By Devadas Prakash
Common sense demands that one concur with brother Roy Deaver that there were nine miraculous gifts, all of which remain if one remains, but miracles have ceased (44-46). But before the New Testament was all written, they had nine gifts of the Spirit, or Spiritual gifts in the church (I Cor. 12: 1,8-10). Tongues and interpretation of tongues were two of the nine. Some contend for tongues today, but leave the other eight behind. But they all ceased together. These gifts were bestowed by the laying on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:18; Rom. 1:11; Acts 19:5-7; II Tim. 3:5-6). All know that when the apostles all died they ceased to lay on hands and bestow these gifts, and they naturally ceased. (Nichols 24-25) Miracles were never an end to themselves, but they served a specific purpose, which when that purpose was fulfilled, miracles ceased. Miracles were provisional in nature; when they completed that which they were intended by God to do, they were no longer needed and they ceased. The apostle Paul addressed the use of miracles in first century Corinth, namely their abuse, in 1 Corinthians 12-14. In 1 Corinthians 13:8-13, the apostle foretold that miracles would end. Specifically respecting our topic, “…tongues…shall cease…” (v. 8). Verse 9 introduces that through miracles new revelation from God was received in parts — partial and piecemeal respecting several inspired speakers on a number of occasions; speaking was provided them by the Holy Spirit. The New Testament had not been completed yet, but it was in the process of being written (e.g., 1 Corinthians). However, Paul contrasted that situation of partial, piecemeal revelation with a counterpart that would be complete or perfected, thereby displacing the partial, piecemeal revelation attributed to miracles (v. 10). “9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:9-10). James 1:25 refers to God’s Word as “the perfect law of liberty.” First Corinthians 13:11-12 present two “before and after” illustrations to contrast partial, piecemeal revelation received through miracles with the superior completed revelation that was to displace miracle-assisted revelation. Verse 11 resorts to childhood versus adulthood, miracles represented by childhood and adulthood representing completed revelation. Verse 12 refers to polished metal or other reflective surfaces such as water used anciently for mirrors versus the clarity with which one sees someone face to face. The former represents the miracle assisted, partial piecemeal revelation whereas the latter represents the completed revelation that we call the New Testament. Ephesians 4:11-14 parallels the 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 passage and also uses the illustration of childhood contrasted with adulthood for the same purpose. Miracle assisted workers appear in verse 11 on whom the early church relied for revelation from God. That situation, though, was temporary and to last only “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and knowledge of the Son of God… (v.13). Ministers, for instance, today must study God’s Word rather than rely on miraculous assistance from the Holy Spirit. The purpose of miracles appears in Mark 16:20: “…confirming the word with signs following.” Miracles already confirmed the Word in the first century (Heb. 2:3-4). Therefore, when the last apostle died, and when the last person upon whom an apostle laid hands to transfer miraculous power died, miracles ceased. The death of miracle-workers and the collection of the New Testament books occurred around the end of the first century and the beginning of the second century (Col. 4:16; 2 Pet. 3:16). Incidentally, this was a long time before the Catholic Church got around to officiating the New Testament canon. Comments are closed.
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