Ellen G. White and Her Critics

478/552

Gifts Bestowed by the Lord

The Divine Record emphasizes the thought that the Spirit divides “to every man severally as he will.” In other words, the gifts are bestowed by the Lord. No man receives any specific spiritual gift because he particularly wants it or claims it. God determines to whom He will entrust these gifts. The Word of the Lord further states that “to one is given ... the word of wisdom; ... to another the gifts of healing. 1 Corinthians 12:8, 9. So in the plan of God one here and one there is singled out from the believers, and made the depositories of these specific spiritual gifts. This is particularly true with the prophetic gift. Among commentators in good standing there are those who recognize the truth of this, as will be seen in the following extract: EGWC 555.4

“For the testimony or witness of (i.e., borne by) Jesus is (i.e., constitutes) the spirit of prophecy’. This ... specifically defines the brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus as possessors of prophetic inspiration. The testimony of Jesus is practically equivalent to Jesus testifying (xxii. 20). It is the self-revelation of Jesus (according to i. 1, due ultimately to God) which moves the Christian prophets.”—W. ROBERTSON NICOLL, The Expositor’s Greek Testimonies for the Church 5:465, on Revelation. EGWC 556.1