Spiritual Gifts
xix
objection brought against the scripture doctrine of the perpetuity of
the gifts, therefore it demands special notice. We reply to it as follows:
1. The sick were not always healed by faith in Paul’s day. He says,
2 Timothy 4:20
, “Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” Again he
says to Timothy,
1 Timothy 5:23
, “Drink no longer water, but use a
little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” God
could have answered the prayers of his servant Paul, and raised up
Trophimus, and
healed Timothy’s infirmities, if this had been best. We
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conclude that God has not designed in any age of the church to manifest
His power so far that there should be no sick among Christians. But in
cases where it would be for the good of the afflicted, and for His own
glory, He has manifested His power, and will manifest it.
2. The unbelief of the professed followers of Christ in the mani-
festation of spiritual gifts is sufficient reason why they are not more
fully manifested. It is said of Christ, “And he did not many mighty
works there because of their unbelief.”
Matthew 13:58
. There is an
impious unbelief with many at this day who profess to take the Bible
as their guide, which resembles that of those who, mockingly, said of
Christ as he hung on the cross, “Let Christ, the King of Israel, descend
now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” It is sometimes
said in reply to the Bible evidences of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts,
“Just work a few miracles, and we will believe your doctrine.” It is
not God’s plan to gratify such spirits; for should they see as powerful
manifestations as were seen in the days of Christ, of Paul, and Peter,
they would scoffingly attribute it to the power of Satan or some other
cause besides the power of God.
It is humble, confiding faith that moves omnipotence. Those only
who have this faith may expect the manifestation of the gifts.
Mark
2:5
. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy,
Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Chapter 9:23
. “Jesus said unto him,
If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Matthew 9:21, 22
.
“For she said within herself, If I may but touch his
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garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he
saw her he said, Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made
thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
Chapter
15:28
. “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy
faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made
whole from that very hour.”