Tract 4. by Keith Malcomson.
The Gifts Of The Holy Ghost.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit...But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The Spirits Sovereign, Supernatural Gifts.
Here we see that it is the Holy Ghost who has gifts that He gives to believers, according to His will. He chooses what gifts to give, to whom they are given and only He can give them. There are nine specific, very different gifts mentioned here, they are diversities of gifts, or varieties of gifts. Yet they all come from the One Holy Spirit, the one Person. These manifestations of the Spirit, or expressions of the Spirit, are just that. They are expressions of the Holy Spirit, of His character, His workings and His will. These are the means He works by. These are not natural talents or gifts, they are spiritual, supernatural and sovereign. You don't find listed amongst these manifestations, falling down, laughing or other such things, no these gifts are real, effectual and powerful in edifying, building up believers and carrying Gods work forward. These gifts were already operating in the church before Paul named and numbered them. Though we cannot choose the gifts and it is the Spirits sovereign will that gives them, we are instructed to covet earnestly and desire the gifts. The Greek word used here is Zeloo which also means to have a great warmth of feeling for, zeal for or to burn for. That is our responsibility the rest is His.
Nine Gifts.
Just as there are nine gifts of the Holy Ghost there are also nine fruit of the Holy Spirit as well. It is said that the Dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit has nine feathers making up each wing. How beautiful. Not one without the other. Gifts and fruit together by the Spirit of God. Fruit grows with time, gifts are given instantly. You will see many of these gifts shine through in individuals in the Old testament, but it was rare and just for special individuals. Today these gifts are for each church and each member of the church.
i) The word of wisdom. This is the ability to know how to act or speak in certain situations that is beyond the ability of man. Its primarily a spoken thing, for it says word (Gk.Logos)= reason, speech, discourse. It is a taking of a portion of Gods perfect wisdom and revealing it to us and through us in speech. A timely word.Gen.41v38-39;Ex.35v30, 31, 14, 35; I Kgs.3v28; Dan.2v30; I Kgs.7v13-14; I Cor.1v6-7; Lk.21v15; 12v12; Mt. 21v25; 22v21; Acts 6v10; Jm.3v17;
ii) The word of knowledge. Again it is a word, a spoken thing. Uttering precise knowledge of past, present and future things that could only be known by God. Remember these are not toys they are for the whole body, the church, for its edifying, its building up. Jn.1v47-49; Lk.22v10; I Kgs.5v20-27; II Kgs.6v9-12 ; Acts 10v19; Jn.4v18-19, 29; Acts 9v11-12; 13v11; Mt.2v12; I Sam.10v2-6; Acts 5v3, 9; 21v10-12; 27v10-11, 21-26; Mt.17v24-25;
iii) Faith. This is both a gift and fruit. One grows as we walk with God, the other comes instantly at times of great impossibility when we need to believe to a greater degree than anything natural. One has to do with character, the other with power. Often this gift of faith will operate before miracles or healings take place. We speak in faith and act with authority in faith. Mt.17v20; Acts 3v4-7; I Kgs.17v1; Jm.5v17; II Kgs.2v22. I Kgs.17v13-16
iv) Gifts of healing. This gift is the means of physical healing, by which the sick in body are made whole. Healing is actually in the plural, there are various supernatural enablings that bring about various means to the sick being made whole. This gift is very diverse. Mt.8v8; Mk.5v29; Lk.6v17-18; 17v15; 22v51; Acts 3v1;115-16; 5v12-16;8v6-7; 9v37; 10v38; 14v9; 19v12; 28v8; Jm.5v14;
UNFINISHED.
v) The working of miracles.
vi) Prophesy.
vii) Discerning of spirits.
viii) Divers kinds of tongues.
xi) The interpretation of tongues.
