Introduction What How Why When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignore-ant.” (1 Cor. 12:1) There is a great deal of ignorance about “spiritual gifts” ; particularly among Pentecostals and other “charismatic” denominations. What How Why When

Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1

What Role of the Holy Spirit in God’s scheme of redemption: 1 Cor. 2:11 I’m thinking of a number between 1 and 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. Guess what is it! The number is: 683,479,256 Anybody guess it! We can only know God’s mind if He reveals it to us: 1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 3:1-5 Spiritual Gifts

What Baptism of the Holy Spirit: Jn. 14:26; 15:26-27; Jn. 16:13-15 A “promise” not a command: Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:4; 2:1-4 Only two cases: (1) apostles (Acts 2:1-4), (2) first Gentile converts (Acts 11:15-18; 15:7-9; 1 Cor. 2:11). Gift of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:19, 37, 38-39; Rom. 1:16-17; Matt. 11:28-30; 1 Tim. 2:4 Spiritual Gifts

What “spiritual gifts” : 1 Cor. 12:1-11 “the word of wisdom” : vs. 8 “the word of knowledge” : vs. 8 “faith” : vs. 9 “gifts of healing” : vs. 9 “working of miracles” : vs. 9 “prophecy” : vs. 10 “discerning of spirits” : vs. 10 “different kinds of tongues” : vs. 10; Acts 2:4-6, 11 “the interpretation of tongues” : vs. 10 Spiritual Gifts

Why Jesus gave the apostles the “Great Commission”: Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16, 19-20; Acts 1:8; Heb. 2:1-4 The apostles preached a certified gospel: Gal. 1:11-12 The apostles were guided into “all truth,” but it was impossible to impart “all truth” in every place. The first century saints did not possess a completed New Testament like we do. Thus, “spiritual gifts” were a temporary measure: Heb. 2:3-4 Spiritual Gifts

How Consider the case of Philip the evangelist: Acts 8:4-24 Philip was not an apostle, was not baptized in the Holy Spirit but had “spiritual gifts” : Acts 6:5-6 Philip converted Simon the sorcerer: Acts 8:9-13 Philip was unable to impart “spiritual gifts” ; only the apostles could: Acts 8:14-17, 18-19 Also see: Acts 19:5-6; Rom. 1:11 Spiritual Gifts

When Direct statement : 1 Cor. 13:8 “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is know-ledge, it will vanish away.” The question is not IF “spiritual gifts” ended, but WHEN did they end. Answer: “For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (vss. 9-10) Spiritual Gifts

When When divine revelation was complete these gifts would cease. “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (vs. 11) The “childish things” picture “spiritual gifts” which existed only during the infancy of the church. To argue for “spiritual gifts” today is to argue for “childish things” ! Spiritual Gifts

When “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” (vs. 12) Unlike when Paul wrote that, divine revelation is now complete: Jas. 1:25; Jude 3 Since “that which is perfect” has come, then “spiritual gifts” have “failed,” “ceased,” and “vanished away.” It’s time to put away “childish things” ! Spiritual Gifts

When Necessary conclusion : (Part 1) “Spiritual gifts” were needed while apostles were being guided into “all truth” : Jn. 16:13 Once accomplished Christians no longer needed “spiritual gifts” : Jude 3; Eph. 3:1-5 Only an apostle could impart “spiritual gifts” : Acts 8:19 No apostolic successors; thus, no one capable of impart-ing “spiritual gifts” today: Acts 1:21-22; 2 Cor. 12:12 Spiritual Gifts

When Necessary conclusion : (Part 2) Purpose of “spiritual gifts” : Heb. 2:3-4 “confirm the word” Once something is confirmed, it does not have to be confirmed again and again: Gal. 3:15 “Spiritual gifts” are analogous to a scaffold on a building. Once building erected, no longer needed. Since “spiritual gifts” have served God’s intended purpose, He ended them: 1 Cor. 13:8 Spiritual Gifts

When Necessary conclusion : (Part 2) When God gets through with a thing, He does away with it. Bronze serpent: Num. 21:8; Jn. 3:14-15; 2 Kgs. 18:4 Law of Moses: Gal. 3:19, 16; 2 Cor. 3:7, 11 “Spiritual gifts” have served God’s intended purpose, hence, God has “done away” with them: 1 Cor. 13:10 Spiritual Gifts

When Necessary conclusion : (Part 3) 1 Corinthians 14 has God’s instructions regulating the use of “spiritual gifts.” Those claiming“spiritual gifts” today do not follow those instructions! Surely if God intended the “spiritual gifts” in 1 Corin-thians 12 to continue in our time, His rules governing their use in 1 Corinthians 14 would also continue! 1 Cor. 14:33 Spiritual Gifts

Conclusion “Spiritual gifts” served an important purpose in God’s scheme of redemp-tion: 1 Cor. 12-14; Heb. 2:3-4; Mk. 16:19-20 They served as a “scaffold” for the first century church. Once the apostles were guided into “all truth” it was time to remove the scaffold: Jn. 16:13; Jude 3; Eph. 3:1-5 To claim “spiritual gifts” today is impossible and false. It is a return to “childish things.” Spiritual Gifts