The Self-Sufficiency Of Scripture Entails That Sign Gifts Have Ceased

          There has been much heated debate among professing Christians regarding whether certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are still in operation today. The dispute mainly centers on speaking in tongues, prophecy, and miraculous powers to heal. Was the ability to exercise these spiritual gifts terminated by the end of the apostolic age? Further, some on both sides (i.e. cessationism vs. continuationism) uphold extreme positions. While there are people who accuse those who claim to speak in tongues as being demon possessed, others make the claim that those who have never encountered such instances are unbelievers. However, such notions have no foundation in fact and are only intended to manipulate others into questioning their own sanity and powers of reason. A study on the sufficiency of written revelation and the purposes of the spiritual gifts in question should make it plain that they were meant to cease after the apostolic era.

          First and foremost, Scripture reveals to us that it is to be the final, sufficient standard of spiritual authority for the Christian church. It contains the instructions necessary for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). Scripture enables the one who serves God to be "adequate" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Note that Paul goes on to define that thought as, "equipped for every good work." Jesus Christ promised the twelve apostles that the Holy Spirit would teach them all things God intended to make known to us (John 14:26; 16:13). The faith has been delivered once for all to the saints (Jude 3). Therefore, there are no new revelations from God today. He has given us (in the past tense) everything pertaining to a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). Further, most things in life are not centered around us and what we find to be desirable. We are not to rely on our emotions and personal experiences in discerning truth from error, but rather examine Scripture with a humble and prayerful heart. The testimonial of the apostles and prophets is a part of the church's foundation (Ephesians 2:19-20), which logically suggests cessation.

          Anything that contradicts the commandments of God should be rejected immediately. If a so-called revelatory experience confirms completely to the message of Scripture, then it simply becomes redundant. Once a person departs from the formal sufficiency of written revelation, opportunities for propagating heresy arise, which is a springboard for another objection to Pentecostal and charismatic theology. False messiahs and teachers can arise that perform counterfeit miracles (Ezekiel 13:9; Matthew 24:24; Acts 20:28-30; 1 John 4:1-4). If God still gives revelation today, how can we distinguish truth from error? What standard exists to judge the validity of wolves in sheep's clothing? Tongues were needed to preach the gospel in other languages. Prophets uttered messages from God to give us a fuller picture of His plan of redemption. That ministry exists today only in the sense of edifying people in the faith. We have the more sure word of prophecy recorded in Scripture (2 Peter 1:16-21). He has now spoken fully to man by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-3). The apostles worked miracles for the purpose of establishing the Christian church (2 Corinthians 12:12). Scripture speaks of their performance in the past tense (Hebrews 2:3-4).

           The gifts were given to edify the church, build up the body of Christ, and facilitate the spread of the gospel (Ephesians 4:11-12). As the early church matured and the foundational work of the apostles was completed, the role of these gifts naturally evolved. While the miraculous gifts served as a powerful testimony to the truth of the gospel during the church's formative years, the enduring gifts such as teaching, encouragement, and administration continue to play a crucial role in the church's ongoing mission. These gifts support the daily functioning and spiritual growth of the church community. Some gifts are no longer necessary in their original form. The Spirit of God continually empowers the church through gifts that promote unity, maturity, and effective ministry in accordance with His will.

           Nothing here should be taken to suggest that God does not work miracles or cannot work miraculously today. The Holy Spirit is still present in our midst. God still interacts with creation, even if that activity occurs in ways we cannot immediately identify. We could not even begin to name all His acts because He is infinitely grander than we are. However, spiritual gifts no longer need be communicated through human instruments because they have fulfilled their designated purposes. We also now possess the Old Testament and the New Testament. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to people who receive it (Romans 1:16), and that message is contained fully in Scripture. Thus, those who equate denying the validity of Pentecostal and charismatic claims with denying the power of God fail to grasp the true essence of divine omnipotence. They lose sight of the grander scheme of salvation history with their never ending search for supernatural acts and their need for continued thrill.

          The grace of God is sufficient for all Christians. His strength is made perfect during times of our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We must accept with humility that His will has things other than what we find pleasurable, such as in total financial ruin and the loss of family members from terminal illnesses. That many would be prone to frown upon or shy away from such teaching, does nothing to undermine the idea of deity working independently of our desires. It can be almost guaranteed that we will never have a direct supernatural encounter in this life. This renders hollow the claims of men who have established various sects on the basis of hearing from God. Charismatics and Pentecostals have taken matters too far with their superstitious and uneducated ideas concerning the divine. They have an endless supply of prophecies that have never come to pass and healings for which no verification can be given. All of this brings dishonor to the name of Christ.