Two weeks ago I was door knocking when I ran across some young Mormon boys doing the very same thing.  We ended up having many discussions, one of which was the question of this article.  Do spiritual gifts still exist today?  They affirmed that they do and that they themselves had the ability to perform miracles through the Holy Spirit operating through and in them.  I denied that they had this ability and challenged them to prove all things as the Bible teaches us to do (I Thessalonians 5:21).  Of course there were many excuses as to why they could not prove this ability.

The Bible is clear that these gifts were for a season but were not to last beyond that.  In this article I will show what the Bible defines as “Spiritual Gifts”, how they were passed on, and why they are not needed today.  All we have to do is look to God’s sufficient word for these questions (II Peter 1:3).  Outside of the Bible teaching Spiritual Gifts were temporary, there is always the question of proof.  These fake healers can never truly prove their case.  We will see that in the Bible the case was always proven.

I.  What are Spiritual Gifts?

A.  Gifts given by the Holy Spirit as listed in (I Corinthians 12:4-11).

1.  Some examples of them being used – Acts 2:1-8, Acts 3:2-11, Acts 5:15-16, Acts 14:8-11, Acts 20:7-10, and Acts 28:1-10.
2.  Some examples of the Lord performing miracles – Matthew 8:3-17 and Matthew 9:18-25.

a. When any of the miracles were performed listed above it was clear that it was God behind it.  Not these simple people today who jibber jabber and claim they are speaking in tongues.

B.  Anyone today claiming to have this ability needs to prove it (I Thessalonians 5:21, I John 4:1, and Matthew 10:8).

A. Holy Spirit baptism:

1. Promised and given to the Apostles (John 14:16-17, John 16:13, Luke 24:47-49, Acts 1:5-8, and Acts 2:1-4).
2. Given to Cornelius Acts 10:44-45.

B.  Through the laying on of Apostles hands (Acts 8:17-18, Acts 19:1-6, and Romans 1:11).
C.  There are those that contend that Acts 2:38 “the gift of the Holy Spirit” is given to all who are baptized.

1. The word “gift” in Acts 2:38 [or the Greek word “dorea”] is the same as used in Acts 8:20 and in Acts 10:45. Clearly if this is what is referred to in Acts 2:38 it is through the laying on of hands and not a direct action.
2. There are no longer any Apostles to lay hands on anyone, nor are there two baptisms today (Ephesians 4:5).  Clearly, men of God that had the ability to perform miracles such as Phillip (Acts 8:6), did not give them the ability to lay hands and pass on this ability as demonstrated in Acts 8:14-18.

a.  The only baptism remaining in effect till this day is the baptism of water that saves us (John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:27, and I Peter 3:20-21).

D.  What were Spiritual Gifts used for?

1.  To confirm the word (Mark 16:15-20, I Corinthians 14:22, and Hebrews 2:3-4.)
2.  For edification and learning I Corinthians 14:26; 31.

a. After the Eunuch was converted and went home (Acts 8:25-39), what did he have to learn of Christ if the Spirit did not aid him?  How could he teach others without the aid of the Spirit?

3.  To bring about unity Ephesians 4:11-13

A.  I Corinthians 12:31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”  Look tothe next chapter.....
B.  I Corinthians 13:8-10 "8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  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."
Comparison of:

Study – “teleios” the English word “perfect in I Corinthians 13:10
Goal: Identifying what the word “that which is perfect” is and by this knowing when Spiritual Gifts would cease.

The word perfect “teleios” appears in James 1:25 and Romans 12:2.  How do we know the perfect will of God (hint -II Timothy 3:16-17)?

The perfect Law of Christ was once delivered (Jude 3), is everlasting (Matthew 24:35), and is final (Revelation 22:18-19).  What would Spiritual Gifts accomplish today?  Some claim modern day revelations.  Does that not make God’s word false, because God stated His word is all-sufficient (II Peter 1:3).  We can compare I Corinthians chapters 12 & 13 with Ephesians 4:7-16, and see this to be a very clear fact.  The finished word is “that which is perfect”.  It is the complete word which is able to save (I Peter 1:22-25).
 
 

Conclusion:
In the 1st Century there were no Bibles to be handed out.  Until the word was complete there was a need to have it revealed.  After it was revealed, which was the work of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13 and II Peter 1:20-21),  there was not need to confirm that which was already confirmed.  There were no Apostles to pass on these gifts or a second baptism (Ephesians 4:5), for them to be given through.  The Bible is clear, the time of need is no more.
 
 

Those Serving Today
A.M. Song Leader –  Mike Lockwood
Lord’s Table – Bill Graham
Assisting –  Terry Nannie and Brian Yeager
Opening Prayer – Steve Burgoon
Closing Prayer –  George Papp

Those Needing Our Prayers
Keep in your prayers: Keep in your prayers: Lester Fleeger (is improving), Ann Holt (she will need a ride to services because of her health problems), Betty Brown, Joan Croyle, Bill Croyle, Gracie Cook (Desiree’ is friends with the family of this infant who has pneumonia. and is suffering with underdeveloped lungs) and John & Olive Anderson.

Ladies Class
The Next ladies class is planned for May 19th, plan on being prepared to study lesson two in your workbooks.  The ladies will be meeting at the Nannie’s home at 2:00.

Sing Night
This months sing night will be the Wednesday the 22nd

Door Knocking
If you would like to help give the people of Butler the opportunity to study the Bible please be here at the building at noon on Saturday.  If you do not feel comfortable talking to others, still come and be a silent partner for those who do.

Bible Study at the Yeager's
Everyone is invited to the Yeager’s Sunday the 26th for fellowship and bible study.  If the weather permits plan on being outside part or most of the time.  The children will have a secure place to play while the adults study God’s word and have fellowship with each other.  We will be studying the subject: “How Can I Let the World See that I’m a Christian?”