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SPIRITUALITIES OR SPIRITUAL GIFTS: SOME ENTRY LEVEL DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS

Spiritualities, what are frequently called spiritual gifts, are supernatural, exchanged life manifestations of the Persons of the Father,
Jesus and the Holy Spirit that occur in every true believer in Jesus Christ. It may help some to understand this shattering
idea by understanding that when the words of God refer to God giving to some who believe the gift of eternal life, eternal
life is actually a person, Jesus, The Life, not a thing we possess (1 John 1:1-3; 5:20).

Similarly, there are different kinds of gifts, different kinds of service and different kinds of workings, but the same Spirit,
the same Lord and the same God works all of them in all. The manifestations of God (Spiritualities) are all manifestations of
God, and God determines and gives these gifts, services and workings to each person in Christ (1 Cor. 12:4-6).

Instead of viewing them as impersonal things, we should understand that spiritualities or spiritual gifts are just the
supernatural and normative way God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit express themselves through yielded Christians.
Christians do not possess spiritual gifts as if they were things or possessions. Rather, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit live
in Christians and wish to possess each Christian. As Christians allow God to possess their lives, God then begins to
manifest increasingly in varied ways through the Christians. The varied ways the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
express themselves through Christians are termed the gifts of God or spiritualities in the New Testament. Spiritual gifts are
manifested through Christians, but their ultimate source is God. Instead of God working through the physical body and life
of Jesus as God did when Jesus was in His first body, now God works through the bodies and lives of all the Christians
together. Together, they are called The Body of Christ, Christ’s second body, made up of the totality of all Christians
(Ephesians 4).

AN INTRODUCTION TO AND DEFINITION OF TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The writers of the original Greek New Testament used six Greek words to describe spiritual gifts. While these different
words give various shades of meaning to the idea of spiritual gifts, they should generally be regarded as synonyms or . . .
simply different descriptions.1
1) Pneumatikon (B<,L:"J46ä<) is one way to refer to spiritual gifts, found at I Corinthians 12:1 and 14:1. The
English words pneumatic and pneumonia are derived from this Greek word. Pneumatikon means spiritual things or
matters, spiritualities and . . . the totality of the gifts of the Spirit.2

2) Charismaton (P"D4F:VJT<) is another term used to describe the gifts, used at I Corinthians12:4, 12:9, 12:28,
12:30, 12:31, Romans 12:6, I Peter 4:10 and Ephesians 4:7. The English words charisma and charismatic are derived
from the Greek. Charismaton means a gift (freely and graciously given), a gift involving grace on the part of God as the Donor, a
proof of favor, benefit.3

3) Diakonion (*4"6@<4ä<) is a third term used to refer to gifts, used at I Cor. 12:5, Rom. 12:7, Eph. 4:12, I Peter
4:10-11. The English word deacon derived from the Greek word. Diakonion means service, aid, support, ministries, and a
discharge of service.4

4) Energematon (¦<,D(0:VT<) is a fourth term that refers to gifts, used at I Cor. 12:6 and 12:10. The English
words energy and energetic are derived from the Greek. Energematon means activity, workings, operations, what is effected.5

5) Phanerosis (N"<XDTF4H) is the fifth term used to describe the gifts, found at I Cor. 12:7. The English words
phantasm and phantom are derived from the Greek. Phanerosis means disclosure, manifestations and . . . the revelation
imparted by the Spirit and consisting in the charismata listed in I Cor. 12:8 ff . . .6

6) Dorea (*TD,") is the sixth word used to describe the gifts, found at Eph. 4:7. Dorea means gift, bounty of God, a free
gift.7

1Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, V.9, 405.

2A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, 685; Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New Testament, 1087; TDNT, v. 6, 437.
3Lexicon, 887; Vine’s, 487; TDNT, v. 9, 402.
4Lexicon, 183; Vine, 756; TDNT, v. 2, 87.
5 Lexicon, 265; Vine’s, 1256; TDNT, v. 2, 652.
6 Lexicon, 861; Vine’s, 718; TDNT, v. 9, 6.
7 Lexicon, 209; Vine, 486-487; TDNT, v. 2, 166-167

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SUPERNATURAL SPIRITUALITIES
ALITIES IN THE SECON SIANS 4:1-16
SECOND BODY OF JESUS EPHESIANS

FOUNDATIONS FOR “SPI

“SPIRITUALITIES”

What is “the Body of Christ”? Eph. 2:11-22,

22, especially 2:15
2:15-16

What do we have in “common”? Eph. 4:4--6

How should this commonality affect our treatment of each other? Eph. 4:1-3

Who receives spiritual gifts? Eph. 4:7a

From whom do we receive them? Eph. 4:7b

4:7b-8

What do spiritual gifts represent? Eph. 4:9

4:9-10

MANIFESTATIONS OF “SPIRITUALITIES”

“Types” of spiritualities? Eph. 4:11

Purposes of Spiritualities?

4:12a

4:12b

4:13a

4:13b

4:14

4:15

4:16

Q&A

ezraenterprises@neo.rr.com John David Geib-The

The Logos Institute
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TITLE DEED TO MY LIFE

I urge you therefore, brothers & sisters, in view of the mercies of God,
to present your bodies as a living, holy and acceptable sacrifice to God,
which is your reasonable form of worship.
Do not be conformed to this age,
but be transformed by the renewing of your minds
in order that you may be able to discern
the good, pleasing and completely realized will of God.
Romans 12:1-
12:1 - 2

IN VIEW OF THE MERCIES OF GOD

REVEALED TO ME IN JESUS CHRIST,
NAMELY,
THAT CHRIST IS MY LIFE IN
JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION & GLORIFICATION,
I HEREBY ON THIS DAY OF_______________
PRESENT ONCE AND FOR ALL
MY ENTIRE LIFE TO GOD
AS A LIVING AND HOLY SACRIFICE
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FULLY REALIZING
THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD.

SIGNATURE ____________________________

ezraenterprises@neo.rr.com John David Geib-The Logos Institute

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DISCOVERING SPIRITUALITIES
CONSECRATION (Romans 12:1-2)
This involves surrendering your entire being to God for God’s will and purposes.
This is the essential step in finding God’s will and gift(s).

SUPPLICATION (LUKE 11:1-13)

Begin to p ray pe rsistent ly that God will lead you by the written word, illumination by the Sp irit, the Body of Christ and
experience s to discove r clue s to what gift(s) God has give n to you.

EDUCATION (I Cor. 12:1)

This involves learning the following:
the definition of spiritual gifts, the types of gifts mentioned in the Bible, their purposes, and biblical examples of
people who practiced their gifts. Remember: it is definitely not God’s will for you to be uniformed on this subject.

EVALUATION (ROM. 12: 3; 12:6)

This could involve taking the Wagner-modified Houts questionnaire 8 or other questionnaires and evaluating the results
in light of sober, realistic and honest thinking about your past service to God and your current spiritual desires.

CONSULTATION (ACT S 16:1-3; I TIM. 4:14; 2 TIM. 1:3-14)

After personal evaluation, consult with those who know you well
(your Pastor, trusted and knowledgeable spiritual guides, and possibly a Bible study group)
to obtain responses, support and further guidance. This step can prevent confusion and self-deception.

INVESTIGATION (I COR. 12:31; 14:1; 14:12)

Having been prepared by the previous steps, you can now begin to focus on your tentative gifts.
Study again the biblical data regarding the gifts you think you may have in a careful manner.
try to get to know people who you think may have or profess to have these gifts, and question and learn form them.
Begin to read extra-biblical books on the subject, but always allow the bible to interpret their conclusions.
Peter Wagner read 49 books on spiritual gifts before writing on the subject. Seek diligently!

MOTIVATION (ROM. 12: 3-8; I PET. 4:10-11; I PET. 5:1-4)

This involves two considerations. First, WHY do I desire to practice or actually practice a certain gift(s)?
Biblically, the answer should be for GOD'S GLORY and the benefit of others.
Second, when do I feel comfortable, able and motivated when I serve God?
This may be what is meant by the “proportion of faith” (Rom. 12:3-6).. God’s spiritualities in you should and most often do harmonize with your
personality (assuming of course that you are a Christian n and walking in the Spirit).

EXPERIMENT ATION (ROM. 12:6)

Now you are ready to take the step of faith and begin to function in the Body of Christ and in the world according to your gift.
Pray for, expect and seize available opportunities to exercise your tentative gift(s). Allow enough time and varieties of experience to get a true “read”
of your potential giftedness. do not get discouraged prematurely!
Timothy had to be told to “stir up” his gift (II Tim. 1:6).

CONFIRMATION ( EPH. 4:12-16; I COR. 14:4-6; 14:12; 14:17; 14:26; 14:33; 14:40)
If you have a certain gift(s), the exercise of it will eventually bring about consequences that will provide CONFIRMATION of your gift(s).
The biblical signs of confirmation are the glorification of God and God's will
and the edification (strengthening or building up) of the body of Christ, among others.
The agents of confirmation are God, God's Word, other People (Christians and non-Christians) and circumstances.
If confirmation is repeatedly absent, you most probably do not have the gift(s) you are attempting to exercise.
Start the search process again because

EACH HAS BEEN GIVEN THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SPIRIT FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF ALL
(I Cor. 12:7).

8http://cadnstuff.com/Edlead/instruments.htm

ezraenterprises@neo.rr.com John David Geib-The Logos Institute

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SPIRITUAL GIFTS SPECIFIC COURSE SUMMARY 9

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

The Question of Cessation: The best interpretation of “that which is perfect” (I Cor. 13:8) is the “end” of time when Jesus
returns (1 Cor. 15:23-24). Therefore, spiritual gifts will continue to exist until Jesus returns.

THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Gift of the Holy Spirit, The source of all Spiritual Gifts is the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Third member of the
Trinity. The Holy Spirit is given to those who believe in Jesus at the moment of their salvation experience (Acts 2:38).
Christians receive all of the fullness of God initially and positionally when they receive Christ (Colossians 2:9-10).
However, Christians only realize experientially the fullness they already had of the Holy Spirit as they progressively yield
themselves in obedience to God (Ephesians 5:18)

Spiritualities are thus supernatural manifestations of the Persons of the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit that occur in every believer
in Jesus Christ. When the words of God refer to God giving to those who believe the gift of eternal life, eternal life is
actually a person, Jesus, The Life, not a thing we possess (1 John 1:1-3; 5:20). Similarly, there are different kinds of spiritualities
or spiritual gifts but it is the same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God works all of them in all. The manifestations of the
Spirit are all the work of Spirit, and the Spirit determines and gives these gifts, services and workings to each person in
Christ (1 Cor. 12).

UNDERSTANDING, DISCOVERING AND REALIZING SPIRITUALITIES

Definitions & Classification of Spiritual Gifts: Six Greek words were used as synonyms to describe supernatural
spiritual gifts in the New Testament. Spiritual Gifts can be classified under three general heads: 1) Speaking,-Message
gifts, 2) Service-Ministry gifts and 3) Spectacular-Miraculous gifts.

15 Preliminary Observations from 1 Corinthians 12: Every Christian receives at least one spiritual gift. As members
of Christ’s “Body,” God desires each Christian is to discover and use their gift(s) in love for the common good and building up of each
member. Agape Love is the greatest “way or gift” in Christ’s Body. The purposes of these manifestations of God in
Christians are the same as when God was manifesting through Jesus when He was in his first body. First, God’s gifts
bring glory to God by revealing God as God. Second, God’s spiritualities stimulate Christians to exchange life with God
(edification) and impart the Life of God in those who are not yet Christians (evangelism). Spiritualities differ from natural
talents and abilities common to humanity by virtue of being human. They are different from human talents developed by
training, education or experience. However, Christians can learn to allow God to express God through themselves in
increasingly purer and more distinct ways as they grow into maturity in the exchanged life. Timothy was told to stir up his
gifts, which means that he was discouraged and was allowing something to hinder God from expressing God through
himself (2 Tim. 1: 6).

The “Purpose” of Spiritualities: As Christians allow God to possess their lives, God then begins to manifest
increasingly in varied ways through the Christians. The varied ways the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit express
themselves through Christians are termed the gifts of God or spiritualities in the New Testament. Spiritual gifts are
manifested through Christians, but their ultimate source is God. Instead of God working through the physical body and life
of Jesus as God did when Jesus was in His first body, now God works through the bodies and lives of all the Christians
together. Together, they are called The Body of Christ, Christ’s second body, made up of the totality of all Christians
(Ephesians 4; 1 Cor. 12-14; 1 Peter 4). The ultimate purpose of Spiritualities is for The Body of Christ to leave infancy
and reach maturity, the full measure of the Stature of Christ. The Christian cohort with Christ as The Head is to grow up
into the full measure (Greek, metron, metric, an official standard) of the fullness of Christ with each part filled and
animated by Jesus (see also Colossians 1:28-29; 2:19).

9 Taken from the course text, The New Testament and secondarily from Spiritualities: Spiritual Gifts as Manifestations of The Triune God

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Consecration & The Ultimate Will of God: Christians discover Spiritualities as a result of having their minds
transformed. That supernatural transformation occurs as a result whenever Christians surrender their entire
lives as a “living sacrifice” to God and God’s ‘perfect will. Since many Christians don’t surrender their lives to God,
their gifts lie dormant and undiscovered.
The Use of Spiritual Gifts: Motivations and Obstacles, Christians frequently need to overcome obstacles in
discovering and using their gifts. Thus, they need to receive God’s Grace so they can and will obey 2 Timothy 1:6-7: Stir
into flame the gift within you, for God did not give us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind.

Biblical Steps in Discovering Spiritual Gifts, While there is no “formula” for discovering spiritual gifts, God does
give normative guidelines in Scripture that, if followed, enable Christians to supernaturally discover their gifts.

SPECIFIC SPIRITUALITIES

Message or Speaking Gifts, 21-44: The Holy Spirit empowers some Christians with a variety of speaking gifts to
“deliver God’s message" to Christ’s Body and the world.

Ministry or Service gifts, pages 45-54: The Holy Spirit empowers some Christians with a variety of service gifts to
"deliver ministry" to Christ’s Body and the world.

Miraculous or Spectacular gifts, pages 55-64: The Holy Spirit empowers some Christians with a variety of spectacular
gifts to “deliver miracles" to Christ’s Body and the world.

ezraenterprises@neo.rr.com John David Geib-The Logos Institute