The Gifts Are Available Today Series

Last week, we began our study on spiritual gifts by discussing the work of the Holy Spirit. We learned that an individual is filled with the Spirit at the very moment of salvation, when he or she confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We discovered that the phrase “being filled with the Holy Spirit” is a reference to when the Spirit chooses to use a Christian and manifest spiritual gifts for the glory of God. We discovered that the purpose of spiritual gifts is for the benefit of all God’s people, to edify the church, and to bring others to salvation in Christ. We also looked at 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and began identifying some of the gifts; but only some of them, as that passage did not contain a complete list.

Tonight, we will look at three more passages of Scripture, to identify some additional spiritual gifts that we did not cover in our last session. We will also learn that these gifts are still around even today, and that they will not pass away (they will not cease to exist) until Jesus returns and the kingdom comes in its fullness; and this is the topic that we will start off with!

Spiritual Gifts Have Not Ceased

I have heard it said that Jesus gave spiritual gifts to “His disciples” and “the apostles,” but that “He did not bestow them on us.” This theory, which is called “cessation,” holds that when the apostles died, the gifts died with them, because the apostles did not have the power to pass them on themselves. It is believed that they were passed on through Jesus Christ only. This view, according to commentator W. G. Putnam, holds that the gifts ceased when the church became strong enough to continue without their existence.(1)

Spiritual gifts should not be seen as a crutch or training wheels. I should first point out that it is dangerous to assume that the church can continue without the things of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, I want emphasize that 1 Corinthians 12:11 says that it the Holy Spirit who bestows spiritual gifts on believers. It is not Christ who gives them. 1 Corinthians 12:11 also tells us that the Spirit distributes the gifts “to each one individually as He wills.”

Some people adhere to a view of “partial cessation,” affirming the existence of spiritual gifts, but failing to recognize the ones deemed as the “sign gifts.” There are even individuals in the Southern Baptist Convention who adhere to partial cessation. For example, in a Position Paper published by the International Mission Board, it is stated, “Once the apostolic preaching was written into Scripture, there was no more need for the sign gifts.”(2)

The four that are primarily identified as the “sign gifts” are Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Healing and Miracles. I can understand the confusion that might arise from the topic of Tongues; but I see a huge problem with ruling out the existence of Healing and Miracles. If you do not believe in Healing and Miracles, then you might as well quit praying for the sick, and quit praying for breakthroughs in difficult life circumstances.

In James 5:14-15, we read, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” James said that the church elders are to “pray over” the sick (v. 14), which probably involved the laying on of hands; and this action is often associated with the spiritual gift of healing. The gift of faith can also be seen in the statement “the prayer of faith” (v. 15). So, James advocates using the spiritual gifts of healing and faith; and let me point out that when a person is “raised up” (v. 15) from their sickbed, we might even call that a miracle!

Turn with me in your Bibles, and let’s read 1 Corinthians 13:8-10: 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

We observe here the mention of a few spiritual gifts such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. In verse 8, Paul stated that these gifts will one day “fail,” “cease” and “vanish away.” He also stated in verse 10 how “that which is in part will be done away.” All the gifts of the Holy Spirit will one day cease to be used. There will indeed come a time of cessation; and, Paul said that love would be the one thing that would last forever.