There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (5) There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. (6) And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: (8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. The Old Testament prophesied about the extraordinary times of the coming Messianic age; the prophet Joel wrote “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days”. Jesus promised to send the Spirit and on the day of Pentecost these promises and prophecies were literally fulfilled. The circumstances were so extraordinary that it was unavoidable that imposters or those deluded would arise. This apparently was a problem in Corinth and Paul devotes chapter 12 of this letter to correct confusion about whether those who pretended to be led by the Spirit were really under His influence in the apostolic age.

The gifts of the Spirit mentioned in our verses (not a complete list), despite the diversity of the gifts, have a common origin. They are all wrought of the same Spirit. Whatever the Father does He does by the Spirit who produces these gifts in the minds of men and women. BUT the Spirit distributes them severally and to every man/woman as He will. All gifts mentioned in our verses are potentially in the church today but not all may be active with the same intensity they had in the apostolic age. There are no more apostles who speak or write inspired, infallible communications. All the canon of Scripture of the Old and New Testament is closed – Scriptural revelation is full, complete, supreme and final.

Spiritual gifts do continue today at some level but must meet biblical criteria for existence. Each Christian has been given at least one spiritual gift which functions not to edify ourselves but to build up others. Failing to serve God and others, man becomes prideful. A gift of the Spirit is a supernatural gift which functions beyond the normal and natural talents and skills of people. A Christian will enjoy using his/her spiritual gift and will never be happy until he/she is using it.