In the Old Testament, we read the story of how God spoke to the boy Samuel (1 Sam. 3:4-10).
Samuel was in the temple helping the old prophet Eli.
One night Samuel heard a voice call his name. Thinking it was Eli calling him, he got up from
his bed and went to him. Eli told him he hadn't called, so Samuel went back to bed. Just about
the time Samuel had gotten settled, he heard a Voice saying, "Samuel, Samuel."
Again he ran to Eli, and again Eli sent him back to bed. When this was repeated for the third
time, Eli realized that God must be talking to the boy, and Eli told him to answer the next time
the Voice called. When God called to Samuel again, Samuel answered ". . . Speak; for thy
servant heareth" (1 Sam. 3:10).
Eli had been walking with God, but he hadn't been as faithful to God in rearing his children as
he ought to have been. He knew about the things of God, of course, but he didn't hear God's
voice that night — Samuel did. So we see that this kind of knowledge doesn't necessarily
come by a longtime experience of walking with God.
As I mentioned previously, there is a knowledge of God that is obtained by walking with Him,
just as we walk with a friend or family member and become better acquainted with him or her.
As we walk with God, certainly our knowledge of Him increases, but this is still not a spiritual
manifestation of the gift of the word of knowledge.
Biblical Examples of the Word of Knowledge
Let's look at some biblical examples of the gift of the word of knowledge in operation in the
New Testament.
The Word of Knowledge to John
For instance, on the Isle of Patmos, John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and Jesus
appeared to him in a vision (Rev. 1:10-20). Here we will learn something about how this word
of knowledge will come.
As in this particular instance with John the apostle, the word of knowledge might come through
a vision. Jesus revealed to John in a vision the condition of the seven churches in Asia Minor,
as recorded in the Book of Revelation.
Although there is a prophetic message for us today in this revelation, these seven churches
actually existed at that time in Asia Minor. John, exiled to the Isle of Patmos, couldn't possibly
have known what was going on in these cities or churches, but Jesus revealed to him their
spiritual condition. That was a word of knowledge.
Word of Knowledge to Ananias
Another example of this gift in operation is found in Acts chapter 9. "And there was a certain
disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision . . ." (Acts 9:10).
Here the word of knowledge came to a layman through a vision.
Ananias wasn't an apostle, as was John. He wasn't a pastor or evangelist or teacher. The
Bible calls him a disciple. He was just a member of the church at Damascus. If the Lord wills,
laymen as well as ministers can have a manifestation of the word of knowledge or any of the
gifts of the Spirit.