Are Spiritual Gifts for the Church Today?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The cessationist claim, and its irony

• The question posed (in the host's frame): there's an argument (as the frame opens it) over whether the spiritual gifts that Paul discussed, in First Corinthians 12-14, are still in operation, of — in — the church today. On one side of the debate, we have the cessationists. And they argue, that spiritual gifts ceased, with the apostles. Pentecostals, of course — including the church the frame names — it's no surprise: we believe, and teach, that the spiritual gifts continue to operate, in the church today. What scriptural arguments, though, do cessationists use, to support this claim — that spiritual gifts ceased with the apostles, and are no longer available, to the church today? And how do you respond, to that claim? The answer: certainly, as Pentecostals, we believe in the continuing operation of Miracle, signs, wonders, gifts of the Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophecy, and so on. And I think that's a very strong position — biblical position. The idea that these signs, and gifts, and miracles, have ceased, is really very hard to reconcile, with scripture. You can't — in fact, it's interesting: if you step back, and look at it: throughout the Bible, God has answered prayer. He's worked miracles. He's given signs. That — of course — we can't just push buttons, and make God do anything. But we can humbly submit to God. And God uses Miracles, and answers to prayer, signs, spiritual gifts, as part of his normal operations. Throughout the Old Testament, we find Miracles. Throughout the gospels, we find Miracles. Throughout the New Testament Church, we find miracles. And, of course: we all — all Christian groups — believe, that one day God's going to resurrect the dead. So, in the future, we're all depending on a miracle. So the cessationist position is quite ironic. Saying: all throughout history, God has done miracles. In starting the church, God has done miracles. In the future, God is going to do Miracles, and we're all depending on that. But right now, he's not going to do any Miracles. We know, for a fact ('we know for a fact that seems to be an extremely weak position', as the sentence stands), that seems to be an extremely weak position. I think, in reality, it has arisen: because people are coming from churches, which lost the gifts of the Spirit. And so they're trying to justify, and make a doctrine of, their non-normative experience ('their non uh normative experience', as spoken). Instead of seeking the biblical pattern, they're trying to justify the non-biblical pattern, of their tradition.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12-14

1 Corinthians 13 — love's priority, and 'that which is perfect'

• Now: as far as scriptural argument, a lot of them like to go to First Corinthians 13. Which — chapters First Corinthians 12, 13, 14 are talking about the operation, of the supernatural spiritual gifts, in the church. And regulations, for proper use. Avoiding abuse. So, in the middle, there's this beautiful chapter on love: First Corinthians 13. Which says: the priority is love. So, while we're talking about all these gifts — and while we want you to seek these gifts — Paul says: we want you to understand, the priority is love. Because, if the gifts are not operated in love, they're useless. So he's — it's not an argument, not to have the gifts. It's an argument, to make love the priority. But: if you take a few places — it says, towards the end of chapter 13 — it makes this point, to show the priority of Love: where they're — prophecies, tongues, knowledge — one day we'll — will — cease, and vanish. But love will remain. Well: that's talking about heaven. In heaven, we won't need prophecy. We won't need tongues. We won't need to acquire knowledge — we'll have it all. But we'll still have love. So love will be just as important then, as it is now. So that's an example, of why love is permanent. And so they quote — and particularly this one place: when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part will be done away. And so: we know in part, when we prophesy in part. So they say: you know, tongues and prophecy are part of this temporal order ('of Emperor needed', as the letters stand), needed because of our imperfection. But when that — what is Perfect's — has come: well, they try to say, what is perfect, is the New Testament. So now that we have the New Testament, we have all the teaching we need. We don't need tongues and prophecy, to teach us. Well: there are many problems, with that theory. First of all: tongues and prophecy are not designed, to teach Doctrine, anyway. That's a different purpose. So just the fact, that we have the New Testament, doesn't mean we don't need spiritual gifts. The early church had the Old Testament ('the Old Testament but they that prophesied in Christ', as the letters stand). But they still had spiritual gifts. And then also: in this — not only prophecy and tongues, but knowledge. So are we ready to say: we're in the post knowledge age, and we don't need teaching, we don't need knowledge? That proves too much. And then: if you study Greek grammar — it's not immediately apparent in English ('not immediately appearing in English', as spoken) — but every noun, in Greek, is going to be masculine, singular, or neuter. And, like English, is going to be singular, or plural. Well: that which is perfect is neuter, singular. The scriptures, in Greek, are always plural, feminine. So grammatically, that phrase could not be a substitute — could not refer back, like a pronoun — for the scriptures. But more logically, I think, in the context: he's talking about, in heaven, love will be permanent — but these gifts will not be. So: what is perfect? I think: the coming of the Lord. When that which is perfect has come. Not — he's not referring specifically to Jesus Christ, in the masculine. But he's referring to this event: the consummation of time, the End of the Age, The Coming of the Lord. When Perfection comes. So we would more normally understand, that to mean: the Eternal state. Or maybe the millennial Kingdom. But the reign of God. So: when all imperfection is ended — that's the Heavenly State, that's the Eternal State — then we won't need these other gifts. But we'll still need love. And I think that's a more natural understanding.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 1:2 and 1:7 — written to us; gifts until he comes

• But: if you want to look contextually: First Corinthians chapter 1, verse 2, says: it's written to the Church of God, which is — to them that are Sanctified in Christ Jesus ('which is according to them that are Sanctified in Christ Jesus', as the reading stands in the letters). This is chapter one, First Corinthians 1, and verse 2: called to be Saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord, both theirs and ours. So First Corinthians is unusual, among the Epistles. It is explicitly written, not only to the church there (its city carried in the letters only in the garbled form above), but to everyone else, in every place, who calls on the name of Jesus. So it's written to us, specifically. And then, in verse 7 — First Corinthians 1:7 — here's one of the purposes, for which it's written: so that you come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. So very specifically: the gifts are supposed to remain, in the church, until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. So you already have that stated, specifically, in chapter one. Then: clearly, he's including the supernatural spiritual gifts, of First Corinthians chapter 12, and First Corinthians chapter 14. Such as: tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. And therefore, the context of chapter 13 is: when Perfection comes — it's when the Lord Jesus Christ comes. Tongues, prophecy, knowledge will cease, when they're no longer needed. But until then: I want you to have all the gifts. So First Corinthians is very clear.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:7

The whole New Testament witness — and the challenge to cessationists

• If you step back, and look at the New Testament: it's interesting. Because practically every book emphasizes the importance of Miracles, and gifts of the Spirit. Of course: the four gospels are full of ('the four gospels is full of', as spoken) the accounts of Jesus doing these Miracles. And promising, in John, that you will do even Greater Works — meaning, more numerous works, like these. The book of Acts is filled with Miracles, and gifts of the Spirit, in the early church. All the local churches had them. So: the church in Jerusalem, the church in Samaria, the church in Ephesus — they all experienced them ('they all experiences', as spoken). So a normal Church, in New Testament times, would have these gifts. Okay: Romans 15 — Paul makes a point, that everywhere I preach, God confirmed with Miracles, and gifts of the Spirit. First Corinthians, we've already discussed: that chapter 2 specifically says, Paul came not in the wisdom of men, but in demonstration — preaching in the demonstration of the spirit, and of power (as the sentence stands in the letters). First Corinthians — okay: Galatians. Galatians chapter three: Paul talks about the preaching of the word, was accompanied by miracles. You go to first Thessalonians one: the preaching of the gospel, accompanied by power ('a preaching the gospel's company by power', as the letters stand). You go to Hebrews: a very significant — because now he's addressing the generation after the apostles. And so the cessationists usually say, that Miracles cease with the apostles. But that's not the implication here. Let me read from Hebrews chapter 2, and verse 4 — let's see: God — and so he's referring to the ministry of the Apostles, and how it was confirmed. Hebrews 2:4: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers Miracles, and gifts of the Spirit, according to his own will. So: God is confirming the word. So the cessationist says ('the cessation says', as spoken): well, we have the word; we don't need Miracles. No: the Miracles confirm the word. And so they're obviously still valid. In fact: the last verse of Mark — Mark 16:20 — says: the apostles went everywhere, preaching the word. The Lord working with them ('the Lord working with him', as read), and confirming the word, with signs following ('confirming the word was signs following', as read). So: we're still preaching the word. We still need the word, to be confirmed, with signs following. Book of Revelation: when Jesus is giving the letters, to the seven churches — he repeatedly says: he who has an ear, hear what the spirit is saying. So my point is: every section of the New Testament — from the gospels, to the book of Acts, to many of the Pauline Epistles, to the general Epistles, such as Hebrews, through the Book of Revelation — they all talk about miracles, signs, wonders, works of the spirit, being part of the normal Church. So all the churches of the New Testament had spiritual gifts, as a regular part of their operations. So the challenge to cessationists is: where is your example, of a cessationist church ('a secessionist church', as heard)? There is no example, in the whole Bible, of a church like yours. And, you know: if you go back to First Corinthians 12 through 14: Paul several times says things like: covet earnestly the best gifts ('covet earnings the best gifts', as heard). Forbid not to prophesy. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all. And so they will pick out things, where he points out: don't just speak in tongues, you know, without interpretation, continually, in the public worship. But speak to yourself, to God. Well, they'll try to pick out: well, you know, tongues can be misunderstood. Or, tongues doesn't help, but there's no interpretation, Etc. But their solution — so Paul is dealing with abuses, or misuses. Their solution of the cessation, is non-use. But that is explicitly not Paul's solution. He's advocating proper use. And so, my challenge to cessationists ('my challenge to cessation', as spoken) is: what do they make of Paul saying: I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all? Covet earnestly the best gifts ('covet earnesty the best gifts', as heard)? Forbid not to speak with tongues? Forbid not prophesying? Well: if somebody went in their church, and begin to speak in tongues, or prophesy, would they allow them? No, they would not. So obviously, they're not even trying to follow Paul's teachings. And since they don't have experience with these gifts, they're not even understanding how to apply his teaching. So they're not qualified to really take one statement, out of context, and say: well, tongues aren't very good. And if you really knew what was good for you, you wouldn't need them anymore ('for you wouldn't need anymore', as the letters stand). They're not qualified to say — because they don't allow all the things that Paul specifically encourages ('that Paul does specifically in courage', as the letters stand). In summary: the entire New Testament shows us, that Supernatural spiritual gifts, Miracle, signs, wonders, healings, answers to prayer, should be part of the regular life, of a local church, today. And there's no statement in Scripture, that speaks to the contrary. There's no statement, that says these things have ceased, or will cease, in the present Church age.

Scriptures: John (book-only); Romans 15; 1 Corinthians 2; Galatians 3; 1 Thessalonians 1; Hebrews 2:4; Mark 16:20; Revelation (book-only)

Scripture index: 1 Corinthians 12-14; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:7; John (book-only); Romans 15; 1 Corinthians 2; Galatians 3; 1 Thessalonians 1; Hebrews 2:4; Mark 16:20; Revelation (book-only).