The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Part I

   Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit, he speaks mysteries. I Corinthians 14:1,2

    Jesus said, "You shall receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you!" Dunamis is a Greek word that means strength, power, or ability. It can refer to miraculous power, moral excellence, or the inherit power of God and His Son.

    For someone to receive the gifts of the Spirit he must first be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Upon being born again the Holy Spirit enters our spirit and abides or dwells within us. When one is baptized in the Holy Spirit he is empowered, filled and anointed for ministry, the gift or gifts are given, and he that received is ready for service in God's kingdom!

It is imperative that believers receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit for them to walk in the power of God and exercise their gifts for the ministry they are called to. Like the human body, there are many parts but every one of them is important for the body to function properly, so it is in our spiritual body.

    Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren. I do not want you to be ignorant.
I Corinthians 12:1

DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS

    There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. I Corinthians 12:4-6

    But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit. I Corinthians 12:7,8

Word of wisdom-To access the mind of God for wise decisions concerning a situation, to acquire insight for direction, or how to accomplish something.

Word of knowledge- Information gained about a person, place, or thing, spiritual discernment concerning the supernatural ministry to a person or a situation.

Faith- Is the substance of things hoped for or realized, and the evidence of things not seen.

Gifts of healing- The supernatural ability to heal by the power of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus.

The working of miracles- The Divine evidence of creating situations or the supernatural ability to change that which exists.

Prophecy- Speaking the mind and word of God through the Holy Spirit's voice. To see into the future by supernatural means.

Discerning of spirits- To expose the evidence of and knowledge of demonic activity, or that which is possessing someone.

Various kinds of tongues- Speaking the mysteries of God in an unknown language.

Interpretation of tongues- Interpreting the Message given in tongues.

    But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as God wills. I Corinthians 12:11

FUNCTIONALITY

    For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. I Corinthians 12:12

The body of Christ is complete with nine spiritual gifts, nine fruits of the Spirit, and seven motivational gifts. As the human body has organs that maintain life, so the spiritual body has gifts that give life making this supernatural body the expression of Christ in the earth!

When we assemble in one accord each of us has a part in our assembly, not just a talking head, but a body giving of that which God has led them to share. Each has a different gift that edifies us all. This is why most churches today are dead because only one gift is given, and the rest of the body sits and listens and eventually dies.

What if only one of your organs were functioning, such as the heart, you would be a quadriplegic unable to move or function as a human and no different than a corpse? This is why we must be able to utilize our gifts and callings for the rest of the body, so everyone receives edification!

    Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. I Corinthians 14:26

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin