HAVE SPIRITUAL GIFTS CEASED? 1Corinthians 13:8-13

Introduction 1Cor 6:12-15 – The spiritual mind thinks towards eternity 1Cor 12:4-7 - The spiritual mind thinks towards unity and humility 1Cor 13 - offers a view compatible with both of these ideas – prefer love above gifts

9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; AN END TO MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS 8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (NAS) Underline prophecy, tongues and knowledge Highlight vs. 9

Distinguishing Spirits Interpretation of Tongues AN END TO MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS Knowledge Wisdom Prophecy Distinguishing Spirits Tongues Interpretation of Tongues Confirmation Miracles Healings Faith 8Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NAS) Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge categorically and logically represent the entire list of gifts listed in 1Cor 12

AN END TO MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS Limited information created a need for special assistance Due to this limited information they had a need for direct individual guidance The very nature of direct individual guidance presents a need for individual confirmation

AN END TO MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS A universal standard of guidance removes the need for individual guidance Such a standard would require a universal confirmation thus removing any need for individual conformation The completion and confirmation of Scripture has thus removed the need for any individual revelation or confirmation

“IN PART” – THE NATURE OF PROPHECY Limited Revelation: 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:10–12 (NAS) Areas of Certainty Areas of Uncertaint y The nature of prophecy has always been a limited revelation Often all that was made clear was “where” in the redemptive scheme to prophet and his people were operating

“IN PART” – THE NATURE OF PROPHECY Limited Revelation: 14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: Acts 2:14–16 (NAS) Areas of Certainty Areas of Uncertaint y

“IN PART” – THE NATURE OF PROPHECY Limited Revelation: 34 “For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:34–36 (NAS) Areas of Certainty Areas of Uncertaint y

Inclusion of the Gentiles into the “Promise” “IN PART” – THE NATURE OF PROPHECY Limited Revelation: 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” Acts 2:38–39 (NAS) Areas of Certainty Areas of Uncertaint y Inclusion of the Gentiles into the “Promise” Acts 10:19-16,28; 11:15-17

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION (teleios) Strong’s Greek #5046 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:10–12 (NAS) “wanting nothing necessary to completeness…f ull grown, adult, of full age, mature”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION (teleios) Strong’s Greek #5046 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature (teleios); a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 1 Corinthians 2:6 (NAS) “wanting nothing necessary to completeness…f ull grown, adult, of full age, mature”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION (teleios) Strong’s Greek #5046 20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature (teleios). 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NAS) “wanting nothing necessary to completeness…f ull grown, adult, of full age, mature”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION (teleios) Strong’s Greek #5046 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect (teleios), have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; Philippians 3:15 (NAS) “wanting nothing necessary to completeness…f ull grown, adult, of full age, mature”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION (teleios) Strong’s Greek #5046 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect (teleios)and fully assured in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12 (NAS) “wanting nothing necessary to completeness…f ull grown, adult, of full age, mature”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION (teleios) Strong’s Greek #5046 14 But solid food is for the mature (teleios), who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 (NAS) “wanting nothing necessary to completeness…f ull grown, adult, of full age, mature”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:9–10 (NAS) Logical Contrast between the perfect and the partial For such a contrast to be valid “perfect” and “in part” must be in the same realm Example – we would not compare the taste of apples to the texture of oranges

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 1 Corinthians 13:9–10 (NAS) The nature of the “partial” then tells us the nature of the “perfect” The “partial” clearly refers to revelatory gifts, thus the “perfect” must refer to revelation as well

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION The “partial” was used to bring about the “perfect” The Holy Spirit provided the gifts which were used to reveal the gospel mystery (John 16:13; Eph 3:3-5) Once the “perfect” came there is no more need for the “partial”

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NAS) “When I was a child” a contrast between the immature and mature Children lack understanding due to lack of information The mature adult should have a clearer understanding allowing for more mature reasoning

“THAT WHICH IS PERFECT” COMPLETED REVELATION The figure plays on the poor quality of ancient mirrors “dimly” – “…an obscure thing” (Strong’s) The image reflected is contrasted with seeing “face to face” i.e. seeing little detail vs. seeing the complete picture 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NAS)

CONCLUSION – APPLICATION TO US Gifts were to be tools used to achieve greater unity and edification 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 (NAS)

CONCLUSION – APPLICATION TO US Gifts were to be tools used to achieve greater unity and edification A divisive attitude regarding gifts made them essentially useless The need for gifts merely pointed out their weakness 20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature…22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 1 Corinthians 14:20–23 (NAS)

CONCLUSION – APPLICATION TO US 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:11–13 (NAS) We need to realize that we have everything needed for faith, growth, and unity