Intro to Gifts of the Spirit

Stoughton Apostolic Church

Feb. 11, 2025

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:5,8 (AKJV) — For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence…  ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Baptized: baptizó / βαπτίζω  / To baptize, to immerse, to dip

Receive: lambanó / λαμβάνω / To take, receive, obtain, lay hold of

lambánō (from the primitive root, lab-, meaning "actively lay hold of to take or receive," see NAS dictionary) – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). 2983 /lambánō ("accept with initiative") emphasizes the volition (assertiveness) of the receiver.

Baptism or immersion in Spirit first, reception of power as a consequence. This receiving involves the willingness of the receiver to actively take hold of what is offered, and in this case, take hold of power.

What is the purpose of the power? Acts 1:8 - to be his witnesses!

Gifts of the Spirit

The gifts of the Spirit are expressions or manifestations of the Spirit given in and through the person’s of those whom the Spirit has come upon, empowering them for service towards the building up of the body of Christ (both adding to it through witnessing and edifying those whom are already part of it).

1 Corinthians 12:1,4 (AKJV) — Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant…Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Gifts: charisma / χάρισμα / grace-gift, spiritual gift (root is grace/charis)

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (AKJV) — But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Manifestation of the Spirit  is given… (grace)

The gifts of the Spirit, like all that God gives us, works by grace through faith. We receive the Spirit and the working of miracles in our lives not by the doing of the law, but by the hearing of faith (Gal. 3:1-5).

He starts the chapter by saying he doesn’t want us to be ignorant, and so by explaining them, faith builds and we can aggressively receive. He then talks about their proper use.

What are the specific gifts?

1. Word of Wisdom  - a supernatural download of wisdom in which you specifically just know what to do and how to do it in a particular circumstance.

2. Word of Knowledge - revelation from God reading a specific piece of info you would otherwise not know.

3. Faith - an issue or circumstance specific gift of faith where you are persuaded by God in a special way to do exploits and believe for the impossible.

4. Gifts of healing ( plural) - You have a spiritual ability to release healings.

5. Working of Miracles - eg. Loaves and fishes  - faith and power to work a miracle, to make something miraculous happen that otherwise would not naturally happen.

6. Prophecy - to share a “now” word from the Lord. Not necessarily predictive, but share with the intent to edify, encourage, and exhort. Not the gift of the office of prophet. Communicates what the Lord is saying & doing “NOW.”

7. Discerning of Spirits - not the same as general discernment, which is likewise not the same as a word of knowledge, wisdom, or prophecy. This is about discerning spirits - God’s spirit, human spirit, demonic spirit.

8. Tongues - The ability to speak in another language, heavenly or human (Acts 2:6 & 1 Cor. 13:1), exercised in the company of others and to be interpreted.

9. Interpretation of Tongues - a supernatural ability to interpret or know what a tongue means and bring that meaning forward in a meeting.

Speaking in Tongues vs. The Gift of Tongues ( A possible distinction)

Again no specific Bible verse says that “ye shall know they are baptized in the Spirit, when thou hearest them speaketh in tongues.” That verse does not exist!

However, in Scripture you do see people receiving an initial baptism or outpouring of the Spirit and these people did speak in tongues, and it does not always specify whether they were other existent human languages or not ( Acts 2:4, 10:44-47, 19:6).

Acts 8:14-17 (AKJV) — 4 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

This further indicates the receiving of the Spirit in Baptism as distinct from receiving him at salvation. It is one place in Acts where Holy Spirit baptism was said to have happened but with no mention of tongues. That doesn’t mean it did not happen - also does not say it did!

Speaking in Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-18  (AKJV) —  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries…He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church…For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful.

Tongues is for speaking to God, speaking mysteries in the Spirt.  Tongues edifies oneself, builds up your spiritual person. It is also know as praying in the Spirit.

Neuroscience backs up the phenomenon of your spirit praying. One of the authors of a study on speaking in tongues and brain activity had this to say:

“The amazing thing was how the images supported people’s interpretations of what was happening,” the study’s lead author, Andrew Newberg, told the Times. If the test subjects said they were in a state of utter abandon, the pictures of their brains proved it.

Gift of Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 ( AKJV) — If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

The gift of tongues is a manifestation of God for the speaking in an unknown tongue in the assembly of the church, to be interpreted for the benefit of all.

In Practice:

There are two views. The one above in which there are two different expressions of tongues:  one private and one gift for the body. Secondly, the view that it is the same, only you must exercise discretion when you speak in tongues in a service.

The leading of the Holy Spirit to speak in a service and the presence of an interpreter should be the functional guide for practice, whatever view you ascribe to.

Protocol: All things decently and in order ( 1 Cor. 14:40)

Tongues: If publicly praying in tongues in the assembly for others to hear, let it be by two or three, in order, and with interpretation, if not, don’t do it, speak between yourself and God.

Prophecy: Do so one by one, and let the others judge (1 Cor. 14:29). Notice that others judge the word, not the one who gave it, and it is for judging, not to be proclaimed as edict!

What gift do you have?

The question is do you have a specific gift while others have different ones,  or do we all have access to all the gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:4, 7, 11 (AKJV) — Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord…7 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.

My submission for your Biblical consideration —  You’ve got it all! If you have the Holy Spirit, the gifts are his gifts, never ours. He gives a manifestation of the gifts to each one, but if you have him you have all the gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 (AKJV) — Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Do all have gifts of healing or do all speak in tongues? Those that believe…

Mark 16: 17-18 (AKJV) —  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

At Pentecost all spoke in tongues!

1 Corinthians 14:5 (AKJV) —  I would that ye all spake with tongues,

1 Corinthians 14:31 (AKJV) —  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

He wants all to speak in tongues, says all can prophesy, and Jesus said gifts will follow believers, not just those who have the particular gift.

Why don’t we all manifest them all then? (Possible reasons)

1. Will of the Spirit. - When you encounter a sick person what gift would the Spirit will to release through you? What if you say no, I don’t have that gift?

2. We don’t know what the gifts are ( 1 Cor. 12:1 - I don’t want you to be ignorant…)

3. One man show! Wait for others to do it! (1 Cor. 12 & 14 couched in the body metaphor. Some believe this to say if you are a hand you have one gift and one gift only, and if a foot you have a different gift. But scriptures say our role in the body is determined by more than the spiritual gifts we manifest.  The body metaphor encourages us to believe for a manifestation of the gifts in the whole body. Example - prophecy. One prophesies and others judge. The judgers could be the prophecy givers next week.

4. We don’t have faith and have not pursued them in faith…

1 Corinthians 12:31 (AKJV) — But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Cognate: 2206 zēlóō (an onomatopoetic word, imitating the sound of boiling water) – properly, to bubble over because so hot (boiling); (figuratively) "to burn with zeal" (J. Thayer); "to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire – 'to be earnest, to set one's heart on, to be completely intent upon' " (L & N, 1, 25.76). See 2205 (zēlos).

1 Corinthians 14:1 (AKJV) — Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Follow after : diókó: / To pursue, persecute, chase, press forward

1377 diṓkō – properly, aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch (prize). 1377 (diṓkō) is used positively ("earnestly pursue") and negatively ("zealously persecute, hunt down"). In each case, 1377 (diṓkō) means pursue with all haste ("chasing" after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend).

Why say aggressively hunt down, chase, pursue a specific gifts if we all couldn’t manifest it? Why covet the best gifts if we can’t have them and are stuck with only what we have been given?

How to move in gifts: ( a few helpful hints)

1. Receive the Spirit - then the power. (Acts 1:5,8)

2. Develop deeper relationship with Holy Spirit. Being led by Spirit in life is same as led for gifts. Obey, follow his lead in all of life! (1 Cor. 12:11, Rom. 8:14, Gal. 5:16)

3. Don’t be ignorant ( 1 Cor. 12:1)

4. Earnestly desire, be zealous & jealous/  Chase, covet, hunt down! (1 Cor. 12:31, 14:1)

5. Believe and Receive - take up to use! (Acts 1:8)

6. Be willing to operate in proper order within the body (1 Cor. 14:29,40)

7. Proper connection to the body.  (Eph. 4:16)

8. Corporately develop a culture of faith (1 Cor. 14:39, 1 Thess. 5:20-21, Matt. 15:38)

9. Try and evaluate fruit! Step out in faith and humility - not presumption.

They are tools for edifying, not building materials. Jesus is building church on revelation of who he is, not on gifts. Gifts serve that purpose, they are not the building materials of the church.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? To what end are they meant to be used?

2. What are some of the reason why we may not see the gifts of the Spirit in operation in our lives and churches?

3. What are some things we can do to change this?

4. What are some Biblical reasons for why you should pray in tongues?

5. What is one spiritual gift you would like to see more of in your life?

6. How would you earnestly pursue spiritual gifts?

7. What do we mean by developing a culture of faith in the church?