What Are the Fruits of the Spirit According to Paul?

Pneumatology: Spiritual Gifts

Pneumatology is often defined as the study of the spirit, or the spiritual relationship between humanity and God. It is often one of the most difficult and ephemeral concepts for believers to understand, especially the concept of spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are defined as gifts specifically given to the Christian to enable him or her to perform a holy service. [footnoteRef:1] Spiritual gifts are special gifts bestowed for an unusual service and figure prominently in the life and writings of Paul, who was given the spiritual gift of ministry. Paul was dramatically called to the ministry on the road to Damascus and experienced a profound conversion to Christianity that changed his life and also the history of Christianity. Paul became an apostle to the gentiles, educating the entire world about what the sacrifice of Christ meant for humanity. It is said that there are five gifts of the Holy Spirit: the working of miracles; gifts of healing; gifts of helpers; gifts of government; and the gifts of faith.[footnoteRef:2] [1: Walter Elwell, "Spiritual gifts," Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), p.1135] [2: Elwell, p.1135-1136]

As well as gifts of the spirit, there are also gifts of the discernment of the spirit, one of which is speaking in tongues and the other of which is interpreting the speaking of tongues. [footnoteRef:3] However, while "tongue-speaking was not forbidden, but intelligent exposition of the Word, instruction in faith and morals, and preaching the gospel were infinitely superior" as spiritual practices than such showy exhibitions.[footnoteRef:4] There is always a danger in over-emphasizing these types of gifts, which can lead to an over-exultation of the offices that grow out of them. Speaking in tongues is thus far from a necessary sign of baptism in the Holy Spirit. The concept of baptism in the Holy Spirit is a unique product of the Christian religion: it is not synonymous with baptism itself but instead suggests the act of being filled with the Holy Spirit as a spiritual experience. It emerged as a component of charismatic theology.[footnoteRef:5] "The spirit of the living Christ seeks to enrich, empower, and use Christians in every generation" even though the interpretation of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit may differ in various denominational contexts.[footnoteRef:6] This different view of what constitutes baptism in the Holy Spirit also often varies by denomination. For example, some Christian sects believe adult baptism in the form of immersion is required for a baptism of the spirit and others do not. [3: Elwell, p.1138] [4: Elwell, p.1138.] [5: Walter Elwell, "Charismatic movement," Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), p.220] [6: Walter Elwell, "Baptism of the spirit," Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), p.1138]

Today, within most branches of modern Christianity speaking in tongues is often considered an example of a manifestation of the spirit that existed in primarily in of the past.[footnoteRef:7] Corinthians 13:8 -- 10 suggests this -- that speaking in tongues may have been a form of prophetic insight of the past but it is not the ultimate 'way of knowing.' "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears" (Corinthians 13:8 -- 10). Speaking in tongues may have been necessary in the past but it is not now, now that Christ has suffered and died for our sins. The question of why people no longer speak in tongues is thus similar to why people ask that there are no longer miracles occurring every day: such a focus on the external misses the point. What is truly important is the changes that Christ has wrought upon the human spirit and we cannot ask for proof of God's existence and the manifestation of spirituality in such a concrete fashion. [7: Walter Elwell, "Speaking in tongues," Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), p.1207]

This is much how Paul refers to Mosaic Law in Galatians -- it was something that was practically necessary at one time, but now Christ's sacrifice has rendered the law unnecessary because Christ has created a spiritual covenant. "Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith… He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit" (Galatians 3: 8; 14). This Pauline view of speaking in tongues over time in the Bible reflects the different view of prophesy exhibited in those books over time. "The primary function of the spirit of God in the OT is as the spirit of prophesy" while in the New Testament it is manifesting the expression of the spirit. [footnoteRef:8] [8: Walter Elwell, "Holy spirit," Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), p.568]