Monica Hill concludes her series with a final article on the spiritual ‘manifestations’ of 1 Corinthians 12.

This article is part of a series. Click here to access the archive.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12)

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good…to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers” (1 Corinthians 12:9-10)

We are coming to the close of these thumbnail studies of each of the manifestations of the Spirit, which fit, in a special way, into the whole series of spiritual gifts that Paul lists as being available to us. We want to stress that discussions on, and insights gained from, these issues are all on-going – these studies are not the final word on the matter!

Furthermore, just knowing about the gifts is not sufficient – they need to be part of the whole raison d’etre of the faith, for each one of us. All of the gifts operate for the common good, to build up the Body of Christ. They operate only in the unity of the Spirit from whom they come. Before we consider the final three manifestations listed in 1 Corinthians 12, therefore, we will dwell for a moment on this theme.

Many Gifts, One Spirit

1 Corinthians 12 stresses the importance of the unity of the Holy Spirit. That unity is emphasised in Paul’s presentation –

• “no-one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’, except by the Holy Spirit”;
  
• “there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them”;
  
• “there are different kinds of service, but the same Lord”;
  
• “there are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (vv3-6).
  

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 stresses that all the manifestations are given either through the Spirit or by means of the same Spirit. Verse 11 draws it together: “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines”.

This stress on the unity of the one Spirit from whom they all come surely must have some connection with the mistakes that were being made in the Corinthian church. Today, we are tempted, just as they were, to focus on the gifts or ‘manifestations’ rather than the source of the gifts. We often omit to give thanks where they are due and we fail to give God all the glory.

We should not take and use these gifts as a right, thus making ourselves important. Also we should not compare our own gift with that of others and feel that what we have is somehow of lesser value. This could lead to neglecting the gift that is given to us for the sake of false humility.

Paul emphasised the Holy Spirit as the one source of all these gifts – the Corinthian church were obviously tempted to focus more on the gifts than on the source.

A careful reading of 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 where Paul speaks about unity and diversity in the Body shows the value of all the spiritual gifts for the Church today. It also stresses that none are, or should be, of greater significance than the others.

I always read the last few verses (from verse 29) as a challenge to be aware of the uniqueness of each person’s gift and to agree with Paul that the answer to each of the questions is a resounding ‘no’. But we also need to agree that we should desire the greater gifts of “faith, hope and love”, while recognising that “the greatest of these is love” as declared in the beautiful love poem of 1 Corinthians 13.

Faith is for All

When we come to study the final three manifestations we can see how much they depend on each other – but we can also become rather confused as to the status of ‘faith’, being included as a manifestation which comes and goes as the Spirit wills and is not given to all!

Surely faith is believing and trusting in God and acting on this belief? “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6). Surely faith is the cornerstone of being a Christian? We all need to have the ‘living faith’ that saves us and links us firmly and securely to our Father God. So what does Paul mean by including faith as a spiritual manifestation?

Faith as a Manifestation

Although it is presumed that we all have a measure of faith, there is also a special gift of faith which is exercised in persistent prayer and intercession. This involves is a strong confidence in, and dependence upon, God, in the context of a conviction of what God will accomplish through us. This comes when you know you have received a word from the Lord so that you can pray with absolute confidence that what you’re asking is within his will.

The ‘faith’ spoken of in this context is a special kind of faith that Jesus spoke about when questioned over the withered fig tree: “Jesus answered ‘I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him’” (Mark 11:22).

The disciples were rebuked when they failed to heal a boy with a demon spirit, with the reason given as: “Because you have little faith. I tell you the truth if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’” (see also Luke 17:6).

All believers must have a measure of faith, but there is also a special gift of faith which involves a strong conviction of what God will accomplish through us, that comes through persistent prayer.

Paul refers to this again in 1 Corinthians 13:2 as believing in God’s promises and having God’s faith in us - that is the “faith that can move mountains”, and this kind of faith is inextricably linked with the manifestations of ‘healing’ and ‘miraculous powers’.

No manifestation can operate without faith, but these two in particular cannot operate separately without this special kind of faith. James also spoke of this kind of faith in connection with healing: “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up” and also mentioned the faith that Elijah needed to pray for both drought and rain (James 5:13-18). Paul prayed that the Ephesians will know God more intimately and experience “his incomparably great power for us who believe. The power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (Eph 1:18-19).

This special kind of faith enables us to do all that the Father wills - as long as we remember that it is a gift from God, and not a human skill. It is always the Holy Spirit who gives to God’s people the power to pray in faith and it is always God’s will for which they are given the faith to pray.

Hebrews 11 is a wonderful chapter giving examples of those throughout history who had this visionary kind of faith and who put their complete dependence on God.

Gifts of Healing

Note that ‘gifts of healing’ is in the plural in the Greek (χαρίσματα ἰαμάτων) [carismata himatone] and can mean different kinds of healing (Matt 10:1). This may not just mean physical healing but can also mean healing of relationships, or of psychological, emotional or spiritual needs. This is a ‘manifestation’ and not an appointment to a regular ministry of healing (1 Cor 12:30). Those who receive it should not be counted as official or regular workers of miracles. Even Peter, Paul and Philip in Samaria, whose healings are recorded in Acts, were not known as divine healers.

There are also those who receive training as doctors and nurses to care and heal in a worldly sense, but this manifestation is not that natural, human skill. Of course, the gifts of the Holy Spirit can be used alongside these human skills, so there can be continuing development of the entire field of Christian healing. God can bless them both as they are needed – and the manifestations can be spectacular when human help is no longer available.

‘Gifts of healing’ are plural – they do not just include physical healing but can also mean healing of relationships, or of psychological, emotional or spiritual needs.

Gifts of healing should be spontaneous among believers as and when the Spirit leads and wills, and these gifts do not depend only on the faith of those receiving the manifestation – Jesus often rejoiced that “Your faith has made you whole” (Luke 17:19; Mark 5:34; Luke 8:48; Mark 10:52). It is faith in Christ that cures people as Jesus reminded the onlookers following the healing of the crippled beggar: “It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see” (Acts 3:16).

James 5:13-16 gives specific instructions on praying and the use of oil. The ‘sick’ here means literally those ‘without strength’, needing the restoration of full health. The role of the elders was to build up the Body, healing all those needing support that they might be enabled to fulfil their ministry as fellow heirs with Christ (Rom 8:11-17).

Miraculous Powers

Gifts of healing can often be seen as miracles in themselves and Acts often uses the term ‘miracles’ (dynameis) to denote bodily healing and the casting out of evil spirits (Acts 8:6 -7 and 19:11-12). Healings were described as “signs and great miracles” (Acts 8:13) and “extraordinary miracles” (Acts 19:11).

But the working of miracles (literally the energising of powers – i.e. God’s powers) also refers to works of special and extraordinary power of God’s almightiness, such as those of Jesus when he turned the water into wine, walked on water or raised Lazarus from the dead. Those manifesting miraculous powers were promised that they would receive the power to “pick up snakes with their hands and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all” (Mark 16:19).

This is a very special manifestation given as and when the Spirit wills – and not one we can claim or manipulate. It is listed as one of the marks of an apostle in 2 Corinthians 12:12 but the whole story of Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24), his conversion and baptism followed by his desire to purchase special privileges, is a salutary lesson.

A ‘Final’ Word

When we look at developing the spiritual gifts - whether natural gifts, ministries or these ‘manifestations’ - to allow us to become the kind of people that God wants us to be, we see that it is all for a purpose: so that we can be both his witnesses and his ambassadors to others around us.

We should always remember that the gifts are given to enable us to serve others and not for self-aggrandisement! It is good for us to remember this when we recognise how gracious our Father is to send his Holy Spirit to help us, advise us and guide us into all truth, as well as to fill us with his grace.