The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

📖 Introduction: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Howard Carter says” The Lord Jesus said (John 14:12)

John 14:12 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

He also promised Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

but if we ignore the GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT we despise the heritage which is granted to us in Christ, and forget what the the apostle Paul exhorted in 1 Corinthians 12:1

1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

Should any advance the argument tha the gifts were bestowed merely to usher in the present dispensation, and that they are “not for today,” let us quote the apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:39)

Acts 2:39 (NKJV) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Therefore, if a person is “called” to be a son of God, through faith in Christ Jesus, that person is also, in consequence, a prospective recipient of the GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

HOWARD CARTER “Questions and answers On Spiritual Gifts” Harrison House, Inc, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1976, Pg 5

Charles Spurgeon- The celebrated preacher, Charles H. Spurgeon, was a very charitable man. He built almshouses for elderly people, and loved to visit them in their homes. On a certain day, in one of these cottages, he noticed on the wall a slip of paper in a frame, on which was some writing.

upon asking the old lady what it might be, she said that it served to remind her of an aged gentleman whom she had nursed many years before. He had been very appreciative of her work, and could not thank her enough for all she had done for him.

As he lay dying he wrote his name on the piece of paper, and handed it to her. So she had framed it, and whenever she looked at it, the old lady said it reminded her of the kindly old gentleman. Mr. Spurgeon requested that he might borrow the paper, and persuaded her to remove it from its frame. Hastening to the Bank, he asked if they knew anything about it. they told him they had been wondering to whom the old gentleman’s money belonged. there were hundreds of pounds standing to his credit for the old lady, who had kept the check in the frame just to remind her of the one she had nursed. She was living in poverty, although actually worth hundreds of pounds!

this can happen with the GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It is not sufficient to regard God’s promises in His Word merely as a token of His love toward us; we need to present them at the Bank of Heaven, and thus turn into the currency of spiritual experience the inheritance provided for us!

1 Corinthians 12:1–12

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.” – 1 Corinthians 12:1, NKJV

The Nine Gifts of the Spirit

The Apostle Paul lists nine distinct manifestations of the Spirit. These are not natural talents or learned skills but supernatural endowments of divine power—given by the Holy Spirit to equip the Church for victorious living and effective ministry.

The Gifts of the Spirit are various manifestations of the Same Spirit-

the Holy Spirit manifests Himself in Nine different and distinctive ways

1 Corinthians 12:4–5 NLT

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.

The Gifts function differently in each individual.

Examples- In Elijah it was associated with the mantle he wore;

Moses with the rod which had been changed into a serpent

Samson, the miraculous power was inseparable from his physique, so that he became supernaturally strong when the Spirit was upon him

However, in each instance, it was the manifestation of the same gift, although the operations were different- or diverse

1 Corinthians 12:29–31 ESV

Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

The More excellent way- It is to seek God first, and to desire the gifts of the Spirit in order that we may serve God better

If we put the Spiritual gifts before the Love of God we make a serious mistake; the first and greatest thing is love, the love of God

Those who love God will normally desire spiritual gifts, since they are manifestations of His spirit, given for His glory and the enrichment of His Church

1. The Gifts of Revelation (to Know Supernaturally):

Word of Wisdom — divine revelation of the purpose or plan of God.

Word of Knowledge — supernatural insight into facts known only to God.

Discerning of Spirits — spiritual perception of the presence or operation of spirits (divine, human, or demonic).

2. The Power Gifts (to Act Supernaturally):

Faith — a supernatural impartation of God’s faith to accomplish the impossible.

Working of Miracles — divine intervention that suspends natural law.

Gifts of Healing — multiple operations of divine healing for every sickness and disease.

3. The Inspiration Gifts (to Speak Supernaturally):

Prophecy — inspired utterance in a known language.

Gift of Tongues — inspired utterance in an unknown language.

Interpretation of Tongues — inspired understanding or rendering of the message in tongues.

“These gifts are the tools of the Spirit, given to make the Church powerful, efficient, and triumphant in every generation.”

— Howard Carter, Questions and Answers on Spiritual Gifts

🔹 The Holy Spirit in the Beginning

From the very start of creation, the Holy Spirit was active in the earth. He is not a New Testament phenomenon—He is eternal, omnipotent, and omnipresent.

1. In Creation — The Spirit’s Power

Genesis 1:2 – “The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

The Spirit of God moved with creative force. He is the omnipotent (all-powerful) agent of creation, bringing order out of chaos.

2. In His Universality — The Spirit’s Presence

Psalm 139:7 – “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent, the abiding presence of God throughout all creation.

3. In His Conviction — The Spirit’s Striving

Genesis 6:3 – “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.”

Even in the days of Noah, the Spirit of God worked to convict and draw mankind back to righteousness and reconciliation.

🔹 The Promise of the Spirit

Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets foresaw the coming outpouring of the Spirit:

Joel 2:28 – “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy...”

This prophetic promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), ushering in the Church Age — the age of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. We now live in the time where His power, presence, and gifts operate in and through the Body of Christ.

🔹 The Spirit of Revelation and Truth

John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth... and He will tell you things to come.”

The Holy Spirit is the Guide into all truth and the Revealer of things to come. Every believer has access to His wisdom and insight through intimacy and yieldedness.

“The gifts of the Spirit are given for the profit of all, that the Church might be edified and the lost might be reached.”

— Kenneth E. Hagin

🔹 The Power of the Spirit in the Church

Matthew 16:18 – “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”

The same Holy Spirit who hovered over creation now empowers the Church to demonstrate the victory of Christ on earth. He is the power at work in every believer (Ephesians 3:20).

These gifts are not ornaments of spirituality—they are weapons of warfare to conquer the devil, resist the world, and crucify the flesh. (2 Corinthians 10:4–5)

🔹 Our Responsibility as Believers

We must position ourselves for the operation of the Spirit’s gifts by doing four things:

Learn of Their Existence

Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Ignorance limits manifestation. Knowledge opens the door for faith to operate.

Learn of Their Availability

The gifts are for you—for every Spirit-filled believer, not just ministers.

1 Corinthians 12:7 – “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

Learn of Their Proper Usage

Spiritual gifts must be used decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), always motivated by love (1 Corinthians 13).

Understand Their Limitations and Potential

The Spirit’s gifts do not replace spiritual maturity; they enhance it. When used rightly, they reveal God’s character, confirm His Word, and bring glory to Jesus.