1 Corinthians – Chapter-12

The different Spiritual gifts:  (12:8-11):

The following gifts are given for the edification of the church but not for individual enjoyment or self glorification. When the Holy Spirit gives gifts to individuals, some use  them for glorifying God, some mis-use them  and some people do not use them. But we must keep in mind that all the Spiritual gifts when used properly make the church as a complete church, because the church is the body of Christ.  Apostle Paul listed 9-gifts, more gifts can ben seen in (Rom. 12:6-8;  1 Cor. 12:28-31;  Eph. 4-11;  1 Pet. 4:10-11):

We should not think that if any person exercises the gifts, the Holy Spirit is more present in them.  In fact the Holy Spirit is always present in the believers and Holy Spirit is more evident through the gifts.

The General gifts: (3 nos.)

• Wisdom: It is an insight into doctrinal truth.  It is also the unique ability to speak out the Word of God in an important situation, viz. Stephen (Acts 7:1-60; 23:1-35)
• Knowledge: Ability to apply doctrinal truth to life. It is also the ability to  declare knowledge which could only be revealed supernaturally, as shown in Jesus (Matt. 17:24-27) or Paul in (Acts 27:10; 27:23-26).

A person can have a great knowledge or even supernatural knowledge, but if he lacks in wisdom, he cannot apply the knowledge to his life.

• Faith: It is the unusual trust which is beyond the common faith exercised  by individual Christians. (13:2). Or it is the unique ability to trust God against all circumstances, as Peter did when he walked out of the boat onto the water (14:22-33).

Ex. George Mueller in 19^th century England provided for thousands of orphans completely by prayer, without even asking for donations.

The manifestation of gifts:

• Healing: Ability to heal and restore health. (Acts.3:7; 19:12)
• Miraculous powers: Relieving the demon possessed or inducing physical disability or even death.  Performing unnatural feats (Acts. 19:12; 13:11; 5:5,9).

Ministries:

• Prophecy: The ability to speak the message of God just like the OT prophets  (14:3).  Telling God’s message in a particular situation.
• Distinguish the spirits: It is the ability to distinguish the message whether it is from God or from Satan followers (2 Cor. 11:14-15; 1 Jn. 4:1)     Ex:  Satan appears as an angel of light (2 Cor.11:14). He deceives with a false, tempting message (Gen.2:16). There can be lying spirits in the mouths of prophets (1 Ki.22:21-23; 2 Chr.18:20-22).

Manifestations: 

• The tongues: It is the ability to speak an unlearned living language (Acts. 2:11).  The ability to pray in an unknown tongue is not a gift given to every believer.  It is also not an evidence of the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The gift of tongues is meant for an individual’s communication with God, not with man (14:2).

• Interpretation of tongues: It is the ability to translate an unlearned, unknown language proclaimed in the assembly or church (1 Cor. 14:27).

All the above 9-gifts are from the same Spirit and He gives freely to any one He determines. Many people think that many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are no more present as they were taken away after the disciples. But we must remember that “ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover (Mk 16:17-18).   There is no indication that miraculous gifts would die out when the apostles died out. 

Unity in the Holy Spirit:  (12:12-13):

Paul gives an excellent example of our physical body.  Our body as a whole is a unit, but it has diverse parts which are many.  But all the parts work together as one body fulfilling all the functions.  In the same way we were all saved in other words baptized by one Spirit.  Baptized by the Spirit means, the baptism of the Spirit is experienced by all who believe,  the moment a sinner accepts the Lord as His personal Saviour (Rom. 10:9).  In that baptism, people regardless of nationality whether Jews or Greeks or slave or free, are identified with Christ in other words, baptized into one body, and Holy Spirit indwells in them.  But when the filling of the Spirit depends upon how much we yield to the Holy Spirit takes and the gifts of the Spirit would keep us in unity.