What are the Gifts of the Spirit?
Three categories
i. Revelation - Word of wisdom, Word of knowledge, Discerning of spirits
ii. Power - Faith, Working of miracles, Gifts of healings
iii. Inspiration (Vocal) - Prophecy, Kinds of tongues, Interpretation of tongues

Important facts about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Just like there are 9 Fruit, there are also 9 gifts listed in scripture

Fruit come by a process of cultivation, growth and maturing (fruit tree). (Galatians 5:22-23)

Gifts are received unconditionally, instantly (Christmas or birthday).

What is the definition of the word Gift in the Bible?
The one used in the above text is the Greek word charisma (khar'-is-mah - Strong's Greek Number 5486),
i. Occurs 17 times in the Bible.
ii. 5 occasions in the KJV it is translated gift
iii. 2 times it is translated free gift.

Charisma is grace made definite, specific, effective, available in a certain form or operation in the life of a believer.

They are gifts; they cannot be earned or achieved by working for them

Paul says they are available to “each one”, i.e., to all believers.

Paul describes these gifts using a key word, “manifestation”, an open revelation to the senses (something that can be perceived by the 5 senses)

The gifts are supernatural

MINISTRY GIFTS
1. The believer is the gift
2. Every aspect of the believer’s life makes up the gift, i.e. whole life centers around the gift
3. Character is involved

SPIRITUAL GIFTS
1. The believer has the gift
2. A temporary or brief manifestation of the gift occurs in the believer’s life
3. Character is not involved

The purpose for which the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
a. The gifts make room for God’s sovereignty
b. The gifts lift us above the realm of our natural abilities
c. The gifts confirm our testimony of Jesus Christ

d. The gifts are one of the primary ways believers contribute to the common good of the Body of Christ

e. The church will be adorned with and exercising the gifts when the Lord Jesus returns

In Closing
a. There are many different views on the gifts of the Spirit. Some teach the continuation of these gifts while others teach the cessation of these gifts
i. Continuationists
ii. Cessationist
b. The Church of God, as a denomination is Continuationists. Meaning we are a charismatic, Pentecostal church that believes in, teaches, and exercises the Gifts of the Spirit
c. We celebrate these gifts and traditionally are known as the OLDEST Pentecostal church in the world
d. These need to be handled with a discerning heart and a mind to BENEFIT the body or church as a whole
e. These gifts are subject to the church and the person who is blessed with the gifts at the time
f. Next week we will dive into the gifts individually and the scripture references that teach us the doctrine of these gifts