I refer to spiritual gifts as “Holy Spirit acts of grace” because these “gifts” are how Holy Spirit generously bestows His grace through believers in Jesus. He is involved in every aspect of a believer’s life, but for this study, we will focus on how these “gifts” relate to personal discipleship, which is why this web page is called Discipleship Gifts.
Consider these verses:
- “There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all [disciples]. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4–7)
- “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10–11)
By this we understand that Holy Spirit decides how He will manifest Himself through each believer. Our job is not to pick which “spiritual gift” we want, but to cooperate with how Holy Spirit wants to manifest Himself through us to accomplish His will.
Not sure how Holy Spirit wants to extend His grace through you?
- Pray. “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
- Get involved in a ministry that catches your attention and your heart.
- Pay attention to how Holy Spirit uses you in the lives of others as you serve in ministry.
The following chart lists the spiritual gifts mentioned in the passages indicated, divided into two groups (speaking gifts, serving gifts) as implied in 1 Peter 4:11.
This should be considered a list of basic materials, like ingredients to a recipe. Holy Spirit uses a blend of a few gifts for each believer as He sees fit, to work through each believer in a unique way to accomplish His will.
| Reference | Speaking Gifts | Serving Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| Romans 12:6-8 | prophecy | service |
| teaching | giving | |
| exhortation | leadership | |
| mercy | ||
| 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 | the word of wisdom | faith |
| the word of knowledge | healing | |
| prophecy | miracles | |
| speaking in tongues | distinguishing of spirits | |
| translation of tongues | ||
| 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 | apostles | miracles |
| prophets | healing | |
| teachers | helps | |
| speaking in tongues | administration | |
| translation of tongues | ||
| Ephesians 4:11 | apostles | |
| prophets | ||
| evangelists | ||
| shepherd-teachers |
Thessalonian Faith 