The Gifts of the Spirit
Spiritual Gifts Given
Gifts for Ministry
Description
The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to every believer for the common good of the church. These gifts are not natural talents but supernatural endowments for ministry. The Spirit divides to every man severally as He wills—we do not choose our gifts, but we are to earnestly desire the best gifts. The purpose of gifts is not personal edification or display but building up the body of Christ. Every member has at least one gift; no member has all gifts. The diversity of gifts creates interdependence within the body.
Key Verses
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.