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19 Gifts of the Spirit
CHARISMATIC? YOU CERTAINLY ARE ... IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN AT ALL.
But perhaps not in the way the term is frequently used today. Charismata is a Greek word meaning "gifts of grace." It refers to the gifts or special abilities given to Christians by the Holy Spirit—all the gifts, not just speaking in tongues or miracles or healing.
• What are the 19 gifts?
• Are they all for today?
• What is their purpose?
• How can we discover and put to use our own gifts?
All of these questions, plus a careful examination of gifts revealed in the Bible, are included in this in-depth study, first published in 1974. If you want to know what the Bible says about spiritual gifts, this book is for you.
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But perhaps not in the way the term is frequently used today. Charismata is a Greek word meaning "gifts of grace." It refers to the gifts or special abilities given to Christians by the Holy Spirit—all the gifts, not just speaking in tongues or miracles or healing.
• What are the 19 gifts?
• Are they all for today?
• What is their purpose?
• How can we discover and put to use our own gifts?
All of these questions, plus a careful examination of gifts revealed in the Bible, are included in this in-depth study, first published in 1974. If you want to know what the Bible says about spiritual gifts, this book is for you.
Show more
Show less
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1974
130 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 17, 2017
When reading this book I could not figure out who the author was trying to reach. At times it was scholarly, at times one on one stories. After a few chapters it hit me. This was basically a Sunday School book. It could be used in the teaching of a class on Sunday morning before or after service to help the congregation in doctrine. Once I figured that out the reading was much smoother.
It appears to have been written in the 70's as the stories do not seem to go past that time. It was recently republished with a 2004 date by David C Cook (who provide many free e-books of which this was one). Bringing the stories up to date would have helped this book a lot. A quick Google search shows he passed away in 2006 while in his 80's. So I can assume that what editing might have been done to his version of the book was minimal. It also noted that this was his best selling book out of many he had written.
Once I figured out the voice and the time frame it was written, it was a good book that interested me to learn about the subject at hand. He saved the most controversial gifts (healing and tongues) until the last. I feel he did this because partially because that is where the fit and also they were contradictory to his theology. I believe in these gifts so it was kind of jarring coming to them after having enjoyed the book. I understand where he is coming from in dealing with them, I just felt he spent so much time discrediting them only to say that we should not reject them completely.
My recommendation on this would be if you are looking for a book to teach Sunday School class, this would be good. For average reading, it would need to be updated before I could recommend it to anyone else.
It appears to have been written in the 70's as the stories do not seem to go past that time. It was recently republished with a 2004 date by David C Cook (who provide many free e-books of which this was one). Bringing the stories up to date would have helped this book a lot. A quick Google search shows he passed away in 2006 while in his 80's. So I can assume that what editing might have been done to his version of the book was minimal. It also noted that this was his best selling book out of many he had written.
Once I figured out the voice and the time frame it was written, it was a good book that interested me to learn about the subject at hand. He saved the most controversial gifts (healing and tongues) until the last. I feel he did this because partially because that is where the fit and also they were contradictory to his theology. I believe in these gifts so it was kind of jarring coming to them after having enjoyed the book. I understand where he is coming from in dealing with them, I just felt he spent so much time discrediting them only to say that we should not reject them completely.
My recommendation on this would be if you are looking for a book to teach Sunday School class, this would be good. For average reading, it would need to be updated before I could recommend it to anyone else.
November 8, 2022
A TIMELESS BOOK IN MY COLLECTION THAT GIVES YOU A STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND BIBLICAL DISCUSSION OF THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. HE LEADS YOU THROUGH A BIBLE STUDY PUNCTUATED WITH PRACTICAL AND PERSONAL EXAMPLES OF HOW THESE GIFTS WERE USED TO EDIFY THE HISOTRY OF THE CHURCH AND HOW IT SHOULD LOOK GOING FORWARD FOR THE CHURCH TODAY. I LIKE HIS CLASSIFICATIONS OF THE GIFTS (IT MAKES SENSE TO ME). I OFTEN WONDER IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER SERVED EARLY IN MY CHRISTIAN WALK TO IDENTIFY MORE CLEARLY MY GIFT(S) FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT VERSUS MY NATURAL TALENTS, A POINT HE MAKES VERY CLEARLY IN HIS BOOK WHAT THE DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE TWO. THE BOOK IS CERTAINLY STILL RELEVANT FOR TODAY'S READER.
November 2, 2022
an Odd Perspective
While the author writes with near eloquence on the gift of faith, one is left convinced that the author does not believe in supernatural phenomena. Tongues are a gift but don’t bother, because they aren’t uniquely Christian. Healing happens but don’t bother seeking because of all the things the gift is not. A word of knowledge is only the pursuit of data. It’s as though the Giver is only slightly more powerful than we humans and not the infinite lord of the universe.
While the author writes with near eloquence on the gift of faith, one is left convinced that the author does not believe in supernatural phenomena. Tongues are a gift but don’t bother, because they aren’t uniquely Christian. Healing happens but don’t bother seeking because of all the things the gift is not. A word of knowledge is only the pursuit of data. It’s as though the Giver is only slightly more powerful than we humans and not the infinite lord of the universe.
May 23, 2017
Insightful, allows you to think and exam yourself and your believes
Loved reading this book it opened my eyes and heart to look at inside to see what gifts I can give within my church and not just sit in a pew and observe.
Loved reading this book it opened my eyes and heart to look at inside to see what gifts I can give within my church and not just sit in a pew and observe.
January 29, 2018
Tedious
I thought the book was tedious. There is some good information. I didn't finish the book. It didn't hold my interest.
I thought the book was tedious. There is some good information. I didn't finish the book. It didn't hold my interest.
August 9, 2021
Rated: C+
Comprehensive work on the gifts of the spirit. Good organization and explanation of each gift. Excellent resource for teaching.
Comprehensive work on the gifts of the spirit. Good organization and explanation of each gift. Excellent resource for teaching.
April 9, 2014
I am sure that I am not the first to notice the irony of how today’s discussion about spiritual gifts provoke much debate and division over the “sign gifts” when the Bible teaches that all spiritual gifts are for the edification and the unity of the Church as a whole. Not that I’m against these discussions and debates—one must study the issue biblically and come away with some kind of conviction while intelligently disagreeing with the other side. But for some, the only spiritual gifts they know (or think they know) are tongues, prophecy and healing. If you want to understand spiritual gifts beyond the debate of whether or not sign gifts are for today, here is a practical book that you might find beneficial.
I don’t much about the author beforehand but he appears not to be a Charismatic/Pentecostal and is more of a Cessasionist. Nevertheless Charismatics will benefit from this book also. He covers nineteen spiritual gifts (the title of the book gives that away) in which he explains what the gifts are, examples of such gifts practiced in the Bible or in church history and also some word of what the practical application of the gifts looks like. The book is geared towards Christians understanding and identifying their spiritual gifts (the author even devoted one whole chapter towards the end of the book of how to identify one’s spiritual gifts). He breaks down these spiritual gifts into three main categories which the book addresses in the following order: speaking, serving and sign. I thought it was wise of the author to present them in that order, with the speaking being foundational for the rest since it involves communicating the Word of God. Also, it puts the most controversial last, which avoid instantly turning off any hyper-sensitive continuationists. I think for the most part, most continuationists would agree and find the bulk of the author’s exposition on the speaking and serving gifts non-controversial.
I enjoyed reading the book for my own edification. Given past experience of hearing people teach on this subject (some can be so quick to jump to the application of spiritual gifts without understanding what it means first) I was pleasantly surprised at how the author handled Bible verses in an informed manner that gave justice to the text. I also recommended this book to a brother in my church who was working on a lesson outline on spiritual gifts as part of a larger church membership class. This book was just the right fit, being biblical, non-technical, and practical.
I don’t much about the author beforehand but he appears not to be a Charismatic/Pentecostal and is more of a Cessasionist. Nevertheless Charismatics will benefit from this book also. He covers nineteen spiritual gifts (the title of the book gives that away) in which he explains what the gifts are, examples of such gifts practiced in the Bible or in church history and also some word of what the practical application of the gifts looks like. The book is geared towards Christians understanding and identifying their spiritual gifts (the author even devoted one whole chapter towards the end of the book of how to identify one’s spiritual gifts). He breaks down these spiritual gifts into three main categories which the book addresses in the following order: speaking, serving and sign. I thought it was wise of the author to present them in that order, with the speaking being foundational for the rest since it involves communicating the Word of God. Also, it puts the most controversial last, which avoid instantly turning off any hyper-sensitive continuationists. I think for the most part, most continuationists would agree and find the bulk of the author’s exposition on the speaking and serving gifts non-controversial.
I enjoyed reading the book for my own edification. Given past experience of hearing people teach on this subject (some can be so quick to jump to the application of spiritual gifts without understanding what it means first) I was pleasantly surprised at how the author handled Bible verses in an informed manner that gave justice to the text. I also recommended this book to a brother in my church who was working on a lesson outline on spiritual gifts as part of a larger church membership class. This book was just the right fit, being biblical, non-technical, and practical.
October 16, 2014
Average
This book talks about 19 gifts of the holy spirit. The author apparently does not speak in tongues, since she doesn't appear to place any value in it. She simply acknowledges its existence and mentions great preachers that did not have the gift. It took me some time to finish this book as I found it dry and unexciting.
This book talks about 19 gifts of the holy spirit. The author apparently does not speak in tongues, since she doesn't appear to place any value in it. She simply acknowledges its existence and mentions great preachers that did not have the gift. It took me some time to finish this book as I found it dry and unexciting.
October 29, 2014
Listen to Your Lord
Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift. We need to discover which ones we possess. This is a good resource, a list of the gifts and some explanation about each. Now go and determine what gifts God has given you and use them to bring honor and glory to your heavenly Father.
Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift. We need to discover which ones we possess. This is a good resource, a list of the gifts and some explanation about each. Now go and determine what gifts God has given you and use them to bring honor and glory to your heavenly Father.
December 29, 2015
I read this years ago, when I thought it was excellent, and then recently acquired it as a free ebook from David C. Cook publishers. Although some of the illustrations are a bit dated, this book holds up and is great for understanding spiritual gifts as well as for evaluating one's own. Highly recommended!
February 2, 2013
Wonderful book based on truth. Though many may not agree with his conclusions, they can't very well argue with it because it is so well documented.
January 12, 2014
A balanced view on the Gifts of the Spirit at points can feel dated but still worth reading.
April 1, 2015
I enjoyed a more "in-depth" look at the gifts of the spirit and pick up many helpful insights in seeking what my gifts are and how to use them.
March 14, 2016
Interesting read.
January 9, 2015
After studying through this book I was able to not only determine my Spiritual gifts are but able to understand the importance that each gift has to the church body. Want to read again.
July 6, 2016
A solid treatment of spiritual gifts from an evangelical perspective. Systematic. Good Biblical, historical and contemporary examples of each gift in action.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews