On this article we will look at five varieties of the Holy Spirit; 1) gifts, 2) ministries, 3) effects, and 4) manifestations. First Corinthians 12:3-7 will help us take a look at the first four varieties.

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. ⁶ There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. ⁷ But to each one is given themanifestationof the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:3-7 (NASB)

Before we look at the key words and definitions for the sake of our article; lets look at the definition of varieties; it is the Greek word, “diaíresis” meaning, “Distribution. Used only in 1 Cor. 12:4–6 in regard to the gifts, services and results of energies or operations.”^[1]We are in the midst of an operation; a divine operation, a Holy Ghost operation; HE MUST call the shots, not us. These varieties are as follow:

1. Gifts

The word Gifts is the Greek word, “charisma”meaning, “A gift of grace, an undeserved benefit.^[2]The gifts of the Spirit are for the benefit of the Body of Christ. Those spiritual gifts are as follow:[3]

Every believer has gifts and, for the church to function properly, every believer should be free to use his or her gift according to God’s Word. Talents are the abilities God has given us in order to effectively serve his people. A good Pastor is eager to identify his folks’ gifts, he is eager to disciple them and release them to use their gifts.

2. Ministries

Denying God’s power is denying the Holy Spirit. There is no such a thing of ministry of any kind without the Holy Spirit at its center. That involves teaching without holding back and without watering down information. We must learn everything, as possible, that it is to be learned about the Holy Ghost. Without the Holy Spirit we are reduced to agencies, organizations, etc. with a form of godliness, nevertheless denying God’s power. Without the full involvement of the Holy Ghost, we become too cool and too sophisticated to let God do his thing and in that, we become arrogant. At that point we become a secular agency with a few Christians in it.

The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:5, “…holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” (NASB) Interesting that the Bible encourages us to avoid folks like this. Something to think about deeply.

Back to First Corinthians 12:4, the word Ministries here is the Greek word, “diakonía” meaning “to minister or to serve.”^[4]It is essentially, the same word we use for deacon. Ministry is about serving others and to serve others effectively we need the Holy Ghost.

3. Effects

The word Effects is the Greek word, “enérgēma” meaning “the results of the energy of God in the believer. Though enérgēmais translated operations, it is actually the results energized by God’s grace.”^[5]The Holy Spirit give us the energy to fulfil our call; to do what He has call us to do. If we are feeling unmotivated, if we are feeling lazy to carry on the call of God for our lives, we must check our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

4. Manifestations

The word for Manifestations is the Greek word, “phanerosis” meaning “To make manifest. A manifestation, a making visible or observable”.^[6]The varieties of the Holy Ghost are not invisible; they don’t go undetected. The varieties of the Holy Ghost are indeed visible; they are practical and tangible.

To be continued…

^[1]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[2]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_gift

^[4]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[5]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[6]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).