Note 13 at 1 Cor. 12:7: The Greek word that was translated "manifestation" in this verse is "phanerosis," which means "exhibition, i.e. expression, a bestowment." The New American Heritage Dictionary defines "manifestation" as "the demonstration of the existence, reality, or presence of a person, object, or quality." All of these meanings make it clear that every believer who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit (see note 6 at Acts 2:4, p. 576) has the ability to demonstrate the reality of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit through some gift of the Holy Spirit if he will but believe.

In the beginning of the church age, the preaching of the gospel was always confirmed with signs and wonders following (see note 2 at Mk. 16:20, p. 565). Even Jesus used the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit to confirm His teaching and authority (Heb. 2:4). One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to demonstrate the reality of an unseen God to a lost world.

Yet today, many people have chosen to preach the gospel without the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. This has done great damage to the credibility and the impact of the gospel. The Lord never intended His gospel to be spoken in word only (see note 4 at Acts 4:30, p. 592 and note 9 at 1 Cor. 4:20, p. 880).

Note 14 at 1 Cor. 12:7: The "every man" of this verse has to be qualified to harmonize with other scriptures. Jesus said in John 14:17, "the Spirit of Truth. . .whom the world cannot receive." A non-believer cannot receive the Holy Spirit (see note 27 at Jn. 14:17, p. 491). Also, becoming a Christian does not automatically grant us the baptism of the Holy Spirit (see note 3 at Acts 8:16, p. 616).

So, this is speaking of every born-again Christian who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. To every one who fits into that category, each one of them does have some gift of the Holy Spirit.

Note 15 at 1 Cor. 12:7: The New American Standard and the New International Version both translate this phrase as "for the common good." Paul is saying that these manifestations of the Holy Spirit are given to benefit or help others. They are not for ministering to ourselves.

A person who operates in the gifts of the Spirit in ministry to others cannot depend on his own gift in ministering to himself. For instance, an individual with the gifts of healing may have great faith in his gift and see many people healed but not know how to receive healing for himself by faith alone. It is possible to become so dependent on a gift of the Spirit that we substitute that for our own faith. That is not the way the Lord intended the gifts of the Spirit to operate (see note 17 at v. 8, p. 929).

This is why some people with healing ministries have died sick. They became proficient in their gift in ministry to others but their personal faith for their own healing was lacking.