Chapter 10: Spiritual Gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church for its building up, and produces his fruit in the believer’s character. Gifts without fruit are empty; fruit without gifts is incomplete.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Paul lists the gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). These are to be sought: “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1). They must be used in order, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40), and for edification (1 Corinthians 14:26).

Love is the more excellent way: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). And the fruit shows the real work of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Where the traditions stand. The Assemblies of God and Foursquare teach that all the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 are for the church today, to be exercised in love and under Scripture. Many Evangelical Baptists hold that some gifts, particularly the sign gifts, ceased with the apostolic age; others affirm that the Spirit still gives gifts as he wills (1 Corinthians 12:11). All agree that the gifts must be tested by the Word (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21; 1 John 4:1) and subordinated to love.

Carry this verse: “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).