Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts

Stephen E. LaFleur, ThDStephen E. LaFleur, ThDCopyright 2009Copyright 2009

What Does the Bible Say About What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Gifts?Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual gifts are the source of much controversy Spiritual gifts are the source of much controversy and confusion among believers. This is interesting and confusion among believers. This is interesting and something of a sad commentary, since these and something of a sad commentary, since these gifts are meant to be graces from God for the gifts are meant to be graces from God for the edification of the church. edification of the church.

Even today, as in the early church, the misuse and Even today, as in the early church, the misuse and misunderstanding of spiritual gifts bring division--misunderstanding of spiritual gifts bring division--splitting up, rather than building up--in the church. splitting up, rather than building up--in the church. This resource seeks to avoid the controversies This resource seeks to avoid the controversies and simply explore what the Bible says about and simply explore what the Bible says about spiritual gifts. spiritual gifts.

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What are Spiritual Gifts?What are Spiritual Gifts?

In 1 Corinthians 12, we learn that spiritual gifts are In 1 Corinthians 12, we learn that spiritual gifts are given to God's people by the given to God's people by the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit for "the for "the common good." Verse 11 says the gifts are given common good." Verse 11 says the gifts are given according to God's according to God's sovereignsovereign will ("as he will ("as he determines"). determines").

EphesiansEphesians 4:12 tells us these gifts are given to 4:12 tells us these gifts are given to prepare God's people for service and for building prepare God's people for service and for building up the body of Christ. up the body of Christ.

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The term "spiritual gifts" comes from the Greek The term "spiritual gifts" comes from the Greek words words charismatacharismata (gifts) and (gifts) and pneumatikapneumatika (spirits). They are the plural forms of (spirits). They are the plural forms of charismacharisma, , meaning "expression of grace," and meaning "expression of grace," and pneumatikonpneumatikon meaning "expression of Spirit." meaning "expression of Spirit."

While there are different kinds of gifts (1 While there are different kinds of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4), generally speaking, spiritual Corinthians 12:4), generally speaking, spiritual gifts are God-given graces (special abilities, gifts are God-given graces (special abilities, offices, or manifestations) meant for works of offices, or manifestations) meant for works of service, to benefit and build up the body of service, to benefit and build up the body of Christ as a whole.Christ as a whole.

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Biblical References to Spiritual GiftsBiblical References to Spiritual Gifts

The spiritual gifts can be found in the The spiritual gifts can be found in the following passages of Scripture: following passages of Scripture:

► Romans 12:6-8Romans 12:6-8► I Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31I Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31► Ephesians 4:7-13Ephesians 4:7-13► I Peter 4:10 I Peter 4:10

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Identifying Spiritual GiftsIdentifying Spiritual Gifts

Although there is a great deal of Although there is a great deal of disagreement over spiritual gifts disagreement over spiritual gifts among different denominations, among different denominations, most Bible scholars classify these most Bible scholars classify these gifts into three categories: gifts into three categories: ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, ministry gifts, manifestation gifts, and motivational gifts. and motivational gifts.

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Ministry GiftsMinistry Gifts

The ministry gifts serve to reveal the The ministry gifts serve to reveal the plan of God. They are characteristic plan of God. They are characteristic of a full-time office or calling, rather of a full-time office or calling, rather than a gift that can function in and than a gift that can function in and through any believer. The ministry through any believer. The ministry gifts were once presented to me gifts were once presented to me through a five finger illustration that through a five finger illustration that I've never forgotten: I've never forgotten:

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ApostleApostle - An apostle - An apostle establishes and builds churches; establishes and builds churches; he's a church planter. An he's a church planter. An apostle may function in many or apostle may function in many or all of the ministry gifts. He is all of the ministry gifts. He is the "the "thumbthumb," the strongest of ," the strongest of all of the fingers, able to touch all of the fingers, able to touch every finger. every finger.

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ProphetProphet - Prophet in the Greek - Prophet in the Greek means to "forth tell" in the means to "forth tell" in the sense of speaking for another. A sense of speaking for another. A prophet functions as God's prophet functions as God's mouth piece, speaking forth mouth piece, speaking forth God's Word. The prophet is the God's Word. The prophet is the ""index fingerindex finger," or pointer ," or pointer finger. He points to the future finger. He points to the future and points out sinand points out sin..

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EvangelistEvangelist - An evangelist is called - An evangelist is called to be a witness for Jesus Christ. He to be a witness for Jesus Christ. He works for the local church to bring works for the local church to bring people into the body of Christ where people into the body of Christ where they can be discipled. He may they can be discipled. He may evangelize through music, drama, evangelize through music, drama, preaching, and other creative ways. preaching, and other creative ways. He is the "He is the "middle fingermiddle finger," the ," the tallest one who stands out in the tallest one who stands out in the crowd. Evangelists draw a lot of crowd. Evangelists draw a lot of attention, but they are called to attention, but they are called to serve the local body. serve the local body.

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PastorPastor - The pastor is the - The pastor is the shepherd of the people. A true shepherd of the people. A true shepherd lays down his life for the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The pastor is the "sheep. The pastor is the "ring ring fingerfinger." He is married to the ." He is married to the church; called to stay, oversee, church; called to stay, oversee, nurture and guide. nurture and guide.

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TeacherTeacher - The teacher and the - The teacher and the pastor are often a shared office, pastor are often a shared office, but not always. The teacher lays but not always. The teacher lays the foundation and is concerned the foundation and is concerned with detail and accuracy. He with detail and accuracy. He delights in research to validate delights in research to validate truth. The teacher is the "truth. The teacher is the "pinky pinky fingerfinger." Though seemingly small ." Though seemingly small and insignificant, he is designed and insignificant, he is designed specifically for digging into tight, specifically for digging into tight, dark places, shinning light and dark places, shinning light and picking apart the Word of truth. picking apart the Word of truth.

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Manifestation GiftsManifestation Gifts

The manifestation gifts serve The manifestation gifts serve to reveal the power of God. to reveal the power of God. These gifts are supernatural or These gifts are supernatural or spiritual in nature. They can be spiritual in nature. They can be further subdivided into three further subdivided into three groups: utterance, power, and groups: utterance, power, and revelation. revelation.

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UtteranceUtterance - These gifts - These gifts saysay something: something:

ProphecyProphecy - This is the "forth - This is the "forth telling" of the inspired Word of God telling" of the inspired Word of God primarily to the church, for the primarily to the church, for the purpose of confirming the written purpose of confirming the written Word and building up the entire Word and building up the entire body. The message is usually one of body. The message is usually one of edification, exhortation or edification, exhortation or consolation, although it can declare consolation, although it can declare God's will in a particular God's will in a particular circumstance, and in rare cases, circumstance, and in rare cases, predict future events. predict future events.

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Speaking in TonguesSpeaking in Tongues - - This is a supernatural This is a supernatural utterance in an unlearned utterance in an unlearned language which is language which is interpreted so that the entire interpreted so that the entire body will be edified. Tongues body will be edified. Tongues may also be a sign to may also be a sign to unbelievers. unbelievers.

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Interpretation of TonguesInterpretation of Tongues - - This is a supernatural This is a supernatural interpretation of a message in interpretation of a message in tongues, translated into the known tongues, translated into the known language so that the hearers (the language so that the hearers (the entire body) will be edified. entire body) will be edified.

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PowerPower - These gifts - These gifts dodo something: something:

FaithFaith - This is not the faith that is - This is not the faith that is measured to every believer, nor is it measured to every believer, nor is it "saving faith." This is special, "saving faith." This is special, supernatural faith given by the Spirit to supernatural faith given by the Spirit to receive miracles or to believe God for receive miracles or to believe God for miracles. miracles.

HealingHealing - This is supernatural healing, - This is supernatural healing, beyond natural means, given by the beyond natural means, given by the Spirit. Spirit.

MiraclesMiracles - This is the supernatural - This is the supernatural suspension of the natural laws, or an suspension of the natural laws, or an intervention by the Holy Spirit into the intervention by the Holy Spirit into the laws of nature. laws of nature.

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RevelationRevelation - These gifts - These gifts revealreveal something:something:

Word of WisdomWord of Wisdom - This is supernatural - This is supernatural knowledge applied in a godly or correct knowledge applied in a godly or correct way. One commentary describes it as way. One commentary describes it as "insight into doctrinal truth." "insight into doctrinal truth."

Word of KnowledgeWord of Knowledge - This is supernatural - This is supernatural knowledge of facts and information that can knowledge of facts and information that can only be revealed by God for the purpose of only be revealed by God for the purpose of applying doctrinal truth. applying doctrinal truth.

Discerning of SpiritsDiscerning of Spirits - This is the - This is the supernatural ability to distinguish between supernatural ability to distinguish between spirits such as good and evil, truthful or spirits such as good and evil, truthful or deceiving, prophetic versus satanic. deceiving, prophetic versus satanic.

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Motivational GiftsMotivational Gifts

The motivational gifts serve to The motivational gifts serve to reveal the personality of God. reveal the personality of God. These gifts are practical in These gifts are practical in nature. They describe the nature. They describe the inner motivations of the inner motivations of the Christian servant. Christian servant.

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ProphecyProphecy - Those with the - Those with the motivational gift of prophecy are motivational gift of prophecy are the "seers" or "eyes" of the body. the "seers" or "eyes" of the body. They have insight, foresight, and They have insight, foresight, and act like watch dogs in the church. act like watch dogs in the church. They warn of sin or reveal sin. They warn of sin or reveal sin. They are usually very verbal and They are usually very verbal and may come across as judgmental may come across as judgmental and impersonal; they are loyal to and impersonal; they are loyal to truth over friendship, serious, truth over friendship, serious, dedicated. dedicated.

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Ministering/Serving/Helps Ministering/Serving/Helps - - Those with the motivational gift Those with the motivational gift of serving are the "hands" of the of serving are the "hands" of the body. They are concerned with body. They are concerned with meeting needs; they are highly meeting needs; they are highly motivated, doers. They may tend motivated, doers. They may tend to over commit, but find joy in to over commit, but find joy in serving and meeting short-term serving and meeting short-term goals. goals.

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Teaching Teaching - Those with the - Those with the motivational gift of teaching motivational gift of teaching are the "mind" of the body. are the "mind" of the body. They realize their gift is They realize their gift is foundational; they emphasize foundational; they emphasize accuracy of words and love to accuracy of words and love to study; they delight in research study; they delight in research to validate truth. to validate truth.

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GivingGiving - Those with the - Those with the motivational gift of giving are the motivational gift of giving are the "arms" of the body. They truly "arms" of the body. They truly enjoy reaching out in giving. They enjoy reaching out in giving. They are excited by the prospect of are excited by the prospect of blessing others; they desire to give blessing others; they desire to give quietly, in secret, but will also quietly, in secret, but will also motivate others to give. They are motivate others to give. They are alert to people's needs; they give alert to people's needs; they give cheerfully and always give the cheerfully and always give the best that they can. best that they can.

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GivingGiving - Those with the motivational - Those with the motivational gift of giving are the "arms" of the gift of giving are the "arms" of the body. They truly enjoy reaching out body. They truly enjoy reaching out in giving. They are excited by the in giving. They are excited by the prospect of blessing others; they prospect of blessing others; they desire to give quietly, in secret, but desire to give quietly, in secret, but will also motivate others to give. will also motivate others to give. They are alert to people's needs; They are alert to people's needs; they give cheerfully and always give they give cheerfully and always give the best that they can.the best that they can.

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Administration/LeadershipAdministration/Leadership - - Those with the motivational gift of Those with the motivational gift of leadership are the "head" of the leadership are the "head" of the body. They have the ability to see body. They have the ability to see the overall picture and set long-term the overall picture and set long-term goals; they are good organizers and goals; they are good organizers and find efficient ways of getting work find efficient ways of getting work done. Although they may not seek done. Although they may not seek leadership, they will assume it when leadership, they will assume it when no leader is available. They receive no leader is available. They receive fulfillment when others come fulfillment when others come together to complete a task. together to complete a task.

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MercyMercy - Those with the motivational - Those with the motivational gift of mercy are the "heart" of the gift of mercy are the "heart" of the body. They easily sense the joy or body. They easily sense the joy or distress in other people and are distress in other people and are sensitive to feelings and needs. sensitive to feelings and needs. They are attracted to and patient They are attracted to and patient with people in need, motivated by a with people in need, motivated by a desire to see people healed of hurts. desire to see people healed of hurts. They are truly meek in nature and They are truly meek in nature and avoid firmness.avoid firmness.

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SPIRITUAL GIFTS SURVEY

This is not a test, so there are no wrong answers. The Spiritual Gifts Survey consists of 80 statements. Some items reflect concrete actions; other items are descriptive traits; and still others are statements of belief.

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DirectionsDirections

Select the one response you feel best characterizes yourself and place that number in the blank provided. Record your answer in the blank beside each item.

► Do not spend too much time on any one item. Remember, it is not a test. Usually your immediate response is best.

► Please give an answer for each item. Do not skip any items.► Do not ask others how they are answering or how they think

you should answer. This is how you see yourself.► Work at your own pace.► Score questions for the persons assigned to you as you see

them. Do not ask them what you should score.► The three scores about you, submitted by you and two others

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Your Response ChoicesYour Response Choices

► 5—Highly characteristic of me/definitely true for me

► 4—Most of the time this would describe me/be true for me

► 3—Frequently characteristic of me/true for me–about 50 percent of the time

► 2—Occasionally characteristic of me/true for me–about 25 percent of the time

► 1—Not at all characteristic of me/definitely untrue for me

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Ready to Begin?Ready to Begin?

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ScoringScoring

Your Score of YourselfYour Score of Yourself ________

Another person’s Score of YouAnother person’s Score of You ________

Another person’s Score of YouAnother person’s Score of You ________

Total of ScoresTotal of Scores ________

Total Score/3Total Score/3 ________

Average scores are graphed on Profile Average scores are graphed on Profile Sheet and returned to you with an Sheet and returned to you with an analysis of you.analysis of you.

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