The Gifts / Manifestations of the Holy Spirit
1Corinthians 12:1-11
There are 9 supernatural gifts/manifestations of the Holy Spirit that were given to the church. Ultimately these gifts are a result of one being ‘Baptized in the Holy Spirit.’ These gifts or manifestations are to be in operation as a result of a believer working with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit coming upon that believer, as the Holy Spirit wills, to help the worker in accomplishing the work of God when needed.
These gifts/manifestations of the Spirit could be looked at as two-fold:
#1 – To keep the body of Christ (the Church) healthy
#2 – To be a sign to the unbeliever of God’s Love and Mercy.
A lot of Christians have not been Baptized in the Holy Spirit mostly for two reasons. They have NOT been taught properly on the subject or they haven’t been taught on the subject and benefit at all.
It’s important for Christians to understand that the ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit,’ is defined as one of the 6 Basics doctrines listed in Hebrews 6:1-3.
Hebrews 6:1-3 (NLT)
6 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
*Notice – starting in verse 2 it say’s instructions about baptism(s), plural….
There are 3 Baptisms for Believers:
- Baptism of Salvation – immersed into the Body of Christ at repentance and believing on and confessing Jesus as Messiah.
*The New Birth
Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
*Also referred to as ‘One Baptism’
Ephesians 4:5 (NKJV) There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 (NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body….
- Water Baptism – After one is ‘saved’ or ‘born again’
*Philip baptizes the eunuch in water after confessing Jesus as Messiah.
Acts 8:35-38 (NKJV)
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
- The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – The Promise of the Father. The enduement of power for service.
*It’s important to note that John the Baptist distinguishes that water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are two separate experiences in the life of a believer.
Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
JESUS MADE THE SAME STATEMENT:
Acts 1:5 (NKJV) for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Jesus walked the earth for 40 days after His resurrection from the dead. During this period before He was received into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father where He is now. We must see one other act that Jesus made to His disciples during these 40 days. This act unquestionable separates the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer and the Holy Spirit coming upon the believer.
John 20:21-22 (NKJV) 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Many Scholars agree that this is the moment that the disciples received the nature of God, the Holy Spirit living within to understand the mysteries of the Word and when the church actually began.