The Purpose of the Nine Gifts of the Spirit: Unlocking God's Power

Part 2 of 8 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 14 minute read

The purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit extends far beyond personal experience. As we established in Part 1, the nine gifts include three revelation gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits), three power gifts (faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles), and three vocal gifts (prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues). These supernatural abilities are given to believers for specific, powerful reasons.

Drawing from biblical examples and contemporary testimonies, we'll uncover how these nine gifts empower believers to demonstrate God's power and effectively advance His Kingdom throughout the world.

The Purpose of the Nine Gifts of the Spirit in Kingdom Expansion

When a loved one is relocating to another country, we carefully consider their parting words and instructions as we bid them farewell. So, let's consider the final words and instructions spoken by Jesus to His followers, moments before His ascension into Heaven.

Jesus commands, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" (Mark 16:15–18).

Scripture then records, "So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen" (Mark 16:19–20, emphasis added).

Jesus promised His followers that supernatural signs would follow those who believe, so in His Name they exercised the gifts and proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God to those around them. The Kingdom of God refers to God's rule and reign — both His present activity in our lives and His future eternal reign.

One purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit is to confirm the spoken Word with accompanying signs. What do signs do? They point people to Jesus, who is the entrance to the Kingdom. But can we still count on that happening today?

This experience confirmed what Scripture promises and what you can experience too. You can rest assured that Jesus still works with us today, confirming the Word with signs following. Otherwise, He would not have said, "And these signs will follow those who believe" (Mark 16:17).

The Key Word Is "Believe"

If you don't believe and you don't exercise the gifts of the Spirit, there are unlikely to be any signs following you to confirm the Word.

John writes, "Then they said to Him, 'What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent'" (John 6:28–29).

It really is that simple. Believe in Jesus, exercise the gifts of the Spirit to do the works of God, and expect supernatural signs to follow you.

Signs and Wonders: Adopting Jesus' Model for Supernatural Ministry

There has always been a direct connection between signs and wonders (supernatural demonstrations of God's power such as healings, miracles, and prophetic words) and the Kingdom of God.

For instance, the Prophet Daniel reported how the evil King Nebuchadnezzar became convinced of God's supremacy after witnessing the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace.

We read in Scripture the words of King Nebuchadnezzar, "How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation" (Daniel 4:3).

Jesus didn't view Himself merely as a miracle worker. After all, individuals in the Old Testament had also performed miracles. However, whenever Jesus performed miracles, He was proclaiming Himself the One through whom the promise of the Kingdom had come to pass.

Jesus says, "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 11:20). He made it clear that He was performing miracles with the finger of God — the unmistakable power of the Holy Spirit — and that neither people nor devils could prevent it.

Moreover, He made the purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit clear: miracles were a validating sign of the present reality of the Kingdom of God to those believing in Him, and of its future reality when He would return to Earth and establish God's dominion at the end of this present age.

Jesus says to us, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:7–8).

The Greek word κηρύσσω (kēryssō) means to preach, to publish, to proclaim openly something which has been done.

As we exercise the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit — the same Holy Spirit whom Jesus depended on — we can be confident that signs and wonders will follow us, so that the Name of Jesus will be lifted up and the Kingdom of God will be proclaimed.

This is the main purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit: they produce signs and wonders that point to Jesus and His Kingdom.

Biblical Expectations: Why We Should Expect Supernatural Power Today

Scripture says, "And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'" (Matthew 11:2–3).

Imprisoned by King Herod, John the Baptist sought assurance that his cousin Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. What "works of Christ" do you think John expected to hear about? Was it large crowds, inspiring sermons, and enthusiastic responses — the kind of results today's churches often identify with success?

Instead, Jesus demonstrated the gifts of the Spirit while ministering to the people as John's disciples watched. He then told them to go back to John and report the supernatural works they had witnessed. This moment powerfully illustrates the purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit — not to impress, but to serve as undeniable evidence that the Kingdom of God had arrived in the person of Jesus Christ.

Scripture records Jesus' response: "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me" (Matthew 11:4–6).

Natural vs. Supernatural: How to Break Through Human Limitations

Jesus' answer to John reveals a crucial distinction we must understand today. Everything comes down to natural versus supernatural, and God designed it so that supernatural signs always capture people's attention and point them to Jesus and the Kingdom of God. As stated earlier, that is the main purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit.

Making Room for the Supernatural in Today's Churches

While many churches today focus primarily on traditional methods of ministry, there remains an extraordinary opportunity to experience more of God's power through the gifts of the Spirit. These gifts, when embraced, can dramatically enhance existing ministries and touch more lives than ever before.

Services carefully structured to stay within time limits and remain "decent and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40) may feel comfortable and familiar. However, when we make room for the Holy Spirit's supernatural manifestations, something remarkable happens — the Shekinah Glory of God, His tangible, manifest presence, can fill our worship gatherings, transforming them from predictable to powerful.

People in our churches are genuinely hungry and thirsty for spiritual truth. However, many are choosing to stay home, searching elsewhere for life's deeper answers. By incorporating the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit into their services, churches can offer the authentic encounters with God that seekers desire. When we embrace this supernatural dimension of ministry, we step into our true identity as God's people.

While ministry leaders diligently attend growth conferences and implement new strategies to enliven their services, Samson's sobering lesson remains relevant today — "He did not know that the Lord had departed from him" (Judges 16:20). Outward motions without the Holy Spirit's presence leave us powerless.

The evidence is clear. When the presence of God diminishes in our services, supernatural signs and wonders no longer confirm the spoken Word, nor do they follow the believers.

Signs and wonders burst into our comfortable world and confront us with the awesome evidence of God's Kingdom. There's no need to choose between orderly worship services and the manifest presence of the Spirit — God designed them to work together.

The Shekinah glory of the Lord awaits churches ready to embrace His supernatural power with accompanying signs and wonders. This is the purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit. As believers step out in faith to exercise these gifts, not only will congregations come alive, but they will begin walking in the gifts beyond the walls of the church. We'll see the Great Commission being fulfilled and the Kingdom of God advancing in unprecedented ways!

Called to Be Extraordinary: Embracing Your Identity as God's Special People

What does it mean to be Jesus' own "special people"? The Greek word περιούσιος (periousios) is translated as "special," meaning peculiar and "being beyond usual."

While Christians share many admirable qualities with people of other faiths — being loving, kind, generous in giving, and joyful in life — God has called us to something even more extraordinary.

Our distinction isn't meant to come from outward appearances or religious practices alone, but from demonstrating God's supernatural power through the gifts of the Spirit.

Consider Jesus: His physical appearance wasn't what set Him apart when He walked the streets of Jerusalem. If it had been, the New Testament writers would have noted it. Rather, what made Him truly "beyond usual" was His supernatural ministry — performing miracles and speaking with accompanying signs and wonders.

This is our calling too. Jesus wants us to be "beyond usual" by doing the same works that He did through the gifts of the Spirit. When we operate in these gifts, we naturally stand out — not through outward appearance, but through genuine demonstrations of God's power that draw people to Him. This is the true purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit. But how exactly do we live out this "beyond usual" calling? Jesus gave us clear instructions.

Walking in Jesus' Footsteps: Doing the Greater Works

Jesus says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:12–14).

By using the words "most assuredly," Jesus emphatically declared that if we believe in Him, we will do the same works that He did. So what were the "works" that Jesus was referring to?

Defining the "Works" Jesus Spoke About

Did He lead worship services, organize food banks for the hungry, hold fundraising events for charity, collect clothing for foreign missions, build housing for the homeless, or help convene fellowship suppers?

We know from the Scriptures that Jesus cared for the hungry since He fed them, and it is implied by Judas that funds from their common purse were sometimes given to the poor. Also, James, brother of Jesus, writes, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

As followers of Christ, we should be doing good works as part of our faith and lifestyle, but those are not the "works" that Jesus was referring to in John 14:12.

Earlier, a woman had poured an expensive flask of perfume on Jesus' head at the house of Simon the leper, and some criticized her, saying that it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. But read what Jesus said: "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always" (Mark 14:6–7).

Notice what Jesus called the woman's act — a "good work." He was not dismissing the importance of caring for the poor; He affirmed that we can do good for them whenever we wish. But in that moment, the woman responded to a divine prompting that transcended ordinary good works. She was doing something eternal, something prophetic, something that pointed to His coming death and burial.

This is a key lesson for us and a crucial distinction we must understand: while good works express our faith and compassion, there are divinely appointed moments when the Holy Spirit prompts us to step beyond the natural into the supernatural — to do the works of Jesus that demonstrate God's power through the gifts of the Spirit and point people to the Kingdom of God.

The Balance Between Good Works and Supernatural Works

While good works are vital expressions of our faith, Jesus has equipped us with spiritual gifts to do supernatural works that demonstrate God's power — and both function together as a powerful testimony of God's love and the presence of His Kingdom. He demonstrated a ministry that was truly "beyond usual," with signs following, and He has made it possible for us to do the same.

Consider This

Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus manifested the supernatural abilities of the Spirit, so how could He expect us to do the same works without equipping us with those same abilities?

Frankly, it is impossible for us to do the works of Jesus without exercising the nine gifts. Do not worry — it will all become crystal clear once we dig deeper into the supporting Scriptures.

Multiplying Kingdom Impact: The Explosive Growth of the Early Church

People have often wondered what Jesus meant by "greater works." There are many opinions, but it is not something we need to get sidetracked by.

However, I believe He may have been prophesying about the multiplying effect of numerous believers exercising the nine gifts of the Spirit and pointing people to Himself and the Kingdom. For instance, after Pentecost and the manifestation of tongues, about 3,000 people were added to the original 120 who had gathered in the Upper Room (Acts 2:41).

Later, after Peter and John had healed the lame man at the temple, Peter shared the Word of God with the crowd. The Scriptures record that about 5,000 men were added, and likely several thousand women as well (Acts 3:1–26; 4:1–4).

These remarkable results were no accident — they were the direct fruit of believers who understood the purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit and stepped out in faith to exercise them.

As we begin to realize the importance and purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit, it is no wonder the Early Church experienced exponential growth as an increasing number of believers began to do the works of Jesus "and the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being being saved" (Acts 2:47).

Equipped for Ministry: How Ordinary Believers Do Extraordinary Things

You might be thinking, "That was the Early Church — special people in a special time." But Scripture reveals something surprising about who God chooses to use. As redeemed believers, He has called us to do our part in advancing the Kingdom of God. We can exercise the gifts of the Spirit and do the works of Jesus in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our workplaces, and when we gather with other believers.

God in His wisdom has designed it so ordinary believers — that's us — can do extraordinary things and be His own "special" people. Paul explains:

Luke writes in Acts, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13, emphasis added).

Unlike today's formalized ministry requirements, Peter and John had no university degrees, no Bible college diplomas, and no ordination papers. But just like us, they did have the baptism with the Holy Spirit with the nine gifts of the Spirit, and signs and wonders followed them.

And what was the people's reaction? They marveled — and they realized that they had been with Jesus!

Seriously. As we consider the purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit, we need to ask ourselves: "Do people realize that we have been with Jesus?"

Your Divine Assignment: Fulfilling God's Purpose for Your Life

Now that you understand why God gives these gifts, a crucial question arises: Are they really for me? Perhaps you have heard teaching that suggests only special Christians receive spiritual gifts, or that the Holy Spirit distributes only one or two gifts to each believer. As you continue to Part 3, why not pause and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to receive everything He has for you?

In Part 3, we will examine Scripture carefully to answer the vital question: Does every believer receive all nine gifts of the Spirit? The answer may surprise you, and it will definitely encourage you. You will discover that what you have received is far greater than you might have imagined.

As you continue your journey through this series, you will find that understanding the purpose of the nine gifts of the Spirit is not merely an academic exercise — it's a personal invitation from God to step into the fullness of everything He has prepared for you.

Continue to Part 3: Does Every Believer Receive All Nine Gifts of the Spirit?

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About the Author

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Hi, I'm Don

Welcome! Like you, I'm an everyday believer whose life was transformed by a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. Kingdom Anointing™ exists to help fellow believers like you build unshakeable faith, walk boldly in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and step fully into your God-given destiny in the Kingdom of God. Join me on this journey — the best of what God has for you is still ahead!