Writing Style Used: MLA
Course and Section Number: THEO 201-D23
Short Essay on Spiritual Gifts
In this world, people give each other presents on many occasions. There are physical presents and also spiritual gifts. Understanding the significance of spiritual gifts is of great importance in the Christian world as the gifts are from the Lord. To better understand, Christian followers have to comprehend the definition and purpose of spiritual gifts, the difference between the gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit, the biblical definition and purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the contemporary validity of speaking in tongues.
First, it is essential to understand the definition and purpose of spiritual gifts. The gifts include special abilities or talents in different field in life; they are given by God to contribute to the community and the body of Jesus Christ. The purpose of these gifts is to glorify God. It is said in 1 Cor. 12:7 that a spiritual gift is “a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (ESV). In other words, when people make use of the gifts, the Holy Spirit will work miracle to create believers in other individuals.
Even though spiritual gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit are both divine, there is a slight difference. The Fruit of the Spirit is the Holy Spirit’s fruit found in the believers. According to Jesus, humans get to know each other by the fruits, not the gifts. (Mat 7:16-23). The gifts are what aid humans’ capabilities while the fruit is the result from humans’ abilities. Hence, it is safe to say that through the fruit of the spirit, one can make known his or her spiritual maturity.
Another crucial factor to consider is the biblical definition and purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the contemporary validity of speaking in tongues. In Elwell’s Dictionary of Theology, he states that the gift of tongues are ”disjointed, highly