Definitions and Scriptures for Spiritual Gifts

Administration—The ability that God gives to certain believers to organize and coordinate the Church toward its divinely appointed mission. It includes the ability to plan, launch, and complete ministry-related projects to fulfill the needs of God’s cause. (Read Luke 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 28; Titus 1:5).
Apostle—The ability God gives to certain believers to go where He sends them to preach/teach to people the truth about God. These individuals are often sent to areas where culture and language differences might be evident. (Read Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1).
Celibacy—The ability God gives to certain believers to abstain from sexual interaction willingly and cheerfully, and to live victoriously overcoming sexual temptations. (Read Matthew 19:11, 12; 1 Corinthians 7:7, 8).
Discerning of Spirits—The ability God gives to certain believers to distinguish between truth and error and between the influence of the Holy Spirit and evil spirits. (Read Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:1-11; 16:16-18; 1 John 4:1-6).
Evangelist—The ability God gives to certain believers to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women become Jesus’ disciples and responsible members of the Church. (Read Acts 8:5, 6, 26-40; 14:21; Ephesians 4:11-14; 2 Timothy 4:5).
Exhortation—The ability God gives to certain believers to minister words of comfort, consolation, and counsel to other believers of the body in such a way that they feel helped. (Read Mark 12:41-44; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 9:2-8).
Exorcism—The ability God gives to certain believers to detect and expel demons or evil spirits. (Read Mark 5:1-15; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 8:5-8; 16:16-18).
Faith— The ability God gives to certain believers to believe, trust, and hope in His word of promise and to demonstrate confidence and inspire other believers to accept and act on God’s will and purposes. (Read Acts 27:21-25; Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11).
Giving— The ability God gives to certain believers to contribute their material resources to the ministry of the Lord liberally and cheerfully. (Read Mark 12:41-44; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:2-8).
Healing—The abilitySave God gives to certain believers to serve as healing mediators for God to cure illness and restore health. There service might be apart from the use of natural or medical professional means. (Read Acts 3:1-10; 5:12-16; 9:32-35; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28).
Helps—The ability God gives to certain believers to use their talents to assist in facilitating practical needs of others and thereby empower them to develop effectiveness in expressing their own spiritual gifts. (Mark 15:40, 41; Luke 8:2, 3; Acts 9:36; Romans 16:1, 2).
Hospitality—The ability God gives to certain believers to demonstrate a receptive disposition in various settings by offering meaningful welcome, information, and basic assistance. (Read Acts 16:14, 15; Romans 12:9-13; Hebrews 13:1, 2; 1 Peter 4:9).
Intercession—The ability God gives to certain believers to pray compassionately for others and to observe specific answers to their prayers. (Read Acts 12:7-12; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2; Colossians 1:9-12; 4:12; James 5:14-16).
Interpretation—The ability God gives to certain believers to interpret tongues and potentially confusing information so that others can understand and be edified. (Read 1 Corintians 12:10, 30; 14:13, 26-28).
Knowledge—The ability God gives to certain believers to discover, analyze, and clarify information which is pertinent to the well-being of the Church. (Read Acts 5:1-11; 1Corinthians 2:14; 12:8; Colossians 2:2, 3).
Leadership—The ability God gives to certain believers to direct and inspire others to minister effectively and is exercised with the attitude of humility. (Read Acts 7:10; 15:7-11; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 5:17).
Mercy— The ability God gives to certain believers to comfort or help those who are in need of restoration. A special sensitivity toward persons who need reconciliation and revival. (Read Matthew 25:34-40; Mark 9:41; Luke 10:33-35; Acts 11:28-30).
Miracles—The ability God gives to certain believers to perform powerful acts which glorify Him and edify His mission of redemption. (Read Acts 9:36-42; 19:11-20; Romans 15:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 12:12).
Missionary—The ability God gives to certain believers to share His mission of salvation cross-culturally, and in areas that might be away from their geographical origin and dark to the light of truth. (Read Acts 8:4; 13:2, 3; Romans 10:15; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Pastor—The ability God gives to certain believers to shepherd other believers for their spiritual welfare, through counseling and encouraging believers to walk with Christ and discover and develop their spiritual gifts. (Read John 10:1-18; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
Prophecy—The ability God gives to certain believers to receive and communicate His message, so that hearers will be challenged to consider and respond in faith, and might include predictive content. (Read Luke 7:26, 27; Acts 15:32; 21:9-11; Romans 12:6).
Service—The ability God gives to certain believers to engage and assist individuals and groups in fulfilling their needs. The ability to make prudent use of resources to meet those needs in practical ways, without demand for distinction or reward. (Read Acts 6:1-7; Galatians 6:2, 10; Titus 3:14).
Teaching—The ability God gives to certain believers to instruct and communicate His word effectively. (Read Acts 18:24-28; 20:20, 21; Ephesians 4:11-14).
Tongues—The ability God gives to certain believers to speak another language not previously learned to glorify God and authenticate the message of salvation. (Read Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-3; 10:44-46; 19:1; 1 Corinthians 14:13-19).
Voluntary Poverty—The ability God gives to certain believers to sacrifice material comfort and or luxury and adopt a simpler life style in order to serve Him more effectively. (Read Acts 2:44, 45; 4:34-37; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 8:9).
Wisdom—The ability God gives to certain believers to apply knowledge or information for its greater practical benefit and impart wise counsel from God’s word. (Read Acts 6:3, 10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13; James 1:5, 6; 2 Peter 3:15, 16).