Spiritual Gifts

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

- 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Paul lists a bunch gifts which he says are "manifestations of the Spirit". All of them are things that are not possible without the intervention of the Spirit, and thus are proof that the Spirit exists.

But what about faith? Isn't faith something we do by ourselves? One man recognised that this wasn't so:

21Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" 22"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

23" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

24Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

- Mark 9:21-24

The boy's father had already come the conclusion that he didn't have all the faith he needed - he needed Jesus' help to overcome his unbelief.

Not surprising, really - the boy's age is not recorded, but the father had had to contend with his son's possession "since childhood". He had probably tried every available "cure", consulted every "expert" - all to no avail.