What spiritual gifts does the Bible mention? Can you give me a survey of the spiritual gifts?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Spiritual gifts are abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of serving others, building up the body of Christ, and glorifying God. The Bible mentions various spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gives to believers; these enable us to act in ways we couldn’t if we were using just our own strength.. Key passages like 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, and 1 Peter 4:10-11 list a variety of gifts, including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, and serving. Ephesians 4:11 discusses roles such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Spiritual gifts empower believers to serve in specific, Spirit-led ways that contribute to unity and growth in the body of Christ.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Spiritual gifts are mentioned in the New Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• First Corinthians 1:4-11 and 28 lists at least eleven gifts (some areas are listed as offices or roles and are not included here as gifts):
• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Faith
• Healing
• Special powers/Miracles
• Prophecy
• Discernment
• Tongues/Languages
• Interpretation of Tongues/Languages
• Helps
• Administration
• Romans 12:6-8 mentions seven gifts:
• Prophecy
• Serving
• Teaching
• Encouragement
• Giving
• Leadership
• Mercy/Service
• First Peter 4:10-11 notes two gifts for a total of twenty specific gifts. These gifts include speaking and serving.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Each believer has at least one gift to be used to the glory of God, for the benefit of other believers, and to reach unbelievers (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Peter 4:10). No one will have every gift, yet together God gives gifts as He has sovereignly chosen to build up the church (Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-13). Some may wonder what the specific gifts look like practically or whether all gifts are still applicable today. But the Bible is clear that every believer is gifted by God for service to others. As Scripture states, "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills" (1 Corinthians 12:11). Some mistakenly think we can manifest our gifts in our own strength, but Scripture shows that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26-27 NIV). Ultimately, we are called to serve others, glorify God, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in using our gifts for His glory and to fulfill His purposes.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible describes various spiritual gifts, including wisdom, prophecy, serving, teaching, leadership, and mercy, while also highlighting roles like apostles and pastors.
• Believers are all given a spiritual gift to glorify God and build up the body of Christ.
• All the gifts are necessary and uniquely valuable to the body of Christ.

REFLECT

• How do you recognize and use the spiritual gifts God has given you to serve others in your life?
• How can you grow in your understanding and use of your spiritual gifts to glorify God and build up the church?
• How can you trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in using your gifts, especially in situations where you feel unsure?

ENGAGE

• How do the different spiritual gifts work together to promote unity and edification in the body of Christ?
• What is the relationship between the roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) and the spiritual gifts discussed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11?
• How might our understanding of spiritual gifts influence the way we serve others in our community or church?