SIGN GIFTS

SIGN GIFTS

The apostles exhibited some gifts which we do not utilize today.  These gifts were needful for the establishing of the early church, Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.  The gift of knowledge was absolutely necessary in the absence of the compiled word of God.  Without that gift how would they know the plan of God for the ages?  Without the gift of tongues (a more in depth view will follow) how would the Jews be sure this was in fact the promised messiah? (Isa 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.)  And how could they be certain that the time of Christ had arrived without the working of miracles which were promised as a sign?  Jesus confirmed that miracles were a sign of his coming with his reference to Isaiah’s prophecy and his response to John; Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.  Isa 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.   The apostles were to be the foundation of the Church, it was imperative that they succeed and these miracles were continued to ensure their success. 

The gifts of miracles, healings, knowledge, and tongues were all sign gifts used to show the coming of the Messiah.  However, if a gift is given for a specific purpose it stands to reason that when that purpose has been fulfilled that gift will end.  This seems to be the reasoning of the Apostle Paul in I Cor. 13, 1Co 13:8 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.  The Apostle is undoubtedly indicating the cessation of certain gifts relatively soon.  If it were only his intent to say that these gifts would end when Jesus returns to the earth it would be a senseless statement since all gifts end when Jesus returns.  And as intelligent as Paul was I sincerely doubt he would make such an idiotic declaration.   When Jesus returns we will obviously have no need of any of the gifts so why point out the termination of only a select few. 

Let’s take a little closer look at Paul’s statement.  1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  1Co 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  First notice that these gifts will end when, “that which is perfect is come.”  He designates a very specific time, but he does so after an important statement.  In v.9 Paul says we only know in part and prophesy in part.  That is to say that none of the Apostles had God’s entire plan for the ages either in there personal knowledge of scripture or in the prophecies they had been giving.  Paul knew some of God’s plan and Peter knew some, as did James and John, etc.  Paul gave some prophecies and so did John but none gave all of them.  Right now, Paul says, our knowledge is incomplete (partial) and our prophecies are incomplete (partial) but one day something will come which will make them complete (perfect).  Many get hung up on the word perfect.  It can mean perfection as we think of the term or it can simply give the sense of completion, it depends on the text.  This text is clearly talking about the idea of partiality and completeness and so we must translate it in that fashion.  Also, Christ is never referred to as an object.  Paul says when “that” which is perfect; the thing which is complete, not the person who is sinless, is come then those partial gifts will no longer be needed.  They were given to show the coming of the Messiah and to witness to the Jew.  Today the Bible gives us God’s complete plan for the ages and his prophecy of coming events.  The sign gifts left when the Bible was completed.

Many objections to this are based upon the next two verses, 1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  We only speak on the level we know.  Paul simply says, “I can only teach the small portion I have been given, but one day…,” and I’m sure he hoped it would be while he yet lived, “I will be able to preach the whole word of God.”  Verse 12 furthers this idea.  We have only to ask ourselves, “how does God view me today, and how did He view me before I got saved?”  Now ask yourself, “How did I arrive at that answer?”  You are able to discern how God sees you before and after salvation because the Word of God has given you the ability to know yourself as God knows you (“I know even as I am known”).  The early church could only pass around a letter here and there from one of the apostles and hope to glean some small encouragement or teaching.  Today we hold the entire Word of God in our hands and as a result we know how God views each of us, we know as we are known.