Have you ever been studying the Bible with someone or sharing your faith and they ask you about what the Bible says about speaking in tongues or any other miraculous gifts even though they may not be heavily into Pentecostalism? You don’t have time to go through the Holy Spirit studies but want to give them a sound biblical answer; that is what this mini-study is for. 5 simple scriptures that help you show the miraculous gifts are not available to the church today since we have the Bible which brings faith (Romans 10:17).
QUICK MIRACULOUS GIFTS OF HOLY SPIRIT STUDY
Introduction: God is a God of miracles and through faith and prayer God can work powerfully, yet today no one has the supernatural ability to perform miraculous gifts.
Ask: Did the first century disciples have the New Testament? No
Mark 16:15-20
- What was the purpose of the miracles the apostles would perform? To confirm the word
- Miracles were necessary to validate the apostles message until the word was confirmed (completed).
2 Corinthians 12:12
- What are the marks of an apostle? (signs, wonders, and miracles)
- Who would write most the New Testament? (Apostle or someone close to one)
- Only apostles could perform the gifts and pass them on. They were part of the foundation to the church (Ephesians 2:19-20). Since the Old Testament was written by the prophets, once the apostles teachings were confirmed there would be no need for miracles.
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
- As Paul wrote this he teaches that they’re prophecy, tongues, and supernatural knowledge was done only in part since the Bible was still being written.
- When perfection (completion) comes the imperfect (in part) disappears. Paul teaches tongues and other miracles will cease. What is perfect in this world? (The Bible ref. James 1:25). The Bible brings faith now and is the foundation of the church. This means these gifts ceased upon the Bible’s completion around 150 AD.
- Faith, hope, and love will remain as God works according to our faith.
Matthew 12:38-40
- An adulterous and wicked generation seeks a sign but those who follow Jesus understand the greatest miracle was his death and resurrection.
- Experience is not a determination of truth, the Bible must be our truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Where do these ‘miraculous signs’ usually occur today and in those groups what doctrine for salvation do they teach? (almost always false doctrines of salvation are taught in groups who claim these miraculous gifts exist today- Satan wants to lead people away from the truth through counterfeit miracles or people trusting in their experience.)
Matthew 7:21-23
- At judgment day why didn’t the people not make it to heaven in this passage? (they still practiced miraculous gifts!)
- The key is following the will of God (v.21) which is the Bible.
Conclusion: The miraculous gifts of the Spirit that the apostles and those they chose to give them to could perform ceased after the completion of the Bible. The Bible now produces the faith needed to become Christians and God still does miraculous through us praying to Him, not an individual possessing an ability or laying on hands.
Mike Patterson Ministries 