*For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9*to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10*to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another theinterpretation of tongues: 11*but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Notice that there are nine different gifts listed. I find it best to group them in three different categories as follows.
The vocal inspiration gifts.
gift of tongues
gift of interpretation of tongues
gift of prophecy
The revelation gifts.
gift of word of knowledge
gift of word of wisdom
gift of discerning of spirits
The power gifts.
gifts of healing
gift of working of miracles
gift of faith
Inorder to make this as easy as possible I will make this a three part study , one for each category of the gifts.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Part 1) The vocal inspiration gifts.
The gift of tongues[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)] is the vocal expression given by the Holy Spirit through a person in their normal voice, but not in a language understood by the one speaking. Let me say that this is not the same as "speaking in tongues", the praise and prayer language given to every believer that has experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The difference is simple, speaking in tongues or singing in tongues is where the believer is speaking, praying, singing and praising God by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Now concerning the gift of tongues, God is speaking to us by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It may be in a language known or unknown to man. A good example of the gift of tongues is seen in [/background]Acts 2:7-11[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)], where the language spoken is known to those hearing it but not to the ones speaking.[/background]
7*They were beside themselves with wonder. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8*and yet we hear them speaking the languages of the lands where we were born! 9*Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya toward Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11*Cretans, and Arabians. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]The above incident is a confirmation of what brother Paul said in 1Corinthians 14:22.[/background]
"So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers."
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]I think that this is one of the reasons that Paul also instructed the Church not to forbid the speaking in tongues (1Cor. 14:39).[/background]
The gift of interpretation of tongues[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)] is of course a gift that follows the gift of speaking in tongues. This gift is really self explanatory, it is the interpretation of a message spoken in an unknown tongue into the known tongue of those hearing it. Generally it is not word for word, but will express the whole thought that God is articulating through the messenger. It is not uncommon in meetings where one person speaks in tongues and two or three people interpret in part until the whole message is interpreted.[/background]
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]1Corinthians 14:13[/background]
"So anyone who has the gift of speaking in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation in order to tell people plainly what has been said."
The gift of prophecy[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)] is the vocal expression in an articulate way in the known language of those that the message is directed to. Prophecy is to build up the Church, to strengthen, encourage or comfort her members to the glorification of Christ.[/background]
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]1Corinthians 14:3&4[/background]
"But one who prophesies is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. 4*A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church."
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]A good example of the gift of prophecy is found [/background]Acts 21:10-12
10*During our stay of several days, a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. 11*When he visited us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Romans.’” 12*When we heard this, we who were traveling with him, as well as the local believers, begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]Other incidents where the gift of prophecy is noted.[/background]
Acts 19:6
Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.
Acts 21:8[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]&9[/background]
*8 Then we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. 9*He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
[background=rgb(228, 230, 245)]In conclusion of this study of the vocal inspiration gifts, it is important that when ever any of these three gifts appear to be in operation, they should be measured or judged by God's Word and the Holy Spirit.[/background]
The Gifts Of The Spirit
Part 2) The revelation gifts
The gift of word of knowledge is a supernatural revelation of anything past or present concerning a person or situation.
This gift is mistaken or mislabeled as the gift of prophecy, but it is not God speaking directly, it is God revealing facts of the past and present. This will always be a new revelation to the person that the gift is flowing through, it will not be a reminder of something already known.
A good example of this Gift operating is in Acts 5 and in Acts 10.
Acts 5:3&4
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Acts 10:19
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
The gift of word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation of the future concerning a person or situation. The gift of word of wisdom like the gift of word of knowledge is often mistaken as the gift of prophecy. And like wise it is not God speaking directly, but God revealing something about the future. This gift is not to be mistaken as natural wisdom or even Godly wisdom. This is a spiritual gift that is the work of the Holy Spirit as He determines and governs. An example of this gift working is found in Acts 5 and Acts 10.
Acts 5:9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Acts 10:19&20
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
The gift of word of knowledge and word of wisdom often are working together at the same time through the same person. In Acts 5:9 and again in Acts 10:19&20 we can see both the gifts of word of knowledge and word of widom working together.
The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural revelation of the spiritual source behind a person, situation, or message.The three sources of spirituality to be discerned are satanic/demonic, human, and God. It is critical for this gift to be in operation to discern any of the other gifts or workings being demonstrated. This is not what many refer to as the gift of discernment, there is no biblical basis for such a gift. and those who claim to have or operate in the gift of discernment are really just operating in a carnal or natural suspicion.
Examples of the gift of discerning of spirits are found in Acts 13 and 16.
Acts 13:9-12
9 Then Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked the sorcerer in the eye and said, 10 “You son of the Devil, full of every sort of trickery and villainy, enemy of all that is good, will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? 11 And now the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be stricken awhile with blindness.” Instantly mist and darkness fell upon him, and he began wandering around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him. 12 When the governor saw what had happened, he believed and was astonished at what he learned about the Lord.
Acts 16:16-18
16 One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. 17 She followed along behind us shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and spoke to the demon within her. “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her,” he said. And instantly it left her.
As we can see in the scriptures listed, the three revelation gifts, word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits all work very closely. We can also hopefully see the importance of the gift of discerning of spirits to judge any time the gifts appear to be in operation whether they are of the Holy Spirit or not.
The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
Part 3) The Power Gifts
The gifts of healing are supernatural impartations of God's healing power into the person(s) in need of healing. Notice that they are described as gifts ( plural form) mainly because there are many ways that healing is imparted or ministered to those that are sick. Again this is the supernatural healing power manifested by the Holy Spirit and should not be confused with any natural healing practices like medical sciences or treatment using herbs.
Examples of the gifts of healing are found in many places throughout the scriptures. I will list a couple to show the variety of impartations.
Acts 3:7&8
7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and anklebones were healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.
Acts 5:15&16
15 As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came in from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.
Acts 19:11&12
11 God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, 12 so that even when handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and any evil spirits within them came out.
Acts 28:8&9
8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were cured.
The gift of working of miracles is the supernatural intervention or interuption of the ordinary or natural realm as we know it. Through this gift the laws of nature are altered, suspended or controlled. This is a very needful gift because it will stir up our faith and draw the unbeliever.
Acts 7:5&6
5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did.
Acts 7:36-40
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”* 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the city of Azotus! He preached the Good News there and in every city along the way until he came to Caesarea.
The gift of faith is a supernatural faith given to accomplish a specific task according to God's timing and purpose. Many times the gift of faith will manifest in a believer or believers during or directly after a word of wisdom is given to equip or empower the believer(s) to perform the task God has purposed with a supernatural boldness. There are many examples in the book of Acts of the new Church operating in the gift of faith with great boldness.
Acts 4:8-13
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Leaders and elders of our nation, 9 are we being questioned because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.’*
12 There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.”
13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:23-31
23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John found the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 Then all the believers were united as they lifted their voices in prayer: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor King David, your servant, saying,
‘Why did the nations rage?
Why did the people waste their time with futile plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle;
the rulers gathered together
against the Lord
and against his Messiah.’*
27 “That is what has happened here in this city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 In fact, everything they did occurred according to your eternal will and plan. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching. 30 Send your healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God’s message with boldness.
These power gifts will often work together and also work with the other gifts as well. We can see in the four Gospels that Jesus had all 9 of these gifts operating in and through Him. There are many other examples in the scriptures to confirm the working of the gifts of the Holy Spirit through believers. This has been more of a general study to help in becoming more familiar with the gifts and recognizing them. I encourage everyone to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts in you and to increase your knowledge and experience in the supernatural gifts.
