THE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH INTERNATIONAL (15)

Miracles (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Our discussion of The United Pentecostal Church is almost finished.  Before we close this series, we need to discuss the subject of miracles.  On the UPCI website, there is a page entitled, “Our Beliefs.”  In the section entitled, “Christian Living,” they make this affirmation:  “The supernatural gifts of the Spirit, including healing, are for the church today.”  The word “supernatural” indicates that these gifts are miraculous in nature.

          The subject of miracles is definitely a Biblical in nature.  We learn that miracles were part of the first century church.  The apostles spoke with tongues after being baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).  These men performed various wonders and signs according to Acts 2:43.  “And fear came upon every soul:  and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” Stephen “did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).  In Acts 8, we learn that the evangelist, Philip, performed miracles in the city of Samaria.  “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.  And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them:  and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed” (Acts 8:5-7).  In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul discusses the subject of spiritual gifts. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Cor. 12:1).  There were nine of these gifts that were dispersed among various individuals in the church.  In 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul lists the nine gifts.  “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.” 

          Because miracles were performed in the first century church, many believe that the true church should be able to perform miracles today.  This, however, is not true.  The miracles of performed by the apostles and members of the first century church were never intended to continue forever.  They were temporary in nature.  There are several ways to prove this affirmation.  First, there is an old saying that goes:  “The proof is in the pudding.”  If individuals say they can perform all of the miracles done in the first century, then we should see these miracles being done on a regular basis.  We have already noted that the apostles, Stephen, and Philip did many miracles before the eyes of the people.  Peter also performed miracles (See Acts 3:6-8; 9:40-41).  Paul also performed a multitude of miracles in various cities wherein he preached the gospel of Christ (Acts13:10-11; 14:8-10; 16:16-18; 19:10-11).  These miracles were real, genuine, supernatural acts.  They were immediate.  They were undeniable.  They circumvented natural law.  The lame walked.  The dead were raised to life.  Demons were cast out.  The sick were healed of their diseases.  Let the Pentecostals do these types of miracles on a regular basis before all types of audiences.  Let them prove that they truly have power from on high.  Yes, the proof is in the pudding. 

          Second, the Bible affirms the cessation of miracles.  In 1 Corinthians 13:8, Paul writes:  “Charity never faileth:  but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”  Everyone agrees that Paul was teaching miraculous gifts would come to an end in this verse.  The controversy involves the time when they will cease.  The key is the proper interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10.  “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” The question is:  What does the word “perfect” refer to in this verse? 

          It is important to keep the verse in its context.  Remember, Paul is in a lengthy discussion about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14 (See 1 Cor. 12:1).  The Christians at Corinth were divided over spiritual gifts.  Some believed that their gift was superior to the other gifts.  It seems like those who were speaking in tongues believed themselves to be in possession of the best gift.  Paul wrote to correct this division.  He first reminds them that all of the gifts came from the same place.  “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are diversities of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all” (1 Cor. 12:4-6).  He, then, teaches them that they are all supposed to work together just as the members of the human body work together.  One member of the physical body is not superior to the other members.   All are necessary.  In like manner, all the spiritual gifts in the body of Christ were necessary.  One gift was not superior to another.  He argues:  “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Cor. 12:25).  His third argument involves the love they should have one for another.  This is the more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:31).  One day, the miraculous gifts were going to come to an end.  When that happened, the Corinthians needed to be bound by love.  Dear readers, if the miraculous gifts were not going to end sometime in the first century, this argument made by the apostle would be of no value at all. 

          The gifts would come to an end when “that which is perfect is come” (1 Cor. 13:10).  The word “perfect” in the Greek text is not masculine.  If it had been a reference to Jesus Christ the masculine gender would have been used by Paul.  The word “perfect” is defined as complete, entire, full-grown, or mature.  In the first century, the church did not have the complete written revelation of God’s will.  In order to aid the church in knowing and doing God’s will, miraculous gifts were given.  However, these only allowed the church to “know in part” and to “prophecy in part” (1 Cor. 13:9).  During the first century, the church was like little child slowly developing a knowledge of God’s will (1 Cor. 13:11).  Paul says that at that time they saw “through a glass, darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12).  However, when God’s complete revelation was given to the church, there would no longer be a need for miraculous gifts.  Almost all agree that the New Testament was completely revealed by the conclusion of the first century.  At that time, miraculous gifts came to an end.  The miracles, much like scaffolding on a building, were no longer needed.  Paul writes:  “…but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11).  Yes, the gifts that the Corinthains were dividing over would vanish away.  When they did, their love for one another needed to remain.