The Holy Spirit works through people in various ways. Here is a breakdown of Biblical references that express how He works through people.
Motivational (practical) gifts (Rom. 12:3–7):
Every Christian can operate in at least one spiritual gift (1 Pet. 4:10). No one can operate in every gift (1 Cor. 12:28– 30). God chooses what flows through us (1 Cor. 12:7–11). Love is the heartbeat of all gifts (1 Cor. 13:1–3). Gifts can only be expressed with others around us (1 Cor. 12:27).
- Service: the special God-given desire and ability to identify the needs of the church and find resources to fill those needs (Acts 6:1–7; Rom. 12:7; Gal. 6:2,10; 2 Tim. 1:16–18; Titus 3:14)
- Exhortation: the special God-given desire and ability to encourage and help people, no matter their situation (pain or rebellion), to embrace God’s will (Acts 14:22; Rom. 12:8; 1 Tim. 4:13; Heb. 10:25)
- Giving: the special God-given desire and ability to obtain and contribute material goods, over and above tithes and resources, to the church with cheerfulness (Mark 12:41–44; Rom. 12:8; 2 Cor. 8:1–7, 9:2–8)
- Leadership: the special God-given desire and ability to see God’s will in a situation and then organize, assemble, and guide a team to accomplish that will collectively (Acts 7:10, 15:7–11; Rom. 12:8; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17)
- Mercy: the special God-given desire and ability to feel genuine compassion for individuals in physical, mental, or emotional problems and do things that reflect Christ’s love to them (Matt. 20:29–34, 25:34–40; Mark 9:41; Luke 10:33–35; Acts 11:28–30, 16:33–34; Rom. 12:8)
- Helps: the special God-given desire and ability to practically serve felt physical needs of individuals in the body, enabling others to be effective in their spiritual gifts (Mark 15:40–41; Luke 8:2–3; Acts 9:36; Rom. 16:1–2; 1 Cor. 12:28;)
- Administration: the special God-given desire and ability to organize and set in place effective plans to ensure the smooth operation of an assembly (Luke 14:28–30; Acts 6:1–7; 1 Cor. 12:28).
Ministry (functional) gifts (Eph. 4:11):
Some operate in these gifts, whether they have the po- sition of an overseer, elder, or deacon in a local church (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1).
- Apostle: a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy, one sent. There are three views here. Some believe that only the first twelve disciples and Paul (who replaced Judas ) held the position of an Apostle. Others believe that apostleship is a position that is passed down in succes- sion from Peter/James on. Others argue that those who are called in church planting or mission work can also be considered modern-day apostles.
- Prophet: a person God chooses to use to speak a clear message to a specific person/group that “forth tells.” They remind us of something God has already spoken in His Word, bring encouragement and clarity, and help identify spiritual gifts. In some cases, God gives them an aware- ness of future events. We see prophets in the early church in Acts 7:54, 17:32–34, 21:9–10, 26:24–29; 1 Thess. 1:5; 1 Cor.14:1,3.
- Evangelist: a “publisher of glad tidings.” This special God-given desire and ability allow certain members to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that more people than average become disciples and mature mem- bers of the body of Christ. They have a burning desire to see people come to faith and will spend most of their time speaking to people about Christ (Acts 8:5–6, 26-40, 14:21, 21:8; Eph. 4:11–14; 2 Tim. 4:5).
- Pastor : a shepherd of people. This special God-given desire and ability allow certain members to assume long term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of people. They help guide, teach, correct, pray, encourage, and much more (John 10:1–18; Eph. 4:11–14; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; 1 Pet. 5:1–3).
- Teacher: a conveyor and clarifier of God’s Word. This special God-given desire and ability allow certain members
to communicate the truth of the Word of God effectively (Acts 18:11–14, 20:20–21 Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11–14)
Manifestation (charismatic) gifts (1 Cor. 12:1–12, 28):
These gifts are to be desired and regularly activated (1 Cor. 14:1, 39; 1 Thess. 5:19; 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6).
- Wisdom: This is the spiritual gift in which the Spirit empowers Christians with a supernatural understanding and biblical application in difficult situations where information is lacking and no clear answer is possible (1 Cor. 2:6; 2 Cor. 1:12; James 3:13–17).
- Knowledge: This is the spiritual gift in which the Spirit transmits His specific knowledge to you about something that you would have no ability or means to know about with your limited intelligence and insight (1 Cor. 2:11).
- Discernment (of spirits): This is the spiritual gift in which the Spirit enables certain Christians to know without a doubt whether a statement or behaviour is of God, Satan, or man (Acts 5:3–6, 16:16–18; 1 Cor. 12:10; 1 John 4:1).
- Prophecy: This is the spiritual gift in which God shares a message through us to a group or individual. This mes- sage reflects the character, attitude, and motivation of God (“But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhorta- tion and comfort to men,” (1 Cor. 14:4). This gift is available for everyone to operate in (1 Cor. 14:31, 39 – “you can all prophesy”). We are encouraged to desire it (1 Cor. 14:1– “desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy”) and learn to operate in it. We are to properly test all prophecy that we receive, as there are always false prophets and well-meaning believers speaking out of their imaginations. (“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good”– 1 Thess. 5:20–21.)
- Tongues: This spiritual gift is a prayer language that can be activated privately (1 Cor. 14:2, 14–15; Eph. 6:18; Jude 1:20). It is also the gift of giving a divine message in a language unknown to the speaker but possibly known by the hearer. It may require spiritual interpretation (1 Cor. 12:11).
- Interpretation: This is the God-given ability to understand prophecies and tongues and help discern and apply their meaning in context (1 Thess. 5:20–21).
- Faith: This is the God-given ability to act in a way that sees great things happening despite circumstances that suggest an impossibility. This is rooted in our growing faith (Eph. 2:8–9) but moves beyond the possible to the impossible (Matt. 17:20; Acts 3:1–10; Heb. 11).
- Healing and Miracles: This is the special God-given desire and ability to serve as human intermediaries through whom God will cure others and perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature. There seem to be several types of gifts of healing and miracles for different diseases (Acts 3:1–10, 5:12–16, 9:32–40, 19:11–12, 20:7–12; 1 Cor. 12:9, 10, 28; Rom. 15:18–19).