Overview
The Bible addresses miraculous gifts of the holy spirit across 46 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Corinthians, Acts and Matthew. Closely related themes include Holy Spirit, Readings, Select, Tongue and Gifts from God. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Peter and Paul.
Key Bible verses about miraculous gifts of the holy spirit
Old Testament
Isaiah
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. fearful: Heb. hasty
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Joel
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
New Testament
Matthew
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Acts
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
1 Corinthians
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. administrations: or, ministries
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;1161 to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit;1161 to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles;1161 to another prophecy;1161 to another discerning of spirits;1161 to another divers kinds of tongues;1161 to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. diversities: or, kinds
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. fail: Gr. vanish away
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. of spiritual gifts: Gr. of spirits
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
Revelation
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
People in the Bible and miraculous gifts of the holy spirit
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying miraculous gifts of the holy spirit for yourself
- Begin with Isaiah 35:4, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how 1 Corinthians, Acts and Matthew each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Peter and Paul and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Holy Spirit, Readings, Select, Tongue and Gifts from God.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about miraculous gifts of the holy spirit?
The Bible addresses miraculous gifts of the holy spirit across 46 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in 1 Corinthians, Acts and Matthew. Closely related themes include Holy Spirit, Readings, Select, Tongue and Gifts from God. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Peter and Paul.
How many Bible verses are about miraculous gifts of the holy spirit?
The Bible references miraculous gifts of the holy spirit in 46 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention miraculous gifts of the holy spirit?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Isaiah 35:4: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. fearful: Heb. hasty”
Which people in the Bible are associated with miraculous gifts of the holy spirit?
Peter and Paul.
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