Those who insist that the sign gifts listed in the New Testament are still in effect seem to (1) forget all about the other gifts and (2) imagine that Cessationists believe that all spiritual gifts ceased. The truth is that the majority of spiritual gifts are never discussed or emphasized, and as a result, Christians are not consciously exercising all their gifts.
In searching the New Testament, we will find spiritual gifts discussed in (a) Mark 16, (b) 1 Corinthians 12-14, (c) Romans 12, and (d) Ephesians 4. And all of these should be taken into account before the sign gifts are separated out.
So the gifts which have never ceased are as follows:
1. Casting out of demons
2. Words of wisdom
3. Words of knowledge
4. Faith (above and beyond saving faith, also shown as a fruit of the Spirit)
5. Discerning of spirits
6. Helps (which would apply to anyone)
7. Governments (“he that ruleth”)
8. Ministry (service of every kind particularly that of deacons)
9. Exhortation (from the Word)
10. Liberality (“he that giveth”)
11. Mercifulness (“he that showeth mercy”) or extraordinary compassion
10. Evangelists (proclaiming the Gospel)
11. Pastors (elders who are shepherds)
12. Teachers ( teaching from the Word)
As we can see, if all these gifts were being exercised, every church would flourish spiritually. But if no one brings these gifts into focus, then all that people can think about is tongues and healing.
What should be noted is that EVERY GENUINE CHRISTIAN MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THESE GIFTS: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (1 Cor 12:7)
John Gill provides insight into the meaning of some of these gifts in his commentary:
The word of wisdom: by which is meant "the manifold wisdom of God"; the wonderful scheme of salvation through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ, in which God has "abounded in all wisdom and prudence"; together with all other deep, mysterious, and sublime doctrines of the Gospel, the knowledge of which were peculiarly given to the apostles in the first place, who have the first office or ministry in the church, by "the spirit of wisdom"; and which they had a faculty, a gift of declaring, opening, and explaining unto others [and which continues in some Christians].
To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit: meaning either knowledge of future events; or an universal knowledge of the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines contained in them, of the whole mind and will of God therein, which is a distinct thing from saving grace.
To another faith by the same Spirit: Not the grace of faith, which is common to all believers, though given by the same Spirit: but rather the doctrine of faith, and ability to preach it, and boldness and intrepidity of spirit to assert and defend it in the face of all opposition. [also extraordinary faith which is present in some believers]
To another discerning of spirits: by which gift such that were possessed of it could, in some measure, discern the hearts of men, their thoughts, purposes, and designs, their secret dissimulation and hypocrisy... by which also they could distinguish the Spirit of God from the lying spirits in men [including evil spirits speaking through men]
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry: The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Acts 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Acts 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they should behave with prudence, sobriety, and humility.
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: This is the other branch of prophesying or preaching, and which is more practical, and lies in giving a word of exhortation to the saints, as their particular cases call for; for as prophets were teachers, Acts 13:1; so also exhorters, Acts 15:32; and one considerable branch of the ministry, and which is more principally the pastor's work, as well as to teach, is to exhort all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond and free, under his care, with all longsuffering and doctrine. The words will bear to be read [may also be read thus], "he that comforteth, on consolation"; and so the Syriac version renders them, "and another who is a comforter, in his consolation".
As for apostles and prophets, we find them already in the sixty six books of the Bible. They have given us divine revelations from God, and the book of Revelation has closed out both the apostles and prophets.
In searching the New Testament, we will find spiritual gifts discussed in (a) Mark 16, (b) 1 Corinthians 12-14, (c) Romans 12, and (d) Ephesians 4. And all of these should be taken into account before the sign gifts are separated out.
So the gifts which have never ceased are as follows:
1. Casting out of demons
2. Words of wisdom
3. Words of knowledge
4. Faith (above and beyond saving faith, also shown as a fruit of the Spirit)
5. Discerning of spirits
6. Helps (which would apply to anyone)
7. Governments (“he that ruleth”)
8. Ministry (service of every kind particularly that of deacons)
9. Exhortation (from the Word)
10. Liberality (“he that giveth”)
11. Mercifulness (“he that showeth mercy”) or extraordinary compassion
10. Evangelists (proclaiming the Gospel)
11. Pastors (elders who are shepherds)
12. Teachers ( teaching from the Word)
As we can see, if all these gifts were being exercised, every church would flourish spiritually. But if no one brings these gifts into focus, then all that people can think about is tongues and healing.
What should be noted is that EVERY GENUINE CHRISTIAN MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THESE GIFTS: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (1 Cor 12:7)
John Gill provides insight into the meaning of some of these gifts in his commentary:
The word of wisdom: by which is meant "the manifold wisdom of God"; the wonderful scheme of salvation through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ, in which God has "abounded in all wisdom and prudence"; together with all other deep, mysterious, and sublime doctrines of the Gospel, the knowledge of which were peculiarly given to the apostles in the first place, who have the first office or ministry in the church, by "the spirit of wisdom"; and which they had a faculty, a gift of declaring, opening, and explaining unto others [and which continues in some Christians].
To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit: meaning either knowledge of future events; or an universal knowledge of the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines contained in them, of the whole mind and will of God therein, which is a distinct thing from saving grace.
To another faith by the same Spirit: Not the grace of faith, which is common to all believers, though given by the same Spirit: but rather the doctrine of faith, and ability to preach it, and boldness and intrepidity of spirit to assert and defend it in the face of all opposition. [also extraordinary faith which is present in some believers]
To another discerning of spirits: by which gift such that were possessed of it could, in some measure, discern the hearts of men, their thoughts, purposes, and designs, their secret dissimulation and hypocrisy... by which also they could distinguish the Spirit of God from the lying spirits in men [including evil spirits speaking through men]
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry: The word sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Acts 1:17; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Acts 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they should behave with prudence, sobriety, and humility.
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: This is the other branch of prophesying or preaching, and which is more practical, and lies in giving a word of exhortation to the saints, as their particular cases call for; for as prophets were teachers, Acts 13:1; so also exhorters, Acts 15:32; and one considerable branch of the ministry, and which is more principally the pastor's work, as well as to teach, is to exhort all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond and free, under his care, with all longsuffering and doctrine. The words will bear to be read [may also be read thus], "he that comforteth, on consolation"; and so the Syriac version renders them, "and another who is a comforter, in his consolation".
As for apostles and prophets, we find them already in the sixty six books of the Bible. They have given us divine revelations from God, and the book of Revelation has closed out both the apostles and prophets.
