1. 1 Cor. 13:8-10 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

2. Is there progressive Revelation? Do miracles and spiritual gifts exist today? Palm readings Psychic/fortune teller Religious groups claiming to have prophetic foresight – Harold Camping: rapture- May 21, 2011; world destroyed October 21, 2011 – Pat Robertson: "I guarantee you by the end of 1982 there is going to be a judgment on the world.“ (May 1980 on the 700 club) Relgious groups claiming other spiritual gifts – Benny Hinn – Pentecostalism

3. Thesis: The Scriptures conclude that these things have has ceased. There is no ongoing revelation The faith was once for all delivered and available in the scriptures that we possess. The spiritual gifts and the miraculous have been done away with – as has been foretold by Scripture – as evidenced by how the claims made today contrast to what is observed in scripture.

4. Clarifications: To say that these things have ceased is not to say that God has lost power or cannot do these things, but that he does not will to work in this manner anymore. To say that these things have ceased is not to say that God cannot answer prayer and use providence, etc. – James 5:14-16 When sick, call elder to pray and anoint with oil. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much – A distinction between this and miracles

5. What is a Miracle? Many people use this term very loosely today – A baby born, a volcano erupting, an athlete breaking a record. – Finding five dollars Considering Distinction: – Between prayer and providence – Recovery over a period of time vs. instantly through command – Baby born vs. Virgin birth – Revived from being “clinically dead” vs. Lazarus – Someone finding provisions at the “right time” vs. feeding thousands

6. These things have passed: A contrast to Bible accounts and instruction True miracles could not be denied even by those who opposed the men who performed them. – Jesus is opposed by doing these things on the Sabbath or by Demonic power. The miracles he performed are not denied (Matt. 12- blind man) – Apostles (Acts 4:15-22) There was physical verifiable evidence. – Withered hand restored (Mark 3:1-6) – A man lame from birth that the people knew (Acts 3-4) – Leprosy (Matt. 8; Luke 17:11-19)

7. These things have passed: A contrast to Bible accounts and instruction Miracles as shown in the Bible did not always require faith – Signs performed before Scribes and Pharisees – People healed that did not have this expectation – Those raised from the dead did not have faith – The disciples (who were often rebuked for lack of faith) witnessed signs Miracles as shown in the Bible where never performed for money – Godliness as a means of gain is condemned in scripture (1 Tim. 6:3-5) – Miracles done out of compassion – Miracles done to those who asked for money and who were in need (Acts 3)

8. These things have passed: A contrast to Scriptural Teaching The gift of prophecy – Someone truly speaking from God does not make false predictions (retract claims) – Deut. 18:19-22 The gift of tongues – Acts 2 shows tongues to consist of known languages – 1 Cor. 14 provides much instruction of tongues A sign to unbelievers In orderly manner 2 or 3 at most, in turn, with someone to interpret Not everyone who believed had this gift (1 Cor. 12:28-30) Is this what you see today by those who would claim to possess these gifts?

9. The Purpose of the Gifts: To confirm: – Necessary when God’s message was not complete – Examples in Scripture: John 10:25, 37-38 Acts 14:3 Heb. 2:1-4 To reveal – Obvious purpose of gifts such as prophecy and knowledge. The purpose was not: – To cure all physical illness – For personal gain – To give direct salvation To reveal God’s will and to confirm that God’s messengers/message was true

10. The Purpose of the Gifts: Was Accomplished/Fulfilled – John 20:30-31 – God’s message has been fully revealed Jude 3; “The faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” 2 Tim. 3:16-17; “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” To reveal God’s will and to confirm that God’s messengers/message was true