The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Permanent, Situational, and Disputed
1. Introduction
Paul teaches that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7). That means every Christian receives Spirit-given enablement, but the way those gifts work varies. Some are tied to roles, others to individuals in the moment. And all must be tested against the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22–23).
2. Role-Based Gifts
Certain gifts define roles in the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28). These are leadership functions meant to equip and guide the body. Their authenticity is always measured by the fruit of the Spirit: a teacher without patience or a shepherd without gentleness undermines his own role.
3. Non-Role Gifts
Other gifts are given broadly across the body. Romans 12 mentions prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. First Corinthians 12 adds wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. These are not offices but manifestations. They come and go as the Spirit wills (1 Cor 12:11). Here again, the fruit is the test. Prophecy without love, giving without joy, or discernment without gentleness misses the mark.
4. Permanent and Situational Gifts
The New Testament suggests a natural division between gifts that seem permanent and those given only for specific moments.
Permanent gifts include things like teaching, serving, exhorting, giving, showing mercy, helping, leading, and practicing hospitality. These usually match a believer’s lifelong calling.
Situational gifts include prophecy, tongues, interpretation, healings, miracles, discernment, special faith, and words of wisdom or knowledge. These do not function as permanent possessions but as Spirit-given empowerments in the moment of need.
In either case, the measure is the same: a permanent gift without the Spirit’s fruit becomes cold and mechanical; a situational gift without the fruit becomes chaotic or prideful.
5. Disputed Gifts
The sharpest dispute in the church is over prophecy understood as new, authoritative revelation—“thus says the Lord.” Cessationists hold that this ceased with the close of the canon; continuationists argue that prophecy continues but must be tested against Scripture (1 Thess 5:20–21; 1 Cor 14:29).
Other sign gifts—healings, miracles, tongues, interpretation, and discernment—are less disputed in principle and more in frequency. Cessationists see them as primarily apostolic signs, while continuationists believe they remain until Christ’s return, though not given to every believer or every church at every time.
6. Practical Implications
Paul’s constant refrain is that gifts must serve love and order. “If I…understand all mysteries and all knowledge…but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor 13:2). Gifts without fruit are hollow. Fruit without gifts risks passivity. The Spirit intends both—empowered service marked by Christlike character.
7. Conclusion
Distinguishing between role-based, permanent, and situational gifts helps clarify the biblical witness. The central debate remains prophetic revelation, while other sign gifts are contested mainly in terms of frequency. But in all cases, the ultimate measure of any gift is the fruit of the Spirit. Gifts demonstrate the Spirit’s power; fruit demonstrates His presence.