Does Everyone Have Spiritual Gifts? The Bible's Answer

Does everyone have spiritual gifts? This question echoes through Christian circles worldwide, often leaving believers uncertain about their spiritual potential. Through biblical evidence and practical insights, we'll explore how every believer is equipped with supernatural abilities through the Holy Spirit.

Whether you're just beginning to explore the gifts of the Holy Spirit or seeking to deepen your understanding, this article will help you discover, embrace, and exercise your Spirit-given gifts with confidence.

Biblical Evidence: Every Believer Has Spiritual Gifts

Part 3 of 9 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 12 minute read

Bright Sunlight Breaking Through the CloudsDoes Everyone Have Spiritual Gifts? Let's Find Out
Source: ©diportinanni/Depositphotos.com

When teaching about spiritual gifts, I've often been asked, "Does everyone have spiritual gifts?" My answer is YES. And it can be proven from Scriptures!

All nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are yours to receive! The Holy Spirit doesn't withhold His gifts from you. He means for you to receive ALL His gifts. Why? Because He is who He is, and you NEED all of them to do the works of Jesus.

Let's examine carefully what the Apostle Paul taught concerning the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, keeping in mind Paul's frame of reference is how the gifts are used when the Church has gathered.

Paul says, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all" (1 Corinthians 12:4–6).

Paul is reminding that there are various gifts given by the Holy Spirit, different ministries given by Jesus (Ephesians 4:11–12), and various activities that arise for meeting needs, but it's God the Father who works everything according to His will.

He explains that these nine spiritual gifts (supernatural abilities) can be called upon by EACH believer to meet a variety of needs as the Holy Spirit prompts:

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 another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another 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 (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).

The word MANIFESTATION is the KEY that opens the above passage to our understanding. The dictionary definition of manifestation is to show, to demonstrate, to reveal something.

Paul is listing the MANIFESTATIONS, and we need to distinguish between the gift (supernatural ability) and its manifestation (supernatural demonstration). Keeping that in mind, carefully reread the passage of Scripture:

But the MANIFESTATION of the Spirit is given to each man for the profit of all: for to one [manifestation] is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another [manifestation] the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another [manifestation] faith by the same Spirit, to another [manifestation] gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another [manifestation] the working of miracles, to another [manifestation] prophecy, to another [manifestation] discerning of spirits, to another [manifestation] different kinds of tongues, to another [manifestation] the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills [in a meeting] (1 Corinthians 12:7–11, emphasis added).

There are nine gifts (supernatural abilities) listed in the above passage, and each has its unique MANIFESTATION. The name of the gift describes its manifestation. For example:

  • The gift of prophecy manifests a word of prophecy.
  • The gift of a word of wisdom manifests a word of wisdom.
  • The gifts of healing manifest healings, and so on.

To be clear, Paul is saying that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person, and he lists the manifestations of the nine gifts. He is not talking about one gift being given to one person.

When you are FILLED with the Holy Spirit, you possess ALL nine spiritual gifts because they are ALL inherent in Him. You receive ALL of Him, not just part. His gifts are ALL available and ready for you to manifest at will, as they are needed. He means for you to receive them because YOU NEED THEM to do the works of Jesus.

However, His gifts will lay dormant and be hidden within you until you step out in faith and begin to use (manifest) them.

Does Everyone Have Spiritual Gifts? All Nine Gifts Are Available

Paul taught that you can receive all nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Here's what he says about the three Utterance Gifts:

  • Tongues: "I wish you ALL spoke with tongues …" (1 Corinthians 14:5, emphasis added).
  • Interpretation of Tongues: "Therefore let HIM who speaks in a tongue pray that HE may interpret" (1 Corinthians 14:13, emphasis added).
  • Prophecy: "For you can ALL prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged" (1 Corinthians 14:31, emphasis added).

Clearly, one person can expect to manifest ALL three Utterance Gifts. This premise also holds true for the three Revelation Gifts, and the three Power Gifts. It more than answers the question, "Does everyone have spiritual gifts?" Yes, they do, all nine!

It's the Lord's will that each believer excels in ALL nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. That's why Paul writes, "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, EACH OF YOU has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26, emphasis added).

When believers gather, the Holy Spirit can prompt ANY individual to use ANY gift (or gifts) for the edification of all believers.

Overcoming Hesitations: Your Journey to Spiritual Confidence

Paul asks, "Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" (1 Corinthians 12:30). The answer to each question is No.

  • Not everyone will lay hands on the sick although they can.
  • Not everyone will speak in tongues although they can.
  • Not everyone will interpret a tongue although they can.

You'll find in any group of believers that many haven't yet discovered their spiritual potential. It has much to do with an individual's free will. The Holy Spirit will NEVER violate your free will.

Does everyone have spiritual gifts? Paul believed so. He urges, "Earnestly desire the best gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31). The best gifts are those that meet the moment's need.

So, why doesn't every Spirit-filled believer walk in the nine gifts of the spirit? It's mostly because of common fears we can overcome together:

  • Failure
  • People
  • Ridicule
  • Criticism
  • Falling into error
  • Not being experienced enough
  • The supernatural and the unknown

The solution is to gain knowledge and then, when we step out in faith, we discover that God's grace overcomes our natural hesitations.

Don Bell

I can remember receiving my first bicycle. Though eager to ride, I hesitated, fearful about falling onto the hard gravel.

Dad encouraged me to climb on the bike, assuring me that he wouldn't let me fall. He held onto the bicycle's seat, running alongside as I pedaled, gradually letting go without my knowledge.

By the time I had reached the end of our farm lane, I was riding confidently on my own.

Similarly, our Heavenly Father guides us as we step out in the gifts. With His support, we move from hesitation to confidence, discovering that His grace carries us beyond our natural abilities. Just as riding a bicycle becomes second nature, operating in the gifts becomes a natural part of our spiritual walk once we take those first steps of faith.

However, there's something even more foundational than overcoming our fears — it's understanding that love is the true foundation for operating in the gifts. LOVE is the more excellent way; it's the true motivator (1 Corinthians 13). If we truly love others, our heart's desire will be to bring them edification, exhortation, and comfort.

When you see the gifts of the Spirit flowing in the Body, it's a sign that love is flowing. The Gifts of the Spirit cannot operate in an environment void of love! Jesus sent the Holy Spirit with His gifts to help you reach your true potential in the Body of Christ by edifying others and in turn being edified by others — the sure sign of a Church that's alive with the potential for growth.

With this foundation of love, we can now address the knowledge needed to operate confidently in the gifts.

Does everyone have spiritual gifts? Yes, but we cannot have confidence to receive God's gifts to operate in our priestly calling if we don't have knowledge of what they are and how they operate.

Once we learn the basic principles of the gifts of the Spirit, it builds our confidence, and we'll experience success in receiving them. Operating the gifts will become as familiar as riding a bicycle — once you've done it, you'll always be able to.

But, you must first learn the basics and acquire hands-on experience before going deeper. Thankfully, the Lord Himself gave some to be teachers for the equipping of the saints (that's us) for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11–12).

Paul thought it necessary to teach on the gifts. He writes, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant" (1 Corinthians 12:1).

Instruction in the gifts of the Spirit is necessary if we will avoid misunderstandings in their operation. Too often, well-meaning believers become overconfident and run with the gifts while making errors. They influence others who make the same errors. Soon, needless ignorance has created hurt and havoc within the Body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul's Perspective: Everyone Can Operate in the Gifts

Paul the Apostle surely believed that every believer possessed the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He strongly encouraged the operation of the gifts by EVERY member of the Church. Whenever he encountered reluctance or errors, he explained the proper usage of the gifts.

So why doesn't every believer excel in the gifts of the Holy Spirit? It's not because they can't. Every believer who's baptized in the Holy Spirit receives the fullness of the Spirit with all His gifts waiting to be activated. You don't just receive part of the Holy Spirit!

The Greek word ἀγνοέω (agnoeō), translated as ignorant, means by implication to ignore through hesitancy or reluctance. We are often hesitant or reluctant to receive something when we lack information and don't quite understand what it is.

Some believers don't use the gifts of the Spirit simply because they've chosen not to. We all can have reasons not wanting to do something, and God never forces His gifts upon anyone. He respects our free will, allowing us to make our own choices. But it's our responsibility to make wise choices!

Proficiency in the gifts of the Spirit has nothing to do with someone's intelligence, personality background, or manner; it has everything to do with choice. While many believers exercise the gift of tongues powerfully in private prayer, Scripture encourages us to actively participate when the Church gathers. Paul writes, "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, EACH OF YOU has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

This scripture clearly shows that remaining silent when we could contribute to the edification of the body doesn't align with God's design for Church gatherings. Each believer's participation enriches the entire congregation and helps fulfill God's purpose for corporate worship

As we encourage those eager to exercise their spiritual gifts, we must trust God's timing for others in their spiritual journey. Each of us has a calling to spread the gospel of the Kingdom, but because of the choices we make, we might not excel in all areas or to the extent we could.

If YOUR desire is to please God and find your place in the Body of Christ, start to use the nine gifts of the Spirit. It comes down to choices! Ask God to help you make the right choices, so you can fulfill His plan for your life.

Empowering Your Faith: Releasing the Holy Spirit's Gifts

The Holy Spirit's desire is to manifest His presence, but many believers either hesitate to recognize His gentle promptings to step out in the gifts, or they are denied the opportunity, when they should be encouraged to actively participate in ministry, complementing the work of church leadership.

Scripture teaches, "He Himself 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, 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 the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11–13).

Leaders who faithfully serve in ministry can create greater growth and impact by empowering and equipping believers for the work of ministry. This shift would align more fully with God's intended purpose for Church leadership.

As Paul urges, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).

Many believers yearn for a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit's presence in Church gatherings and when permitted to embrace and operate in the gifts of the Spirit, meetings can become transformative encounters with God. We must embrace fully the Lord's work in our midst; otherwise, we're warned that dryness can result:

The harp and the strings, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands. Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst (Isaiah 5:12–13).

When we combine our understanding of the gifts with love as our motivation, and the Holy Spirit's guidance, we create an environment where His power can flow freely. This release of His power not only transforms our individual walks but also builds up the entire Body of Christ.

Your Spiritual Journey: Taking the First Step

The degree we hunger and thirst for truth determines the degree we'll push aside excuses and fears, and be filled to overflowing with love for ministry. We really need to ask, "How hungry and thirsty am I?

Following his teachings on the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians, Paul plainly states, "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the COMMANDMENTS of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37, emphasis added).

So, if you could ask Paul today, "Does everyone have spiritual gifts?" He would say YES, without hesitation. He considered the nine gifts of the Spirit vital to the believer's walk in Christ, and the growth of the local Church.

Paul didn't consider the gifts of the Spirit optional. So, let's choose to be diligent in using them.

Discover More in This 9-Part Series

Part 4: The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

In case you missed it, Part 1: Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit


About the Author

Don Bell of Kingdom Anointing

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and lead extraordinary lives in the Holy Spirit.


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