The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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Many teach that the “supernatural” or “sign” gifts are not for today. Such teaching is based on
theological presuppositions which I find have no basis in Scripture. Not only is this issue argued
from a theological perspective; it is also argued from an historical perspective. I believe Scripture,
history, reason and experience will show the validity of the “sign” or “supernatural” gifts for
today.
While it would be unfair and unkind to brand those who take such a dispensational stance as
being theologically liberal (though such an arbitrary method of doing away with portions of
Scripture is certainly liberal), they are clearly skating on dangerous ground when they arbitrarily
snip out certain passages of the New Testament (e.g. parts of I Cor. 14 as well as The Sermon on
the Mount) and pontificate that such passages are no longer applicable today. While their intent is
not the same as that of the liberals, their result is. While they are themselves critical of the liberals
who take their critical scissors and remove from the sacred text material they regard a mythical or
as a product of the later church (tradition), they also use critical scissors in removing from the
sacred text material they regard as belonging only to the early church (apostolic time). Such a
method is careless at best and arrogant and heretical at worst unless there is extremely strong
biblical and theological warrant to such a method of interpretation.
THEOLOGY
In the first place, the Bible nowhere makes the artificial distinction between “natural” and
“supernatural” gifts. Miracles and service, prophecy and hospitality, healings and administrations,
tongues and mercy, discerning of spirits and giving are listed side by side without these labels. All
are manifestations of the Holy Spirit and therefore “supernatural.” Service, administrating, giving
is no less supernatural than prophesying or healing. All is of grace which by definition is
supernatural.
There is no indication in Scripture that God intended to withdraw any gifts. On the contrary,
“the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29). Jesus Christ, the Giver of the gifts,
“is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
Paul’s teaching of the church as a body undermines the teaching that some gifts are
temporary. Paul devotes three chapters of his first letter to the Christians at Corinth as to the
nature, purpose and use of spiritual gifts. If Paul were going to prepare the believers for the
phasing out of certain gifts this is where one would expect him to do that. Instead he emphasizes
the importance of each gift and carefully and methodically instructs this new Christian community
in the proper use of prophecy and tongues.