Throughout Scripture, the gifts of the Spirit are always communal in purpose. That is, God rarely graces a man with gifts for himself alone. The gifts are to make him either a “community healer” or “community miracle-worker” or “community foreteller.” The gifts of the Spirit are to benefit the covenant community as a whole, not just an individual.
Now, it is important to state, at this point, that no one under the Old Testament enjoyed the gifts of the Spirit, in permanent fashion, as we do today. There are numerous Old Testament examples of individuals, specially empowered by the Spirit of God, to carry out certain tasks. This empowerment was however not constant; typically, the Spirit of God would temporarily come upon a man or woman to perform certain functions, then He would leave afterwards. The Old Testament faithfuls never had a permanent indwelling of the Spirit nor the permanent presence of His power in their lives. These were erratic and episodic. Thus, we may call what they experienced “situational empowerment” (i.e. the Spirit coming upon them temporarily, to perform a particular task, and then His exit afterwards).
For example, by the Spirit, Joseph is given extraordinary gifts of revelation to foretell the future and interpret dreams (Gen 37:5-11, 40:5-22, 41:1-38). Moses is empowered to work miracles during the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exo 4:1-9, Exo 7-14, 17:5-6, Num 20:7-11). Bezalel and Aholiab are empowered with wisdom to construct the Tabernacle (Exo 31:1-6, 35:30-35, 36:1-2). Seventy elders prophesy after the Spirit (i.e. gifting) upon Moses is also placed on them (Num 11:16-17, 25-29). Joshua was filled with the Spirit of wisdom to lead Israel (Num 27:18, Deut 34:9). In Judges, there is the constant refrain, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon…” to describe the Spirit-empowered acts of Israel’s deliverers (see Jdgs 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 13:25, 14:6, 19, 15:14). Saul prophesies temporarily (1 Sam 10:6). David is empowered to lead Israel (1 Sam 16:13). Elijah performs miracles (1 Kgs 17, 18, 2 Kgs 1), as well as Elisha (2 Kgs 2:19-22, 4:1-7, 32-37, 38-41, 42-44, 5:1-27, 6:1-7, 8-12, 13:20-21). Daniel, like Joseph, was granted special revelation and the ability to interpret dreams (Dan 2, 4, 5, 7-12). The prophets also frequently used the refrain, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon me,” to describe how the Spirit had inspired certain utterances they made and actions they took (Ezek 2:2, 3:12, 24, Mic 3:8, Zech 7:12).
All these were “community miracle-workers” of the Old Testament. They were raised by God and empowered by His Spirit to bring healing, provision and direction to His people. Albeit, the empowerment upon their individual lives was temporal. None of them permanently possessed or walked in the power of God.
Our Lord also functioned as a “community miracle-worker.” He is anointed by the Spirit at His baptism, and filled with power (Matt 3:16, Lk 3:22, 4:1, 14, 17-21, Acts 10:38). But interestingly, unlike the Old Testament faithfuls, Jesus does not receive the Spirit “in a measure” (see Jn 3:34). Jesus ministered in the fullness of the Spirit (Lk 4:18, cf. Isa 11:1-2, 42:1, 61:1). There was no such thing as an erratic supply of God’s power in His ministry, it was ALWAYS constant (Lk 5:17, 6:19), so much so that He could even “accidentally” heal the sick without knowing it (see Mrk 5:25-34). The power of God never left Him, even when He was not using it at that exact moment!
Equipped with such miraculous ability, Jesus used this power for the good of all He met (“communal profit”). He healed the sick (Matt 4:23-24, 8:16-17, 9:35, Lk 4:40, Jn 9), delivered the demonized (Matt 12:22, Mrk 1:23-27, 5:1-20), raised the dead (Mrk 5:35-43, Lk 7:11-17, Jn 11), fed the hungry (Matt 14:13-21, 15:32-39, Jn 6:1-14), calmed storms (Matt 8:23-27), and wrought miraculous provision (Lk 5:1-10, Jn 2:1-11, 21:1-7).
Now, this ministry of communal good, by the power of the Spirit, does not end with Christ. He promises that it would continue with His Church, “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” (Jn 14:12). The Holy Spirit, who empowered Christ to work miracles, would also now be poured out on the Church (Jn 7:37-39, 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:7) and empower the Church to do likewise (Lk 24:49, Acts 1:8). In fulfillment of Christ’s promise, the power of the Spirit was poured out upon the Church, on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4, 16-18).
Unlike what was previously obtainable under the Old Testament, where the gifted were only a select few, empowered to aid their individual communities, ALL believers in Christ now enjoy this empowerment (Acts 2:16-18). And even better, it is not situational, erratic or episodic, it is PERMANENT. The Spirit no longer “lifts” until when dramatic displays of power are required, as was the case under the Old Testament. In the New, the Spirit of power remains with us FOREVER (Jn 14:16)! Thus, like Christ, we too now enjoy the Spirit and His gifts, in their fullness (cf. Jn 1:16, Eph 1:22-23).
As has been repeatedly emphasized, the gifts of the Spirit are communal in nature. Every believer receives the gifts primarily for the benefit of others. The purpose of spiritual gifts is never self-promotion. Rather, they exist to bless God’s people, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one FOR THE PROFIT OF ALL” (1 Corin 12:7). Prophecy is to edify, exhort and comfort THE CHURCH (1 Corin 14:3-4, 12, 26). The gifts are to mature THE CHURCH (Eph 4:7-16). They are to be used in stewardship (or SERVICE) to OTHERS, to the glory of God (1 Pt 4:10-11). The Spirit thus empowers everyone in Christ’s Church to be a community helper. Our “covenant community” (the Church) is made better by the demonstration of His gifts in our midst.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2026.
