So the gift of faith can operate, as I said, to cast out demons, to receive the dead raised back
to life, and to supernaturally sustain a person beyond the ability of ordinary faith.
Purposes of the Gift of Faith
As I mentioned previously, the working of miracles is more of an act, whereas the gift of faith is
more of a process. In other words, the working of miracles would perform a miracle, but the gift
of faith would receive a miracle.
In summary, first, we've seen the gift of faith in operation in receiving blessings or the
fulfillment of human utterances as in the cases of the patriarchs of old. As we said, many times
when the patriarchs were ready to die, they would lay their hands on their sons and command
blessings upon them, and whatever they said would come to pass. They did this by the
supernatural manifestation of the gift of faith.
Second, we have seen how this gift of faith was manifested for personal protection in perilous
circumstances, such as the case of Daniel in the lions' den.
Third, this gift of faith was manifested for supernatural sustenance in the time of famine. We
can see this, for example, in the case of Elijah when he was fed by the ravens (1 Kings 17:36). Elijah's faith
had to be given to him supernaturally because it was beyond ordinary faith to believe that
ravens would feed him. But they brought food to him morning and night.
Remember, ordinary faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). But the gift of faith
is manifested by the Holy Spirit to enable a person to receive a miracle beyond the capacity of
ordinary faith to receive.
Fourth, this gift of faith is manifested to raise the dead, as I have already pointed out.
Fifth, the gift of faith is employed in casting out evil spirits. When you cast out devils, you are
trusting God to honor your word as His own.
Sixth, in some instances this gift comes into operation in the laying on of hands for people to
be filled with the Holy Ghost.
GALATIANS 3
6 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you,
doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
When Paul said to the Galatians, ". . . [he that] worketh miracles among you. . . ," he was
referring to the working of miracles. But before that he said, "He therefore that ministereth to
you the Spirit . . ." (Gal. 3:5).
Paul was talking about ministering the Spirit first and then he was talking about the gift of
working of miracles. Then Paul adds, ". . . doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing
of faith?" (v. 5). Of course, it is by the hearing of faith, which belongs to every believer. But
some in the Body of Christ have more of a ministry along this line, and the gift of faith
accompanies their ministry.