Spiritual gifts have always been a topic of much interest among Bible believers. Unfortunately, much error has been taught and practiced regarding spiritual gifts over the years. In the first century there existed an improper attitude towards some of the gifts and misconduct so far as the use of the gifts is concerned. Since the death of the apostles, the major dispute among religious people has been whether or not the gifts still exist.

Fortunately, there is a way to solve all the questions of dispute regarding spiritual gifts. That way is to go to the Bible and see what it teaches concerning the use and duration of the gifts under consideration.

Paul once wrote, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Corinthians 12:1). God has never wanted His people to be ignorant when it comes to spiritual gifts. These spiritual gifts were established for an express purpose and even for an expressed period. When one understands the purposes of spiritual gifts, as well as the intended duration of those gifts, ignorance about them will decrease, if not disappear altogether. So, let us see what the Bible says about the purpose and duration of those gifts.

The Apostles and Spiritual Gifts

No Bible student would deny the ability the apostles had to perform miracles. What kind of miracles were performed by the apostles? They healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead, transferred miraculous gifts to others, spoke in tongues, etc. The question is what was the purpose of those gifts. The Bible tells us they were performed to confirm the Word of God. The need for such ability becomes immediately obvious when we consider the fact that they did not have the written Word available to them at that time. They needed some way to prove that what they were preaching and teaching was really from God. The spiritual gifts provided that proof.

“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20).

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Hebrews 2:3-4)

In both passages, we see the purpose of spiritual gifts indicated. They were clearly to confirm the Word preached by the apostles. The gospel message is an incredible message. It is the true story of a man who was killed before a nation of eye-witnesses, but Who lived again by being resurrected by the power of God (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 13:4). This man under consideration was no ordinary man, but rather, He was the Son of God, i.e., God manifested in the flesh. Would you believe such a message without evidence? I would not. The evidence that we have today comes from the inspired Word of God. Remember, though, the apostles did not have what we have. They did not have the written Word. It was still in the process of being delivered to them by the Spirit of God (John 16:13; Ephesians 3:1-5). How could people be sure that what the apostles taught was really from God? The answer is by the miracles they performed which confirmed their preaching. Do we need those miracles today? No. We have record of those miracles in the Bible which were recorded specifically to instill faith in the hearts of man (John 20:30-31).

A point to be made here is this: if miracles, like the apostles performed, are still in existence today, why is there such a difference between the miracles of the first century and the so-called miracles of our day. In the first century, all manner of disease and sickness were healed. Today they are inward problems like bad headaches, heart disease, etc. In the New Testament, miracles performed by the apostles of Christ were complete, not partial. Today partial healing is claimed. In the New Testament, the miracles that were performed were immediate; today, they may take weeks, months, or sometimes even years. There is clearly a difference between what happened in the first century and what is being claimed today. In the first century, when a miracle was performed it could not be denied (Acts 4:13-16).

In our next article, we will discuss the early church and spiritual gifts.