In
Christianity,
spiritual gifts (or
charismata) are endowments which may be given by the
Holy Spirit. These are the supernatural
graces which individual Christians need (or did in the days of the Apostles need) to fulfill the mission of the
church. They are described in the
New Testament, primarily in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. 1 Peter 4 also touches on the spiritual gifts. The gifts are related to both seemingly "natural" abilities and seemingly more "miraculous" abilities, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The two major opposing theological positions on their nature is that they
ceased long ago or that they
continue (
Cessationism versus Continuationism).