Gifts of the Spirit

For the church of Christ to function well, God has given it gifts to facilitate its ministry. In the New Testament, we find several lists of spiritual gifts.

The purpose of all spiritual gifts is to build up the church, as well as to proclaim the gospel. Paul included the gift of prophecy (implied from the word “prophets”) in all four lists. Other gifts occur only once. Thus, we can conclude that prophecy is one of the most important spiritual gifts.

Let us consider some general features about prophets:

1. Prophets are called by God (see 1 Kings 19:16, 19–21 and Isaiah 6). Often they feel unworthy and are reluctant to assume their responsibility, but they obey.
2. God speaks to prophets by visions, dreams, or audible utterances. Sometimes God reveals future events. At other times, He informs them about current affairs of nations or people (Daniel 2).
3. The Scriptures describe physical phenomena: prophets may lose physical strength or even stop breathing, but they may also be filled with new power (Dan. 10:8–10, 18, 19).
4. Prophets communicate their messages in various ways—orally (Acts 21:10–12), through acting out (Ezekiel 4), or by letters (Revelation 2, 3). Certain prophets used literary assistants (see Jer. 36:1–4).
5. The message of a prophet must be in accordance with former prophets, because God does not contradict Himself (Isa. 8:20).
6. The content of a prophet’s message, as well as the effect of a prophet’s personal life, will testify to its divine origin (Matt. 7:15–20).
7. Satan always attempts to counterfeit the divine. This also holds true for the prophetic gift. In the end time, there will be false prophets (Matt. 24:24, 2 Pet. 2:1).

---

Additional Reading: Selected Quotes from Ellen G. White

To us today, as verily as to the first disciples, the promise of the Spirit belongs. God will today endow men and women with power from above, as He endowed those who on the Day of Pentecost heard the word of salvation. At this very hour His Spirit and His grace are for all who need them and will take Him at His word.
Christ declared that the divine influence of the Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end. But the promise is not appreciated as it should be; and therefore its fulfillment is not seen as it might be. The promise of the Spirit is a matter little thought of; and the result is only what might be expected—spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Minor matters occupy the attention, and the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in its infinite plenitude.
It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talent, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but, without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them channels for the outflowing of the highest influence in the universe.
Zeal for God moved the disciples to bear witness to the truth with mighty power. Should not this zeal fire our hearts with a determination to tell the story of redeeming love, of Christ and Him crucified? Is not the Spirit of God to come today, in answer to earnest, persevering prayer, and fill men with power for service? Why, then, is the church so weak and spiritless?
When the Holy Spirit controls the minds of our church members, there will be seen in our churches a much higher standard in speech, in ministry, in spirituality, than is now seen. The church members will be refreshed by the water of life, and the laborers, working under one Head, even Christ, will reveal their Master in spirit, in word, in deed, and will encourage one another to press forward in the grand, closing work in which we are engaged. There will be a healthy increase of unity and love, which will bear testimony to the world that God sent His Son to die for the redemption of sinners. Divine truth will be exalted; and as it shines forth as a lamp that burneth, we shall understand it more and still more clearly.—Counsels for the Church, pp. 99, 100.