Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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The gifts of the Holy Spirit are spiritual gifts described in the New Testament. The primary passages are First Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4.

Some Christian scholars say that there are nine gifts and others say there may be as many as twenty-seven. Bill Bright, C. Peter Wagner, Jack Deere, Billy Graham and D.A. Carson have various opinions on the very number. Other Christian scholars say that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are limited in number or they are not active today like in the early church. Commonly called Cessationism, this opinion is held by John F. MacArthur, Jr., Robert L. Thomas and many other conservative main line Christian denominations. Some Christian scholars such as Zola Levitt maintain that the number of gifts cannot be determined, because, as Levitt puts it, "A spiritual gift is anything that a person can do supernaturally well."

The teaching on there being nine gifts of the Spirit originated from Dr. Howard Carter (early Pentecostal evangelist). This is based on the text from 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 giving the gifts and listing them as the "gifts of the Spirit". They were later taught and popularized by Dr. Lester Sumrall, who accompanied Carter on many missionary journeys in his youth. Modern Bible teachers and scholars have came to the conclusion that there are other gifts of the Spirit listed in Scripture, as seen in the chart below.

Emphasis on Gifts of the Holy Spirit can commonly be found in mainstream Charismatic, Pentecostal, Apostolic, and other Holiness denominations of Christianity.

A very good book written by Roc Bottomly "The Promised Power: Experiencing The Union of Word and Spirit" is written from a conservative background to prove the need for all the Gifts in our world today. http://www.navpress.com/Store/Product/1576836266.html

Biblical lists of the gifts

THE
	GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT


1 Corinthians 12:4-14
1 Corinthians 12:27-30
Romans 12
Ephesians 4




	  

	    Word of Wisdom
	  

	    Word of Knowledge
	  

	    Faith
	  

	    Healings
	  

	    Working of miracles
	  

	    Prophecy
	  

	    Discernment of spirits
	  

	    Speaking in tongues
	  

	    Interpretation of tongues
	


	  

	    Apostles
	  

	    Prophets
	  

	    Teachers
	  

	    Miracles
	  

	    Healings
	  

	    Helps
	  

	    Administrations
	  

	    Varieties of tongues
	  
	


	  

	    Prophecy
	  

	    Ministry
	  

	    Teaching
	  

	    Exhortation
	  

	    Giving
	  

	    Leading
	  

	    Showing mercy
	  


	  

	    Apostles
	  

	    Prophets
	  

	    Evangelists
	  

	    Pastors and teachers*
	  

Note: Some authorities distinguish between Pastors and Teachers in list contained in Ephesians.

External links

• [What The Bible Teaches], adapted from R.A. Torrey's seminal work
• [The Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
• [The Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit]
• [link] Spiritual Gifts: Manifestations of the Holy Spirit Bible Study
• [Gifts of the Spirit]
• [link]Gifts of the Spirit and their usage in the United Methodist Church

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