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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
In
1 Corinthians 12:28
, we are informed that God hath set, placed
or fixed, certain spiritual gifts in the church. In the absence of any
scriptural proof that he has removed or abolished them, we must think
they were intended to remain.
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Where is the proof then that they were abolished? In the same
chapter where the Jewish Sabbath is abolished, and the Christian
Sabbath instituted---a chapter in the acts of the mystery of iniquity,
and the man of sin. But the objector claims Bible proof that the gifts
were to cease contained in the following text; charity never faileth: but
whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues,
they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is
perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I
was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a
child: but when I became a man I put away childish things. For now
we see through a glass darkly: but then face to face; now I know in
part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth
faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1
Corinthians 13:8-13
.
Well, this text does foretell the cessation of spiritual gifts, also of
faith and hope. But when were they to cease? We still look forward to
the time when
“Hope shall change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and
prayer to praise.”
They are to cease when that which is perfect is come—when we
shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but face to face. The perfect
day, when the just are made perfect, and see as they are seen, is yet in
the future. It is true that the man of sin, when arrived at manhood, had
put away such “childish things” as prophecies, tongues and knowledge,
and also the faith and hope and charity of the primitive Christians. But
there is nothing in the text to show that God designed to take away the
gifts which he had set in the church, till the
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consummation of her faith and hope---till the surpassing glory of
the immortal state should eclipse the most brilliant displays of spiritual
power and knowledge, ever manifested in this mortal state.