A person who believes in Jesus as their risen Lord is born again and filled by God, Who is the Holy Spirit. He dwells in us by his “gift” of holy spirit. It is also called the “spirit of Christ,” because we have all the authority, inheritance, and blessings that Christ bought for us. So what are we to do with God’s “unspeakable gift”? We can show it forth the way that our Father wants us to.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11:
But the manifestation [phanerōsis] of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The word translated “manifestation” is the Greek noun phanerōsis. It comes from the verb phaneroō, which means to bring into evidence or show forth. And this verb comes from a related verb, phainō, which means to shine. We can be bright lights for our heavenly Father as we shine and show forth the power that He’s given us in Christ.
The order of these nine manifestations in the Bible is:
1. the word of wisdom;
2. word of knowledge;
3. faith;
4. the gifts of healing;
5. the working of miracles;
6. prophecy;
7. discerning of spirits;
8. kinds of tongues;
9. the interpretation of tongues
Numbers in the Bible have significance. Many numbers in the Bible are identified with concepts or blessings of God. This is also seen in how the nine manifestations are listed in numerical order. For example:
ONE: This number shows the beginning of things. On the first day, God spoke light into being. It also shows unity, as with the seven uses of “one” in Ephesians 4:4-6. The manifestation of the word of wisdom is the primary information we need from the Father. He tells us how to use the spiritual abilities and information that He provides us.
TWO: This number shows that something is established (Genesis 41:32). It can also show comparison, difference, or division between things. The manifestation of word of knowledge establishes the manifestation of word of wisdom. Together, they give both divine information and how to use it.
THREE: This number shows completeness, just as a family includes father, mother and child; or three legs are needed to make a stable stand. There are many trios in the Bible: Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Daniel 1:7); Peter, James, John (Matthew 17:1); Paul, Silas, Timothy (Acts 18:5); Paul, Aquila, Priscilla (Acts 18:18). The manifestation of faith [believing] is the complete ability that we have with “Christ in” us. It allows us to bring God’s power and solutions to pass in the senses world.
FOUR: This number shows things relating to the earth. There are four seasons, four directions, four gospels showing Jesus’ earthly ministry. The manifestation of the gifts of healing bring deliverance in the physical world. Our bodies are made of the earth, and we live in this world. Gifts of healing heal our bodies and overcome the negative challenges in this world.
FIVE: This number shows God’s grace. David chose five stones, showing God’s gracious help, when he only needed one (1 Samuel 17:40). There are five ministries given to the church to help the body of Christ live in grace (Ephesians 4:11,12). The manifestation of the working of miracles is all by God’s grace. It brings to pass the impossible, which is beyond works and requires Gods’ grace.
SIX: This number shows things relating to man and his imperfection without God. God spoke man into being on the sixth day (Genesis 1:27,31). Revelation 13:18: “it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” The manifestation of prophecy is God speaking to men and women in their known language. It is direct spoken communication from God to man.
SEVEN: This number shows God’s spiritual perfection in all things. There are seven church epistles of perfect spiritual truth. It is used in carrying out God’s perfect will as in Joshua 6:4: And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.” The sabbath is the seventh day to perfect the week. The book (scroll) has seven seals (Revelation 5:1). This “perfection” is even true of evil spiritual matters (Matthew 12:45; Mark 16:9). The manifestation of discerning of spirits requires God’s perfect spiritual revelation to understand the adversary’s deceitful and lying devices in this world. It is God’s perfect truth about spiritual matters.
EIGHT: This number shows regeneration and life; it is a “new beginning.” Jesus Christ was raised from the dead on the first day (eighth day) of the week, after the completion of a seven-day week (Mark 16:9). Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day of his life (Luke 2:21). There were eight souls saved to a new life on the ark (I Peter 3:20). The manifestation of kinds of tongues is always a new beginning. It is the first, new manifestation in the Christian church (Acts 2:4). As perfect prayer, it brings regeneration and makes intercession (Romans 8:26-28). In the church, when interpreted, it is a sign of God’s life to those who are not persuaded of God’s power (I Corinthians 14:22).
NINE: This number shows finality of God’s will. There are nine manifestations of the gift of holy spirit (I Corinthians 12:7-10). There are nine fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). The manifestation of the interpretation of tongues brings finality to what is spoken in unknown tongues. It is the manifestation that finalizes God’s will by a message to the church.
However, by their use in the church, they fall into three categories:
Utterance Manifestations [spoken in the church]: speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy
Revelation Manifestations [instruction from God by the spirit]: word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and discerning of spirits
Power (Action) Manifestations [showing forth God’s power in the senses realm]: faith (believing), miracles, and healing
Now, let’s see what each of these manifestations are and do.
Speaking in tongues:
In Private Life (Prayer & Praise): It is divine, unselfish communication directly with God. It functions as “spirit food” to edify, build up, and strengthen the individual believer spiritually.
In a Public Meeting: It is intended to be a message from God to the congregation. However, it must be followed by the manifestation of interpretation of tongues so that the minds of the listeners can understand it and be edified.
Interpretation of tongues:
giving the sum and substance, or the “gist,” of what was just spoken in tongues in the native language of the believers present.
Prophecy:
a supernatural manifestation of the holy spirit where a believer speaks a message directly from God or for God to the congregation in their native language.
The word of knowledge:
the manifestation of receiving information from God concerning any given situation about which the believer, by his five senses, cannot know.
The word of wisdom:
the manifestation of receiving direction from God showing a believer exactly what to do with the information they have received.
The discerning of spirits:
the manifestation of receiving a direct revelation from God that tells a believer the identity, character, power, and purpose of the spirit beings involved in a given situation.
Faith [believing]:
the “faith of Jesus Christ” we receive when we are born again. It allows us to execute the impossible commands or revelations given by God.
The workings of miracles:
the manifestation of a believer bringing supernatural, divine power into immediate physical action to alter, override, or supersede natural laws.
The gifts of healings:
the manifestation of a believer supernaturally ministering God’s curing and restorative power to a person’s physical, mental, or spiritual being.
The manifestations of word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith (believing), miracles, and healing are seen in the Old Testament. The manifestations of speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy [along with the other six manifestations] are seen in Biblical records on and after the Day of Pentecost in 28 A.D. All Biblical records are made amazing clear when read in the light of these manifestations.
For more detail on how this list of manifestations fits into its immediate context, please read the blog Spiritual Matters We Need to Know [https://www.freedomlifelight.com/spiritual-matters-we-need-to-know/]. To see the relation of these manifestations to God’s love, please read the blog Manifesting God’s Spiritual Love Brings True Freedom [https://www.freedomlifelight.com/manifesting-gods-spiritual-love-brings-true-freedom/].
