1 Corinthians 12:7-10 “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.”
In this section we want to discuss the three categories into which the nine spiritual gifts are consolidated. As one can see in the above quoted passage of scripture there are nine listed gifts of the Holy Spirit. As we study the gifts of the Spirit we will see that the nine gifts can be consolidated into three different categories. The reason that they can be consolidated into these categories is because each of the gifts categorized do something similar. The first of the three categories are what we call the revelation gifts. The reason we call them the revelation gifts is because the Holy Spirit reveals something through each one of these gifts. The gifts that fall into this category are; the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the discerning of spirits. The second of the three categories are what we call the power gifts. The reason we call them the power gifts is because the Holy Spirit demonstrates His power through each one of these gifts. The gifts that fall into this category are; special faith, gifts of healings, and the working of miracles. The third of the three categories are what we call the speaking gifts. The reason we call them the speaking gifts is because the Holy Spirit speaks to the church through each one of these gifts. The gifts that fall into this category are; prophecy, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. It is this category of gifts that we will be studying in this series.
Differing measures of grace
Romans 12:3-6 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (4) For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, (5) so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.”
In this section we want to discuss the fact that each saint receives differing measures of grace and faith, depending on the gift they have received to function in the body of Christ. There are far more functions in the body of Christ than the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in the previous section; nevertheless in this teaching we are concentrating only on the nine gifts and more specifically on the three speaking gifts. Because there are different functions in the body of Christ and each member is called to perform at least one function, each saint has therefore received at least one gift which relates directly to the function they are called to fulfil. Paul confirms that truth to us in the above quoted passage of scripture when he tells us that God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. In the context of this passage we can see that the measure of faith given does not refer to our daily living faith, but rather the faith we require to operate in the gift given to us. In other words each function requires faith on the part of the believer in order for them to operate in their gift. In explaining this principle to us the apostle Paul uses the gift of prophecy as an example. Paul tells us that one, who has received the gift of prophecy, must operate in that gift in proportion to the faith that they have received for their gift. So clearly when we receive our gift we also receive the proportion of faith required to operate that gift. Therefore this passage also teaches us that we can only operate in our gifts by faith. When Paul says that we are to “prophesy in proportion to our faith”, he is saying that we are not to try operating our gift outside of the level of faith that we have received. Paul’s comment reveals something else to us regarding the gifts of the Spirit, which is that not only are there different gifts, but there are also differing levels of faith allocated to each gift. For example, it is possible for two members in a church to both have the gift of prophecy; nevertheless one member may have been given a greater level of faith for their gift than the other, and so the member who has the greater level of faith will prophesy with a greater degree of anointing than the other. When each saint recognizes the level of faith they have received for their gift it makes operating in their gift the most natural thing in the world for them to do. In this passage Paul also teaches us that grace is given to us according to our gift. That simply means that the grace given is the supernatural ability we have received to operate in our gift. Notice also that Paul instructs us to use our gifts. In other words the gifts given to the saints are to be used and not to be neglected.
1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
So how are we meant to use our gifts? In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Peter teaches us how to use our gifts, for He tells us that we are to minister our gifts to one another. In other words the gifts given to us are not for our benefit, but rather for the benefit of the body of Christ. And so we see that we are just stewards of the gifts that are given to us, and as the Lord’s stewards it is required of us that we are faithful in ministering our gifts to His church.
We influence the anointing
Mark 4:24-25 “Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. (25) For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
In this section we want to discuss what the saints can do to either increase or diminish the anointing on the gifts they have received. All of the gifts of the Spirit operate by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We have seen in the previous section that, depending on the measure of grace given, some receive more faith than others to operate in their gifts. Nevertheless even though we receive the measure of faith that we require to operate in our gifts, we still have a part to play with regards to the degree of anointing that we operate in. In the above quoted passage of scripture the Lord Jesus taught us this principle, for although this passage refers to the measure of God’s word that is given, the principle remains the same with regards to the measure of the Holy Spirit’s anointing on our gifts. Notice that the Lord places the onus directly on the disciple regarding the amount of revelation of God’s word that will be given to them. For He says that more will be given to the disciple that places great value on His word, while the one that places little or no value on His word will receive little and may even lose that which they already have. In the same manner, the disciple that places a greater value on their gift will receive a greater anointing to operate in their gift, while the one that places little or no value on their gift will receive less anointing and may even lose the anointing which they already have.
1 Timothy 4:14 “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.”
Disciples that place little or no value on their gifts tend to neglect their gifts. In other words they either do not use their gifts as often as they should or not at all. In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Paul admonished Timothy not to neglect his gift. Clearly therefore even those who are called to the ministry can neglect their gifts, and so this is something that we must guard against. Nevertheless the opposite is also true; which is that disciples that place great value on their gifts are available to use them whenever the Holy Spirit prompts them to do so. In other words they are faithful stewards of the gifts they have received from the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:12 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”
In the above quoted passage of scripture the apostle Paul speaks of those who are zealous for spiritual gifts, and in another passage Paul encourages believers to desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). So what does it mean to be zealous for spiritual gifts? Those who desire spiritual gifts and are zealous to operate in them prepare themselves by studying God’s word on the subject while spending time in prayer and fasting. Believers that do this experience a greater degree of anointing for their gifts to be manifested through them. Believers that are carnal in their thinking however, do not prepare themselves spiritually in any way and consequently experience little if any anointing to operate in their gifts.
Michael E.B. Maher
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