printable view

Gifts of Power

On different occasions, the Holy Spirit gives members of the body of Christ a special ability to exhibit great signs and wonders in a specific situation or circumstance. These are gifts of supernatural power that involve our actions. They include the following:

• Gifts of Healing
• Gifts of Miracles
• Gifts of Faith

Given Primarily for the Work of Evangelism

While other gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, are often exhibited in the church, gifts of power (signs and wonders) usually accompany the work of evangelism. In the Bible, recorded instances of healing, deliverance and miracles occur almost exclusively to confirm the gospel and minister to unsaved people.

Today miracles and acts of healing are strongly associated with certain ministries that move around the country holding special services and attracting large groups of Spirit-filled Christians. The aim of these services may be to reach unbelievers with the power of God, but it is often believers who are going forward for healing. This is not the way Scripture records these gifts being exhibited in the early Church. Signs and wonders occurred in the New Testament right at the point where God's kingdom was advancing against the kingdom of darkness (Satan). These gifts were the supernatural power that confirmed the reality and presence of God to those hearing the gospel message.

Does the Lord also want to heal Christians also? Of course He does. But being reconciled to God puts believers in the unique place of being able to communicate with Him directly. This personal relationship can yield great power and benefit in regards to their own personal needs. The unbeliever, however, has no such relationship and must rely on signs and wonders to be touched by God.

Deliverance as a Gift of Healing

In discussing healing, the Bible uses the word gifts (plural) to imply more than, one type of healing is given by the Holy Spirit. One of the most frequent demonstrations of God's healing power in the New Testament was deliverance from demonic oppression. And yet in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 the gift of deliverance is never mentioned, although the gift of discernment of spirits is listed. This manual classifies deliverance as being one of the healing gifts.