There is a popular belief in the Christian circle that the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased. Those who argue these themselves do not operate in the gifts of Holy Spirit and they want to justify their belief by quoting some scripture.  Let us understand the reliability of their belief and the truth of the scripture.

Now there is a passage that people use to justify their claim that the gifts of Holy Spirit have ceased.

1 Corinthians 13: 8-10 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

This verses indeed teach that prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will someday cease. But the question is – When will that occur?

People who believe gifts have ceased give the below reasons

1. They believe that gifts were in operation in early generations and as we received the written word of God( bible) the gifts of Holy Spirit are no longer required and therefore they have ceased. They argue that the written word of God( bible) is the “perfect” that has come and so there is no need of Spiritual gifts.

2. Spiritual gifts were sign gifts for apostle and prophets in the early Christian era to confirm their authority. So present day we do not need these (Hebrews 2:3-4).

Let’s examine this:

Point 1. Let us check the context of the text. In the first chapter of Corinthians Apostle Paul says this

1 Corinthians 1:7so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So here it is clear that we should use spiritual gifts and eagerly wait for the coming of Jesus Christ. So till the time Jesus Christ comes back, we should continue using spiritual gifts for ministering others.

Now the question comes up about the meaning of the word “perfect” (1 Corinthians 13: 10). What does it refer to?

The word “perfect” was never used to represent the New Testament letters. In bible, the word ‘perfect’ is always mentioned as a state that believer should eagerly seek for. There are verses where the word “perfect” is used as a state of saints. (John 17:23, Mathew 5:48, Ephesians 4:13, Colossian 1:28)

The word perfect is also used about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus used this word “perfect” to represent His return-

Luke 13:32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’

Book of Hebrew says Jesus is the perfect one.

Hebrews 5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

So we can come to the conclusion the word perfect means the second coming of Jesus Christ.

In the starting of first 1 Corinthians Apostle Paul says desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:7) and wait for coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the perfect one. So we are waiting for the perfect one is –Jesus Christ.

Point 2. The second reason is – Spiritual gifts were sign gifts for apostle and prophets in the early Christian era to confirm their authority. So the present day we do not need these.

They justify their belief with this verse

Hebrews 2:3-4 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Now if the sign gifts were given to confirm apostolic authority, then why did non-apostles also have the same sign gifts?

Scripture tells us that all disciples in the book of acts operated in spiritual gifts. There were no distinctions. Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Philip (Acts 8:6) operated in gifts.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 8:6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

The gifts were not limited to the apostles but whoever received new life in Jesus could operate in gifts.    

Conclusion: We come to the conclusion that the belief is not true. If the sign gifts were to soon cease, why the Apostle Paul encourage Corinthians to speak in tongues?

1 Corinthians 14:39 “Do not forbid to speak with tongues”

Also, Jesus mentions one of the mark of the believers is to perform miracles.

Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Now we need to understand one of the main reasons for this debate: people do not know how to operate in spiritual gifts. People do not believe that’s why they cannot operate in spiritual gifts. They use Counterfeit doctrine to support their faith.

If you have born again experience then you can use spiritual gifts. Just step out in faith and pray for sick and see the response. You can operate in other spiritual gifts also. God has given us gifts to edify the church and to reach out to the world with the gospel. Jesus went out to share the gospel and to heal the sick. It is a wonderful opportunity to pray for the sick and share the gospel. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power(1 Corinthians 4:20). Jesus is same yesterday today forever.