Duration of Miracles In 1 Corinthians 12 - 14, Paul teaches the Corinthians about the spiritual gifts. In chapter 12 he lists the gifts and shows that they all work together as one body. After writing of the different gifts, he writes, "And I show you a still more excellent way." in vs. 31. The more excellent way is LOVE. We must remember the context of chapter 13. It is in the middle of a discussion of the spiritual gifts to a church that is having problems with them. 13:8 Love never fails, but prophecy, tongues and knowledge will be done away. The question is WHEN? 13:9-10 When Paul wrote this letter, knowledge and prophecy were in part, but the time was coming when the perfect would come and then the gifts will cease. What is "that which is perfect"? Notice it does not say "he who is perfect". A comparison is being made between what is in part to that which is perfect. What is in part at this time? Knowledge. What were the things in part for? They were to bring about knowledge. The time was coming when they will have full knowledge and therefore no need of miracles. This was to happen during the Apostles lifetime. John 14:26, 16:12-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3-4 a. The miracles confirmed the word of the Apostles - Hebrews 2:3-4. b. Now, when we read the words which were confirmed by miracles, we too can believe - John 20:20-31. c. Those who reject the written word today are the same as the ones who rejected the miracles in the first century - Luke 16:19-31. d. If miracles are for today, why does not anyone perform some visible, indisputable miracle to confirm the words of the ones speaking? 13:11 The Corinthians had partial knowledge at the time of writing and were compared to a child, but they needed to grow up. 13:12 "Face to face" - see Num. 12:1-8, 14:14, Deut. 5:4, 34:10, yet - Exodus 33:11-23 We can see God face to face today through his word. All that we need has been revealed 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3. Jude 3 The faith has been "once" delivered. "Once is translated from "hapax", which means " once for all." Notice the use of hapax (once) in Hebrews 9:26-28 and 1 Peter 3:18. The mystery has been revealed. It was delivered to the apostles by inspiration, confirmed by miracles and is now written so that we too can understand - Ephesians 3:1-5. James 1:25 We now have the perfect law of liberty. Zechariah 13:1-2 prophecies of a time when prophecy will cease. When will this happen? It is when God opens a fountain in Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness. This is a refer ence to the forgiveness offered through the sacrifice of Jesus. A Comparison of 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians4 1 Corinthians 13 Ephesians 4 Gifts - 13:8 Gifts given - 4:7-8, 11 To pass away - 13:8 To be done away - 4:13 Cease when perfect comes End when we come to the unity of 13:10 the faith - 4:13 A child before fulfillment - 13:11 A child before fulfillment - 4:14 Church a mature man when Church a mature man when the gifts cease - 13:11 gifts cease - 4:13 The more excellent way - Love Do all in love - 4:2, 15, 16 12:31-13:8 Some object to Ephesians 4 by claiming it is referring to the Second Coming because we are not all united. They claim that all denominations must become one church before Christ returns. In Eph. 4:3, how could they be told to keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" if they did not already have it? We have the way to be united now; God's complete and perfect Word. Today, through study of God's revealed word, we can grow to maturity, be united in the faith and know the doctrine of Christ. In Hebrews 5:12-14 some were rebuked who did not develop themselves by neglecting to study the word of righteousness as they should. Remember the purpose of Miracles: 1. Reveal the Word 2. Confirm the Word. To say that miracles still occur, to be consistent, there must be apostles, prophets, and the other gifts and miracles found in N.T. It all goes together. Too many are missing the purpose of the church. 1. The purpose is not to heal the sick, not all were healed. 2. The purpose is not to feed the poor, if so, we could feed as Jesus did, and could get money as Jesus did. 3. The purpose is not to cure all social and political problems. Instead, the N.T. teaches masters to be better masters, slaves to be better slaves, etc. The purpose of the church is to prepare people for eternity by transforming us into the image of Christ. It is done through the Word, the Sword of the Spirit that makes us complete. The proof of being a Christian is not in miracles, but in the life lived Romans 8:9-14, Galatians 5:22-26. Teleios 1. Brought to its end, finished 4. That which is perfect 2. Wanting nothing necessary to completeness 4a. Consummate human integrity and virtue 3. Perfect 4b. Of men 4b1. Full grown, adult, of full age, mature Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 19:16-21 Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, " 'You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in un derstanding be mature. Ephesians 4:11-13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowl edge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Philippians 3:13-15 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc