Some Christians cite 1 Corinthians 12 to support the claim
that the gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, healing, tongues, etc.) are not for all
believers. Specifically, note the following verses:
27 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? Do all interpret?
1 Corinthians 12:27-29 (NIV)
The answer to these rhetorical questions is naturally, “No.”
So, many Christians determine that, therefore, all Christians won’t have every
gift that the Spirit offers, and neither should they expect to receive every
gift that the Spirit offers. Besides, the Spirit “distributes [the gifts] to
each one, just as He determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
