In previous articles, we have discussed the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, their purpose, how they were distributed, and the fact that they do not exist today. The purpose of this article is to discuss why they no longer exist, and when the spread of miraculous gifts ended.
One reason why miraculous abilities passed away is because we no longer have apostles. Other than the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4) and Cornelius (and his friends and relatives, Acts 10:24, 44-46), we do not read of an occasion in the New Testament where someone receives a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit unless an Apostle first laid hands on that individual with the intent of passing on gifts. Philip was unable to do this even though he could perform miracles (Acts 8:5-19). Yet, Peter, John, and Paul - all Apostles - laid hands on someone who immediately thereafter received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-19; 19: 6). Therefore, although an Apostle could lay hands on someone and that person receive the Holy Spirit and a miraculous gift; no one else could do the same even if they could perform miracles. Thus, when the last Apostle died, the ability to pass on the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ended also.
In 1 Cor. 13:8-11, Paul said that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit would "fail," "cease," and "vanish away" when that which is perfect (or complete) has come (vs. 10). Paul contrasted the miraculous gifts, which were "in part," or incomplete (vs. 9-10), with something perfect or complete. According to Paul, miraculous gifts were needed by the early church to assist in its maturity, it being like a child (13:11), until that which could complete its maturity came.
Similarly, Paul also wrote that: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, … till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, … that we should no longer be children, tossed to and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men. …" (Eph. 4:11-14)
What is complete? What did Paul expect "to come" that would make these incomplete gifts obsolete, and immature Christians mature? When would Christians come to the "unity of the faith," and what would protect Christians from "the trickery of men?" How was this to be accomplished? To answer these questions, we must consider the purpose of miraculous gifts. If we can establish that they accomplished their purpose, then we can understand why the era of miraculous gifts ended.
The power given to the Apostles by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was to enable them to preach the Gospel of Christ (Acts 1:8). With these abilities, the work of the Apostles was a great success (see article no. 17). In addition, some Apostles and other Christians, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote the books of the New Testament (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
The Bible is that which is complete. Remember, when Paul preached in Corinth, many books of the New Testament were not written. However, once the New Testament was complete, then the need for miraculous knowledge ended because the church could consult the word of God in written form (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Christians no longer need to consult a divinely inspired brother or a miraculous sign to learn or confirm God’s word. Instead, we can do as the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and simply compare what is said to what is written in the Scriptures. The purpose of the Holy Spirit in delivering and confirming to us the will of our Father has been completed. It is now up to us to receive or reject that revelation – we have what is needed to know and obey the Father.
Not only are the Scriptures complete, but they are able to make Christians complete as well:
In 1 Cor. 13:11 Paul alludes to the fact that the miraculous gifts were needed because the early Christians were like children in their knowledge. In Heb. 5:12-6:5, the writer refers to immature Christians as "babes," and exhorts them to seek perfection through knowledge of God’s word. Thus, Christians become complete by studying (and living by) God’s word.
God’s word is "that which is perfect." Unlike miraculous gifts that "ceased," God’s word will not pass away (Matt. 24:35). The Scriptures are Christianity’s sole means and hope for unity. Inspiration no longer exists because its role has been fulfilled. Accordingly, the only thing all Christians have in common is faith in the Christ of the Bible. Although some "Christian" faiths have altered passages or added books to the Bible, directly disobeying God’s word (Gal. 1:8-10; Rev. 22:18-19), they have only corrupted that which is perfect.
One reason why miraculous abilities passed away is because we no longer have apostles. Other than the Apostles (Acts 2:1-4) and Cornelius (and his friends and relatives, Acts 10:24, 44-46), we do not read of an occasion in the New Testament where someone receives a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit unless an Apostle first laid hands on that individual with the intent of passing on gifts. Philip was unable to do this even though he could perform miracles (Acts 8:5-19). Yet, Peter, John, and Paul - all Apostles - laid hands on someone who immediately thereafter received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-19; 19: 6). Therefore, although an Apostle could lay hands on someone and that person receive the Holy Spirit and a miraculous gift; no one else could do the same even if they could perform miracles. Thus, when the last Apostle died, the ability to pass on the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ended also.
In 1 Cor. 13:8-11, Paul said that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit would "fail," "cease," and "vanish away" when that which is perfect (or complete) has come (vs. 10). Paul contrasted the miraculous gifts, which were "in part," or incomplete (vs. 9-10), with something perfect or complete. According to Paul, miraculous gifts were needed by the early church to assist in its maturity, it being like a child (13:11), until that which could complete its maturity came.
Similarly, Paul also wrote that: "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, … till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, … that we should no longer be children, tossed to and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men. …" (Eph. 4:11-14)
What is complete? What did Paul expect "to come" that would make these incomplete gifts obsolete, and immature Christians mature? When would Christians come to the "unity of the faith," and what would protect Christians from "the trickery of men?" How was this to be accomplished? To answer these questions, we must consider the purpose of miraculous gifts. If we can establish that they accomplished their purpose, then we can understand why the era of miraculous gifts ended.
The power given to the Apostles by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was to enable them to preach the Gospel of Christ (Acts 1:8). With these abilities, the work of the Apostles was a great success (see article no. 17). In addition, some Apostles and other Christians, divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote the books of the New Testament (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
The Bible is that which is complete. Remember, when Paul preached in Corinth, many books of the New Testament were not written. However, once the New Testament was complete, then the need for miraculous knowledge ended because the church could consult the word of God in written form (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Christians no longer need to consult a divinely inspired brother or a miraculous sign to learn or confirm God’s word. Instead, we can do as the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and simply compare what is said to what is written in the Scriptures. The purpose of the Holy Spirit in delivering and confirming to us the will of our Father has been completed. It is now up to us to receive or reject that revelation – we have what is needed to know and obey the Father.
Not only are the Scriptures complete, but they are able to make Christians complete as well:
"[A]ll Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
In 1 Cor. 13:11 Paul alludes to the fact that the miraculous gifts were needed because the early Christians were like children in their knowledge. In Heb. 5:12-6:5, the writer refers to immature Christians as "babes," and exhorts them to seek perfection through knowledge of God’s word. Thus, Christians become complete by studying (and living by) God’s word.
God’s word is "that which is perfect." Unlike miraculous gifts that "ceased," God’s word will not pass away (Matt. 24:35). The Scriptures are Christianity’s sole means and hope for unity. Inspiration no longer exists because its role has been fulfilled. Accordingly, the only thing all Christians have in common is faith in the Christ of the Bible. Although some "Christian" faiths have altered passages or added books to the Bible, directly disobeying God’s word (Gal. 1:8-10; Rev. 22:18-19), they have only corrupted that which is perfect.
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