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In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV), Paul explains that the distribution of the spiritual gifts is a sovereign decision of the Holy Spirit, who distributes the spiritual gifts as He sees fit:
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 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, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
So far, this gives the impression that the believer has no say on the distribution and he/she is just a passive receiver of spiritual gifts.
However, in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NIV) we read the following:
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? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And also in 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV):
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
This gives me the impression that now the believer is no longer passive, but rather an active player in the distribution of spiritual gifts, by way of eagerly desiring them.
Question: To what extent is the Holy Spirit’s distribution of spiritual gifts dependent on how eagerly we desire them? In principle, can a believer "unlock" any gift or even all the gifts of the Spirit by eagerly desiring them hard enough?
Troy Day
here is the post Plain Ole Chris John Tompkins
to this Dan Cross rightly responded
Thank you Dan for taking seriously each post with our @followers
Dan Cross
Samuel Prakash Below is a biblically grounded, non-sensational explanation of why the prophetic office/function still exists in the Church, framed carefully to distinguish function from canon-forming authority—a distinction that is essential both theologically and pastorally.
1. The Prophetic Office Is Rooted in Christ’s Ongoing Ministry
The New Testament does not present prophets as a temporary stopgap until Scripture was complete. Rather, prophets are listed as Christ’s gifts to the Church after His ascension.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers…”
— Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)
The grammar matters:
Christ continues to give these roles, not merely gave them in the past. The purpose clause follows immediately:
“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood…” (Eph. 4:12–13)
Key implication:
Plain Ole Chris
Thank you, Troy.
Basically what you’ve proven is the scriptures, which is that God gave gifts to the church to perfect the church. I’ve said this for over fifty years.
Everybody all my life says they believe in these gifts, especially UPCI and other apostolic churches.
However, let a real prophet knock on that church door, and then watch the sparks fly!
UPCI says they believe in apostles because, like the Pharisees of old, they’re the first ones to stone, kill, and destroy apostles, prophets, teachers, and evangelists who speak by the Spirit.
What I mean by that is, you know, in how in the Old Testament, they murdered them with stones, sticks, swords, and things like that.
Nowadays, they just murder your character with their tongue because God wouldn’t let them or let us let them have their way.
As they reframed situational realities and bent them with their lies to suit their self-righteous coverings lest they be found before everyone in their congregations or homes, naked and ashamed.
It got to a point that people were literally dying in church because they held back the truth in unrighteousness. That’s when God started having me prophesy against many of them. And I started writing Letters to the Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.