In the New Testament it describes the ability to distinguish between spirits as in 1 Corinthians 12:10, and to discern good and evil as in Hebrews 5:14. The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment. The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of “discernment of spirits” or “distinguishing between spirits.” The Greek word for the gift of discernment is diakrisis. See also Ephesians 4:11, I Corinthians 12:28, Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 9:1. Missionaries, church planters, certain Christian scholars and institutional leaders, and those leading multiple ministries or churches often have the gift of apostleship. They are typically entrepreneurial and are able to take risks and perform difficult tasks. These are leaders of leaders and ministers of ministers. They often have many different gifts that allow them to fulfill their ministry.

The mission for those with the gift of apostleship today is to plant new ministries and churches, go into places where the Gospel is not preached, reach across cultures to establish churches in challenging environments, raise up and develop leaders, call out and lead pastors and shepherds, and much more. They also have a different purpose in the sense of establishing the church – the foundation has already been set. They do not have the authority to write Scripture as the original Apostles did. Jesus gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers at His ascension (Ephesians 4:7-12), and these represent a distinct category of apostles. There are no more that hold the office of Apostle today, but the gift of apostleship continues in a different sense. The Apostles were given authority by Jesus to do many different things to establish the church, including writing Scripture and performing miracles (John 14:26, 2 Peter 3:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:12). The requirements for the office of Apostle included being a faithful eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and His resurrection (Acts 1:21-22 1 Corinthians 9:1), and being called by Jesus Himself (Galatians 1:1). The office of Apostle was held by a limited number of men chosen by Jesus, including the twelve disciples (Mark 3:13-19) and Paul (Romans 1:1). The spiritual gift of apostleship is sometimes confused with the office of Apostle. See also I Corinthians 12:28, Titus 1:4-5. This gift is closely related to the gift of leadership, but is more goal or task oriented and is also more concerned with details and organization. With this gift the Holy Spirit enables certain Christians to organize, direct, and implement plans to lead others in the various ministries of the Church. We see variations of this word in verses like Acts 27:11, and Revelation 18:17.

The literal meaning is “to steer,” or “to rule or govern.” It carries the idea of someone who guides and directs a group of people toward a goal or destination. This is a unique term that refers to a shipmaster or captain.

The Greek word for the spiritual gift of administration is kubernesis. The spiritual gifts listed below are found in three passages: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 28-30, and Ephesians 4:11.

Christmas gifts for bible study group