Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Biblical Texts

Paul calls the various abilities and ministries that the Holy Spirit gives to believers "gifts." Lists of gifts appear in several places in the New Testament.

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. These are commonly called the "nine gifts."
• 1 Corinthians 12:28: apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues.
• Romans 12:6-8: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and showing mercy.
• Ephesians 4:11: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers.
• 1 Peter 4:10-11: the gifts are broadly divided into speaking and serving.

Terminology and Background

The word "gift" translates the Greek charisma. The term derives from charis, meaning "grace," and signifies "a gift freely received." In the Corinthian church, rivalry arose over which gifts were superior, particularly conspicuous ones such as tongues, and worship fell into disorder. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 12–14 to correct this situation.

Comparing the church to one body with many members (12:12-27), Paul says that although the gifts differ, they come from the same Spirit and are given "to profit withal" (12:7). In chapter 13, the Love Chapter, he declares that gifts without love are nothing. Then, in chapter 14, he values prophecy, which edifies the church, above tongues (14:1-5).

Significance in the Whole of Scripture

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God came upon particular individuals to entrust them with tasks, such as Bezalel (Exodus 31:1-5) and various judges, kings, and prophets. Moses wished that all the Lord's people were prophets (Numbers 11:29). Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28). Peter interpreted the events of Pentecost as the fulfillment of this prophecy (Acts 2:16-21). The New Testament teaches that the gifts are given not to a select few but to all believers for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

Interpretations and Points of Debate

• Continuation: Cessationism and continuationism divide over whether gifts such as tongues, prophecy, and divine healing continued after the apostolic age. Some within the Reformed tradition hold that the revelatory gifts ceased with the completion of the canon (the books the church recognized as Scripture), citing passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement hold that all the gifts continue today. Many churches affirm the continuation of the gifts while emphasizing careful discernment.
• Tongues and Spirit baptism: Within Pentecostal denominations, a well-known position regards speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. Other denominations generally do not accept this view, citing "do all speak with tongues?" (1 Corinthians 12:30).
• The text and later systematization: The classification of the gifts into three groups—revelation, power, and utterance—is a later systematization, not a division made by Scripture itself. Because the lists both overlap and differ, views also vary on whether they encompass all the gifts. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which refers to character, is distinguished from the gifts.

In Korean Churches

In Korean Protestant churches, spiritual gifts are discussed chiefly in connection with tongues, divine healing, and prophecy. The Full Gospel movement, represented by Pastor David Yonggi Cho, has emphasized tongues and divine healing at revival meetings and gatherings at prayer retreat centers. In other Korean denominations as well, people can be seen praying in tongues during audible corporate prayer. In discipleship training and small-group ministry, church members are sometimes taught to discover their own gifts in order to determine where they should serve. Meanwhile, the general assemblies of several Korean denominations are reported to have passed resolutions cautioning against the New Apostolic Reformation, which emphasizes prophecy and direct revelation.