Smith Wigglesworth on Spiritual Gifts

by Smith Wigglesworth

As Smith Wigglesworth explains the role and function of spiritual gifts, he provides important safeguards for the proper exercise of these manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
Through his simple yet inspiring words, you will find out how to… Learn from Smith Wigglesworth’s personal experiences in ministering to thousands through the power of the Holy Spirit! By discovering how to receive and operate in the gifts of the Spirit, you can be the instrument God uses to transmit His love and miracles to others.

Genres: Christian, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Faith

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[C.R. Flamingbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instructional and inspirational at the same time, Smith Wigglesworth preaches in a way that nukes doubt and sparks a hunger to experience the same victories he did. This is a man who doesn’t mince words. For him, no wavering in faith is allowed. You either believe or you don’t, but he always acknowledges Jesus as the source of all faith. With him, it is all about knowing Christ and leaning on Him, rather than trying to live the Christian life in one’s own strength. It's not the kind of book you want to rush through, however, or you may miss the point of what he's saying. There are parts which, upon further meditation become clear. As with any nonfiction book, the stories are may favorite parts - so inspirational!

[R.B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Smith Wigglesworth's stories are always interesting. He was just some ignorant, unintelligent man that believed God, no matter what. Gotta love that. I've read a lot of charismatic literature before attending Bible college, because I was Pentecostal, and this is one that I can still remember some of his stories. Though I am not under the persuasion of being Pentecostal, you have to admire faith. I have found Wigglesworth's books to be redundant, you'll find the same stories published in his books, but it's kind of nostalgic, like a Grandpa telling you the same old stories over and over again. My criticism of these types of books though are that they are experiential and not a lot of Biblical precedent or reflection upon the events. Anyhow, after Bible college my tastes in literature has changed, but this remains a book of a man's experience in actually believing God.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of book you need to read...and then read again!

I love the mindset of Wigglesworth. He truly had his perspectives in the right place - aligned to God’s word. I appreciate how frank he is in his speech and I believe if we take what He has said here to heart and to God in prayer, we can continue the marvelous work that Wigglesworth started. I will definitely be reading more of his books. I also appreciate that they revised this book and composed it in a way that is simplified for the reader. I tried reading one of his books before and it was difficult due to the lack of flow in thought and sentences.

[Honeybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been writing a book about spiritual gifts and doing a good deal of research for it. I came across the biography of Smith Wigglesworth and some of his teaching on more general topics, which I thoroughly enjoyed and quoted from a bit. I was excited to see this volume had been compiled regarding his teachings specifically on the gifts.

This book is a collection of the Pentecostal evangelist's oral messages on the subject of the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. It also talks about the great need for the gifts in general and how to receive and exercise them appropriately. The Introduction explains that the chapters were actually adapted from transcripts of Wigglesworth, which were edited and modernized for ease of reading. They publishers also included the spontaneous interpretations of tongues which occasionally erupted during the preacher's messages.

Wigglesworth apparently flowed in all the gifts mentioned in this book and was able to speak with authority regarding their manifestation and application. The man's faith was extraordinary, as were the fruits of his ministry! I especially appreciate his commitment to holiness and cautions regarding the exercise of gifts with the right motive, purity of heart and attitudes. The gifts are for God's glory and not ours.

I do not agree with him about everything he said--particularly his assertion that everyone who is baptized in the Spirit speaks in tongues and that there is a difference between speaking in an unknown language when you're filled, praying in secret and speaking in tongues publicly. But that is a belief consistently held by Pentecostals, despite what 1 Corinthians 12:30 says and the fact that the same verbiage is used to refer to tongues in different contexts in 1 Corinthians 14.

Nevertheless, if you are looking for a book that not only gives you an idea of what the nine gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 are, how to receive and operate in those gifts and how to rightly follow the spirit in administering them, this is a good resource. Be prepared to be convicted, if you carry any selfish ambitions in your heart!

[Gary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished Smith Wigglesworth's book On Spiritual Gifts. Much of the book is Biblical in that he shares Scripture, and some of it is an accurate interpretation of it. He even cautions against the misuse of spiritual gifts, and I believe he spoke against the excesses of the Azusa Street "Revival". While he discusses the Gospel and salvation and sin, none of these are clearly defined Biblically. For him, the Gospel leads to the Spiritual gifts, as does salvation, and sin is often a demon that needs casting out. In the end of his book, Wigglesworth warns against going beyond what the Holy Spirit has given in a prophecy or interpretation of Tongues but gives no clear indication of how the Spirit ends and the person's self begins. This is troubling for many reasons. First, it goes beyond Scripture and makes the words of man, given by the Spirit supposedly, equal with Scripture. After all, if these are words from God, they should be equal with Scripture. Secondly, see how shaky is this word from "God" - how easy it is to simply continue speaking my words. How would one know? How would people know? He assures us the people will know and desire for the person to be quiet, but I've never seen this in charismatic circles. How easy it is to deceive and be deceived! This is the reason we must stick with Scripture. Yes, there are gifts of the Spirit, but even in the Bible, as the church matured and had the written Word, the gifts were less and less mentioned. So, my friends, be cautious with Wigglesworth because his writings are #forhereticalresearchonly .

[Stephanie Weisgerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smith Wigglesworth, the apostle of Faith, has a very intriguing testimony of salvation and his personal baptism in the Holy Spirit. He covers all of the gifts of the Spirit and even correlates each to a specific fruit of the spirit and how they work together.

He gives many examples of personal stories and people he met along his travels and how they received miraculous healings and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

One surprise to me in the book was that Smith did ascribe to the belief of eternal security or “Once Saved Always Saved.” He used the scripture passage, “My sheep know my voice and I know them, and they follow me.” He contends that if someone falls away or backslides they never knew him.

Great book for anyone who desires a deeper look into the gifts of the Spirit, how they are received, utilized, and warnings associated with each one.

[Stephen G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wigglesworth was a great man of faith. He had an issue talking publicly, but after a powerful experience with the Holy Spirit at age 48, God supernaturally gave him an ability to preach effectively. As a result of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, his ministry expanded globally. God used him to raise 20 people from the dead!

This book is a collection of his sermons on the spiritual gifts. Since its his sermons transcribed, it feels like a stream of consciousness and all over the place. I wouldn't recommend it for an organized teaching on spiritual gifts, but it will definitely build your faith.

[Aaron Bolin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a little disorganized. Each chapter reads more like a stream of consciousness than organized teaching. However, the book is peppered with nuggets of wisdom. This is a worthwhile read for any interested in the gifts of the spirit.

[George Roper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wigglesworth's sincere love for God and ministry shines brightly on every page. Painfully though, the book lacks structure and the in depth elaboration and exposition one would have wanted to see. Still there is value in reading what are the written versions of sermons and teachings of a renowned servant of Christ who had an impactful ministry and moved in spiritual gifts.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy read as the writing is a little clumsy but oh what a feast of wisdom! Let the Spirit breathe on you afresh as you read the words of this great general of the faith...

[Hyacinth Delos Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a strong man of faith! Love the audacity & boldness of Wigglesworth, the total surrender & abandonment. Love that he always reminds to do all for Gods glory!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our churches need this kind of anointed preaching.

[Joseph Atinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for Spiritual exploration. These are one of those books you can enjoy amd glean from without having to agree 100%. A classic!

[DONNA RAMOS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, insightful and motivating

This read will motivate you to a closer walk with God and a hunger for cooperating with the Holy Spirit.

[Erica Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opener for all who seeking the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The greatest of it is love but this book explains it all you just have to read it.

[Sarah]

Good beginner book on spiritual giftings

[Rosalind Castro]

Awesome - must read