Spiritual Gifts

[Giaour]

Romans 12

4. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12

4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7. 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:

[Giaour]

Does everyone get one?

How do you know what your gift is?

[Ovedya]

All the gifts were given to the Body of Christ mutually for the functioning of all the members.

So the answer is no.

[EmunahTikvahAHAVA]

I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:1-16 I especially hold tight to Ephesians 4:12 "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of (((((Christ,))))) so yes, one may have more than one spritual gift, but all are important and necessary so that His Will be done.

[Giaour]

Okay, so we can get more than one.

How do you know what gift you have, and what are the gifts that He gives?

Is it possible to have a gift but not have it manifest until God allows it to glorify Him?

[Christ's Free Servant]

Okay, so we can get more than one.

How do you know what gift you have, and what are the gifts that He gives?

Is it possible to have a gift but not have it manifest until God allows it to glorify Him?

Yes, it is true that we can have multiple gifts. My experience has been that God gives more to those who use what they have. "To whom much is given, much will be required." Remember the story of the talents and the ones who were given much invested theirs and had theirs multiplied, but the one who buried his one talent had to forfeit it? God is not going to give multiple gifts to people who don't use what they have, but I believe he will give many gifts to those who will use them for his glory and for the edification of the body of Christ.

I believe you can be using gifts without realizing that is what you are doing when you are young in the Lord and are not aware of what the gifts are, but as you grow in Christ, as you come to understand his word, you should also grow in your understanding of the Spiritual gifts and should recognize which ones you have and how God wants you to use them. Some people have developed Spiritual Gift Tests, and I have taken many. They vary some depending upon the theology of the people creating them, but my gifts were pretty consistent no matter what test I took. You can find these on-line, most likely, and they come with explanations of the gifts, but even the understanding of the gifts varies depending upon who puts out the material. But, it can be a useful tool. Just don't take it as "thus saith the Lord." And, I would look at several, from various theological viewpoints to get a more well-rounded perspective.

I believe we can have gifts that we do not use all the time. For instance, God has given me multiple gifts, but depending upon the time in my life or the circumstances, etc. one gift might be primary over another whereas at other times in my life other gifts have been primary. Also, gifts can be developed through spiritual maturity. Just because one has a gift, it does not mean he/she knows how to use it properly or just because he/she might use it improperly does not mean he/she does not have that gift. I think Peter probably had a gift of mercy and when he saw that the soldiers were going to arrest Jesus, he took out a sword and cut the ear off one of the soldiers, because he was protecting, he thought, the Savior that he loved. But, it was a little misdirected and impulsive, but that did not mean his passion was wrong, it just needed some direction. Perhaps that is not the best example, but I think you get the idea. Some gifts need a little work in order to be used properly and just like learning to walk, when you first begin to excerise them, you may stumble some, but just keep pressing on, because you grow through those times and learn better how to use the gifts. I'm still learning, and I'm old.

[Dad Ernie]

Okay, so we can get more than one.

How do you know what gift you have, and what are the gifts that He gives?

Is it possible to have a gift but not have it manifest until God allows it to glorify Him?

Greetings Giaour,

God wants people that are faithful, humble and available. But He will use almost anyone, including unbelievers and demons to carry out His WILL. This is the purpose of the "gifts", as has been said "to glorify God". I sort of doubt that King Saul is in Heaven, yet upon being called to kingship, he came across some prophets and "prophesized" with them. Judas Iscariot was (1) called, (2) taught, (3) breathed upon by Jesus to receive power, (4) supposedly went out and performed miracles, yet he is not likely to be in heaven either.

The "gift" is never to be exalted, yet, many seem to seek a "gift" to bring glory to themselves. To know your gift, scripture seems to indicate that your "calling" is observed by others, and as in the case of Timothy, received his anointing by the laying on of hands of the elders.

So if you want to identify your gift, be faithful, pray, and be a servant of all. You will not go unnoticed and God will make your gift or gifts plain to you and mainly others.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie