Thank you for the question on experiencing the gifts of the Holy Spirit, “Who has ever experienced the manifestations of the Spirit (‘aka’ 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit, as per, I Cor. 12:7–10) operating in their lives or seen someone operating in the ‘gifts” in their presence?”
On the topic of the manifestations of the Spirit, there are two biblical interpretation and its application within the Christian community. There are those who believe that the “Temporary Gifts as in I Corinthians 12:7–10 has ceased while other Christians who believe that the Temporary Gifts is operative today.
I Corinthians 12 says this, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (NIV).
May I give some observations or comments that relates to one’s question:
A. Verse 11 states that the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts just as he determines.
The giver of the spiritual gifts is the Holy Spirit. This means that the believer does not determine if one receives a gift. S/he is not control of what spiritual gift is given to me. The implication is that the Spirit may or may not give any or all of the spiritual gifts to a person. Thus it is unlikely in my opinion that one will see all the spiritual gifts in a person.
B. Verse 7 states the purpose of spiritual gifts.
The purpose of the spiritual is for the common good of the local assembly. The text says this, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” The display of spiritual gift is not for self-exaltation or for affirmation of one’s spirituality. Its purpose is to build up the Body of Christ, in helping the worshippers to become mature in Christ Jesus.
C. Verses 7–10 is a partial listing of the spiritual gifts.
The Apostle Paul states in the same chapter other spiritual gifts that are not listed in verses 7–10. The other spiritual gifts are mentioned in verses 27–30. The text says this, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts” (NIV).
D. Verse 7 also affirms that the Holy Spirit has given each believer a spiritual gift.
There isn’t a believer who is devoid of a spiritual gift. The Spirit of God didn’t pass over some believer. Each believer is part of the Body of Christ and hopefully part of the local assembly. Each believer is vital to the local assembly and has some spiritual contribution to the church.
The point for one’s consideration is not whether one observes the “sign gifts” but rather whether one sees the believers being edify and transformed into the image of Jesus Christ as the members exercise his/her spiritual gift/s and being equipped to do works of service (Eph. 4:11–16).
If one is just seeking to see “sign gifts”, then one may not be using one’s gift to build up the local assembly. The Lord will hold each person accountable for what he does with his/her natural or spiritual talents/gifts. If one is not able to see the Spirit of God working through the believers, then the Spirit of God is working in that believer.
As believers, we should see the Spirit of God working through the pastor as he preaches the Word of God. He should be able to see church leaders using their gifts of administration or mercy in caring for others. He should be able to see faith exercise for believers.
In my viewpoint, the “sign” gifts were given so that the believers may understand and be encouraged in their faith. As the writings of the Apostles and their associates were copied and spread, the necessity of sign gifts begin to cease as believers rely more on the written letters to churches or to individuals.
Is it possible that the Spirit of God give a person a “sign” gift? Absolutely for who am I to say that the Spirit of God can or can’t do, but that is more an exception than the norm. That is my viewpoint.
SUMMARY: The desire of believers is not to see sign gifts but to see transformation of believers by the Holy Spirit as each person exercises their spiritual gift.
For further insight and discussion: