Fifteen (15) Spiritual Gifts of YHWH the Holy Spirit
1. Discernment:
It is the ability to know if a certain teaching, report, behavior or advice is true to God's divine reality, or if it is of human wisdom or it is of demonic sources pretending to be godly, i.e., counterfeit. It is also the ability to understand the implications of certain behaviors or teachings. It is also the ability to recognize gifts and behaviors, whether they come from God or elsewhere.
Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:1-11; Acts 16:16-18; Romans 14:1; 1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 5:14; 1 John 4:1-6.
2. Exhortation/ Encouragement:
It is the ability to bring encouragement, comfort and motivation to discouraged individuals and groups. It is the ability to strengthen and to build up individuals and small groups.
Acts 4:32-37; 14:22; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:24-25.
3. Faith:
It is the ability to see what cannot be seen, based on the Word of God without doubt or wavering.
It is manifested as a solid conviction of reality before its concrete actualization.
It is the ability to recognize and completely accept the will and purpose of God in accordance with His Word, even when we do not fully understand it.
Acts 11:22-24; 27:21-25; Romans 4:18-21; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 11.
4. Giving (Generosity):
It is the ability to give the needy of money, time, material goods and personal property liberally and with joy.
Mark 12:41-44; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:2-8.
5. Helps (Service):
It is the ability to support physically others who are in need. It is the ability and desire to provide the necessary physical assistance to the believers in their meetings or activities or homes. It is the genuine care for the sick, the lonely, the hurt, the poor, and the shut-ins. It is The ability to identify the needs of others and to get involved physically to support and meet these needs.
Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:2-3; Acts 6:1-7; 9:36; Romans 12:7; 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Galatians 6:2, 10; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; Titus 3:14; 1 Peter 4:10-11.
6. Hospitality:
It is the ability to welcome others in one's own property or house or apartment and provide for others' comfort and needs for food and lodge. It is the ability to provide a conducive environment that welcomes, cares for, and nurtures people.
Acts 16:14-16; Romans 12:9-13; 16:23; Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:9.
7. Intercession:
It is the ability to commune with God for extended periods of time for others and receive positive results in others' lives.
It is the gift to be able to pray regularly, earnestly and effectively, in groups or in private, for the needs of the believers (the Ekklyssia) and others, such as family members and friends.
The answer to their intercessory prayers are either true miracles which YHWH performs with His own finger, or supernatural which YHWH sends His angels to affect.
No man can claim to have a gift to make miracles, although some preachers brag about some miracles God had made through their prayers and thus they collect several hundred thousands dollars every year, or even millions of dollars a year.
The true believers are thirsty and almost dying of spiritual thirst and hunger and these pastors (who claim to be miracle workers) use some miracles done to collect more money, more power and full domination.
While “miracles,” per se, are not a Spiritual Gift, yet they are the answered intercessory prayers.
It is extremely important to understand the definition of a miracle: “A miracle is not only a supernatural act but it must be also an act of the Primary Cause YHWH who is the very person of God.”
Most supernatural events are not miracles because they can be done by angels or by unknown physical phenomena, such as in quantum physics.
Supernatural acts impress us humans, but we need to remember that demons are also supernatural beings and they use mesmerization and magic to control people.
Intercession is to plead with YHWH through Jesus Christ for His interventions in our lives. Intercession is the ability to serve as an intermediary of God's power to accomplish things that cannot be done without God's power. God may intervene directly, hence a miracle. God may send his angels, hence a supernatural (not miracle) acts. God may give wisdom to the people to achieve what they need.
Luke 22:41-44; Acts 9:36-42; 12:12; 19:11-20; 20:7-12; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Colossians 1:9-12; 4:12-13; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:14-16.
8. Knowledge:
It is the ability to understand deeper meanings, see clearly the unclear, learn and acquire knowledge supernaturally about the past, present or future events pertaining to the Word of God, the Scriptures for the service, growth and well-being of the true-believers, the Ekklyssia (not the Church).
This supernatural Gift of knowledge is neither a feeling, nor intuition, nor a gut-feeling.
It is not the false hypnotic theology which some Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches repeat over and over: “I know that I know that I know that I know ..ad infinitum.”
Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; 12:6-8; 2 Corinthians 11:6; Colossians 2:2-3.
9. Languages (Tongues):
There are Three Types of Languages:
9 A. Human Languages and Human Dialects: This is a Spiritual Gift of the Holy Spirit. Some missionaries, without previous learning or exposure to local languages, were able to preach at times to the local people who acknowledge that they heard them speaking in their own dialect.
This is exactly what happen on the Day of Pentecoste when the Apostles were gathered at the House (the House of God, the Temple) and they spoke fourteen different languages and dialtects of many Jews who were at the Temple. Three thousand Jewish men repented and accepted the Lord Yeshua Jesus. They did not convert, but they repented and became true Messianic Nazarenes (Netzarim) Hebrews.
Acts 2:1-12: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. [The Apostles saw the fire tongues, but the people did not see.] And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. [It is supernatural Gift.] And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together [in the Temple which is called House], and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians (1) and Medes (2) and Elamites (3), those dwelling in Mesopotamia (4), Judea and Cappadocia (5), Pontus (6) and Asia (7), Phrygia (8) and Pamphylia (9), Egypt (10) and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene (11), visitors from Rome (12), both Jews and proselytes, Cretans (13) and Arabs (14), We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?"
The Apostles spoke fourteen different languages. This is a Spiritual Gift of the Holy Spirit.
9 B. Angelic Language which may be given to very few people. It is rare. This Spiritual Gift is abused by some rich preachers. While it does exist as a true Spiritual Gift, yet in most cases those preachers are not speaking in angelic languages.
Furthermore, God said that they must be tested and must be interpreted, or else they must be quiet.
9 C. Interpretation of tongues: It is a Spiritual Gift and the ability to translate and share the meaning of messages spoken in “Tongues of Angels” through the Holy Spirit.
The Lord said, if you speak with an angelic language, make sure there is an interpreter, otherwise, be quiet.
Do not pretend that God is speaking through you, unless the message is interpreted to lead non-believers to know and to glorify the Lord Jesus YHWH as their God and Redeemer.
This gift is evangelistic in nature. It is the ability to understand, (or translate without understanding), heavenly or angelic language utterances during the ministry of the ekklyssia among the believers.
It is limited and rare, just as speaking in angelic language is limited and rare.
People who claim that they can speak angelic language at will are usually false. When the human nature or human will provokes a gift, then it is a False gift, it is not of the Holy Spirit. He, the Holy Spirit YHWH, is not our servant whom we can invoke or summon at will, that would be a heinous blasphemy.
Mark: 16-17; Acts 2:1-13; 10: 44-46; 19: 1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 29.
10. Leadership (Administration):
There are three major confusions regarding this Spiritual Gift:
10 A. Management, leadership and administration can be developed through studies and experiences. The Spiritual Gift has nothing to do with the talent or education such as the MBA. The Spiritual Gift is from above and it contradicts all the humanistic managerial experience and education.
10 B. Some Pastors proudly assume it is the Gift of Apostleship. They assume falsely that the Apostles were the first Leaders, Managers, and Administrators. They claim, falsely, that they have acquired or been anointed as Apostles and Leaders of the people of God. This is utterly false and these Pastors and Missionaries cannot claim that they replaced the Apostles in any manner. They cannot claim that they have the Spiritual Gift of Leadership from God. They do not replace the Apostles in position or in anointing or in Spiritual Gifts.
10 C. Pastors and Missionaries of Churches are not really shepherds, but managers and leaders in the humanistic sense. The managerial roles of these Pastors and Missionaries are purely humanistic: they make policies to maintain their profit and their business which they call ministry and Church. They are appointed and anointed by their friends, their Churches and themselves, but never by God.
Now we come to the meaning of the true Spiritual Gift of Leadership:
This Gift allows YHWH the Holy Spirit to set goals, guide and direct the true-believers to be closer to God and to repent and to follow God’s Word.
The true Spiritual Gift of Leadership is the ability to lead others and motivate them supernaturally (NOT humanistically) towards their spiritual growth and well being, while at the same time, maintaining highest respect and care to each one without discrimination. God never discriminates based on any feature. Pastors and Missionaries discriminate always based on skin color, verbal ability, age, financial status, or health condition ...etc. They believe in the humanistic leadership practices and they want their business (the Churches and Ministries) to succeed by removing the weakest links. Some Pastors are not ashamed to call for “purging the dross,” as if some people are inferior to others. This is a clear contrast between the true Spiritual Gift of Leadership and the humanistic Pastors’ and Missionaries’ leadership.
Luke 9:51; 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 7:10; 15:7-11; 27:11; Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17;
11. Mercy:
It is the ability to have compassion on individuals who are weak or suffering or overcome by sin. It is manifested as tenderness and gentleness in relating to hurting ones. This Spiritual Gift burns in the heart to care for, visit, and provide for the sick, the lonely, the prisoners, the chaste celibate widows and widowers, the needy children and the young immature adolescents who get themselves in trouble. It is the ability to ease or remove suffering and fill the needs of others.
Matthew 9:35,36; 20:29-34; 25:34-40; Mark 9:41; Luke 10:33-35; Acts 11:28-30; 16:33-34; Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:14
12. Prophecy:
The Spiritual Gift of prophecy has four branches:
12 A. Declaring the Prophetic Word of God (the Scriptures) and its application in our current life and events.
12 B. Declaring the Prophetic Word of God (the Scriptures) fulfilment in the near or distant future.
12 C. “Visions” given to people of all ages. Visions are local and personal. They may or may not remind us of the Word of God which is already written. They may pertain to personal or family issues.
12 D. “Dreams” given to people of all ages. Dreams also are local and personal. They may or may not remind us of the Word of God which is already written because they may pertain to personal issues.
This Spiritual Gift is the ability to understand special meanings in the Word of God (the Scriptures) and proclaim the Word of God in order to apply it in the lives of the hearers. This gift is addressed to build the believers.
QUICK WORD STUDY:
There are 19 verses in the Scriptures which use the word [Prophecy in Greek]: Matthew 13:14; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Revelation 1:3; 11:6; 19:10; 22:7, 10, 18, 19. In all these words, the term prophecy signifies ONLY the Scriptures, the Word of God.
These verses explain that prophecy is understanding the Biblical mysteries, edifying, exhorting and comforting others from the Scriptures only.
There are 5 verses in the Scriptures which use the word [Prophecy in Greek]: Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:20; 1 Timothy 4:14. These verses mention the word prophecy without further detail, but they also refer to the Scriptures, the Word of God, in their application.
There are 12 locations in the Scriptures which mention the word [Prophecy in Greek] in general terms: Luke 7:26; Acts 2:37-40; 7:54; 15:32; 17:32-34; 21:9-11; 26;24-29; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28; 14:1,3; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
DREAMS and VISIONS are the gift of receiving special messages from God about what God's people can become and how to be conform to the Word of God. In other words, they are reminders and applications of the Scriptures, the Word of God. They are of personal and local scope.
No one should obligate others to obey them or follow their own prophecy, Dream or vision.
Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 13:14; Acts 2:17, 37-40; 7:54; 8:4-6; 26-40; 14:21; 21:8; 16:24-29; 21:8; 22:21; Romans 10:15; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 4:5; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Revelation 1:3; 11:6; 19:10; 22:7,10,18,19.
13. True Shepherding (Counseling)
True Shepherding is rare, even extremely rare today.
Do not be deceived by those who carry the title “Pastor.” Today, the head of the Church, the top of the pyramid, are called Pastors. The Head of the Church is no longer Yeshua Jesus Christ. And, in truth, Pastors are no longer shepherds but administrators, managers, preachers, top of the pyramid executive officers and the highest beneficiaries in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The true meaning of Shepherding is the ability to care for people, to restore broken individuals and families, to restore the sinners and the lost, and to understand and meet their spiritual needs expressed or unexpressed, without any personal benefit to the shepherd.
It is the ability to have a special care for people, like the GOOD shepherd to his flock.
A shepherd who benefits from the sheep is eating the sheep. For this reason, the Jews regarded the shepherds as the lowest of all people because they eat the sheep, they steel, and they cheat their masters.
And for this reason Yeshua Jesus declared that He is the GOOD Shepherd. He is not like the others who are violating and eating the sheep.
John 10:1-18; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
14. Teaching:
It is the ability to simplify the complex and to anticipate relevant and efficient information for the hearers to understand a subject.
It is the ability to communicate Scriptural information and ideas in special ways that help people to learn.
Acts 18:24-28; 20:20-21; Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23;12:28; 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-14.
15. Wisdom (Counseling)
It is the ability to hear what the people are not saying.
It is the ability to feel, sense, understand, and empathize with what the people are going through even if it is unexpressed.
It is the ability to be with the inner person and gently lead the person to healing and victory.
It is the ability to recognize and apply God's will (as written in the Scriptures) even in confusing and complex situations.
Exodus 31:1-6 “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:"See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all who are gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you.”
Exodus 35:30-35 “And Moses said to the children of Israel, "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. And He has put in his heart the ability to teach, in him and Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver--those who do every work and those who design artistic works.”
Acts 6:3, 10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13; 12:8; James 1:5-6; 2 Peter 3:15.
What about the Gift of Apostleship?
● Apostleship:
It is the only gift that cannot exist today (Paul was the last Apostle)
It is the ability to have and exercise the authority of the Lord in all spiritual matters which accounts for the infallibility of the very words uttered/written by the Apostle.
What an apostle writes and sends to the believers is obligatory as from God directly on all believers. For this reason, the Apostolic writings are canonical.
In Greek the term [apostolos] means “one who is sent with full power of attorney to act in place of another.” The sender YHWH is backing up the one sent as Himself.
The word [apostolos] is found 81 times in the Apostolic writings. It is translated as "apostle" 78 times and translated as "messenger" two times in 2Corinthians 8:23 and Phillippians 2:25. It is translated once as "he that is sent" in John 13:16.
Twelve Apostles recorded:
1. Simon Peter Mt. 10:2
2. Andrew (Peter's brother) Mt. 10:2
3. James Boanerges (son of Zebedee) Mt. 10:2
4. John Boanerges (son of Zebedee) Mt. 10:2
5. Philip Mt. 10:3; Jn. 1:43
6. Bartholomeow (Nathnael) (Philip's brother?) Jn. 1:43-51
7. James (son of Alphaeus) Lk. 6:16
8. Judas (son of Alphaeus) Lk. 6:16
9. Matthew Mk. 2:14; Lk. 6:15
10. Thomas Mt. 10:3
11. Simon Zelote (brother of James) Lk. 6:15
12. Matthaias Acts 1.
13. Sorry Pastors and Missionaries, you are not apostles. You cannot add your names to the list, even if you are a multimillionaire Pastor or Bishop.
Acts 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:7-10; Ephesians 3:1-9; 4:11-14.