“To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge… to another faith… to another gifts of healing, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” — 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 (BSB)
“We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If your gift is prophecy, use it in proportion to your faith; if it is serving, serve; if it is teaching, teach… if it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.” — Romans 12:6–8 (BSB)
“And He gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11–12 (BSB)
“Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (BSB)
These gifts include: Speaking gifts: teaching, exhortation, prophecy, wisdom, tongues (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12). Serving gifts: administration, hospitality, mercy, leadership, giving (Romans 12; 1 Peter 4). Sign gifts: healing, miracles, and other manifestations of power—especially in contexts of Gospel proclamation and mission.
Article XX of the Thirty-Nine Articles speaks of the Church being guided by the Holy Spirit in teaching and discernment. The gifts serve that mission. The Anglican tradition affirms that all true gifts must be tested by Scripture, exercised in love, and used to glorify Christ—not to cause division or draw attention to self.
J.C. Ryle wisely noted: “The gifts of the Spirit are not all alike, but all are useful. The hand must not despise the foot. The weakest member is necessary in the body of Christ.”
Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba (Uganda) explains: “Spiritual gifts are not about status or entertainment—they are tools for mission, discipleship, and the unity of the Church. Every believer has a part to play.”
Rev. Dr. Winfield Bevins (Asbury Anglican, author of Simply Anglican) writes: “The Spirit equips the Church for the work of ministry through diverse gifts. The Spirit doesn’t just call us to mission—He empowers us for it.”
Bishop Bill Atwood (International Diocese, ACNA) teaches: “When the Spirit gives gifts, He also gives responsibility. We are stewards, not owners—called to build up the Church and bless the world.”
The gifts should always operate in the context of love, order, and truth. Without love, even the most dramatic gifts are “nothing” (1 Corinthians 13). And no gift, however charismatic, should ever contradict the plain teaching of Scripture or the unity of the Church.
Irenaeus affirmed the diversity of spiritual gifts within the early Church.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD): “The Spirit comes gently and grants gifts as He wills: to one is given teaching, to another courage, to another purity… all for the common good.” — Catechetical Lectures, 16.12
St. Basil the Great (c. 329–379 AD): “The Spirit gives not only power but diversity: wisdom, understanding, strength, fear of the Lord—all to build up the Church in holiness and truth.” — On the Holy Spirit, 16
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “These gifts are not ends in themselves but signs pointing to the Giver. Let us use them in humility, for the good of all, and in love that endures forever.” — Homilies on 1 John
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
