Romans 12 - Prophecy, Service, Teaching,
Encouragement, Giving, Leadership, and Mercy
Prophet / Prophecy (Special Gift) - The special ability God
gives to some to proclaim the Word of God with clarity and to apply it
fearlessly with a view to the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of
believers and the convincing of unbelievers. The special gift whereby the
Spirit empowers certain Christians to interpret and apply God's revelation in a
given situation. The divine enablement to reveal truth and proclaim it in a
timely and relevant manner for understanding, correction, repentance, or
edification. There may be immediate or future implications.
People with
this gift:
- expose sin
or deception in others for the purpose of reconciliation
- speak a timely
word from God causing conviction, repentance, and edification
- see truth
that others often fail to see and challenge them to respond
- warn of
God's immediate or future judgment if there is no repentance
- understand
God's heart and mind through experiences He takes them through.
Serving/Helps
(Serving Gift) - The gift that enables a believer to work gladly behind
the scenes in order that God's work is fulfilled. The special ability God gives
to some to serve the church in a supporting roll or to invest their talents in
the life and ministry of other members of the body enabling them to increase
their effectiveness. The divine enablement to accomplish practical and
necessary tasks which free-up, support, and meet the needs of others.
People with
this gift:
- serve behind
the scenes whenever needed to support the gifts and ministries of others
(without having to be asked)
- see the
tangible and practical things to be done and enjoy doing them
- sense God's
purpose and pleasure in meeting every day responsibilities
- attach
spiritual value to practical service
- enjoy
knowing that they are freeing up others to do what God has called them to do.
- would rather
do a job than find someone else to do it.
Teaching / Teacher - The special ability God gives to some to
explain the truths of the Word of God clearly and to apply them effectively so
that those taught understand and learn. To instruct others in the Bible in a
logical and systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true
understanding and growth. The divine enablement to understand, clearly explain,
and apply the word of God causing greater Christ-likeness in the lives of
listeners.
People with
this gift:
- communicate
Biblical truth that inspires greater obedience to the word
- challenge
listeners simply and practically with the truths of scripture
- focus on
changing lives by helping others understand the Bible better
- give
attention to detail and accuracy
- prepare
through extended times of study and reflection.
Encouragement (Speaking Gift) - The special ability God gives some to offer comfort,
words of encouragement, hope, and reassurance to discouraged, weak, or troubled
Christians in such a way that they are consoled.
People with
this gift:
- come to the
side of those who are discouraged to reassure them and give them hope
- emphasize
God's promises and confidence in his will.
Giving (Serving Gift) - The gift that enables a believer to recognize God's
blessings and to respond to those blessings by generously, sacrificially, and
cheerfully giving of one's resources (time, talent, and treasure) without
thought of return. The divine enablement
to contribute money and resources to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and
liberality. People with this gift do not ask, "How much money do I need to
give to God?" but "How much money do I need to live on?"
People with
this gift:
- manage their
finances and limit their lifestyle in order to give as much of their resources
as possible
- support the
work of ministry with sacrificial gifts to advance the Kingdom
- meet
tangible needs that enable spiritual growth to occur
- provide
resources, generously and cheerfully, trusting God for His provision
- may have a
special ability to make money so that they may use it to further God's work.
Leadership (Serving Gift) - The special ability God
gives to some to set goals in accordance with God's purpose and to communicate
these goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work
together to accomplish these goals for the glory of God. The divine enablement
to cast vision, motivate, and direct people to harmoniously accomplish the
purposes of God.
People with
this gift:
- provide
direction for God's people or ministry
- motivate
others to perform to the best of their abilities
- present the
"big picture" for others to see
- model the
values of the ministry
- take
responsibility and establish goals.
(See also
Administration)
Mercy / Compassion (Serving Gift) - The special gift whereby
the Spirit enables certain Christians to feel exceptional empathy and
compassion for those who are suffering (physically, mentally, or emotionally)
so as to feel genuine sympathy for their misery, speaking words of compassion,
but more so caring for them with acts of love that help alleviate their
distress. The divine enablement to cheerfully and practically help those who
are suffering or are in need by putting compassion into action.
People with
this gift:
- focus upon
alleviating the sources of pain or discomfort in suffering people
- address the
needs of the lonely and forgotten
- express
love, grace, and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis
- serve in
difficult or unsightly circumstances and do so cheerfully
- concern
themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people.
1 Corinthians 12 - Message of Wisdom, Message
of Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers, Prophecy, Distinguishing
between spirits, Speaking in Tongues, and Interpreting Tongues
Wisdom (Speaking Gift) - The gift that allows the believer to sort through
opinions, facts, and thoughts in order to determine what solution would be best
for the individual believer or the community of believers. The ability to apply
knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and
practical in proper decision making and daily life situations. The special
ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to know the
mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how knowledge
may best be applied to specific needs arising in the body of Christ.
People with
this gift:
- focus on the
unseen consequences in determining the next steps to take
- receive an
understanding of what is necessary to meet the needs of the body
- provide
divinely given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion
- hear the
Spirit provide direction for God's best in a given situation
- apply
spiritual truth in specific and practical ways.
(See also
Knowledge)
Knowledge (Speaking Gift) - The special gift whereby
the Spirit enables certain Christians to understand in an exceptional way the
great truths of God's Word and to make them relevant to specific situations in
the church. Also, the desire to seek out and learn as much about the Bible as
possible through gathering much information and the analysis of that data. The divine enablement to bring truth to the
body through a revelation or Biblical insight.
People with
this gift:
- receive
truth which enables them to better serve the body
- search the
scriptures for insight, understanding, and truth
- gain
knowledge which at times was not attained by natural means
- have an
unusual insight or understanding that serves the church
- organize
information for teaching and practical use.
Faith - The special conviction God gives to some to be firmly persuaded of
God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such
a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake
that conviction. The divine enablement to act on God's promises with confidence
and unwavering belief in God's ability to fulfill his purposes.
People with
this gift:
- believe the
promises of God and inspire others to do the same
- act in
complete confidence of God's ability to overcome obstacles
- demonstrate
an attitude of trust in God's will and his promises
- advance the
cause of Christ because they go forward when others will not
- ask God for
what is needed and trust him for his provision.
Healing (Sign Gift) - The special ability God gives
to some to serve as a human instrument through whom it pleases Him to cure
illness and restore health (physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually)
apart from the use of natural means. The
divine enablement to be God's means for restoring people to wholeness.
People with
this gift:
- demonstrate
the power of God
- bring
restoration to the sick and diseased
- authenticate
a message from God through healing
- use it as an
opportunity to communicate a Biblical truth and to see God glorified
- pray, touch,
or speak words that miraculously bring healing to one's body.
Miracles
Miracles (Sign Gift) - The special ability God gives
to some to serve as a human intermediary through whom He pleases to perform
acts of supernatural power that are recognized by others to have altered the
ordinary course of nature and authenticated the divine commission.
People with
this gift:
- speak God's
truth and may have it authenticated by an accompanying miracle
- express
confidence in God's faithfulness and ability to manifest Christ's presence
- bring the ministry
and message of Jesus Christ with power
- claim God to
be the source of miracles and glorify the Lord
- represent
Christ and through this gift, point people to a relationship with Christ.
Prophet / Prophecy (Special Gift) - The special ability God
gives to some to proclaim the Word of God with clarity and to apply it
fearlessly with a view to the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of
believers and the convincing of unbelievers. The special gift whereby the
Spirit empowers certain Christians to interpret and apply God's revelation in a
given situation. The divine enablement to reveal truth and proclaim it in a
timely and relevant manner for understanding, correction, repentance, or edification.
There may be immediate or future implications.
People with
this gift:
- expose sin
or deception in others for the purpose of reconciliation
- speak a
timely word from God causing conviction, repentance, and edification
- see truth
that others often fail to see and challenge them to respond
- warn of
God's immediate or future judgment if there is no repentance
- understand
God's heart and mind through experiences He takes them through.
Discernment / Distinguishing of Spirits - The special ability God gives to some to
know with assurance whether certain behavior or teaching is from God, Satan,
human error, or human power. The divine enablement to distinguish between truth
and error, to discern the spirits, differentiating between good and evil, right
and wrong.
People with
this gift:
- distinguish
truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
- identify
deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness
- determine
whether a word attributed to God is authentic
- recognize
inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message, or interpretation
- are able to
sense the presence of evil.
Tongues (interpreting) - The special ability God gives to some translate the
message of one who speaks in tongues. If a tongue is spoken without an
interpretation, the speaker is edified. If the tongue is interpreted, it is for
the edification of the body.
People with
this gift:
- express with
an interpretation a word by the Spirit which edifies the Body
- enable the
gift of tongues to build up the church by interpreting God’s message for the
people.
Tongues (speaking)
Tongues
(speaking) - The special ability God gives to some to speak prayer or praise in
a language they have never learned or to communicate a message from God to His
people. The special ability God gives to some to speak in a language not
previously learned so unbelievers can hear God's message in their own language.
If a tongue is spoken without an interpretation, the speaker is edified. If the
tongue is interpreted, it is for the edification of the body.
People with
this gift:
- may receive
a spontaneous message from God which is made known to His body through the gift
of interpretation
- communicate
a message given by God for the church (if there is someone to interpret)
- speak in a
language they have never learned and do not understand
- worship the
Lord with unknown words too deep for the mind to comprehend
- experience
an intimacy with God which inspires them to serve and edify others
- speak in
tongues as a private prayer language
- when used in
a group setting, an interpretation must take place, or else the one speaking
the tongue should remain silent.
Ephesians 4 - Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist,
Pastor, and Teacher
Apostle (Leadership Gift) - The special ability God
gives to some to exercise general leadership or oversight over a number of
churches with an authority in spiritual matters, which is readily recognized.
In the strict sense this gift was confined to the twelve apostles. The New
Testament does, however, give this title to a number of others, e.g. Romans
16:7 and Acts 14:14 . It is the gift whereby the Spirit appoints certain
Christians to lead, inspire, and develop the churches of God by the
proclamation and the teaching of true doctrine. The divine ability to start and
oversee the development of new churches or ministry structures.
People with
this gift:
- pioneer and
establish new ministries or churches
- adapt to
different surroundings by being culturally sensitive and aware
- desire to
minister to unreached people in other communities or countries
- have
responsibilities to oversee ministries or groups of churches
- demonstrate
authority and vision for the mission of the church.
Prophet / Prophecy (Special Gift) - The special ability God
gives to some to proclaim the Word of God with clarity and to apply it
fearlessly with a view to the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of
believers and the convincing of unbelievers. The special gift whereby the
Spirit empowers certain Christians to interpret and apply God's revelation in a
given situation. The divine enablement to reveal truth and proclaim it in a
timely and relevant manner for understanding, correction, repentance, or
edification. There may be immediate or future implications.
People with
this gift:
- expose sin
or deception in others for the purpose of reconciliation
- speak a
timely word from God causing conviction, repentance, and edification
- see truth
that others often fail to see and challenge them to respond
- warn of
God's immediate or future judgment if there is no repentance
- understand
God's heart and mind through experiences He takes them through.
Evangelism / Evangelist - The special ability God gives to some to
proclaim the Gospel of salvation effectively so that people respond to the
promises of Christ through conversion to Christianity. The divine enablement to
effectively communicate the gospel to unbelievers so they respond in faith and
move toward discipleship.
People with
this gift:
- communicate
the message of Christ with clarity and conviction
- seek out
opportunities to talk to unbelievers about spiritual matters
- challenge
unbelievers to faith and to become fully devoted followers of Christ
- adapt their
presentation of the gospel to connect with the individual's needs
- seek
opportunities to build relationships with unbelievers.
Pastor / Shepherd - The special ability God gives to some to
assume a long-term personal responsibility for leadership and the spiritual
care, protection, guidance, and feeding (teaching) of a group of believers. The
divine enablement to nurture, care for, and guide people toward on-going
spiritual maturity and becoming like Christ.
People with
this gift:
- take
responsibility to nurture the whole person in their walk with God
- provide
guidance and oversight to a group of God's people
- model with
their life what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus
- establish
trust and confidence through long-term relationships
- lead and
protect those within their span of care.
Teaching / Teacher - The special ability God gives to some to
explain the truths of the Word of God clearly and to apply them effectively so
that those taught understand and learn. To instruct others in the Bible in a
logical and systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true
understanding and growth. The divine enablement to understand, clearly explain,
and apply the word of God causing greater Christ-likeness in the lives of
listeners.
People with
this gift:
- communicate
Biblical truth that inspires greater obedience to the word
- challenge
listeners simply and practically with the truths of scripture
- focus on
changing lives by helping others understand the Bible better
- give
attention to detail and accuracy
- prepare
through extended times of study and reflection.
