Spiritual Gifts in the Church

The purpose of spiritual gifts in the Church extends far beyond individual empowerment — they are divine tools designed to unite believers and strengthen the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit works to build up the Church through these gifts, enabling each member to contribute meaningfully to its growth and vitality.

When believers embrace and exercise these gifts of the Spirit, they become channels of God's power, bringing transformation and renewal to the entire congregation.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Part 4 of 8 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 11 minute read

Paul writes, "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to EACH ONE for the profit of ALL" (1 Corinthians 12:7, emphasis added). The Greek word συμφέρω (sympherō), translated profit of all, also means to bring together, to contribute in order to help.

Before discussing the nine gifts of the Spirit, Paul wants to clarify that these gifts are given to EACH individual in the Body of Christ, not just a select few. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to unite believers and help them to build each other up for service.

God's design invites all believers to actively participate in ministry, moving beyond the role of spectator to become engaged participants in the work of the Kingdom.

Paul states, "[Christ] 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 THE MINISTRY, for the EDIFYING of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11–12, emphasis added).

Believers must be equipped to serve (minister) effectively and build up the Body of Christ of which they are a part. This includes developing confidence in operating the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When believers are fully equipped and actively using their spiritual gifts, they will come alive, and the Body of Christ will grow and mature as God intended.

Love's Role in Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Christians refer to 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 as "The Love Chapter" yet rarely consider its scriptural context and intended meaning.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church to address crippling doctrinal and practical issues that they had raised in a previous letter to him. One of the main issues he tackles is the proper use of spiritual gifts in the Church.

The Corinthian believers lacked a clear understanding of how gifts should manifest through individuals in the Church. Some were selfishly using spiritual gifts for their own ends without understanding their shared purpose in the Church, while others were selfishly inactive, always receiving ministry from others while rarely contributing ministry themselves.

Paul begins the 12th chapter by saying, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant" (1 Corinthians 12:1). He goes on to explain the manifestations of the gifts and makes it clear that each member of the Body of Christ has value, and a potential for ministry, not just a few who might consider themselves better educated or more important.

Paul concludes the 12th chapter implying that each member has a role in exercising the gifts of the Spirit. He urges, "Earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).

The Greek word μέγας (megas), translated as best, has been misunderstood to imply that some gifts are more desirable than others. However, megas is more accurately translated as "great," as it is elsewhere in The New Testament. Paul is really saying, "These are GREAT gifts, so eagerly desire them!"

The "more excellent way" is obviously the LOVE described in 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. It's not the love that's commonly discussed or sung about, even in Church gatherings. God's love transcends denominational boundaries and brings believers together in unity, enabling us to minister effectively to one another across all church fellowships.

The Greek word ἀγάπη (agapē), translated as love in the 13th chapter, refers to God's love, a fruit of the Spirit. Agape is distinct from emotional affection, or the brotherly love (philadelphia) mentioned in Romans 13:10 and elsewhere.

Love Is Something You Do: Activating God's Gifts Through Love

Paul is urging the Corinthians to earnestly desire the great spiritual gifts, and he'll show them an unselfish, more excellent way to exercise them — agape love. Love and spiritual gifts work together in perfect harmony — love provides the motivation while gifts provide the means to minister effectively.

Immediately after chapter 13, Paul states, "PURSUE love, and DESIRE spiritual gifts …" (1 Corinthians 14:1, emphasis added), followed by detailed instructions on how to properly operate spiritual gifts in the Church, signifying their importance.

Clearly, it's God's love that can motivate believers to step beyond their comfort zones and speak prophetic words, deliver words of knowledge, and relay gifts of healing. Paul affirms this saying, "Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel" (1 Corinthians 14:12).

The Greek word οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) translated edification, refers to building up, the act of one promoting the growth of others. Paul emphasizes that believers should DESIRE spiritual gifts in the Church, as long as their focus is on edifying the Body of Christ.

So, how can you know whether God's agape love is present and flowing in your local gathering of believers? If it is, believers will desire the gifts of the Spirit and actively use them to edify the Body of Christ! The late healing evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman was famous for saying, "Love is something you do!"

The Connection Between Fruits and Gifts in the Church

The Bible clearly outlines the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These characteristics are not separate entities but integrated aspects of the Holy Spirit's nature.

When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive all nine fruits because they are inseparable parts of His character. Just as you cannot divide the Holy Spirit into pieces, you cannot separate these fruits from one another. They exist within every Spirit-filled believer, gradually becoming more visible as we learn to walk in step with the Spirit.

The fruits and gifts of the Spirit work in beautiful harmony. As the fruits mature in our lives, they create the perfect environment for the gifts to operate effectively. For instance, love ensures we use spiritual gifts to serve others instead of promoting ourselves. Peace helps us exercise gifts with confidence and wisdom. Self-control prevents misuse of spiritual gifts, while faithfulness keeps us consistent in their application. The fruits essentially provide the character foundation that enables us to steward the gifts responsibly and impact others positively.

As we grow in Christ, these nine fruits naturally develop and transform us to reflect Jesus's character more clearly. It would be illogical to suggest that a believer could manifest only one fruit while lacking the others, as they all stem from the same Source.

Following this same logic, why would we assume that believers can only access one spiritual gift while being denied the others? Since both fruits and gifts flow from the same Holy Spirit, it's reasonable to conclude that all nine gifts are available for believers to exercise. Just as the fruits work together to shape our character, the gifts work together to equip us for service in God's kingdom.

Edification, Exhortation, and Comfort to Strengthen the Church

Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 14:3 that those who prophesy should speak words of edification, exhortation, and comfort to others. These three qualities are basic to prophecy and, by extension, to each of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

• Edification means to build others up.
• Exhortation means to offer strong encouragement.
• Comfort means to bring others into a more peaceful state.

Therefore, any manifestation of a spiritual gift must meet at least one of these three characteristics to be considered a genuine gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift's manifestation should leave individuals or groups in a better physical, mental, or spiritual condition than before.

Paul emphasizes the importance of edification when believers gather, suggesting that EACH person should be willing to contribute something to benefit the group.

He says, "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).

Our calling is to attend believer meetings with our faith strengthened, prepared to share spiritual gifts in agape love to build up fellow believers in the Body of Christ. Similarly, we'll be edified by the similar participation of other believers.

Furthermore, when we're guided by God's love, we can be instruments to meet people's needs anytime and anywhere. Our ministry will be empowered by His anointing when we're motivated by a genuine heart's desire to love and serve others.

Building Faith Through Divine Gifts

Paul writes in Romans, "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established — that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me" (Romans 1:11–12).

In this scripture, I believe Paul is expressing his desire to visit the Roman believers to participate and share a spiritual gift that will provide them with strength and encouragement. His words imply that he can hardly wait to get there!

Additionally, Paul emphasizes the importance of mutual faith as a source of encouragement for both him and the recipients of the gift. This should also serve as a guiding principle for us when meeting with other believers.

Faith will increase when believers are actively obeying the Holy Spirit and exercising their supernatural abilities to edify one another.

Similarly, Peter says, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:10–11).

The importance of using spiritual gifts in the Church to uplift and support one another cannot be overstated. Paul encourages us to "desire spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 14:1). A Spirit-filled Church naturally overflows with life, growth, and reproduction.

Strengthening the Body Through Spiritual Gifts

In order for believers to come together in unity and for the Body of Christ to be strengthened in faith, it is crucial that individuals are willing to step out in faith and operate the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

These spiritual gifts, bestowed upon each believer by the Holy Spirit, are not meant to lay dormant, but to be actively and courageously utilized for the benefit of the Church.

By surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit, believers can tap into a wellspring of divine power and inspiration. The Holy Spirit's anointing flows through individuals who are open and receptive, and it is in this state of surrender and obedience that incredible blessings are experienced.

It's through the exercising of spiritual gifts that believers can find their unique roles within the Body of Christ, contributing to its growth, and development. These gifts serve as powerful tools for promoting unity, fostering an environment of support, encouragement, and agape love among believers.

However, it's important to remind again that stepping out in faith and operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit requires a willingness to go beyond familiar comfort zones and embrace the unknown. It's a call to trust in God's guidance and provision, even when it even when it presents new and exciting challenges. It presents an exciting opportunity for every believer to participate in God's work through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Whenever we exercise spiritual gifts in the Church, we become conduits for the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as a fire hose drenches anyone in its path, when God's anointing flows through us to bless others, we are edified and blessed in the process.

Endnote

¹Kuhlman, Kathryn. "I Believe in Miracles." South Plainfield, NJ: Bridge Publishing, Inc., Revised Edition 1992.

Discover More in This 8-Part Series

Part 5: How Did Jesus Perform Miracles?

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

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About the Author

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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Hi, I'm Don, and my prayer is that Kingdom Anointing™ will help you build faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God.

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