Homepage Dreams Visions Prophetic How to Hear Resources
Interpreting Visions in the Bible Prophets in the Bible Expectations Subscription
Daniel Types of Visions The Purpose of the Prophetic Exercises Books
The Ministry of the Prophetic Eyes 2 See Ministries

Gifts of the Spirit pt.1-Introduction

The Lord gave me a vision that prompted this series of special Teachings of the Ears-2-Hear e-newsletters.

The vision He gave me was very simple, yet very significant. He showed me a large group of Christians walking in the same direction. I could see inside of each person. I could see inside of many people an exquisitely wrapped gift. The wrapping was more beautiful than any man could create and the colors were vibrant and harmonious. I knew that each gift had a value above measure. Then the Lord said, “Many of My children know the gifts of My Spirit that I have given them and use them. Many more of My children sense the gifts that I have given them, but do not use them. But, most of My children are not even aware of the gifts of My Spirit that I have for them. My kingdom is not in word, but in power. I do not want my children to be ignorant of My gifts. I want my Children to desire My gifts and use my gifts.”

For each of the next nine newsletters, one gift of the Holy Spirit will be explained in detail with examples of that gift in operation. The nine gifts can be categorized as follows:

Revelation Gifts

  • Word of Knowledge
  • Word of Wisdom
  • Discerning of Spirits

Power Gifts

  • Gift of Faith
  • Working of Miracles
  • Gifts of Healing

Utterance or Inspirational Gifts

  • Prophecy
  • Divers Kinds of Tongues
  • Interpretation of Tongues

These gifts are distributed throughout the Body of Christ and they are the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

While not categorized as one of the nine gifts, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is also for every believer.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

This baptism brings a greater spiritual power and a deeper understanding of God’s Word into the believer’s life. And, the baptism of the Holy Ghost is evidenced by the utterance of unknown tongues.

“But speaking in tongues was only a sign through the twelve apostles and has been done away with. Besides, 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, “where there are tongues, they will be stilled”.”

Tongues will be stilled, but in the context of that verse, it will be stilled when this age is over. In glory, we will not need tongues, knowledge, prophetic words, etc.

There are no verses that support the belief that tongues died with the apostles. There are no verses that support the belief that tongues is not for today’s believers.

There are, though, many verses that clearly indicate that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers and that speaking in tongues is an evidence of the baptism. Here are four examples:

Mark 16:17 —All believers

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Acts 2:1–4 —120 people

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 10:44–46 —Cornelius and his household

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Acts 19:1–7 —Disciples at Ephesus

While Apollos was at Corinth , Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus . There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"

"John's baptism," they replied.

Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Many people have told me their experience of when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. From a wind that suddenly came through the window, to seeing Pat Robertson praying on television. All of the experiences were wonderful and a moment that is not forgotten.

It is my prayer for you that Father will continue to help you to hear His voice, and more and more frequently.

With God’s grace and in His peace,

Gary

Permission is granted to forward this e-newsletter without alteration to others as well as reprint it in hard copy form. We ask only that you keep the Ears-2-Hear website, email contact info, and author contact information intact. Thank you and may God be revealed more and more to you and through you.

Gary (gary@ears-2-hear.com), Author, Web Designer, www.ears-2-hear.com.

If you wish to subscribe, click here and be sure that “SUBSCRIBE” is in the Subject field of your e-mail (or send an email with "Subscribe" in the subject field to: subscribe@ears-2-hear.com ). If you wish to unsubscribe, click here and be sure that "UNSUBCRIBE" in the the Subject field.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible Society.