Spiritual gifts

[Fez]

1Co 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

1Co 12:5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

1Co 12:6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

1Co 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1Co 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

1Co 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

1Co 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1Co 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Do you think that everyone has a gift? And if so why do we not use them? I know there are more mentioned by Paul, but the gist of my question is are we all endowed by the Spirit with a gift/s?

We are also read that we are to earnestly pray for them?

[OneLight]

I believe we are, but some, because of their unbelief, will never know their gift.

[Fez]

without a doubt we all have gifts from the Holy Spirit.

as to why we dont use them, same reason we dont pray enough, read our bible enough, love enough, etc...

we are still fallen humans and not perfect. some use their gifts better than others, and to those God will give more.

Seems such a waste of such an awesome gift then. What prompted the question was at home group tonight we went round the room and everyone who wanted to answer stated what they thought their gift might be, and if others saw it that way. There was no presure but there were a lot of comments like "pass".

[Blien]

Here is what I learned about spiritual gifts. The gifts we actually receive are in Romans 12. However, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have all the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. All of them.

I always thought my gift was the gift of discerning spirits. After a long time, I found out that I have the gift of exhortation but my manifestations of the spirit are stronger in the discernment area.. then someone prophesied over me saying, I have prophecy and discernment. I never considered myself a prophet, but looking back yes I do have prophecy too! Except my prophectic gift is in the dreams and visions area, but I have forseen many things about the future regarding myself and family members growing up as a kid. And I have the working of miracles which came at one time.. so I must have the rest too.

I always look to Romans 12 and compare them with 1 Cor. 12 to get the full picture.. Besides, why would we not have all of them listed in corinthians if we have the holy spirit in us? After all it's His call which gifting to use to minister to those in need of Jesus. So that's my understanding.. perhaps this is why some people said, to "pass". They never had a manifestation of the spirit, but have the gifts listed in Romans never the less and are unaware..

[OneLight]

Here is what I learned about spiritual gifts. The gifts we actually receive are in Romans 12. However, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have all the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. All of them.

Perhaps you should look again. If you look at Romans 12:6-8, you will read "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Also, the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not in everyone, for scripture tells us "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

[Blien]

Here is what I learned about spiritual gifts. The gifts we actually receive are in Romans 12. However, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have all the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. All of them.

Perhaps you should look again. If you look at Romans 12:6-8, you will read "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Also, the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not in everyone, for scripture tells us "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

I think you are confused by what I said and the verses you are using are only proving what I have mentinoed in my earlier post. Here, lets use the amplified on the same verses to make it more clear.

This right here establishes that we are given only one of these.

Romans 12:6-8

6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

And this one, establishes that we are not limited to any of them, however, we are given strengths in certain areas.

1 Corinthians 12:11

11All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

From dictionary.com

ap⋅por⋅tion

–verb (used with object)

to distribute or allocate proportionally; divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution: to apportion expenses among the three men.

[Blien]

Here is what I learned about spiritual gifts. The gifts we actually receive are in Romans 12. However, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have all the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. All of them.

I Cor 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

how can you say that we ALL get all the gifts listed in I Cor 12? that is not what this passage says at all.

Again, read it in the amplified and compare with Romans 12

Romans 12:6-8

6Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

7[He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

8He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

1 Corinthians 12:6-11 (Amplified Bible)

6And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things], but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all.

7But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit.

8To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit;

9To another [[a]wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit;

10To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.

11All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

I sincerely believe that 1 cor. 12 is saying that, the Holy Spirit gives us strength in certain areas however, He can and will use any of the gifts mentioned as we need them. Think about the apostles.. were they limited to one or two manifestations of the Holy Spirit?

[CBE1]

1Co 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

1Co 12:5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

1Co 12:6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

1Co 12:7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1Co 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

1Co 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

1Co 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1Co 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Do you think that everyone has a gift? And if so why do we not use them? I know there are more mentioned by Paul, but the gist of my question is are we all endowed by the Spirit with a gift/s?

We are also read that we are to earnestly pray for them?

Of course the Lord can give as He wishes, but isn't it written that if those that know the Lord ask for anything, that the Father will give it to you, provided we are not asking for selfish reason. And as you mention, the Scriptures tell us to desire the gifts. If you desire the gifts, even out and especially when we ask out of obedience to the Scriptures, isn't the One who had it written 'to desire the gifts; going to give you the gifts?

I found out that He did in my life, when I went through the gifts and asked for them. He gave them to me according to His timing and in His way, but he did not hold back any from me. Still, as He once pointed out to me, having a gift and knowing how to use it are two different things. He made a comparision to me, as if giving a Nientindo games systems to a kid for Christmas. The kid has the gift as soon as you give it to them, but knowing how to use it takes making time to read the instructions and a lot of practice. And since the gifts are gifts of the Spirit, I would recommend talking extensively to the Spirit about them.

It also seems important to note that some seem to operate with certain gifts more than others, and this seems to be according to the purpose and design of the Lord our God. Also our desires do make a difference. He once talked to me about running a healing ministry, but I don't get all that excited about that. My personality, and the Lord knows what my personality is more than I do, is just not the same as others. It's not that I wouldn't like to seem less people hurting in this world, but I think the answer comes in getting them to believe that they too can talk to and get to know the Lord. If they do that, won't He provided the healing they need. People don't follow the Lord because He healed them, but because they like having conversations with Him.

Getting the gifts of the Spirit do not directly lead you to following the Lord. Talking to Him does. So desire the gifts. You will get them [all of them], but love is more important, and God is love, so we need to listen to Him above all.

Edited February 10, 2010 by CBE1

[OneLight]

Here is what I learned about spiritual gifts. The gifts we actually receive are in Romans 12. However, since the Holy Spirit lives in us, we have all the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. All of them.

Perhaps you should look again. If you look at Romans 12:6-8, you will read "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." Also, the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not in everyone, for scripture tells us "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

I think you are confused by what I said and the verses you are using are only proving what I have mentinoed in my earlier post. Here, lets use the amplified on the same verses to make it more clear.

This right here establishes that we are given only one of these.

Romans 12:6-8

6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

And this one, establishes that we are not limited to any of them, however, we are given strengths in certain areas.

1 Corinthians 12:11

11All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

From dictionary.com

ap⋅por⋅tion

–verb (used with object)

to distribute or allocate proportionally; divide and assign according to some rule of proportional distribution: to apportion expenses among the three men.

Then your words confused me. Looking at what I had highlighted in the post I quoted, you sounded like you believed we have all the gifts within us all the time because we have His Spirit in us.

[2Joyful]

Greetings and blessings Fez,

Yes, I know everyone has a gift, some more than one!! I also believe that our gifts are given in birth and only after we accept Christ can they be manifested and governed accordingly by the Holy Spirit. I don't believe they are manifested all at one time, because we have to grow in the Word and get understanding, so that the gifts may be used in the proper matter. The word says: study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We just have to desire to be used by Him.

Sadly, many don't seek God, they seek man, and because of that no matter how the gifts are revealed by the Holy Ghost, if man doesn't seen to see it, the gift will not be used in the matter God desire it to be used. Other times, they allow people to talk them either out of the gift, by hearing oh thats not for todays church!! Some are even talked into receiving a gift that God has not ordained them to operate in.

Whatever the case maybe, this I know whatever God blessed the early church to have and do, Christ said we would do greater things. We just have to seek God with a whole and humbled heart, be bold enough in the Holy Ghost to say as in Acts 2:39...For the promise is unto you (me) and your (my) children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call...and not allow no one or nothing to get us off track!!

* (Acts2:39) is dealing with the promise of the Holy Ghost...a gift for every believer in every generation, which included all Gentiles. But Peter's words clearly goes beyond that, his word extend to every believer in every era and everywhere, full reason to expect the same resource and experience that was afforded the first believers who received the Holy Ghost at the birth of the church. Its also a clear example that we all have a gift (gifts) ordained by God for kingdom building, setting the captive free and much more!!

Be blessed,

Joyful