The religious culture, which surrounds us today, has chosen emotionalism and sensationalism over a passionate and substantive examination of God's word and 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 grows out of 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.

What Was the Purpose of Miracles in the Days of the New Testament?
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 the confirmation of the claim that Jesus was the divine Son of God (John 20:30-31; Acts 2:22).

Mark reports, "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed" (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" (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" (Acts 14:3).

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 on Cornelius' household in a direct fashion in order to offer confirmation of 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 of miraculous activity for sake of empowerment and confirmation has been fulfilled.

The More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 12:31)
In order to appreciate 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 we must consider the surrounding context in which we find the text. It is clear contextually 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 (13:1-3); the character of the love of Christ (13:4-7); and the superiority of love over the gifts, which were but temporary (13:8-13).

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 (13:8). However, the gifts of "prophecy," "tongues" and "knowledge" will "vanish away" (13:8). These gifts are all mentioned among the nine gifts enumerated in 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 is conditioned on the understanding that "faith," "hope" and "love" are superior and lasting in comparison to miraculous spiritual gifts.

"But When the Perfect Comes..." (13:9-10)
Paul employs the use of 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 13:9-10. Paul uses the words "know" and "prophesy" in order to represent miraculous spiritual gifts in their entirety.

There has been much debate concerning the meaning of the phrase, "but when that which is perfect comes..." (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 references 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 references partial revelation of God's will, the other term must be defined as God's perfect or complete revelation of God's will.

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 (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).

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" (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, then the need for the spiritual gifts had been 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; 2 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.

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" (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" is not referring to seeing God or Jesus on the Day of Judgment, but the phrase 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.

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" (John 12:48). Let us thank God for His divinely inspired word!

- Truth Magazine, February, 2014