(Scripture Reading Ps 119:89-96)
Thesis: To impress on the hearer the God imposed limitations of the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and to expose improper application of the scriptures concerning the work of the Holy Spirit and how it properly applies to us today.
Text: John 9:1-4; 14:16-17; 16:12-13; Mt 28:20; Acts 2:38-39; 1:5-6; 2:17-20; Eph 4:7-14; 13:8-10
Introduction,
In this series of lessons we have been looking at the “end of miracles.” We defined a miracle as “an extraordinary occurrence which could not be explained by the laws of nature and, therefore, is evidence of the intervention of Deity, man cannot, by his own power, duplicate a miracle.” Many today want to call unusual occurrences miracles, but closer looks into such events usually expose said things not to be miracles at all, but rather, something out of the norm, but not proof of the intervention of God.
We looked at “the purpose of miracles” and seen that the purposes for which God intended concerning miracles has been fulfilled, and that by God’s design, the miracles ceased, and God’s natural laws (the seed principle) took over, both in creation, and in the giving of His laws to mankind.
Then we looked at “prophesies in the OT concerning the duration of miracles in NT times,” even before the Messiah came, God had determined, and revealed through the prophets of the OT (pre-exilic; exilic; and post exilic), that sometime near to the coming of Christ, prophets, visions, miracles (marvelous things), unclean spirits (demon possession) would be sealed up, would end, would pass out of the land (Zech 13:2). God’s new covenant would be confirmed for a specific period of time (Dan 9:24), the confirming miracles (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4) were to take place for the same period as in the coming out of Egypt (about 40 years; Micah 7:15).
All pointing to a specific termination point and that point being AD 70, when God destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and therefore put to death once and for all the system of Judaism through the Roman legions, thus fulfilling Mt 23:36-24:35 wherein Jesus is proved to be the long awaited prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15-19 (Acts 3:22-23).
In today’s lesson, we will be looking at NT prophecies which also confirm the cessation of miracles, and see that they also seem to indicate a termination point of AD 70, and that the main purposes of miracles were at that time fulfilled, the church/kingdom (Mt 16:18-19; Heb 12:23, 28) was established and the gospel was spreading throughout the entire civilized world (Col 1:5-6, 23), thus people were able to be forgiven of their sins through the precious blood of Christ, and God’s revelation to man (the bible) was at that time fully revealed, confirmed, and recorded (Jude 3); so that individuals throughout time could read, believe, and obey it from the heart unto eternal life (Rom 6:17-18).
Therefore we will look at prophecies from the NT concerning the end of miracles given . . .
1) Before the establishment of the church/kingdom (John 9:1-4; 14:16-17; 16:13; Mt 28:20)
2) During the establishment of the church/kingdom (Acts 2:39; 17-20)
3) After the establishment of the church/kingdom (Eph 4:7-14; 1 Cor 1:4-7; 13:8-10)
I. PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE END OF MIRACLES GIVEN “BEFORE” THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH/KINGDOM (John 9:1-4; 14:16-17; 16:12-13; Mt 28:20).
A. (John 9:1-4)
Joh 9:1 And as he (Jesus) passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth.
Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?
Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Joh 9:4 We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
1. Let us look carefully at this passage, most people come to this passage to prove good and bad happens to all, this passage proves the bad, Mt 5:45 the good (Mt 5:45) . . .
Mat 5:45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
a. Yet here we learn that the reason this man was born blind was not because he sinned nor his parents but rather that the works of God should be manifest in him, clearly the works of God in this context is the miraculous healing of this man in verses 5-7 (look there, John 9:5-7) . . .
Joh 9:5 When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Joh 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
Joh 9:7 and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
b. Generally speaking mankind in Christ’s time worked during the daylight hours, when night came, the work would cease, individuals would be paid their wages, and return home until the next day.
c. In like manner the Lord is telling us here that there is a time (pictured here as night) was coming (lit. “cometh” present, middle or passive deponent, indicative; which denotes something presently taking place) in which no one can work the miraculous works of God.
d. The cessation of miracles were already on the horizon as revealed in the OT prophecies and was coming closer with each passing day.
e. Why were they to cease? Because they will have fulfilled God’s prophecies and purpose, the Faith will have been once and for all time delivered (Jude 3) and confirmed (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4), that perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25) would then be complete (1 Cor 13:10), which gives us everything we need to be full grown spiritually in the sight of God (2 Tim 3:17), all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).
f. Clearly this passage teaches that the confirming miracles of God (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4) were purposed to cease, thus fulfilling a number of OT and NT passages.
B. (Turn to John 14:16-17)
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (Helper), that he may be with you for ever (to the age; LITV; YLT),
Joh 14:17 even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.
1. In the gospel account of John, in chapters 13-17 we have one of the records of what transpired on the
night of our Lord’s betrayal, He gives them a final lesson in humility in the form of foot washing (13:1-20),
2. He identifies Judas as the betrayer (13:21-30),
3. He speaks of going to heaven and affirms that they would also go there at His 2nd coming (13:31-14:6),
4. And He declares that He and the Father are one (14:7-10),
5. And then in verse 11 He brings up the miraculous works that He has done connecting said works with their purpose (belief in Him to be one with the Father), and prophesies that they will do greater works than Him.
a. They would do a greater quantity of miracles (His ministry lasted for 3 ½ years, theirs would continue for almost 40 years), and would spread the gospel to even more souls (14:10-13), He was sent primarily to the lost sheep of Israel, they would be sent unto all the nations (Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16).
6. And He pointed out what was to be their motivation for obeying Him, “love” (14:15),
And then He told them that He would make request of the Father for the Comforter, the Helper (the Holy Spirit), and He would abide with “them” forever (14:16) or “to the age” (LITV; YLT).
There are many that would go to this passage and attempt to support their belief that every faithful Christian is in possession of the Holy Spirit.
First off I would like to state (even though the bible seems to speak in this type of language) that the Christian does not “have” God (this is figurative language that actually speaks of being in fellowship with Him and it is a conditional state which is determined through one’s faithfulness to the teaching, the doctrine of Christ; 2 John 9),
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
In reality it is the other way around, it is God that has, owns the Christian; we are purchased, redeemed, possessed, lock, stock and barrel by the living God (Mt 28:19; Tit 2:14).
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of (possession of) the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Tit 2:14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity (lawlessness), and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
Also in this passage there is “no talk whatsoever” about anything of a non-miraculous sort concerning the Holy Spirit, yet I personally have heard brethren apply this section of Scripture (Jn 14:26) to things such as calling to remembrance a bible verse.
Just like in the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-29) there is “only” the speaking of the miraculous, we need to take note that we are commanded “not” to go beyond the things which are written (1 Cor 4:6), which many do in an attempt to propagate the doctrine of a modern day literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
But many misapply passages that are clearly miraculous and try to apply them non-miraculously.
The Holy Spirit’s office (so to speak), is for the most part that of miraculous power, and as this study clearly sets forth, has, and was, and always purposed by God to be temporary.
Today (as also in the 1st century) the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit abides in a person, by faith, starting when they hear and believe the gospel message (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13),
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn from you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of (with) faith?
Eph 1:13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, - in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
And continues to be with them as they abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9; John 14:23-24),
2Jo 1:9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my words: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me.
As they are led by the teachings of the Spirit which were formerly revealed and delivered through inspired prophets and are forever recorded in our bibles (Rom 8:5, 9a)
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:9a But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.
The reason that the Holy Spirit is not specifically mentioned in passages such as 2 John 9 and John 14:23 is because at that time they understood that certain language talked about miraculous power given by the Holy Spirit, and others about the Holy Spirit being a guiding, abiding influence through the word, that sword (instrument) of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
And in our verse (John 14:16) it states that the Comforter (Helper) would abide with the “apostles” forever (or “to the age” LITV; YLT), not anyone else, we need to understand that not everything promised to the apostles applies to everyone that follows Christ, this is implied in Peter’s statement in Luke 12:41 . . .
Luk 12:41 And Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?
This teaching is reaffirmed in Mt 28:20 (turn to Mt 28:20)
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age).
Look at this carefully, “Teaching them (the disciples in the context; v 19) to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you (the apostles).” Note the change in the pronouns from “them” (the disciples) to “you” (the apostles),
“And lo, I am with you always” (lit, “all the days”) again “you” refers to the apostles “only,” “not” the disciples, most likely referring to Christ being with them through the Comforter.
“Even unto the end of the world (age; lit. the consummation of the age; ASV footnote).
The word “age” here is “aion” (this is the same word translated “forever” or “to the age” in our verse Jn 14:16) it is very contextual, and is defined by its context,
Thayer defines it as such “forever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, the worlds, universe, period of time, age”4 most modern bible versions translate it “age”
And considering the context, and who is being spoken to (the apostles), and how the Lord is specifically making a distinction between them and future disciples,
We must conclude that this is talking about a “period of time” most likely referring to the consummation (or end) of the Jewish age, again probably referring to AD 70 when the outer shell of Judaism (the temple and Jerusalem) were destroyed,
It is also interesting that the same phraseology “the consummation of the age” is used in Mt 24:3, where reference is being made to the future destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70, which the Lord did prophecy of, and established Him as the prophet of Deut 18:15-19 likened unto Moses, and also in Heb 9:26 where the phraseology is used in reference to the end of the Jewish age, not to the end of time, which is spoken of in Heb 9:27.
Let us therefore note that everything that was promised to the apostles was “not promised” to Christ’s disciples, but “they” (the disciples) are commanded to “obey” everything that He commanded the apostles.
And looking back at our verse concerning the Comforter (John 14:16), Christ stated “that he may abide with you forever (to the age).”
Again in this context it is easy to see that a distinction is being made between the apostles and others by the uses of the pronouns in the immediate context, (“he” “a man” “him” John 14:6, 9, 12, 21, 23) referring to a person (singular), as opposed to (“ye” “you” John 14:14, 15, 16, 26; a plural pronoun as seen in older more accurate versions pronoun-wise; ASV; KJV; RV) referring collectively to the apostles to whom He is presently speaking.
And again this word translated “forever” can mean “forever” it is the word “aion” and it is the same word found in Mt 28:20, it literally states “(in)to the age”; LITV; YLT) and probably refers to a specific period of time, which is when the miracles would cease (again probably a reference to AD 70) the end of the Jewish age.
In fact out of this specific group of men only one (the apostle John) lived to see AD 70, the rest were killed for spreading the truth about the unsubjective gospel (Jesus is the only way to God; John 14:6), this message is also unpopular today.
d. John could or could not have had miraculous powers after AD 70, many believe that Revelation and his epistles were written prior to that date and there is much evidence to this being fact, but even if he did retain said powers, he was the exception, rather than the rule (see John 21:21-23).
e. Also keep in mind that the Bible uses the phraseology “forever end ever” (42 times), if “forever” means forever, what does forever and ever mean? To ask it is to answer it.
f. To sum up . . . Jn 14:16 teaches that the miraculous Comforter would be with the apostles (in contrast to others in the context) after Jesus ascended to Heaven (limiting this person-wise), and “to the age” limits this event even more (time-wise).
Turn to (John 16:12-13)
Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come.
Here we learn that Jesus is promising future revelation to the apostles, basically because they couldn’t handle it all that this point, they were still in unbelief concerning many things, but that would change after the unfolding of certain events (the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Lord) and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in Acts 2.
In John 16:13 it states that the Spirit would guide “you” (plural pronoun, the apostles in contrast to the “world” v 8, 20) into “all the truth,” this refers to the “entirety” of God’s special revelation to man, the completed word ending with the New Covenant, the Faith, the Way, the NT, which was most likely once and for all time delivered by the year AD 69, when the epistle of Jude was written, there just is no more truth out side of “all,” “all” means “all” and that is “all” there is to it.
And after the “consummation of the (Jewish) age” (Mt 28:20), “to the age” (John 14:16), after “all the truth” (John 16:13,) “the Faith” was once and for all delivered through the miraculous working of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (Jude 3) . . .
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all (time) delivered unto the saints.
. . . Then likewise the confirming miracles ceased (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3-4), and the seed principle took over, the word of God (Luke 8:11), that sword (instrument) of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) took over, it is living and active (Heb 4:12), it imparts spiritual life (Jn 6:63), and is cutting into the hearts of individuals even to this very day.
As far as I am aware of, there are no conservative scholars that do not believe that God’s written revelation to man (the canon of Scripture) was not closed by at least the end of the 1st century (if John’s inspired writings are late dated), the only dispute whatsoever concerning the canon was what actually belonged therein (e.g. Revelation and 2 Peter were contested by some congregations as being non-canonical).
To sum up these verses “all the truth” was to be delivered to apostles in the 1st century, it would be “all the truth” there is no more truth outside of “all” in other words Scripture would be “complete” it would be the “perfect Law” (Ja 1:25) for imperfect mankind, it would give us “all things” that pertain to “life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). We don’t need creeds, nor men, nor additional revelation (like the book of mormon), we have God, and His word, as it is written in Acts 20:32 . . .
Act 20:32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
And with the ceasing of revelation, it implies also the ceasing of the confirming signs (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:3-4)
II. PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE END OF MIRACLES GIVEN “DURING” THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH/KINGDOM (Acts 2:38-39; 17-20).
A. In Peter’s sermon on that first Pentecost after the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ (our Forerunner; Heb 6:20), when the church/kingdom was established, the temporary nature of the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit was also then brought forth.
In Acts 2:38-39 (turn there) it is written. (Acts 2:38-39) . . .
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.
Many want to use this passage to assert that all Christians are promised the personal literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit,
And others that all Christians are promised the spiritual blessings that are “in Christ.”
Yet neither of these assertions hold up under close and careful consideration, for the fact that whatever is the promise (it must be the one in the context, and if not, why not; Acts 1:4-5; 2:33) it is only promised to 2 generations “unto you and your children” and to the Gentiles (those “afar off”; Eph 2:13, 17) living at that time, as many as God called to Him out of those groups.
A thorough study of this type of phraseology (“you and your children”) will show that this type of language is always literal in the bible
Thus if the personal dwelling of the Holy Spirit is the subject, it was only promised to 2 generations; and if it is a reference to the spiritual blessings only available “in Christ” then again, only 2 generations were promised salvation, and we can’t be saved
Yet don’t despair, for neither are correct. The “promise” is the one in the context (the miraculous manifestations of God, look at Acts 1:4-5, 2:33),
Act 1:4 and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for THE PROMISE of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me:
Act 1:5 for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
Act 2:33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father THE PROMISE of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.
The “promise” is the baptism in the Holy Spirit that came upon the apostles like the sound of a mighty rushing wind, likened unto tongues of fire that came upon each one of them, it was something you could see and hear, so much so that people came to see what was going on.
And the words “shall call unto him” (in Acts 2:39) come from one Greek word “proskaleomai,” which is defined as “to designate a special task or office”(Arndt and Gingrich Lexicon, p. 722) or “to call to the performance of a thing; appoint” (The Analytical Greek Lexicon, p. 350)
This word is never used in reference to salvation, nor is it the word translated “call”(kaleo) as in the gospel call (2 Thess 2:14), this word is used 30 times in the NT, and it is always used as a specific call, or appointment, (which when given was never refused, people oftentimes hear the gospel and refuse it as did king Agrippa in Acts 26:28 ).
And here that would be the appointment by God to receive the miraculous “gift of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:11; Heb 2:4), which was given to most through the laying on of an apostle’s hands (Acts 8:17-18; 19:6; 2 Tim 1:6)
Which indeed is defined as the miraculous by the only other time this phrase “gift of the Holy Spirit” is used in scripture (Acts 10:45), where it refers to the Holy Spirit falling on Cornelius and his near kinsmen and friends by which they spoke in tongues and magnified God (turn there, Acts 10:44-46),
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Thus this phrase “gift of the Holy Spirit” does not refer to salvation (for Cornelius and his were not yet baptized for the remission of sins) because the Jewish Christians did have it in their mind to withhold salvation from the Gentiles (who they considered 2nd class in the eyes of God) thus Peter’s statement (look at Acts 10:47) . . .
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
Nor does the “gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38; 10:45) refer to a non-miraculous personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit (because the miraculous was plainly manifest in the case of Cornelius; Acts 10:46), and nothing else was spoken of, thus we must conclude that this speaks of the miracles of the 1st century, striving not go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6) by inventing crossover fossils.
And that (the miracles), were to be manifest for only 2 generations “to you . . . and to your children” (approx. 40 years) again limiting the miraculous and looking to AD 70, we must let the bible interpret itself!
In this context (Acts 2) we can also look at Acts 2:17-20 and see if these conclusions are harmonious with the context (turn to Acts 2:17-20)
Act 2:17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 Yea and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
Act 2:19a And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath;
Act 2:19b Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day.
Here it speaks of the mode of the Holy Spirit’s work (again in this context only miraculous manifestations are spoken of; v 17-19a).
And then in verses 19b-20 it uses “apocalyptical language,” which commonly refers to the fall of nations and leaders (see Isa 13:10; 34:4-5; Ezek 32:7-8; Mt 24:29),
And in this case, like Mt 24:29 it specifically refers to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, but take careful note of the way this is put together,
All these miraculous things (v 17-19a; remember no inventing of crossover fossils) are going to take place “before” (v 19b-20) “the great and notable day of the Lord come” (in AD 70), if these were to continue, why this language?
I believe this locks these miraculous manifestations into a period that would end, consummate “before” the “day of the Lord” of the context would come, speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, when the last unlawful dregs of Judaism were put to death by the judgment of God, again its almost amazing how much evidence points to this being fact.
III. PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE END OF MIRACLES GIVEN “AFTER” THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH/KINGDOM (Eph 4:7-15; 1 Cor 1:4-8; 13:8-10)
A. Turn to (Eph 4:7-15)
Eph 4:7 But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9 (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors (lit. shepherds; ESV; YLT) and teachers (or shepherd-teachers; ESV margin);
Eph 4:12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 till we all attain unto the unity (“oneness” Strong’s) of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown (telios; perfect; complete) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;
Eph 4:15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;
In Eph 4:7-8 it speaks of the miraculous gifts that were given to Christians in the 1st century through the baptism in the Holy Spirit (note that the Administrator of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is Christ; Mt 3:11; Acts 2:33) and through the laying on of an apostles hands (Acts 8:18; 19:6; Rom 1:11; 2 Tim 1:6), others were empowered through this miraculous manifestation.
a. After His blood was shed in His death (John 19:34) Christ was resurrected and “ascended” into heaven (v 9), thereby paved the way for the faithful that would follow at His 2nd coming (1 Cor 15:23), He is our forerunner into heaven (Heb 6:20), the firstfruits of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:20) never to die again (Rev 1:18), He in this manner freed those captive from sin, who were without hope (Eph 2:12) unto a living hope (1 Pet 1:3).
b. He also “descended” (v 9-10), He spent 3 days in paradise in the Hadean realm (Luke 23:43; Acts 2:31) which the faithful will do also who die before His coming, in order that He would have the pre-eminence in all things.
c. In verse 11 a list of some of the miraculous gifts is given (there are more in 1 Cor 12:8-10), some here seem non-miraculous, but if one is going to be a teacher or an evangelist without hours and hours of schooling there has to be some sort of direct operation of God involved.
d. In verse 12 the purpose of the gifts are given . . .
i. For the building up of the body of Christ numerically,
ii. And spiritually,
iii. And for the work of benevolence.
e. Now look at v 13, these gifts would continue “till” we all (Christians living at that time) attain unto the unity (or oneness; Strongs) of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a fullgrown (telios; perfect; complete) man.”
i. In other words, these gifts would continue “till” the system of faith was a “unit,” all its parts (which were currently being given by various prophets were gathered together and united) this speaks of that completed, once and for all delivered faith (Jude 3), that perfect law of liberty (Ja 1:25), the New Covenant (NT) in its completed form, in its entirety.
ii. And that (the NT), would make is possible that Christians would be not tossed to and fro by every type of false doctrine (v 14),
iii. But rather they could look to God’s completed, all sufficient word, and successfully refute the errors of men by speaking the truth in love, and grow and mature through that pure milk of the word (v 15; 1 Pet 2:2).
iv. Again I believe this took place before AD 70, and looks at AD 70 as a time, when through the completed NT (the Faith, the Way) Christians would be better equipped to deal with false teachers and false doctrines, than in the age of miracles.
v. We need to remember concerning revelation, that there was a part given to one, and a part given to another, and many times being vast distances apart, this is Paul’s partial, immature “seeing in a mirror darkly” state (1 Cor 13:11-12), but when the canon of scripture was complete (the NT), and complied, those that had it were armed better than any before them, despite the cessation of miraculous manifestations, which acted as temporary scaffolding that enabled the building (the church/kingdom, that temple of God) to be built, and when it was, the scaffolding was removed;
vi. How blessed are we to have God’s completed word! Which gives us everything we need to be complete in the eyes of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), it gives us “all things” that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3).
B. Now let us look at our final passage (1 Cor 13:8-10)
1Co 13:8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;
1Co 13:10 but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.
1. Note the passage carefully, it speaks of miraculous gifts that shall be done away, cease (v 8), there is the “part,” (v 9), then there is the “perfect,” (v 10), in other words, there is the “partial thing,” then there is the “complete thing”.
Therefore if the “complete thing” has arrived (“is come”), then any claim for present day prophecies, tongues, or inspired knowledge (the partial thing, that “in part”) would be false.
a. The word “perfect” here is “telios” which would be better translated “complete” or “complete thing.”
b. My purpose is not to deal with all the incorrect interpretations of this passage, but I will quickly bring up that “Christ,” nor “heaven” is mentioned in the passage,
c. And “love” is something that is mentioned as already abiding in this context (v 13), the Corinthians were told to follow (pursue love; 14:1), the “perfect” was something that would be “arriving” not something to be “pursued,”
d. The context and the main subject is miraculous gifts (1 Cor 12:1), and this continues through the end of chapter 14, miraculous gifts took not the place of Christ nor Heaven.
The “complete thing” would be whatever made up the “partial thing,” one would simply be partial the other complete, were miraculous gifts likened unto a partial Christ, or a partial Heaven?
a. Prophecy, tongues and miraculous knowledge were revealing God’s “revelation” to man at that time, therefore it follows that when that when revelation was completed (the complete thing) arrived, probably a reference to the revealing, confirming, and recording of that revelation (the NT),
b. Then that which was partial, incomplete would be done away (the revealing and confirming miracles of the first century).
c. Thus when God miraculously delivered His complete will for man, and established it, then the seed principle took over, as Jesus said in Luke 8:11 “the seed is the word of God.”
d. And now any person on this earth today can acquire a literal translation of bible, and know of a surety that they have the very words of God (1 Thess 2:13).
e. And with that revelation complete, and all sufficient (2 Pet 1:3), one can believe and obey it from the heart, and be in like manner complete before the all seeing eyes of God (2 Tim 3:16-17),
2Ti 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
f. Therefore let us receive meekly the implanted word into our hearts through faith (Ja 1:21), and obey it from the heart unto salvation (Rom 1:17-18), that perfect law for an imperfect man (Ja 1:25), the gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16), for it can save our very souls (Ja 1:21), how?
One must . . .
1) Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17);
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2) Believe that Jesus is the Divine Christ (Acts 8:37; John 8:24); and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6). Jesus said . . .
Joh 8:24 . . . for except ye believe that I am, ye shall die in your sins.
3) Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a change in mind that results in a changed life, let us not be hearers only but doers of God’s word (Ja 1:22).
4) Confess Christ before men (Acts 8:37) as did the eunuch, he proclaimed. . .
Act 8:37 . . . Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So must you (Rom 10:9-10)
Rom 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
Rom 10:10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
5) Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); at which point God adds you to the church (Acts 2:47), translates you into the kingdom (Col 1:13), adds you to that one body (1 Cor 12:13) which Christ promised to save (Eph 5:23).
6) And live a life that is holy, set apart for God in every aspect (1 Pet 1:15), determined to follow God’s divine instructions, thereby demonstrating our hope in the truth of the resurrection (1 Pet 1:3), setting our sights on heavenly things (Col 3:1-4), while serving our God with His earthly blessings (Mt 6:19-21, 33).
To continue in this series of lessons click here . . . https://sites.google.com/site/seedofthekingdom/home/baptism-in-the-holy-spirit