Gifts of the Spirit

Dear brothers and sisters,

I wonder if anybody can recommend me any book, article or sermon with sound doctrine on the gifts of the Spirit. I read yesterday through some of the scriptures concerning the topic and listened also to a sermon by Paris Reidhead. But I am still meditating on the topic - how do I recognize what is my gift?

And I realize that the gifts are given for the profit of the church, so realizing or finding out what gift God has given me - will be a blessing to all!

If you are willing, you can also share your testimony, how you have found that out!

Yours in Christ,

In your past posts I have sensed your sincere commitment to the Lord so I will risk a lot of criticism on the forum to share some of my personal experience. I am part of a denomination which does not in my opinion put enough emphasis on the work of the Spirit in the life and work of a believer yet I know my calling is to remain where I am and mentor young people who are hungering for God. I sense a strong moving of God in very recent years in my religious circle in drawing the hearts of younger people to desire a dynamic experience with Himself which my generation has failed to portray.
First, through some very adverse experiences, the Lord yanked me out of the mainstream of my religious culture to begin to reveal Himself as a caring "Dad" Who desired to direct my life in a very real and personal way. With this, I began to experience some gifts of the Spirit which enabled me to serve Him in ways which my natural abilities could never have done. One of the more predominant gifts is the gift of discerning of spirits. Another is the word of wisdom and an understanding of the Scripture which has nothing to do with my intellect. None of the gifts which I have received were for my personal glory - all were to enhance my effectiveness for Him. One thing which God has shown me is that there are many counterfeits among those who boast of having the "gifts". I would encourage you, Esther, to continue as you have been doing in pursuing God with all your heart and asking Him to fill you with His Spirit. I am assured that He will delight in pouring His gifts upon His beloved daughter as He sees fit in His good plans for you. The world of books and teachers can be very confusing with its multitude of opinions but God is a good Father Who will prove to be an apt teacher to all who honestly seek Him.

David

Hi Sis Esther,
You're in the right book to read about gifts of the Spirit. The Bible 😊.
I was reading this morning how Isaiah said God had called him from the womb. (Isaiah 49:1-2) God wires us all a little differently but it is apparent in our DNA what we are like. Trying to figure out what your gifts are or how the Holy Spirit will use you is a little like trying to figure out what a baby will be like when he is just born! Looking back seems to be a better indication of what one is good at.
In my life, the things I am drawn to are often a good indicator of how God will highlight my life in His Spirit.
It is often the worldly or religious thinking that takes us off track. May God give you peace and reveal His ways and paths for you, dear Esther!
Your namesake, Esther, had no idea she would be used to save her people from destruction, but God set it up and Esther's character and natural gifts were all part of the Spirit's moving in her life.
Love in Christ,
Sis L

In The hour of His Power
by Athur Wallis

A sound man long gone with the Lord.

That was before corruption crept into the charismatic renewal movement.

Also
David Pawson
Holy Spirit
and
Word and Spirit

Dear sister,

Some of the best teachings on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that I have ever listened to are by Derek Prince. There are numerous scripture references that Brother Prince gives in these teachings. He is not teaching man's opinion or some denomination's view on the Holy Spirit, but sound doctrine from the Word of God.

On this three part series, the first teaching deals with receiving the Holy Spirit. If you want to skip to the teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit, advance to about 52 minutes into the teaching, and you will be able to view two other teachings on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THa58YZgbOI

And I realize that the gifts are given for the profit of the church, so realizing or finding out what gift God has given me - will be a blessing to all!

There is, I believe, a major difference between the nine gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor. 12 and what I would call giftings or callings on your life. The nine are supernatural gifts that are given as the Spirit wills. For example, God might want to use me in the gift of miracles at a specific time and for a specific purpose, but that does not mean that I now possess the gift of working of miracles and have the ability to go about working miracles.

As to giftings and callings in the body, I would point to Eph. 4. Paul begins by saying that to everyone is given grace, supernatural empowerment, according to the measure of the gift of Christ (according to the will of God and the specific anointing that He has placed upon our lives through the Holy Spirit.)

Paul then says that there are particular gifts given to the body through men, five of them, that have a specific calling to train and mature the remainder of the body. The members of the body, as it matures, will eventually reach the measure of a full grown spiritual man so that each will be able to supply as he or she is anointed by the Holy Spirit.

So the key, in my opinion and experience, is not found in trying to figure out your gift. The key is in pressing in to God and seeking the have Him grow and mature you in Him. In the carnal world we think this is natural. We grow up not having a clue what we are going to do when we are older. But in the process of maturing, we find ourselves drawn to one career or another occupation and our course is guided naturally. It is similar in the spiritual realm. If you draw near to God and spend time with Him, He will naturally speak to your heart about His will for your life. And, with His will comes His empowerment (the grace that is given to every man as Paul says in Eph. 4).

Hope this helps.

r u baptized in the Holy Ghost? Only those that r baptized in the Holy Ghost can have gifts of the Spirit. Secondly,the gifts of the Spirit only comes or operates as the Spirit wills and not as the individual wills. Trying to operate gifts of the Spirit on one's volition will lead into error.
I will recommend you read the book by Kenneth e.Hagin- Knowledge of the gifts of the Spirit.

The Gifts Of The Spirit by Harold Horton

This is a very straightforward and plain spoken book. It's the only book I've ever read on the "Gifts”. I think it's about 30 years old now and it still holds true. The temptation with this book is to only read what you think your gift is, but I recommend reading the entire book. In doing do so whatever your gift(s) may become very plain to you. For me the book was more like a confirmation but it was fascinating in how all the "Gifts” work because I had seen a majority of them in operation but wasn't quite sure because some look a little similar. So the book helped me to distinguish.

I hope that helps.

I read a number of Kenneth Hagin's books in the past. Though he wrote some goods things, I would stay away from them because of his word of faith theology.

If you want to read a good book on prophesy, I recommend Wayne Grudem's "The gift of prophesy "

RE: "r u baptized in the Holy Ghost? Only those that r baptized in the Holy Ghost can have gifts of the Spirit."

No, that is Pentecostal doctrine, the Christian doctrine is here:

1 Corinthians 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into
one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be
bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

ALL believers are baptized into one Spirit

Ephesians 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

there is Now only 1 Christian baptism, and Paul never asks anyone
to search for a second blessing, even though the AOL website
says to search for that. That's why the call themselves Pentecostals,
and not Christian. It's 'christian Plus something extra'.

Acts is history, epistles are teaching Chrisitan doctrine. But people want
to re-experience act again, special re-run just for them. The catholics also
have this tendency to not accept once and for all historical facts and want
to 'do a historical once for all done deal all over again' in every mass.

Pentecostals do the same in a different way, instead of going with Bible doctrine,
it seems kind of "spiritual" to tap into the history side and declare "let's do this
every day", and of course it should be Pentecost all the time, would'nt that
what we really want?....or is it simply a childish way to misunderstand everything?

Anyway, the gifts are mentioned in 1 Corinthians in detail for someone
interested in the Christian teaching, for Pentecostal teachings you need to
buy books of Pentecostals, as long as you're aware that they teach different
doctrines, such as "second blessing" which is not biblical.

"Pentecostals do the same in a different way, instead of going with Bible doctrine,"

"That's why the call themselves Pentecostals,
and not Christian. It's 'christian Plus something extra'."

Brother,

You are completely off base and not in line with the teachings in scripture concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Pentecostals didn't come up with the doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did!

Every Pentecostal that I know refers to themselves as being a Christian. And by Pentecostal, I am not referring to a denomination, I am talking about one that has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, just as the believers did in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. I am a Christian first, but I am not ashamed to be called a Pentecostal, because I have received the Pentecostal experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

These are the words of Jesus:
"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49).

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8).

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit that the disciples of Jesus received on the day of Pentecost is for believers today. It is true that a person can be saved and indwelt by the Holy Spirit through the new birth without experiencing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist said this about Jesus:
"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11). It is none other than Jesus Christ that is baptizing those in the Holy Spirit that are thirsty, and ask for this free gift, and that receive it by faith.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17). A born again person is in Christ and is a member of the Body of Christ, and has the Spirit of God abiding within him, but this is not the same thing as being baptized in the Holy Spirit. There are many saved people, that have never been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul found believers, disciples of Jesus that had not yet been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
(Acts 19:1-6).

There are Cessationists in the Church today that follow the teachings of John MacArthur. They are being robbed out of this wonderful experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Since the day of Pentecost millions of believers throughout the world have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, many of them speaking in tongues and exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecostals do the same in a different way, instead of going with Bible doctrine,
it seems kind of "spiritual" to tap into the history side and declare "let's do this
every day", and of course it should be Pentecost all the time, would'nt that
what we really want?....or is it simply a childish way to misunderstand everything?

When I was eight years old I was born again. I remember the strong conviction of the Holy Spirit in my heart, and I remember the wonderful sense of cleanness that washed over me. I knew the exact moment that the transaction took place and my spirit was reborn. I felt totally pure and holy in a moment of time. I remember experiencing an abiding presence of God in my life from that moment on.

When I was 18, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I remember being filled with such an overflowing presence of God. I tell you, I was lost in Him. I remember the joy and presence of God that filled me and overflowed. I desired so much to worship Him, but my own words were so inadequate. I began to praise Him in another language, one I did not understand. I then began to sing to Him a song I did not know nor understand. A young lady who was also seeking God that night began to sing as well and for a time we sang in perfect unison the same melody and words in another language. After that experience I not only felt the abiding presence of God, but I was indued with the power of God in a way that I had never experienced before.

I tell this testimony for a reason. I was raised in the very roots of 20th century pentecost. I grew up at the feet of the men and women who walked with and ministered with Parham. With all due respect, and I really mean that, I believe you have a very skewed view of pentecost and what pentecostal's believe.

Bro. Mike listed several scriptural references that demonstrate the baptism of the Holy Spirit as separate from and subsequent to conversion. The best way I have to describe this is that when we are born again there is an abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. But, when we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are indued with power by the Holy Spirit. One is the regeneration of our spirit by the Holy Spirit, the other is an indwelling of our entire life and being by the Holy Spirit. One is a baptism of repentance which brings about reconciliation or renewal of right relationship while the other is a baptism in fire (there is one coming after me who will baptize you with the Holy Ghose and fire) that brings about the power of God in and through us. (See Paul's explanation of this in 1 Cor. 2)

At Cain Ridge in the early 1800's, the Methodists experienced this and called this the second blessing. I have read the first hand accounts of people who were there (my copy of the book is well over 150 years old now) and they experienced the same manifestations that you might associate with pentecostals today. The same happened in the early 1900's at Parham's school in Topeka, KS.

I think we run into problems when we don't understand where someone is coming from. A few years back I went to a marriage conference in Arkansas that was hosted by a very strict, holiness baptist man. A couple who went with me asked him if he had ever attended a pentecostal church that we knew well that was located right down the road from his camp. He said yes, and that he loved the people, knew they were godly people, but that the whole speaking in tongues thing made him uncomfortable. You know, I saw a demonstration of the presence of God in this man's life that was amazing. Yet the doctrines that he had been taught kept him from receiving something that I believe God wanted him to have very badly. It did not mean that he was not holy, not righteous, and not anointed of God. He absolutely was, in a great way. It just meant that he was, in my opinion, missing out on an induement of power by the Holy Ghost that could have taken his ability to minister to another level entirely.

I pray in tongues on a daily basis. I find, just a scripture tells me it will, that is is a source of edification to me. I am occasionally used in gifts of the Spirit. I hear God speak to me in my spirit clearly, and on a daily basis. Does not make me super spiritual, and it does not make me feel spiritual. If what I am doing is about making me feel spiritual, then I am way off and out in left field. It simply gives me strength and power that is beyond my own natural ability. It is the induement of His power that He promised before He ascended to the Father.

Thanks bro's Travis and Mike for reminding us what it is all about.

I pray that many brothers and sisters reading will be stirred to seek, ask and knock until they also receive this enduement from on high!

How else will we be the witnesses He has called us to be?

Have you noticed that from the camp of cessationist preachers like John McArthur etc come never a testimony of people set free from demonic possession, healed through laying on of hands or anything else that could not be done without the power of the Holy Spirit.
One wonders what kind of gospel they are really preaching and how powerless the Jesus is whom they declare.
What kind of missionaries do they send out?
How are they convincing people to believe? Merely with words?

These men will have a lot of explaining to do, offering a Jesus Who saves and gives eternal life, but no power for doing the kingdom's work

Blessings,

Thank you Brother Travis for sharing your wonderful testimony, and I can very much relate to what you are saying.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus, makes Him more real to us, and out of our belly flows rivers of living water. It is a fire that cannot be quenched, and I can say that after 44 years of being filled with the Spirit. We cannot limit it though to just a one time experience. We must stay filled. We must stay hungry and thirsty, and come to Jesus every day for that living water.

It is a fire that cannot be quenched, and I can say that after 44 years of being filled with the Spirit. We cannot limit it though to just a one time experience.

AMEN! We are to be continually be in a state of being filled.

Hi Mike,

"And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
(Acts 19:1-6)."

Just thinking......

(1) Would you say that the tongues and prophesying were the gifts they received when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit or would you say, as some say, that tongues are the evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

(2) What exactly is the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

(3) What is the real purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

As important as your gift(s) may be, I'd begin here before going there;

Speaking to women, Peter says in chapter 3 of his first epistle -

Let their adorning not be outward with ostentatious hairdos and wearing of gold nor in composition of apparel, but let the interior adorning of the heart be without corruption, and of an agreeable spirit and peaceful, which is precious in the sight of God. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who waited upon God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands, as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom ye are made daughters, doing well and not being afraid of any terror.

There's much to consider in just these three verses. If a woman is looking for what God says is precious to Him, she's found it here in plain language.

If you're pursuing what's written above, all those other things will be added to you.

I realize that this is a bit off topic, but without this, all else is like the image given in the Proverbs of the pig with a gold ring in his nose.

First things first. First thing being, to be what God has called you to be as a woman. Study and pray about this, and may His Spirit lead you and guide you into all other truth which you are seeking.

Perhaps I should add as a background that I started to think about this after a conversation with a friend. It was about the church, and... she told that I don't understand married people, because they have many burdens. "You are a free molecule", she said ;d. So I thought, "Ok. When I am so free, and less burdened, could I not somehow be a blessing for my church? Like encouraging them etc."

I agree with bro Travis, there is difference between our calling (for example to be a missionary, preacher, teacher etc), and the gifts of the Spirit. My thoughts were more in direction of how can I serve while I am staying here (in that particular local church).

And yesterday the Lord reminded me: "You want to serve people, but I want that you serve Me." How, I'm not yet quite sure.

Savannah, thank you very much really for that Scripture. I think I have yet a lot to learn... /but/ I love the combination of being in subjection and serving Christ. :)

Edit: ... "but"? That's useless. They both go hand in hand!

To all, to whom I cannot answer - thanks!

Only those that r baptized in the Holy Ghost can have gifts of the Spirit

(1) Would you say that the tongues and prophesying were the gifts they received when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit or would you say, as some say, that tongues are the evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

(2) What exactly is the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

(3) What is the real purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit?

Dear Jade,

On the Day of Pentecost, the 120 believers in that upper room were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. Many believers have been baptized in the Holy Spirit but have yet to receive the gift of tongues, yet it is available to all, and one of the main reasons why saints do not receive this wonderful gift is because of poor teaching on the subject. Many believers want God to do it all. They want God to open their mouth and pray through them in tongues. I am not talking about making up strange sounds and calling that praying in tongues, but the Word of God says that they began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. In other words, the Spirit of God will give you the utterance, but you must open your mouth and speak that which He is giving to you.

Now it is my personal belief that a person can be filled with the Holy Spirit and never speak in tongues, because the main purpose of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is to receive power for ministry. Power to be witnesses unto Jesus.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8).

The Church needs the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission: "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20).

God has given ministry gifts to the Church. These ministry gifts are the Fivefold Ministry. They are men that walk in the office of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Prophet, and Teacher as stated in Ephesians 4: 11-13).

God has given given one or more gifts of the Spirit to every believer for the edification or building up of the Body of Christ.

Chapters 12, 13, and 14 of 1st Corinthians tells us what the gifts are, how the gifts are to ministered (in love), and the purpose of the gifts.

And to answer the other question: Yes, I have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I think that brother Travis and Mike explained it well.

I cannot remember my parents ever telling me, "We are Pentecostals." I did not even really know the difference between Baptist and Pentecostal until 2015 perhaps. I guess that if you've asked me, I really could not tell you much. And yes, there are out there people who have "strange fire", but that does not mean that God does not therefore baptize his children anymore with fire!

I like the example of bro Travis, with the Baptist. I do not reject people on the ground of being "Baptist". The question is - are we following the same Sheperd? Does Christ, does the Spirit of God dwell in you?

May I share another testimony: My father was born and was raised up Muslim (very believing Muslim). And around the age of 17, God met him and he was converted. He told me that there was one occasion, on which he met a man, who was not speaking his language (perhaps from another tribe). But my father started to talk to him, sharing the gospel with him, while talking in another language. And the man understood him! My father has never after that spoken that language. God just used him at that time.

I just can say, Glory be to God!