When the Apostle Paul traveled to Ephesus in Acts 19, he met born-again disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. And he asked them a question: “Have ye received [lambanō, received into manifestation] the Holy Ghost [gift of holy spirit] since ye believed?” But they answered, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost [manifestation of the gift of holy spirit].” So, Paul went on to teach them what was available, and they received into manifestation the power of the holy spirit. There are born-again believers today who might answer Paul’s question the same way—“We have not so much as heard of manifesting the gift of holy spirit.” And they, too, are in need of an understanding of the fullness of what is available to them.
On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter told the people assembled at the Temple that when they got born again, they would “receive [lambanō, receive into manifestation] the gift of the Holy Ghost [the gift from God]” (Acts 2:38). This is still the order for the Church today—for people to receive the gift of holy spirit into manifestation once born again. You see, when a man or woman confesses with their mouth Jesus as lord and believes in their heart that God has raised him from the dead, that person is born again (Romans 10:9). At that moment, they subjectively receive the gift of holy spirit. But this is not the whole picture. After subjectively receiving the gift of holy spirit, there is more for the believer to receive into manifestation—the nine manifestations of holy spirit as listed in I Corinthians 12:8-10. And the primary purpose of receiving the holy spirit into manifestation is to give the born-again believer power for abundant living.
I Corinthians 12:8-10 names the nine manifestations of holy spirit, and these nine manifestations by their very nature divide into three groups with three specific manifestations in each group. Every born-again believer can operate each one of these nine manifestations.
I Corinthians 12:7-10:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one [for one profit] is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another [for another profit] 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.
THE UTTERANCE MANIFESTATIONS
The utterance manifestations (also referred to as speaking, worship, or inspirational manifestations) are speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. These manifestations are uttered forth, or spoken out, by the believer as he or she is inspired. These inspirational manifestations may also be referred to as worship manifestations because they may be employed in public worship.
THE REVELATION MANIFESTATIONS
The revelation manifestations (also referred to as informational, instructional, or knowing manifestations) are word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and discerning of spirits and are the “eyes and ears” of the Church. They are the informational and instructional manifestations—God, by revelation, making known to us His will and desire. They enable us to get to the cause of a problem, challenge, or situation. The revelation manifestations begin where the written Word ceases.
THE IMPARTATION MANIFESTATIONS
The impartation manifestations (also referred to as action or power manifestations) are faith (believing), workings of miracles, and gifts of healings and are the application (action) of the revelation manifestations, producing the desired results. As impartation manifestations, they provide, or impart, God’s solution to the problem, challenge, or situation by bringing the revelation into powerful impact.
The primary purpose of receiving the holy spirit into manifestation is to give the born-again believer power for abundant living. There are other reasons for manifesting the holy spirit, including to have power for Christian service and power for effective witnessing. This power from on high is in us to the end that we may be fashioned in the likeness of our blessed lord and savior and redeemer more and more, day by day. When Jesus Christ returns, we will be like him (I John 3:2), but until that day arrives in the fullness of time, we have the privilege to manifest holy spirit.
The gift of holy spirit is the God-given ability one receives when born again. Then after receiving this glorious gift, the nine manifestations are the privilege of the believer to operate, bringing God’s power to the world. And every believer can operate all nine manifestations. By sharing what we know about what is available, we can help ensure that no one in our day and time has to say, “We have not so much as heard of manifesting the gift of holy spirit.” We have the joy to help all those who want to know the truth to live powerfully, manifesting the God-given gift of holy spirit every day!