And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly. (Romans 12:6)
The spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, primarily in Romans 12 and in 1 Corinthians 12, fall into three categories: sign, speaking, and serving. Before the New Testament was written, men had no standard for judging the truthfulness of someone who preached, taught, or witnessed in the name of Christ. The sign gifts authenticated the teaching of the apostlesâwhich was the measure of all other teachingâand therefore ceased after the apostles died, probably even earlier. âThe signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance,â Paul explained to the Corinthian church, âby signs and wonders and miraclesâ (2 Cor. 12:12). The writer of Hebrews gives further revelation about the purpose of these special gifts: âAfter [the gospel] was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also ...
