Chapter 7

THEO 114

Last week’s Summary:

The Pentecostal position that speaking in tongues is the initial physical

evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit is based on the five instances of

such infillings recorded in the book of Acts (chapters 2, 8, 9, 10, and 19).

In three of the five records, the believers all spoke in Spirit-given

languages upon receiving the Baptism.

In the other two instances, the speaking in tongues is implied: (1) Simon,

a sorcerer, desired to buy the gift of speaking in tongues because of

some obvious external manifestation (Acts 8:14–19);

(2) Paul obviously had the manifestation at some time, because he

later testified that he spoke in tongues more than the believers to whom

he wrote (Acts 9; 1 Corinthians 14:18).

*The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, but not all believers have been

baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 7: Fruit and Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5: 22 - 23

▪Love—Love is not just one of the fruits of the Spirit: it heads the list,

and all of the other fruit can be seen as dimensions of love. Love is to

be the motivation for all that we do.

▪Joy—The joy of the Spirit is much more than natural joy. It exists

even in the midst of sorrow and disappointment.

▪Peace—The peace the Spirit gives is the same kind of peace Jesus

promised His disciples: “‘My peace I give you. I do not give to you as

the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be

afraid’” (John 14:27).

▪Patience—Tribulation develops perseverance or patience through

the work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:3–5). Patience should be

expressed in our relationships on a daily basis.

▪Kindness—This fruit is related to mercy and grace (unmerited or

undeserved kindness). We are even to love our enemies by showing

kindness to them (Luke 6:35). The Spirit wants to develop this

Godlike fruit in us.

▪Goodness—God’s goodness is a major theme of Scripture. In a

world that epitomizes just the opposite, the Spirit seeks to produce

integrity, morality, and deeds of goodness and generosity.

▪Faithfulness—John commended the recipients of his third letter for

their “faithfulness to the truth” (3 John 1:3). We should be faithful to

our word and obligations. Faithfulness is also a primary virtue of

marriage.

▪Gentleness or meekness—Society has come to regard meekness

as weakness. But in reality, it is an inner strength in the face of

difficult or undesirable circumstances that are beyond a person’s

control.

▪Self-control—Self-control regulates and binds together all

the other fruit. For example, love without restraint

becomes lust. Joy without moderation becomes

blitheness. Peace without temperance becomes

apathy. Patience can devolve into idleness.

The fruit of the Spirit, along with the gifts of the Spirit, are

participatory. They require our cooperation to be

expressed. Yet the Holy Spirit is the author and source of

the fruit. Our preparation is important. By consistently

participating in spiritual activities such as prayer,

meditating on the Word, worship, and forgiving others, we

can be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and find that His

fruit can be more readily expressed. Our choices are an

important part of this process.

The Gifts of the Spirit: Divine Power for

Edifying the Body

Four major Scripture passages list gifts and ministries of the

Holy Spirit:

1 Corinthians 12:8–10;

1 Corinthians 12:28–30;

Romans 12:4–8; and

Ephesians 4:11–12.

These lists contain obvious repetition or overlapping. Yet they do not

contain all the ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Emphasize that a

great deal of variety is possible when considering the gifts and

ministries of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:8–10 (9 gifts)

Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing,

miraculous powers, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of

tongues, interpretation of tongues

1 Corinthians 12:28–30

Apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, gifts of healing,

helping others, administration, different kinds of tongues, interpretation

of tongues

Romans 12:4–8

Prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving generously,

leadership, cheerfully showing mercy

Ephesians 4:11 (positional/office gifts)

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers

Gifts of the Spirit Defined

1 Corinthians 12:7–11

1. The Word of Wisdom—the supernatural inspiration for speaking the right word at the

right time. The “word of wisdom” is literally the “utterance of divine wisdom.” “If any

of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all . . . and it will be

given to him” (James 1:5). This gift may also come as a wise word of guidance for a

person in a difficult situation.

2. The Word of Knowledge—the supernaturally inspired utterance of facts that could only

be known by God and revealed to the believer by the Holy Spirit. The word of knowledge

suggests insight into divine knowledge, while the word of wisdom is the ability to use

knowledge in a wise manner.

3. Faith—a special granting of faith to meet an emergency or a critical circumstance with

the confidence that miraculous intervention will follow.

4. Gifts of Healing—a special surge of divine power that results in the

healing of disease, illness, or physical infirmity.

5. Miraculous Powers (Working of Miracles)—works of divine power,

other than healing, that demonstrate God’s intervention in the natural

order of things.

6. Prophecy—the utterance of a divine truth in a person’s own language,

as prompted by the Holy Spirit. Since this gift lacks the supernatural

physical evidence of other gifts, a word of caution is in order. We

should never speak our own thoughts and words and attribute them to

God unless we know for certain it is truly the Holy Spirit prompting us.

See 1 Peter 4:10–11. Edification of believers and glory to God, not

to oneself, must be our guideline.

7. Discerning of Spirits—the God-given discernment to detect the difference between

words or acts inspired by God, by Satan, or by the human spirit. Through this gift, one

may also discern a person’s spiritual character. Care must be taken to distinguish this

gift from (a) natural insight into human nature or (b) a faultfinding spirit.

8. Different Kinds of Tongues—speaking supernaturally in a human or heavenly

language never learned by the speaker (1 Corinthians 13:1). Tongues delivered as praise

and worship to God or as a definite message for the church must be followed by the

supernatural gift of interpretation. This manifestation is the Gift of Tongues (1 Cor 12:4,

10). It should be distinguished from tongues as the initial evidence of the Baptism and

from private tongues as inspired praise or intercessory prayer addressed to God alone.

Only the gift of tongues in the public worship service requires inspired interpretation.

9. Interpretation of Tongues—Just as the utterance in tongues is not conceived in the

human mind, so the interpretation comes from the Spirit rather than from the

interpreter’s intellect. Tongues plus interpretation are equal to prophecy (1 Cor 14:5).

Tongues, though, may serve as a sign to the unbeliever (1 Cor 14:22).

Discerning of spirits

Knowledge

Wisdom

Faith

Healing

Miraculous powers

Prophesy

Tongues

Interpretation of Tongues

Common good (12:7)

Prophesy –strength,

encouragement, & comfort

Tongues + Interpretation =

Prophesy

Purpose = build up the Church

(v.12)

Tongues for unbelievers

Prophesies for believers

Be orderly, eager to prophesy,

& do not forbid tongues

I Cor 12 I Cor 14

I Corinthians 13

I Cor 14