Spiritual Gifts- why are spiritual gifts not as promonant in present time than they were in New Testament times? this question has been a topic for discussion with me and a couple of my Arminian friends. when this topic is brought up im not 100% sure how to respond.

I would really like your input on this topic (if possible reference scripture)

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" The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is my stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1


Ian Watson
Member, Texarkana Reformed Baptist Chruch
Texarkana, Arkansas

It depends on what you mean by 'spiritual gifts'. If you're speaking of the "miraculous" gifts such as tongue-speaking, healing by touch, etc. then we must understand that those were primarily things which authenticated the Apostles and their message to the people. Things like tongues (i.e. languages) was to obviously spread the gospel to people of all different languages. There was not yet have a New Testament canon of Scripture, so these prophecies, etc. were God's revelation until Scripture was complete.

There are people here are much better equipped to give you an answer, so I relinquish the microphone.

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Daddy
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In two words: sola scriptura!

Everything else follows from that fundamental truth:

1.The closing of the canon
2.Therefore The cessation of the revelatory gifts. Jude 3, John 16:13, 1 Cor 13:10 etc
3.Therefore the cessation of the confirmatory attestations to that new revelation i.e. Signs and Wonder 2 Cor 12:12 Heb 2:3

Lot of small steps in between, and lot more to be discussed, but that's really the main hills of the cessationist position.

VanVos

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Rev Jonathan James Goundry
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