Volume 47   Number 2                                                          October 2004

Our Savior gave spiritual gifts to the church in the first century while the 12 Apostles were still here establishing the FOUNDATION of the church. Please read the passages in Matthew 16:16-19, Ephesians 2:20-22, Ephesians 4:11-16, to see that the Lord's church is compared to a house:

Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone, and the One on Whom the Church is built. See I Peter 2:4-9; I Corinthians 3:10,11.

The Church is ALSO built upon Apostles and Prophets, which is why we follow the New Testament Scriptures and treat them as the Word of God. See John 17:8; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

We no longer have Jesus with us in the flesh. He is in Heaven now at the Right Hand of God. See Acts 7:56; Colossians 3:1.

We no longer have the Apostles with us. No one on earth is qualified to be one: See John 15:27; Acts 1:20-22.

The Apostles now have a place in the Kingdom that Jesus described in Matthew 19:28. They also have an important place in our lives since we believe their testimony concerning Christ and the Church. See Revelation 21:14.

The prophets were directly inspired by the Holy Spirit to write and prophesy the Word of God. They are also in the foundation of the Church with the Apostles. See Ephesians 2:20-22.

So the foundation of the Church is already laid, and we cannot lay it again. See I Corinthians 3:11. What is left for us is to BUILD on the perfect foundation already laid for us.

The purpose for the spiritual gifts was in keeping with the great work of laying a permanent foundation. Miracles served to confirm the work that the Apostles did. Read Mark 16:14-20, then read Hebrews 2:1-4. The Gospel was new in the First Century and the hearers had to know that the Apostles' Doctrine was from above. The miracles and signs and wonders and spiritual gifts all confirmed the divine origin of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We do not need to SEE a miracle today in order to believe. See John 20:24-31; Luke 16:27-31. We have the writings of the Apostles who were eyewitnesses of Jesus. If we do not believe their writings, we will not believe if we see a miracle.

God can still perform miracles as He wills. But to give a man the spiritual gift of healing is something He only did in the infancy of the Church while the foundation was being laid.

Paul said that the spiritual gifts would cease when "that which is perfect is come". See I Corinthians 13:8-13. "Charity" is the "more excellent way" and it doesn't rely on miracles to work. To love God and love one another - those are the two greatest things we have been given to do, not perform miracles.

The fruit of the Spirit does not depend on miracles to grow. Let it be seen in your life by believing the Word of God.