Today, we're pleased to share with you an audio essay written and read by Sam Storms,

entitled Ten Questions About Spiritual Gifts.

Sam is the author of Tough Topics, Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions from Crossway.

Ten Questions about spiritual gifts written and read by Sam Storms.

What are spiritual gifts? Where are they found in Scripture?

Well, the primary text where spiritual gifts are explicitly mentioned are Romans 12, 3 through 8,

1st Corinthians 12 through 14,

Ephesians 4, 11 through 14, and 1 Peter 4, 10, and 11. There are numerous other texts,

mostly in Acts, where we read of certain gifts being exercised. The spiritual gifts are capacities or abilities imparted to Christians by the Holy Spirit to enable them to

exceed the limitations of their finite humanity in order to serve other believers to the glory of God.

Paul says that they are a manifestation of the Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit himself is manifested or disclosed or displayed in some

concrete and tangible way when the gifts are exercised. Spiritual gifts, therefore, are designed to draw

attention to the Holy Spirit and to alert us to His presence and power. Is it possible that there may be additional spiritual

gifts that are not explicitly mentioned in Scripture? Yes, it is possible, but whatever additional

gifts the Spirit may bestow must conform to the guidelines set forth in Scripture. Other spiritual

gifts may include such things as intercession.

Granted, all Christians are to pray. Some, however, appear to possess an extraordinary

energy and calling to intercede for others. Then there's deliverance. And again, although all

Christians have authority over the demonic, some are more effective and display

an even greater power in helping people gain freedom from spiritual oppression.

And then there is interpretation, the God-given ability to make sense of dreams, visions,

and other revelatory giftings.

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