Gifts of the Spirit

I am constrained to write this small volume because of the evident need for something to be written about such an important matter. The Gifts of the Spirit have been neglected and this neglect has cost the church in power. The loss of power has cost the church many lives and has cost many people their eternal souls. For the church to be without the gifts of the Spirit may be likened to a carpenter going to build a house with a pocket knife and a stone. Maybe he will fashion some kind of a shelter but certainly not a house that would resemble any architect’s design. Within the past two years my own interest has been quickened in an unusual way in these gifts of the Spirit. For many years of my ministry I have preached in various meetings of ministers and to the churches I have pastored, that the church has not reached the New Testament standard in teaching and encouraging the people to dedicate and seek the gifts of the Spirit. It seems evident in the Scriptures that the gifts of the Spirit are not for the ministry alone but for all who will dedicate to minister.

I was invited to participate in a teaching institute in St. Louis, Missouri in 1965. All classes in that institute dealt with various studies on the Holy Spirit. My particular assignment was the “Gifts of the Spirit.” Out of that study and sharing has come a renewed surge of interest that has grown to a major burden that the church must be moved to dedicate more fully and then be encouraged to seek these gifts in order that God’s work may move faster and further. The time is short and the needs are very great. The church is called and instructed to go into all the world and make disciples. We dare not go unless we are sent. We cannot go unless we are empowered. We will fail to do the work efficiently, effectively or successfully unless we are gifted. This little volume is intended to encourage and inspire the average Christian to “seek the best way” of love and then to seek the gifts of the Spirit which equip him for service.

July, 1968 H. W. B.(From the Preface)