Most everyone who has the term ‘Christian’ attached to their existence will talk about the Spiritual Gift dilemma found in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Of course, there has never been an end-all answer provided by anyone. Herein is the solution for me personally and many others, as well.

Paul admonishes us with three very poignant statements in 1 Corinthians 1:4-6, 

1. There is a variety of gifts – Romans 12
2. There is the demonstration of the working of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12
3. There is a variety of ministries – Ephesians 4

However, we must remember the same God directs all things in all who belong to Him. “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” 1 Corinthians 12:11 NASB.

In Romans 12:6-8 is found what can be described as a variety of motivational gifts of the Holy Spirit. I think that everyone who is born-again receives one gift of the Spirit that is basic to every ministry they might be engaged in. Seemingly, there may be a sense of ‘overlapping’ in some functions of the gifts enabling us to function within any one of the other gifts. Do we possess more than one gift of the Spirit? Only He can answer that. These gifts are:

1. Prophecy
2. Service
3. Teaching
4. Exhortation
5. Giving
6. Administration
7. Mercy

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 we find what may be described as the demonstration of the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. “A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial…” Chapter 12 Verse 11, HCSB.

1.  message of wisdom
2. message of knowledge
3. faith by the same Spirit,
4. gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
5. the performing of miracles,
6. prophecy,
7. distinguishing between spirits,
8. different kinds of languages,
9. interpretation of languages.

In Ephesians 4:1-4 we find this, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.” NASB.

“He gave some…

1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelists
4. Pastors
5. Teachers

And He gave these “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12-13.

No, I do not think that I have the ‘final answer,’ but this works well for me and has for about 5 decades. The gifts in Romans 12 are ‘always’ for each Believer, the administrations or work of the Holy Spirit are given for a moment time in ministry as decided by Him, 1 Corinthians 12. And  in Ephesians 4 Paul speaks of the call or appointment by God for specific tasks in time.

There is no particular born-again Believer who is able to say ‘This is the final answer,’  for Jesus alone is Lord.