1 Corinthians 12:1-10 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant… (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (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.”
The second category of gifts, are called spiritual gifts. So what are spiritual gifts? The scripture reveals to us that believers that are filled with the Holy Spirit have the ability in this present age, to taste the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:5). The word translated “powers” actually means “miraculous powers”. So what are the miraculous powers of the age to come? You will recall that our Lord Jesus taught us that we will receive “power” after the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:8). And so the powers of the age to come are what are known in scripture, as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is by the power of God that God created all things, and it is by His power that He reign’s over all creation. And so God, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, allows the saints in this present age, to experience a taste of His power that both created and reigns over all of creation. There is nothing natural about spiritual gifts, for they are all manifestations of the supernatural power of God Almighty. In the above quoted passage of scripture the Holy Spirit reveals to us just what these gifts are, i.e. the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. As we have already said, the gifts of the Spirit are supernatural. Man has absolutely nothing to do with them, except to be used as a vessel for the Lord. Spiritual gifts are God the Holy Spirit, making Himself and His power known, through those whom He has chosen. And so when we encounter the gifts of the Spirit in operation, we are at the same time having an encounter with God Himself.
Michael E.B. Maher
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