by Bruce Reeves<\/p>\n
The religious culture that surrounds us today has chosen emotionalism and sensationalism over a passionate and substantive examination of God’s word and the application of truth to our lives. As a result, there is much confusion regarding miracles and the activity of the Holy Spirit. One of the key elements of the charismatic chaos stems from a misunderstanding of the purpose of miracles in Biblical times. There is great power in the completed revelation of the Holy Spirit in the scriptures, and it is that very point that must be driven home in the heart of every believer.<\/p>\n
The miracles performed in the New Testament were not merely intended to remove human suffering. Jesus did not heal all of the sick or raise all of the dead. The miracles of both Jesus Christ and His apostles were for the purpose of confirming the claim that Jesus was the divine Son of God (John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22).<\/p>\n
Mark reports, “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed<\/em>” (Mark 16:20). The Hebrew writer also spoke of the purpose of miraculous gifts, “…After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will<\/em>” (Hebrews 2:3-4). Luke speaks of the purpose of miracles, as well, when he writes, “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands<\/em>” (Acts 14:3).<\/p>\n The Holy Spirit came on the apostles in order to reveal all truth (John 16:13). It was necessary that He teach them all things because the revelation had not yet been completed (John 14:26). Once God’s word was completely revealed, there would be no need for miraculous confirmation of that which had already been received. Additionally, the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius’ household directly to confirm the Lord’s willingness to accept the Gentiles into the church (Acts 10:47-48, 11:15-18). The Spirit’s purposes in these regards have been accomplished; thus, the need for miraculous activity for empowerment and confirmation has been met.<\/p>\n To appreciate I Corinthians 13:8-13, we must consider the surrounding context in which we find it. It is clear from the context that there was carnality in Corinth surrounding the expression of miraculous spiritual gifts. Paul emphasizes that the gifts were a means to an end and not the end itself. He also establishes the necessity of love in the expression of spiritual gifts (I Corinthians 13:1-3); the character of the love of Christ (I Corinthians 13:4-7); and the superiority of love over the gifts, which were but temporary (I Corinthians 13:8-13).<\/p>\n He speaks of the duration of love in contrast to the gifts. Love will never “fail,” i.e., “come to an end” as the terms “done away” and “cease” demonstrate (I Corinthians 13:8). However, the gifts of “prophecy,” “tongues” and “knowledge” will “vanish away” (I Corinthians 13:8). These gifts are all mentioned among the nine gifts enumerated in I Corinthians 12:8-10. These three miraculous gifts were not the only ones to cease, but are mentioned as representatives of miraculous spiritual gifts as a whole. Paul’s argument rests on the assumption that “faith,” “hope,” and “love” are superior and enduring compared to miraculous spiritual gifts.<\/p>\n Paul employs two terms that interact with one another in this section in an instructive manner that must not be missed. “In part” is contrasted with the term “perfect” in I Corinthians 13:9-10. Paul uses the words “know” and “prophesy” in order to represent miraculous spiritual gifts in their entirety.<\/p>\n There has been much debate concerning the meaning of the phrase, “but when that which is perfect comes<\/em>…” (I Corinthians 13:10). The term “perfect” refers to that which is complete, full, or mature. Since the terms “part” and “perfect” are being contrasted, they must be used together to establish the definition of the concept Paul intends in this context. Likewise, the phrase “in part” clearly refers to God’s revelation through “prophecy,” “knowledge,” or “tongues”; therefore, we can certainly know that the counterpart of the term in the use of the word “perfect” refers to the completed revelation. So, just as one term refers to the partial revelation of God’s will, the other term must be defined as God’s perfect or complete revelation of God’s will.<\/p>\n We can read of the things that existed during the life of Paul, that is, miraculous spiritual gifts and faith, hope, and love. Paul pronounces the future of each item, i.e., miraculous gifts would “fail,” “cease,” and “vanish away,” whereas “faith,” “hope,” and “love” would “abide.” Therefore, there would be a time prior to the return of Christ in which miraculous spiritual gifts would cease to exist (I Corinthians 13:13). We know that “hope” would exist after the cessation of miraculous spiritual gifts and, yet, Paul argues that in eternity we will no longer have to hope, for we will possess in actuality our spiritual reward (Romans 8:24).<\/p>\n The apostle even uses illustrations in order to make this point clear. He speaks of his own development from a young man into adulthood. He wrote, “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<\/em>” (I Corinthians 13:11). Miraculous spiritual gifts were intended for empowerment and confirmation of the gospel in the infancy of the church. When the revelation of the gospel was complete, the need for the spiritual gifts was accomplished, and miraculous spiritual gifts ceased. It is also noteworthy that only the apostles could transfer the ability to practice spiritual gifts through the laying on of their hands (Acts 8:14-25; II Timothy 1:6). As a result, miraculous spiritual gifts would cease as those who had received gifts through the laying on of the apostles’ hands died.<\/p>\n The final illustration Paul uses is that of a mirror. He writes, “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<\/em>” (I Corinthians 13:12). Paul teaches the brethren that presently they saw “dimly” but the time was coming when by virtue of the full revelation brethren would see “face to face” or clearly. The phrase “face to face” does not refer to seeing God or Jesus on the Day of Judgment; rather, it points to the complete revelation of God’s will. Let no one think that he or she is free to take liberties with God’s Word in the name of “following the Spirit.” Those who argue for a closed canon and yet affirm the existence of miraculous spiritual gifts are in a self-contradiction that reveals a problematic position, to say the least. To follow the Spirit is to surrender to the word of God.<\/p>\n The Holy Spirit has revealed and confirmed the full revelation of God’s truth in the Bible. Jesus said, “He who rejects and me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day<\/em>” (John 12:48). Let us thank God for His divinely inspired word!<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Bruce Reeves The religious culture that surrounds us today has chosen emotionalism and sensationalism over a passionate and substantive examination of God’s word and the application of truth to our lives. As a result, there is much confusion regarding miracles and the activity of the Holy Spirit. One of the key elements of the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[219,86,225],"class_list":["post-94699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-bible","tag-holy-spirit","tag-inspiration"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":88233,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-there-are-no-genuine-miracles-today\/","url_meta":{"origin":94699,"position":0},"title":"Why There Are No Genuine Miracles Today","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Roger D. Campbell In the New Testament, a \"miracle\" refers to a supernatural act of power that had observable and immediate results or effects. We should not expect God Himself to perform miracles or bestow miraculous powers upon humans today. Why not? God's Will It is not God's will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":33616,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/miraculous-gifts-as-they-are-designated-in-the-scriptures\/","url_meta":{"origin":94699,"position":1},"title":"Miraculous Gifts as They Are Designated in the Scriptures","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"by Gilbert Alexander Miraculous gifts, or spiritual gifts, as they are designated in the Scriptures were given to the apostles for specific purposes. They were given directly to the apostles when the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2) in fulfillment of the promise of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/scan0034-1-248x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6893,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-age-of-miracles\/","url_meta":{"origin":94699,"position":2},"title":"The Age of Miracles","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 28, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 47, Nov. 21, 2008. Question: Most of the older members of the church tell me that the age of miracles has ended. But I can't find anyone who can give me the passage of Scripture that teaches that. Can you provide\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":19161,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/if-a-person-uses-jesus-name-to-heal-the-sick-and-prophesy-is-he-using-gods-spirit\/","url_meta":{"origin":94699,"position":3},"title":"If a person uses Jesus’ name to heal the sick and prophesy, is he using God’s Spirit?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Good evening sir, I hope you are doing well. I was having a Bible discussion with a friend and he asked me a question: if someone uses Jesus' name to heal the sick, get revelation and prophesy, is that person using God's Spirit? Please help me to answer him.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":68942,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-manifestation-of-the-spirit\/","url_meta":{"origin":94699,"position":4},"title":"The Manifestation of the Spirit","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 21, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton \"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good\" (I Corinthians 12:7). You see a manifestation, but not the Spirit himself. The way the Spirit manifested something was in the nine miraculous powers. These showed a power that no man could produce\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2064,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/now-concerning-spiritual-gifts\/","url_meta":{"origin":94699,"position":5},"title":"Now Concerning Spiritual Gifts","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 28, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ron Drumm It would be wonderful to have a spiritual gift like the ability to do miracles or the ability to speak in tongues. There are nine gifts of the Spirit listed in the New Testament. They are the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healings, working of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/94699\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=94699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=94699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The More Excellent Way (I Corinthians 12:31)<\/h2>\n
“But When the Perfect Comes…” (I Corinthians 13:9-10)<\/h2>\n