Understanding Spiritual Gifts

A Comprehensive Guide

By: Sam Storms

Narrated by: Adam Barr

What are spiritual gifts?

Author and pastor Sam Storms has spent several decades teaching on the topic of the spiritual gifts and equipping believers in the faithful practice of God's gifts. Yet there remains a great deal of confusion about the nature of the gifts and how they best function in the body of Christ. In this comprehensive guide to the spiritual gifts, Storms addresses the many bizarre and misleading interpretations that abound and confronts the tendency to downplay the urgency of spiritual gifts for Christian living and ministry. He explains how spiritual gifts, both the more miraculous and the somewhat mundane, are given to build up the body of Christ. God has graciously provided these "manifestations of the Spirit" so that believers might encourage, edify, strengthen, instruct, and console one another, all with a view to an ever-increasing, incremental transformation into the image of Jesus Christ.

Throughout this guide, Storms unpacks the glorious truth that there is a supernatural and divine energy or power that fills and indwells the body and soul of every born-again believer. God does not call upon us to speculate about the nature of this power or to embrace it as a mere idea. His desire is that we avail ourselves of it to partner with him in his purposes on the earth. His desire is that we cry out to him that he might intensify, expand, increase, and deepen the manifestation of this power through us in ever more demonstrative and tangible ways in our lives.

Understanding Spiritual Gifts is useful as a reference to address common questions about the gifts, but it also serves as a training manual for using and exercising the gifts in ministry. It is perfect for any individual or group who wants to grow in their understanding of the gifts for today.

©2020 Sam Storms (P)2020 Zondervan

outstanding.

this book does a really good job of both being honest with the opposing arguments and being true to the text.

Well thought out book!

Sam Storms with the mind of a Theologian but the heart of a Pastor works his way through every text were the spiritual gifts are mentioned. The book is a bit long but not filled with fluff. Storms is helpful with both his real life illustrations, examples from church history and more importantly reasoning from the scriptures. This book no matter your position will help you think on the topic.

You will be provoked to ponder the scriptures.

Loved it! Theology that us accessible to everyone. Sam simplifies the purpose and application of spiritual gifts in the 21st century church. He answers the many objections of the cessesationist.

Thorough overview

I feel that the brought up a lot of good questions on the debate of spiritual gifts and covered a lot of issues. He gave me a lot to consider though he didn’t get me to agree with his conclusions. I’m left with more to figure out.

In-depth

Sam Storms' book is somewhat casual while dealing with very complex delivery of the material. If you want a resource to start supporting your study or to develop your individual beliefs; this is a grounded source.

Thorough Biblical explanations for an often disputed topic

Although I have always believed in spiritual gifts and experienced some, there were some things I had questions on. I also could not really understand why other didn’t believe in them when they professed to believe the BIble. This gives clear explanations for both viewpoints and supportive evidence and reasoning of their continuation.

Not just another book on spiritual gifts!

Overall it was a great listen. There were several references which makes a more scholarly read like this harder to listen to than reading in print. However, Storms makes some compelling arguments and does a great job of playing “devils advocate” when making a point. I enjoyed it and would recommend this one out of the many options on this topic!

In my opinion this book is a masterpiece.

Every Christian should have this book in their library. Sam Storms did an absolutely incredible job in explaining all aspects of the gifts. This book is an absolute blessing to the individual or even the congregation. It’s a must have...

Great book on spiritual gifts

Thoughtful and thorough dive into the continuationist view of the spiritual gifts.
Supported by scripture. As a cessationist I must admit I was challenged by this book and came away with a deeper respect for the opposing view even if I am not yet convinced.