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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are there any true prophets/prophetss' t | Eph 4:11 | BradK | 194483 | ||
Hi Tim, As I view it, there is a transition happening during this period of Acts that coincides with the writing of 1 Corinthians. The gifts had not yet ended at the time Paul writes 1 Corinthians (obviously). Yet, in 13:8 he says that love (which is not a "sign" gift) "never fails". I believe the Greek verb 'pistei' translated can mean "become null and void". The overall characteristic God desires in the life of believers is love.(13:1,13) Other temporary gifts will be done away with, cease and end, but love is permanent! With respect to prophecies, Paul says, "They will be done away". The Greek noun 'propheteiai' used in this context, refers to one of the early gifts given to members of the Church (Rom. 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, 13:2). The gift enabled those to whom it was given to recall and speak via the Spirit to those in local assemblies (cf 14:22, Eph. 3:5). The person who had the gift of prophecy edified, exhorted and taught believers (14:3-4, 33). My point is this: Even though gifts of prophecies were very important for establishing the Church, Paul says, "they will be done away". The verb here translated "they will be done away" is in the future tense and passive voice, which means that God -who gave them - will remove (cancel, make null)them. With the completion of the Canon of Scripture, this gift was (and is) no longer necessary. So, the question as to exactly WHEN these gifts cease (or ceased) is answered.(Heb. 1:1-2) Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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2 | Are there any true prophets/prophetss' t | Eph 4:11 | Morant61 | 194506 | ||
Greetings Brad! Again, thanks for the response my friend! I am familiar with this particular theory. I was first exposed to it down in Florida, many years ago, while I was visiting a Pilgrim Holiness Church. I notice that several responses have been given to your post. I haven't read them yet, so I apologize if I repeat anything. My difficulties with this particular view are severalfold. 1) 1 Cor. 13 does not give a timetable for the doing away with the gifts. The only identifier listed is 'when that which is perfect is come'. My understanding of the passage has always been that these gifts will be done away with when Christ returns, since that is the only time when we will 'know as we have been known'. But, this illustrates my point. 'When that which is perfect has come' could mean almost anything. 2) Heb. 1:1-2 says nothing about the completion of the canon. In fact, it is not certain that it says anything about the cessation of prophecy. Evidence for this includes the fact that the canon was not closed with the completion of Hebrews, as it was not the last book written. My understanding of this verse is that it deals with the superiority of direct revelation from Jesus Christ as compared to revelation given through the prophets. This would make sense given that other writings of Scripture were yet to come when this verse was written. 3) Finally, the most telling argument against this view is that prophets are yet to appear according to Revelation 11. Perhaps part of our modern difficulties with prophecy is that we only tend to think of prophecy as foretelling. However, forthtelling was a much more characteristic of prophecy. In other words, applying God's Word to a group of people in terms of their society is also prophecy. For instance, read the minor prophets. They very seldom deal with future events. Most of what they have to say concerns their present culture. Well, I have to read these other posts my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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