A Study on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

A divine insight or solution for a specific situation. It’s not just “being smart”—it’s a supernaturally given answer, strategy, or piece of advice.

Biblical Examples:

• Solomon’s Judgment (1 Kings 3:16-28): Solomon’s idea to “cut the baby in two” was a divine stroke of wisdom that revealed the true mother.
• James’s Counsel (Acts 15:13-21): At the Jerusalem Council, James gave a wise solution that brought unity, discerning God’s will for the whole church.

Today:

This might operate when a counselor suddenly knows the perfect advice, a leader navigates a complex conflict, or you suddenly know how to handle a difficult situation.

A specific piece of information (a fact, a name, a condition) revealed by the Holy Spirit that you could not have known naturally.

Biblical Examples:

• Jesus and the Woman at the Well (John 4:17-19): Jesus knew she had five husbands, a fact that revealed He was the Messiah.
• Peter and Ananias (Acts 5:1-4): Peter supernaturally knew that Ananias and Sapphira were lying about the price of their land.

Today:

This often operates in prayer, such as knowing a specific, hidden injury to pray for, or sharing information that speaks directly to a stranger’s secret struggle.

The ability to discern the source of a spiritual manifestation—whether it is from the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, or a demonic spirit.

Biblical Examples:

• Paul and the Fortune-Teller (Acts 16:16-18): Paul discerned that a slave girl’s true words were coming from a “spirit of divination.”
• Peter and Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:18-23): Peter discerned the evil motive in Simon’s heart when he tried to buy God’s power.

Today:

This gift is crucial for protecting the church, helping leaders discern if a teaching is sound or if a “prophecy” is truly from God.

A supernatural belief and trust from God for a specific miracle or outcome. This is a specific measure of faith for a specific moment to believe for the impossible.

Biblical Examples:

• Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:30-38): Elijah had supernatural confidence that God would send fire from heaven to consume a water-soaked sacrifice.
• Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:28-29): For a moment, Peter received a gift of faith to defy the laws of physics.

Today:

This gift is often seen in pioneers of ministry or in individuals who feel a divine assurance to pray for a “hopeless” situation and see it turn around.

The divine ability to minister healing (physical, emotional, or spiritual) to others. It is “gifts” (plural), suggesting many different types of healing.

Biblical Examples:

• Peter and the Lame Man (Acts 3:6-8): Peter, in Jesus’ name, commanded a lame man to walk, and he was instantly healed.
• Paul and Handkerchiefs (Acts 19:11-12): God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even cloths that had touched him healed the sick.

Today:

Christians around the world pray for the sick and see God heal bodies, minds, and hearts, both instantly and progressively.

The ability to perform acts that go beyond established natural laws, altering the normal course of nature. This is distinct from healing.

Biblical Examples:

• Jesus Turns Water to Wine (John 2:1-11): A miracle of *creation*, changing the substance of water.
• Jesus Feeds the 5,000 (Matthew 14:15-21): A miracle of *multiplication*.
• Paul and Elymas (Acts 13:8-11): Paul struck a sorcerer with temporary blindness, a miracle of judgment.

Today:

This can include supernatural provision, divine protection in a disaster, or any other intervention where God’s power overrides natural laws.

Speaking a timely message from God to a person, group, or church. Its primary purpose is for “strengthening, encouraging, and comfort” (1 Cor 14:3).

Biblical Examples:

• Agabus the Prophet (Acts 11:27-28): Agabus predicted a severe famine, which allowed the church to prepare and help others.
• Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32): As prophets, they “said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.”

Today:

A person may feel a strong message from God for the church or an individual. It will always align with the Bible and result in strengthening, encouragement, or comfort.

A divine ability to speak in a language the person has never learned. This can be a known human language (a sign) or a spiritual language (for prayer).

Biblical Examples:

• Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4-11): The disciples spoke in human languages they had never learned, and the international crowd understood them.
• Paul’s Teaching (1 Corinthians 14:2): Paul speaks of a tongue that is not for people, but for God (“they utter mysteries by the Spirit.”).

The ability to supernaturally translate the *meaning* of a message spoken in tongues so that the whole church can understand it.

Biblical Examples:

• The Rule for Church (1 Corinthians 14:27-28): Paul instructs that when a tongue is spoken publicly in church, “someone must interpret.” If there is no interpreter, the speaker should remain silent.

Today:

In a church service, if someone speaks a message in tongues, another person with this gift will feel God give them the meaning, which they then share to strengthen the church.