Topical Encyclopedia The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in the New Testament, are extraordinary manifestations given to believers for the edification of the Church and the advancement of the Gospel. These gifts include, but are not limited to, prophecy, healing, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. The Apostle Paul provides a comprehensive list of these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 : "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one just as He determines."The purpose of these gifts is to build up the body of Christ and to confirm the message of the Gospel. In Mark 16:17-18 , Jesus Himself declares, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well." These signs serve as a testament to the power and presence of God among His people. The early Church experienced these miraculous gifts as a normative part of their communal life. Acts 2:4 records the day of Pentecost when "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This event marked the beginning of the Church's mission to spread the Gospel to all nations, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes the importance of not neglecting these gifts. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 , he exhorts the believers, "Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt." Similarly, in 1 Timothy 4:14 , he advises Timothy, "Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you." These admonitions highlight the necessity of recognizing and utilizing the gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Church. The miraculous gifts are not merely historical phenomena but are intended to be active and vibrant within the Church today. They serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the world. The gifts are distributed according to the will of the Holy Spirit, as stated in Hebrews 2:4 : "God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will." The exercise of these gifts requires discernment and order, as Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 : "Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner." This ensures that the gifts are used to glorify God and edify the Church, rather than causing confusion or division. In summary, the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are vital to the life and mission of the Church. They are to be earnestly desired, responsibly exercised, and never neglected, as they testify to the living and active presence of God among His people. Nave's Topical Index 1 Timothy 4:14Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Nave's Topical Index 2 Timothy 1:6 Library Acts VI Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace. The Foundation of the Church among the Jews 'Full of the Holy Ghost' Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome. The Spirit of Prayer. The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen. The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as ... C??sarius of Arles. Human Inability Resources What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the miracles of Jesus? What miracles did Jesus perform? | GotQuestions.org Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit of Different Kinds Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Despised Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Neglected Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were not to Be: Purchased Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit were to be Sought After Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Christ Was Endued With Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated by the Laying on of the Apostles' Hands Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Confirmation of the Gospel Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated for the Edification of the Church Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Communicated: Upon the Preaching of the Gospel Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Counterfeited by Antichrist Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Dispensed According to his Sovereign Will Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Enumerated Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Foretold Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Poured out on the Day of Pentecost Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Temporary Nature of Related Terms |
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