By definition, the gifts of the Spirit are given to the believing Christians to equip them for the service of the church, both corporately and personally. The gifts (Greek: charismata; or charisma) are mentioned in partial lists in various parts of the Bible, and no single list gives an exhaustive or complete list.¹

Some gifts obviously belong to a special or exclusive group. Faith is one such gift, but it also is 'the life-blood' of all professing Christians.² The difference is that believers given 'a gift' of faith is usually a gift in which that particular believer functions and excels above normal faith given to all believers. The gifts of giving and mercy are other gifts that are character traits of all believers, but some people are more gifted than others in these gift areas.³ Ministry, which means service, is the function of all believers and the purpose to which all Spiritual gifts are devoted.³ Other gifts such as the apostlolic, or administration, could more easily be classified as particular.

The Spiritual Gifts seem to fall into two basic categories. First, those which qualify a person for ministry in the Word, and secondly, those which prepare a person for giving service of a particular nature. None are for personal glory or use, but to equip the church for service.

To clarify Spiritual Gifts, we must clarify the Giver; namely the Holy Spirit. His function is to illumine the teaching and glorify the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. If any Gift we possess does not do this it is not of the Holy Spirit.⁴ Any believer can be given any Gift as it pleases the Father's will at any time to give such gifts. The person must be an open vessel willing to be used in any gift the Father desires to use through us. The disciple must assume the position of receiving any perfect gift, given at any time, to glorify and equip for serving in His Name. We may be used in any gift, but it is also true that the Holy Spirit gives an obvious gift that seems prevalent among the many. We can be sure that every believer is gifted with some gift to be used by the Lord Jesus in His church.

 1. Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Ephesians 4:7-12, 1 Peter 4:10
 2. 1 Corinthians 12:9
 3. Romans 12:8
 4. Romans 12:7, Ephesians 4:12
 5. John 15:26

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