The church did not reach the state of unity here contemplated,
in the apostolic age; and very soon after that age, the gloom of the
great spiritual apostasy began to overshadow the church; and certainly
during the state of declension, this fullness of Christ, and unity of faith,
was not reached. Nor will it be reached till
[25]
the last message of mercy shall have gathered out of every kindred
and people, every class of society, and every organization of error, a
people complete in all gospel reforms, waiting for the coming of the
Son of man. And truly, if ever in her experience the church would need
the benefit of every agency ordained for her comfort and guidance,
encouragement and protection, it would be amid the perils of the last
days, when the powers of evil, well-nigh perfected by experience and
training for their nefarious work, would, by their masterpieces of im-
posture, deceive if it were possible even the elect. Very appropriately,
therefore, come in the special prophecies of the outpouring of the
Spirit for the benefit of the church in the last days
.
It is, however, usually taught, in the current literature of the Chris-
tian world, that the gifts of the Spirit were only for the apostolic age;
that they were given simply for the planting of the gospel; and that the
gospel being once established, the gifts were no longer needed, and
consequently were suffered soon to disappear from the church. But
the apostle Paul warned the Christians of his day that the “mystery of
iniquity” was already at work, and that after his departure, grievous
wolves would enter in among them, not sparing the flock, and that also
of their own selves men would arise, speaking perverse things to draw
away disciples after them.
Acts 20:29, 30
. It cannot therefore be that
the gifts, placed in the church to guard against these very evils, were
ready, when that time came, to pass away as having accomplished
their object; for their presence and help would be needed under these
conditions more than when the apostles themselves were on the stage
of action.
We find another statement in Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church,
which shows that the popular conception of the temporary continuance
of the gifts cannot be correct. It is his contrast between the present,
imperfect state, and the glorious, immortal condition to which the
Christian will finally arrive.
1 Corinthians 13
. He says (
Verses 9, 10
).
“For we know in part, and we
[26]