"Spiritual Gifts" & "Fruit of the Spirit"
Spiritual Gifts from: "God the Father," "God the Son", & "God the Holy Spirit"
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. " John 8:31-32
Introduction – There are 3 types of Gifts, each given by a specific person of the Godhead.
Below, you will find a chapter 'Spiritual Gifts' & 'Fruit of the Spirit' from the the upcoming book, 'Kingdom Truth and Jesus the Healer.' We also included a pdf for download as that may be easier to read and use offline.
Ephesians 4:11-12 – 5-Fold Ministry (Office) Gifts
And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Romans 12:6-8 – The 7 Motivational Gifts
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them. If prophecy, let us prophecy in proportion to our faith or ministry. Let us use it in our ministering: he who teaches, in teaching, he who exhorts, in exhortation, he who gives, with liberality, he who leads (administration) with diligence, he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
I Corinthians 12:7-11 – The 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, To another faith by the same Spirit, to other gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to other different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
The 5-fold Ministry Gifts
All the 5-fold ministry office gifts do not choose on their own what it is that they would like to do in God's Kingdom. Rather, Jesus appoints according to His will, Eph. 4:11
A Spiritual Dream on Sunday, 5-15-22. According to Acts 2:17 concerning dreams. I (Bob) had a spiritual dream again. The Lord wanted to emphasize again the importance of Believers, who call people into the five-fold ministry. It is not man; it is Jesus Himself. Man can only recognize what Jesus has already done.
According to Ephesians 4:11-13, And He Himself (Jesus) gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and some teachers. (For what reason?) For the equipping of the Saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of Christ.
It is also appropriate and scriptural to call all the five-fold ministry positions by their titles, according to what Jesus told me in the dream. Examples - Apostle Bernie, Prophet Ed, Evangelist Bruce, Pastor Adam, Teacher Bob. This is not religious; this is appropriate in the Kingdom of God. Believers should serve the Kingdom of God, help fulfill the Great Commission, and become Ambassadors for Heaven.
Apostle
A. A ministry given to those who establish and advance new churches or ministries.
B. Implies the exercise of a distinct role of broader leadership as a representative of Christ.
C. Functions as a messenger or spokesman of God.
An Apostle will work at expanding the church, opening fields to the gospel, and overseeing the larger sections of the body of Jesus Christ, including local leadership.
- Scriptural references: I Corinthians 12:27-31, Ephesians 4:11-12, Romans 1:1-6
Prophet
A. A ministry that receives and communicates messages received from God, designed to encourage, correct, or instruct the body of believers and the church of Jesus Christ.
B. A person uniquely gifted at times with insight into future events.
- Scriptural references: Romans 12:4-8, I Corinthians 12:1-12, I Corinthians 12:27-31, Ephesians 4:11-12, Acts 13:1-5.
Evangelists
A. A ministry dedicated to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to unbelievers in a manner that moves them toward a life of faith and commitment to Christ.
B. Functionally, the gift of evangelism operates for the establishment of new works, while pastors and teachers follow up to organize and sustain.
C. The gift of evangelism operates to win and establish converts, to gather them spiritually and literally into the body of Christ. It usually is a traveling ministry but could be part of a 5-Fold Ministry-organized church.
- Scriptural references: II Timothy 4:5, Ephesians 4:11-12, Mark 16:15-20, Acts 1:8
Pastor
A. A ministry gift given to the church, the pastor has the gift of a shepherd who loves, cares for, ministers to, corrects, leads, and disciples those they are placed over. The Pastor acts as shepherd and guardian for a group of believers and leads them toward a deeper relationship with Christ.
- Scriptural references: Ephesians 4:11-12, I Peter 5:2-4
Teacher
A. A ministry gift that can clearly communicate the truths of the Bible, helping listeners understand and apply the word of God in their lives.
B. This teaching gift is a discipleship and training ministry. Sometimes, it can also be a traveling ministry.
- Scriptural references: Ephesians 4:11-12, Romans 12:4-8, I Corinthians 12:27-31,
Acts 13:1-5
Those who operate in these gifts, called to minister in God's Kingdom, have usually been called according to what Jesus said in the scriptures in Ephesians 4:11.
Motivational Gifts
Introduction - these are gifts that characterize basic "motivations" that are inherent tendencies that characterize each different person by reason of the Creator's unique workmanship in their initial gifting at birth. Here lies an individual's basic abilities, life giftings, and motivations.
Prophecy -has insight.
Ministry/Serving - meet practical needs.
Luke 10:38-42 (Martha loves to serve)
Now, it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
Teaching - emphasizes the Bible, God's word.
Teachers edify, challenge, and build up Believers. Christian teachers are needed desperately today to help build the Kingdom of God. Teaching is disciplining, educating, helping, awakening, imparting, inspiring, correcting, sharing, and guiding.
Exhortation - encourage spiritual growth.
Acts 15:37-39 (Barnabas is an example)
This is a gift that encourages and exhorts people to be everything God wants them to be. All ministers should be high in this gift. For example, every Pastor should be looking for the gifts in people and then look for where they can be used.
Giving - desires to give and encourage others to give.
Genesis 22:9-12 (Abraham was willing to give God what was lost valuable to himself)
And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham, and he said, here I am. And he said, do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, from Me.
Administration - desires to meet goals and take charge.
Nehemiah 2:15-17 (Nehemiah set goals and organized resources)
God called Nehemiah to build the wall of Jerusalem because he had the gift of administration.
Mercy - removes emotional and physical hurts.
Luke 10:33-35 But, a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And, when he saw him, he had compassion.
Three categories of the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Introduction - One of the attributes of the person of the Holy Spirit is the capability to bestow divine and spiritual gifts upon Believers. They become more abundant through the operation of faith. There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can be divided into three categories
A. Word of Wisdom
A word of wisdom reveals a fraction of the mind of God concerning people, places, or things. Through this supernatural gift, God lets us know how He wants us to deal with a specific situation.
B. Word of Knowledge - A word of knowledge is a revelation by the Holy Spirit giving a piece of God's knowledge or information concerning people and situations in the present. It's God's diagnosis of a problem, a sickness, or any other situation that is humanly impossible to know about.
C. Discerning of spirits - The discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability to see into the spirit world - by this insight, the Believer can see angels and demons and discern the condition of the human spirit - good or bad. The gift of discerning of spirits is the God-given ability or enablement to recognize the identity of the spirits which are behind different manifestations or activities.
D. Special Faith - The gift of special faith is a supernatural manifestation by the Holy Spirit supplying unlimited faith in a specific situation to achieve supernatural results. When this special wonder-working faith is manifested in your life, God supernaturally empties you of all doubt and unbelief.
E. Gifts of Healings - Occurs when God supernaturally heals the sick through a believer. This is the only plural gift. The gifts of healings are the supernatural impartation of God's Divine Healing power through a believer to cure disease and heal the sick. '
F. Workings of miracles - the workings of miracles are a special, momentary gift of authority that enables us, by the anointing of God, to intervene in the ordinary course of things. It's beyond natural human ability. The Greek word for "Miracle" means an explosion of mighty power, a release of divine energy, the performance of something which is contrary to the laws of nature.
G. Prophecy - this is a supernatural utterance in a known tongue (not conceived by human thought or reasoning) spoken under the anointing of God to edify, encourage, strengthen, and comfort the church.
H. Different Kinds of Tongues - The gift of spoken tongues, publicly proclaiming a message from God that is not understood by the person giving it. The gift of tongues is a supernatural utterance given by any Spirit-Filled Christian proclaiming in a public meeting (church service, prayer meeting, house group) a message from God in a language unknown and not understood by the person giving it. It should always be used in conjunction with the gift of interpretation of tongues.
I. Interpretation of tongues - occurs when a message given in tongues is interpreted supernaturally by the Spirit through a Spirit-filled Believer. The Gift of Interpretation of tongues is a supernatural unfolding, by the Holy Spirit through the believer, of the meaning of a message in tongues delivered usually in a public assembly so that the church can be encouraged and built up.
Use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We are living near the end of the last days when the Holy Spirit is being poured out on the earth. Acts 2:17-18 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And, on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy.
- "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 servants; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they (disciples) went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:17-20
The purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit
A. The purpose of receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to receive God's supernatural gifts and power in our lives.
- But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
1. Power to live an overcoming life.
2. Power to witness for Jesus.
3. Power to fulfill the Great Commission.
4. Power to heal the sick and cast out demons.
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
A. Jesus Christ is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit
I (John the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matthew 3:11
I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize you with water said to me, upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John 1:33
B. Following salvation, God's gift for all believers is baptism in the Holy Spirit.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts for your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 Notice carefully: all believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, and all believers spoke in other tongues. Some have testified that after the prayer for speaking in tongues, have said that they actually received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit at a later date and spoke in tongues.
C. When we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we will receive the Bible evidence of speaking in other tongues. Personal prayer language.
For he who speaks in tongues (private prayer language) does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit, he speaks mysteries.
I Corinthians 14:1-2
D. Steps in receiving.
1. Repent and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. Ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
3. By faith, believe you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
4. As an act of your faith, open your mouth and start speaking out the new language - speak out in tongues what God gives you.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnifying God. Acts 10:46
5. Another option is to find a mature Believer that is Baptized in the Holy Spirit and have them lay hands on you and pray for you.
- And when Paul and laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:6
How Believers Received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all in one accord in one place. And suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4
A special observation of over 50 years in ministry
As far as we can tell, all or most of the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit come at the time of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But it is also up to every Believer who speaks in tongues to exercise their FAITH, to see the supernatural manifestation of a particular gift. These Gifts are meant to be used primarily to meet the needs of people, spiritually, physically, or materially. We believe that the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit are the spiritual tools for ministry. We also believe that very little will happen in the supernatural in God's Kingdom without these gifts, and what Galatians 5:6b says, "Faith working through Love." Or James 5:15: And the prayer of faith will save the sick, the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Commentary
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in ME, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, "BECAUSE" I go to my Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12:14
- The keyword here is "BECAUSE." Once Jesus went back to Heaven, He was no longer limited to an earthly body in one place, and He promised the coming of the Holy Spirit that he would come to live inside the Believer.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the HELPER (HOLY SPIRIT) will not come to you, but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:7
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak and his own authority, but whatever He hears (the Father & Holy Spirit) He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. A little while, and you will not see me; and again a little while, and you will see me, "BECAUSE" I go to My Father. John 16:12-16
How "Spiritual Gifts" and "Spiritual Fruit" relate to each other.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him. "If you abide in My word, you are My disciple indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
John 8:31-32
"Faith working through Love." Galatians 5:6b
