Hi @Anthony D'Arienzo and @Enoch111
Thanks again for your responses. You have some very compelling arguments that I have been considering.
One thing I am hoping you could help me with - how do you know which gifts are sign gifts, and which ones are not?
When I look at scripture that talks about sign gifts - it appears as though it's a mixed bag - ones that cessationists believe have ceased mixed with gifts that continue - with no clear distinction between the two:
ie:
Rom 12:6-8 We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your gift in proportion to your faith. If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others. If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others. If it is sharing, share generously. If it is leading, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping, help cheerfully.
1Cor 12:8-11 To one has been given a message of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the ability to speak with knowledge according to the same Spirit;to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit; to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. But one and the same Spirit produces all these results and gives what he wants to each person.
1 Cor 12:28-30 God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages. Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? Not all have the gift of healing, do they? Not all speak in other languages, do they? Not all interpret, do they? Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
Eph 4:11-1 And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints.
Don't get me wrong - myself - I could not give you a single clear example of someone I believe has the gift of healing today (as the apostles did - they prayed and people were healed - not just some). Nor someone who prophecies today (accurately without fault today as those in the bible). Through what you have mentioned I can see why you believe what you do, and I'm very grateful for you sharing.
One thing I am left struggling with though - that if this is true - why did Paul write and mix up the gifts without being specific about what would continue and what wouldn't, and how does one determine which gifts ceased? Is it by observation, or is there scripture which clearly defines between the two?
Thanks again for your responses. You have some very compelling arguments that I have been considering.
One thing I am hoping you could help me with - how do you know which gifts are sign gifts, and which ones are not?
Christians should be clear that out of about 20 spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament, about 15 are still valid, operational, and beneficial. And every believer should have at least one or two of those gifts.
When I look at scripture that talks about sign gifts - it appears as though it's a mixed bag - ones that cessationists believe have ceased mixed with gifts that continue - with no clear distinction between the two:
ie:
Rom 12:6-8 We have different gifts based on the grace that was given to us. So if your gift is prophecy, use your gift in proportion to your faith. If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others. If it is encouraging, devote yourself to encouraging others. If it is sharing, share generously. If it is leading, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping, help cheerfully.
1Cor 12:8-11 To one has been given a message of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the ability to speak with knowledge according to the same Spirit;to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit; to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. But one and the same Spirit produces all these results and gives what he wants to each person.
1 Cor 12:28-30 God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages. Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform miracles, do they? Not all have the gift of healing, do they? Not all speak in other languages, do they? Not all interpret, do they? Keep on desiring the better gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.
Eph 4:11-1 And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints.
Don't get me wrong - myself - I could not give you a single clear example of someone I believe has the gift of healing today (as the apostles did - they prayed and people were healed - not just some). Nor someone who prophecies today (accurately without fault today as those in the bible). Through what you have mentioned I can see why you believe what you do, and I'm very grateful for you sharing.
One thing I am left struggling with though - that if this is true - why did Paul write and mix up the gifts without being specific about what would continue and what wouldn't, and how does one determine which gifts ceased? Is it by observation, or is there scripture which clearly defines between the two?