The word "miracle" means a thing done in a supernatural way, contrary to natural law. What God does through natural law is not a miracle. God gives us bread through the laws of nature (Matt. 6:9-13). Such is not a miracle. But when God gave the Israelites manna directly from heaven, that was a miracle (Ex. 16).
The question is: Are miracles or spiritual gifts being performed today or did they cease in the first century? Jesus had told his apostles before that it was necessary that he go away in order for him to bestow these spiritual gifts. "It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come..." (John 16:7). We read of some of these gifts in Ephesians chapter four: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers..."(v11). Then verses 12-14 tell the purpose of the gifts and when they would cease. These men were guided by inspiration, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Note that the written word is said to provide the same thing as those spiritual gifts. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim 3:16-17). The gifts were "for the perfecting of the saints". The scriptures are given: "That, the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. The word "perfect" means full grown or mature. The gifts were given for the development of the church from infancy to spiritual manhood.
How long did the inspired Paul say that these gifts would last? "TILL we all come in the unity of the faith..." "Till" implies a goal or a termination time. The "till" marks the end of these gifts. The "till" was to reach to the "unity of the faith." If we can know what "the faith" means, it will help us to understand.
"But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed" (Gal. 3:29). What was revealed? The completed word of the gospel. Note the contrast in verse 25: "But after that faith [the gospel] is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster [the law]." In Gal. 1:23 we read where Paul "preached the faith," but in I Cor. 15:1 we read where Paul "declared...the gospel which I preached unto you...". Eph. 4:5 speaks of "one faith." There is one governing body of faith, known as "the faith,"or "the gospel", for all men today.
If these "gifts" still exist then we do not have all "the faith." If we have the complete revelation of the gospel, then these "gifts" have ceased. They were to last only "till...the unity of the faith" was reached. That unity has been reached, therefore these "gifts" have ceased.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet.4:11).
Don H. Noblin
For questions or comments about this article, email Don H. Noblin. If you decide to email me, please include the title of the article. Thank you.