M401: Lesson 7; Manifestations of the Spirit

There are NINE manifestations of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NKJV) “for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”

These nine manifestations are:

Word of wisdom: The manifestation of the Word of Wisdom is an instantaneous and divine revelation of the sovereign mind, will, purpose, plan, or counsel of God concerning things past, present, or future. (Genesis 50:20; Acts 4:13-20; 6:10; 15:28)

Word of knowledge: The manifestation of the Word of Knowledge is an instantaneous and divine revelation of facts past, present, or future in the mind of God concerning either heavenly or earthly matters. (Genesis 6:12-13; Joshua 7:10-15; Acts 5:1-11)

Faith: The manifestation of Faith is not normal human faith. The manifestation of Faith is an instantaneous and divine removal of all doubt in the will of God for a specific situation so that what is humanly and naturally impossible becomes possible. (Ac 3:6-7; 4:23-31)

Gifts of healings: The manifestation of the Gifts of Healings is an instantaneous, supernatural, and divine impartation of healing power for curing specific sicknesses, diseases, injuries, or handicaps without the aid of natural means or human skills. Such healing includes wholeness for the entire spectrum of human need whether it be spirit, soul, or body. (Acts 3:1-11)

Working of miracles: The manifestation of the working of miracles is an instantaneous and divine impartation of supernatural power to accomplish God's will through supernatural acts that override the laws of nature. (Acts 4:16)

Prophecy: The manifestation of prophecy is an inspired, and often instantaneous, revelation and communication of the mind and message of God in the language of the hearers. (Acts 2:14-40)

Discerning of spirits: The discerning of spirits is a supernatural spiritual awareness of another spirit whether divine, human, or demonic. (Acts 5:16)

Different kinds of tongues: Speaking with other tongues is the supernatural ability imparted by the Holy Spirit to the human spirit to communicate with God in an unlearned and spiritual language (1 Corinthians 14:2). The manifestation of different kinds of tongues is an instantaneous and divine public unction of a message in a language unknown to the speaker which can be either known or unknown to the hearer (Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:14-19, 23).

Interpretation of tongues: The interpretation of tongues is the instantaneous and divine ability to interpret (not necessarily translate) into the language of the hearers a public message given through the manifestation of different kinds of tongues. (Acts 2:7-8; 1 Corinthians 14:5)

The dove is one of the primary symbols of the Holy Spirit. The dove has nine feathers on each wing in semblance of the nine manifestations of the Spirit and the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). In addition, the dove has five tail feathers in semblance of the Five-Ministry that function like a rudder on a ship for balance and direction (Ephesians 4:11).

The nine manifestations of the Spirit are sometimes categorized as follows:

POWER manifestations

Gifts of healings

Working of miracles

Faith

REVELATION manifestations

Word of wisdom

Word of knowledge

Discerning of spirits

UTTERANCE manifestations

Prophecy

Tongues

Interpretation of tongues

Manifestations Grouped according to two Greek words for “Another”

In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, the English word “another” occurs eight times which are translated from two different Greek words. These two Greek words are:

1. “allos” (Strong’s #G243) that means “another of the same kind”. For example: “One male came through the door and then another (allos) male followed.”

2. “heteros” (Strong’s #G2087) that means “another of a different kind”. Example: “One person (male) came through the door and then another (female) person followed.”

The following is how these two Greek words for “another” appear in the text:

“for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another (allos) the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another (heteros) faith by the same Spirit, to another (allos) gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another (allos) the working of miracles, to another (allos) prophecy, to another (allos) discerning of spirits, to another (heteros) different kinds of tongues, to another (allos) the interpretation of tongues.

If we group the nine manifestations according to how the text uses these two Greek words for “another”, the groupings would be as follows:

1. Word of wisdom / Word of knowledge

2. Faith / Gifts of healings / Working of miracles / Prophecy / Discerning of spirits

3. Different kinds of tongues / Interpretation of tongues

The purpose for these distinct groupings may indicate a common partner anointing within each grouping. For instance, the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom usually work hand in hand. The word of knowledge gives information followed by the word of wisdom that explains why that information was given and how it applies. In the same way, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, and discerning of spirits seem to be operate together in ministry to people’s needs. Again, those who manifest different kinds of tongues are to pray that they may interpret (1 Corinthians 14:13).

The manifestations of the Holy Spirit are DIFFERENT than the gifts.

The Greek word for “gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12:4 is charismaton. The Greek word for “manifestation” in 1 Corinthians 12:7 is phanerosis and means “exhibition”, “expression,” and “bestowment”.

The Vulgate (Latin translation of Scripture) translates phanerosis as “the dancing hand of God.” Like a flittering butterfly, the manifestation of the Spirit “lights” upon an individual in the church to meet a specific need and then moves on.

The manifestations of the Spirit are not possessed but EXPERIENCED.

Each Spirit-filled believer in the body of Christ can operate in any one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit at any time because they are distributed to each one individually as the Holy Spirit WILLS (1 Corinthians 12:11).

The manifestations of the Spirit will continue to operate in the church until CHRIST returns.

The Scriptures do not teach that the manifestations of the Spirit ended after the first century.

1 Corinthians 13:8–12 (NKJV) “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

“That which is perfect” refers to the time when we see Christ face to face at His Second Coming. At that time, the believer will be glorified. There will no longer be a need for the manifestations to aid believers in their unglorified state. The theological position that asserts that these gifts or manifestations of the Spirit passed away upon the death of the twelve apostles is called “Cessationism”.

The main reason that these nine manifestations of the Spirit are not operational in the church today is that the church has become content to live without them.

The manifestations of the Spirit are given to each one for the PROFIT of all.

The manifestations are given for the profit of all. So, the purpose and goal of Holy Spirit manifestations as stated here is to profit of “all” in the church.

The determining question of their use is, “Does this manifestation profit those present?” If not, then there is no need for their expression. What profit is the manifestation of the gifts of healings if everyone in the congregation was well?

Question: “Which manifestation is the most important?”

Answer: “The one that is most needed at the time.”

Regarding manifestations, the Holy Spirit chooses:

The TYPE of manifestation needed.

The VESSEL through whom it will be released.

The PLACE in which it will manifest.

The TIMING in which it will be released.

The ORDER which brings edification.

The manifestations of the Spirit are not a validation of spiritual MATURITY.

Matthew 7:22–23 (NKJV) “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

The manifestations of the Holy Spirit are not a substitute for the FRUIT of the Spirit.

Matthew 7:15–20 (NKJV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (NKJV) “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”

Paul stresses the importance of balancing spiritual manifestations or gifts with spiritual fruit. In Exodus 39:24-25 the high priestly ephod was adorned around the hem with alternating series of golden bells and blue, purple, and scarlet pomegranates made of linen (Exodus 28:33-34). The bells represent the manifestations of the Spirit, and the pomegranates represent the fruit of the Spirit. The alternating series of bells and pomegranates ensured that the sound of the priestly ministry was not the irritating sound of clashing metal bells but of the beautiful tone of bells striking linen pomegranates.

The manifestations of the Spirit reveal the power of Christ through us.

The fruit of the Spirit reveals the power of Christ in us.

The manifestations of the Holy Spirit will sometimes elicit effects upon individuals that should not be confused with the nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These can be referred to as:

GLORY manifestations (Examples)

Laughter

Trembling

Weeping

Travailing

Fainting

Falling out in the Spirit (“slain in the Spirit”)

CARNAL manifestations

Fleshly exhibitions of pride, hype, self-promotion, and desire for attention.

DEMONIC manifestations (Examples)

Negative reaction to the anointing

Abnormal or strange behavior

Disruptive behavior

Physical distortions

Unnatural speech and utterances

Mimicking the power of God (Moses’ rod and magician’s rods)

Open challenge

Denial of truth

Intimidation

Threats

Opposition

Mockery

Blasphemy

The manifestation of the Spirit is distributed for CORPORATE edification rather than for personal expression.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (NKJV) “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”

1 Corinthians 14:26–28 (NKJV) “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”

The corporate church gathering is not about individual rights but mutual benefit. It is not about “me” but “we”. If a spiritual experience in “me” does not add to the edification of “we”, then it must be withheld from corporate release and be enjoyed in private.

The SAME Holy Spirit is at work in each and every manifestation.

What should be our ATTITUDE toward manifestations of the Spirit?

We should not FORBID their practice. (1 Corinthians 14:39)

We should earnestly DESIRE them. (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1)

We should seek the EDIFICATION of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12, 26)

We should remember that LOVE is the ultimate goal. (1 Corinthians 13)

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