Monday, August 10, 2009

Spiritual Gift

Spiritual gifts (or charismata), according to some Christian denominations, are gifts that are bestowed on Christians, each having his or her own proper gift (or gifts) to strengthen the church. They are described in the New Testament, primarily in First Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4.
Some groups, including several conservative mainline
Christian denominations, believe certain gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy, were limited to early Christianity, a view known as cessationism. Other groups, including Pentecostal and other Holiness denominations of Christianity, take an opposing view (continuationism), believing that the spiritual gifts are still given by the Holy Spirit today. Pentecostal meetings often involve members using these gifts. Sections of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and many other Protestant denomination believe in and make use of spiritual gifts, especially those influenced by the Charismatic Movement.
There is also significant debate about what qualifies as a spiritual gift. Emphasis on teaching about nine gifts of the Spirit originated from
Howard Carter, an early Pentecostal evangelist. This is based on the text from 1 Corinthians 12:27-30, which lists nine "gifts of the Spirit". This idea was later taught and popularized by Lester Sumrall, who accompanied Carter on many missionary journeys in his youth. However, many modern Bible teachers and scholars have come to the conclusion that several other gifts of the Spirit are also listed in Scripture. And some Christian scholars, such as Zola Levitt, maintain a spiritual gift is anything that a person can do supernaturally well, and therefore the number of gifts cannot be determined.

List of spiritual gifts
There are various opinions as to the number of spiritual gifts. There are also different ways of categorizing the gifts proposed.
Many items appearing as spiritual gifts are also required by the Bible of all Christians, such as faith, prayer, evangelism and so on. One explanation is that the spiritual gift of faith means faith despite the circumstances, or a particularly strong faith in God. The spiritual gift of prayer could mean a supernatural confidence in prayer, or a special ability to pray. All believers are encouraged to share Jesus with other people, but the gift of evangelism could mean a particular gift to reach others.
Note: Links are sometimes to a general context, not a specific context as a spiritual gift per se. For example, "faith" links not to the spiritual gift of faith per se, but to faith in a more general context.
A list based on 1 Corinthians (12:4-6)
These three verses in I Corinthians 12 seem to suggest that what is commonly termed as "Spiritual Gifts" may more accurately be described as "The Trinity Gifts" or "Gifts from the Godhead" although these terms are not specifically used in the Bible. However a closer look at each one of the 3 verses above will show that there are three distinct categories identified as Gifts, Operations, Administrations and Manifestation that are given by God, the Lord and the Spirit.This distinction is important as each set of Gifts are different in their usage, purpose and origin.
Taking into account that the Godhead, the Trinity, is said to be involved in all areas of their Creation, Redemption of man and End Time Revelation it would seem plausible to some that the Trinity would also be involved in the area of giving gifts to men.
The Father (operative gifts)
The Son (administrative gifts)
The Holy Spirit (charismatic gifts)

Romans 12:6-8
Ephesians 4:11
1 Corinthians 12:1-14
Prophecy
Ministry
Teaching
Exhortation
Giving
Leading
Showing mercy (compassion)
Apostolic
Prophectic
Evangelical
Pastoral
Teaching
Wisdom
Knowledge
Discerning of spirits (human, angelic, demonic)
Speaking in tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Prophecy
Faith
Working of miracles
Healing