I Corinthians 12:4-6 says, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." Verses Eight through Ten mention that one person is given the message of wisdom, to another the wisdom of knowledge, and to others the separate gifts of faith, healing, having miraculous powers, prophesying, distinguishing between the spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. These verses clearly imply that different people receive different gifts, and nothing in these verses suggests that one person will receive all. The Greek word used for "another" was "heteros", and this word means the other, another, or other.

I Corinthians 12:11 says, "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." This verse says that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to those to whom He has determined. One person might receive multiple gifts while someone else might receive just one or two, but the Holy Spirit makes these determinations more so than the individual. I Corinthians 12:14-31 presents the image of a single body, and that each person serves a purpose in that body. All Christians work together as a single organism to perform the work of the Lord. I Corinthians 12:29-30 asks if all are apostles, teachers, and so forth. However, the Greek word "me" is used in this verse and actually begs a negative response. Instead of asking if all are apostles, the Apostle Paul was more accurately asking, "They are not all apostles, are they?" When looked at in this context, one can readily see that Paul was asking questions to which he expected the answer to be "no".