The Holy Spirit’s Miraculous Gifts, by Charles Carrin
Those who oppose gifts of the Spirit frequently quote the passage above to defend their position. Though an invalid claim, it is their only defense. The assumption is, “That which is perfect”, is a reference to the completed New Testament and that tongues were removed when the canon was complete. I find great conflict in believing that Paul’s Corinthian letter was written by inspiration of the Holy Spirit” (1 Peter 1:21) but when ‘the Bible was perfected’–completed–those ‘perfect’ writings about prophecy, tongues, knowledge, became imperfect. My question is this: How can the Bible qualify to being ‘that which is perfect’ if it contains passages which are erroneous and unsafe for us to believe? If this claim be so–that perfect Bible writings became imperfect when “that which is perfect had come”–we have a crisis that throws us completely out of authentic theology and into irrationality.
The key is the word “then”–which is used three times in the text–and in all three instances referring to the same future date. Observe the times it appears: “When that which is perfect has come, Then that which is in part will be done away … For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but Then face to face. Now I know in part, but Then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:10,12). All three times the word ‘then’ appears, it points to the same future perfection. Question: Have we come to the time when we no longer ‘see in a mirror, dimly,’ “but ‘face to face’? No. Have we come to the time when we no longer know ‘in part’ but ‘as I also am known”? No. Then we have not yet come to the time when that which is perfect has come’. Thankfully, knowledge has not yet vanished away.
My final word is this: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). As a conscientious Christian, you want to serve God and His people by allowing the free demonstration of His gifts in you. Being religious is not what He seeks from you. He wants genuine spirituality to be the hallmark of your life. That can only happen when His gifts are free to glorify Jesus through you. Do it!
PR
From Charles Carrin Ministries monthly newsletter, Gentle Conquest (November 2018). http://www.charlescarrinministries.com/gentleconquest Used with permission.
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