Truth Magazine

By Ronny Milliner

Daniel was such a righteous man that his enemies were forced to conclude, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God” (Dan. 6:12). Verse 10 of chapter six shows the place of prayer in the life of Daniel. He prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem for to the Jew this city symbolized the presence of God. Recall the words of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple (1 Kgs. 8:28-30). He said, “Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, 0 Jehovah my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel. When they pray toward this place, then hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.” Even though the Temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians, Daniel continued to pray toward it. He knelt down on his knees (showing his reverence) and prayed continually three times a day.

The last part of verse ten says such “was his custom since early days.” No wonder we see the great courage of Daniel as a teenager who “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank” (Dan. 1: 8). Certainly Daniel was one who had remembered his Creator in the days of his youth (Eccl. 12:1).

Let us notice some of the conditions under which Daniel prayed.

In Times of Severity

Nebuchadnezzar had decreed the death of all the wise men of Babylon (Dan. 2:13-18). Upon learning the reason for the capital sentence, Daniel knew where to go for help. He gathered his friends to “seek mercies from the God of heaven.”

In times of difficulty we too need to have our windows opened toward Jerusalem. God has promised to care for us. In Psalms 50:15, He said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. ” The Hebrew writer reminds us, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'” (Heb. 13:5b-6) In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 the apostle Paul wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

We should turn to God in time of need. James advises, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (Jas. 5:13a). We should be encouraged by the words of Hebrews 4:16 which says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Prayer is the cure for our anxieties. According to Jesus, in Matthew 6:25-34, worry is useless. The apostle exhorts in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” In similar fashion I Peter 5:7 says, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” When faced with great difficulties and trials in our lives let us open our windows toward Jerusalem.

In Times of Splendor

Daniel blesses, praises, and thanks God for his answer to the prayer of him and his three friends (Dan. 2:19-23). He prays, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, . I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers.”

We too should be praising and thanking God in our prayers. Such was a characteristic of the early church. Acts 2:47a relates how they were “praising God and having favor with all the people.” The Hebrew writer exhorts, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15). And consider also Colossians 3:15. It says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” May we never get to the point where we are always asking of God, but never thanking him for His blessings.

The Gentiles were unthankful. Paul describes them in Romans 1:21 by saying, “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Note the number of times that thanksgiving is associated with our supplications to God. 1 Timothy 2:1 says, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” Colossians 4:2 beseeches us to “continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Finally, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 reads, “Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

In Times of Sin

In Daniel 9:1-20 we find Daniel praying both for his own sins as well as the sins of his people. He confessed, “We have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.” He sought God’s forgiveness when he prayed, “O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all who are around us.”

First, let us be reminded that this blessing is given to a penitent child of God. The alien sinner is not a child of God, thus he doesn’t have the right to call upon God as Father (cf. Gal. 4:6). There are other requirements for the alien to be forgiven of his sins. He must believe the gospel, repent of his sins, confess his faith in Jesus as the Christ, and be baptized (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 10:9; Acts 22:16).

Consider God’s attitude toward the prayers of one who is not willing to listen to him. The healed blind man of John 9 said, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His will, He hears him” (Jn. 9:31). Proverbs 28:9 warns that, “One who turns away his car from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” In like fashion Peter says, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And his ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Pet. 3:12).

As Christians we should repent and confess our sins, asking God for his forgiveness. These conditions were given to Simon the sorcerer when he sinned after his baptism (Acts 8:22). 1 John 1:9 adds, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We should also intercede and pray for our brethren who sin. “Confess your treaspasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” says James in chapter 5 and verse 16 of his letter. In helping each other on the road to Heaven we “will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:19-20).

Conclusion

“Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray? In the name of Christ, our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor, as a shield today? . . . Don’t forget to pray.”

Since we all have times of severity, splendor, and sin, we too need to keep our windows opened toward Jerusalem.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 9, pp. 268-269
May 2, 1991

By O.C. Birdwell, Jr.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary says the word “sanctification” is used of “(a) separation to God, 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; (b) the course of life befitting those so separated, 1 Thess. 4:34,7; Rom. 6:19,22; 1 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 12:14.” He also says, “The Holy Spirit is the Agent in sanctification, Rom. 15:16; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 Cor. 6: 11.”

The verb form “sanctify” means “to set apart” or “to make holy.” In Old Testament Scripture, days, houses, fields, feasts, altars, people, and many other things were sanctified. Today, all Christians are to be sanctified. This means that they are to be set apart for the Lord and consecrated for his uses and purposes. As our subject affirms, the Holy Spirit has a work in this sanctification. This writer agrees with Z.T. Sweeney when he wrote, “It has been aptly and truthfully said that ‘no importance can be attached to a religion that is not begun, carried on and completed by the Spirit of God'” (The Spirit and the Word, 117). The apostle Paul said, “And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). In speaking of his work among the Gentiles, he said, “Ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:16).

The Continuing Work of Sanctification

The continuing work of sanctification, by the Holy Spirit, of one who has been initially set apart as a Christian is the primary focus of our discussion. When one believes that Jesus is the Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized unto the remission of his sins, he is washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor. 6:11). In this obedience one puts on Christ and begins to live a life that is consecrated and set apart for Christ. This, however, is not the end of the process. Sanctification is not a one time matter. To the Roman Christians Paul said, “For as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.” Peter admonishes Christians, “As children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance” (1 Pet. 1:13-15). He goes on to say, “Be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living.” To be holy is to be sanctified. Paul said, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service” (Rom. 12: 1).

The Holy Spirit Works Through the Word

The Bible teaches, as set forth in another article in this issue, that the Holy Spirit works through the Word in the conviction and conversion of the alien. We affirm that he continues his work of sanctifying the Christian through the same means. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17).

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles into all truth. He said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth” (Jn. 16:13). If Jesus did what he promised, the inspired New Testament writers received, by the Holy Spirit, everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). All was revealed, including all that pertains to our sanctification. He has given complete instructions and guidance in the inspired written revelation. The Holy Spirit is God’s agent in the work of sanctification but the means used by the Spirit is the word of truth.

Christians have a responsibility in their own sanctification. Peter said, “Be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living” (1 Pet. 1:15). Sanctification is not something imposed by the Holy Spirit apart from the obedient will and action of the Christian. In speaking of unequal yokes with sinful people in sinful practices, Paul said, “Come ye out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). The individual must act in separating himself from sin and he must act in being holy. The Holy Spirit in the written Word has told us how it is to be done. Our part is to give diligence to present ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15), and to be doers of the word, and not hearers only (Jas. 1:22). We are to put away filthiness and malice and with meekness receive the implanted word, which is able to save our souls (Jas. 1:21). Wherein we fall short and fail we receive forgiveness by God’s grace and in Christ as we meet the conditions for forgiveness. In none of these passages are we told that the Holy Spirit does any of his work of sanctification through a direct intervention or indwelling. He sanctifies us by leading and directing us through the word.

False Ideas About Sanctifications

The 1960 Church of the Nazarene Manual says the following: “We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.” False ideas beget false doctrines. The idea that man is depraved and guilty of Adam’s sin causes those with a Calvinist influence to teach that the Holy Spirit must operate directly to overcome the depraved nature and provide entire sanctification by which the person is brought into holy obedience. Both the depravity doctrine, and the doctrine of sanctification by a direct operation and personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit are false.

The Manual goes on to speak of “the abiding indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service.” The author apparently believes that the Holy Spirit personally indwells and provides, apart from the written word, protection against involvement in sin, and keeps the Christian’s life on tract, sanctified and consecrated . The Philadelphia Confession of Faith says, “This corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in those that are regenerated” (Article VI). Calvinism teaches that man is totally depraved to the extent that he cannot think so much as one good thought. Calvinists, therefore, teach that a direct operation of the Holy Spirit is essential to initial conversion. They also teach the necessity of a continued indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit, apart from the word, because of the alleged remaining “corruption of nature.”

Some members of the church of Christ seem to believe the same thing. It is understood that one stated that those who do not believe in the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit are more likely to be immoral. The inference is that the Spirit personally indwells the body and acts, apart from the Word, as a deterrent to sin. Z.T. Sweeney, in his before mentioned book, lists a large number of things the Spirit might do for man in initial and continuing sanctification. He says the Holy Spirit might provide the following: Faith, the new birth, wisdom, conversion, understanding, quickening, salvation, sanctification, purification, cleansing, freedom from sin, a divine nature, and strengthening (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23; 2 Tim. 3:14,15; Psa. 19:7,8; 119:28, 50,104; Jas. 1:21; Jn. 17:17; 1 Pet. 1:22; Jn. 15:3; Rom. 6:17,18; 2 Pet. 1:4). He then shows by the Scriptures cited that all of this is spoken of as being done for us through the Word. The conclusion being that the Holy Spirit does all these things by means of the written Word of God.

The doctrine of a personal indwelling and work by the Holy Spirit apart from the word to keep one from sin is dangerous in that it tends to make one’s subjective feelings a guide and rule for conduct rather than the written word. Many of the popular “devotional” and “comfort” books written by denominationalists and bought by multitudes of Christians are dangerous for the very same reason. They are filled with false concepts about the indwelling, guidance, and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

There is general agreement that the Holy Spirit works in the sanctification of the Christian. There is a difference over how, or by what means, the Spirit works. In 1 Peter, the apostle Peter speaks of the beginning of the consecrated life when he says, “Ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth” (1 Pet. 1:22). The apostle continues to show in the rest of the book that for the Christian to continue to be consecrated he must continue to be obedient to the truth. He instructs the Christian as follows: “Put (ing) away therefore all wickedness” (2:1); “Abstain from fleshly lusts” (2:11); “Be subject to every ordinance of man” (2:13); “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (2:17); “Servants be in subjection to your masters” (2:18); “Wives be in subjection to your own husbands” (3:1); “Husbands, . . . dwell with your wives according to knowledge” (3:7); “Be . . . like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-dminded” (3:8).

The Holy Spirit empowers, directs, and leads the Christian unto sanctification through this teaching by the apostle Peter along with other such instruction found in the New Testament. Let us submit ourselves to his guidance in order for our lives to be sanctified.

(Author’s Note: Part H in the book The Indwelling of Deity, by Maurice M. Lusk, III, discusses “Questions of Where’ and ‘How’ in the Indwelling Issue.” Chapters discuss the Spirit dwelling within the heart and mind of the believer. There is also a chapter on “The Human Spirit and the Spirit of God. ” This is the best material on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that I have seen. The chapter on “The Spirit and Christians, ” by Z. T. Sweeney in The Spirit and the Word is outstanding. Every Christian needs both of these books They are inexpensive and may be ordered from Guardian of Truth Bookstore or CEI Bookstore.)

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, pp. 235-236
April 18, 1991

By Bill Hall

The 1980s will surely be remembered as the decade when so many “Spirit-led” projects failed.

The fall of Jim Bakker with his PTL empire and Heritage USA will long be remembered. Jim Bakker could hardly speak without referring to what the Spirit was leading him to do. His explanation for the collapse of his empire was: “God has me on a roller-coaster ride” (Time, [30 March, 1987], p. 70).

Oral Roberts built his $150 million City of Faith “on direct orders from God” (Time, 6 Nov., 1981, p. 64). Roosevelt Greer, Rex Humbard, and Pat Robertson attended the dedication. Barbara Mandrell sang the national anthem. President Reagan sent a congratulatory letter. Further, in 1983 the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Roberts sent out “millions of letters saying Jesus appeared to him and told him God had chosen Roberts to find the cure for cancer” (18 Jan. 1983). The (Nashville) Tennessean had a news item, however, in its 15 September 1989 edition that said, “Roberts announced Wednesday the City of Faith hospital will be closed by the end of the year and the Oral Roberts University School of Medicine will close after the current school year” (Guardian of Truth [Nov. 1989], p. 25). We do not have an update as to whether or not the hospital actually closed, but it is apparent that Roberts was expecting failure in that which the Holy Spirit supposedly had led him to do.

Jimmy Swaggart was once called the “King of Honky-Tonk Heaven” by Newsweek. He raised $142 million in just one year (1989). Because of sexual misconduct, however, his ministry is also foundering. An article by Bill Crews (Park Forest Proclaimer [22 July 1990], p. 4), reports that the number of Swaggart’s TV viewers has fallen 83 per cent and that enrollment in his college has declined from 1451 to 419. Throughout the buildup of his ministry, Swaggart credited God for the growth that had taken place.

These examples of “Spirit-led projects” gone awry are truly signs of the times in which we are living. We frequently hear people claiming that the Spirit is leading them to do this or that. Often the very activity into which the Spirit is supposedly leading them is contrary to the teaching of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. Several observations are in order.

1. The Spirit on occasions did directly lead men of the first century into specific fields of labor. The Spirit told Philip to join the eunuch in his chariot (Acts 8:29), then caught Philip away after he had baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:39). The Spirit told Peter to go with the messengers Cornelius had sent (Acts 10:19,20). The Spirit gave the orders for the beginning of the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-4). The Spirit forbade Paul to preach in Asia and Bithynia as he traveled westward on his second journey, and then through a vision directed his feet toward Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10).

2. Whenever the Spirit did directly lead men in the first century, the results were always favorable. The eunuch was baptized and went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:38,39). Cornelius and those with him were converted, becoming the first fruits among the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-48). Paul’s first journey resulted in much fruit, and when he went into Macedonia on his second journey, his work resulted in the beginning of great churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

3. The Spirit did not so completely take over the lives of men in the first century that every move made by them was “Spirit-led. ” More often they were left to make their own decisions and plans. For instance, plans for a second journey were formulated in the minds of Paul and Barnabas, and when they went separate ways, “Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas . . . and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches” (Acts 15:39-41). Had the Holy Spirit directed that Paul and Barnabas go on this journey as he did on the first, they would have been defying his directions in going separate ways. But these were their plans, and they had every right to change their plans.

Later, Paul made his own plans to go to Rome and Spain after completion of his third journey, and he asked the Romans to pray that he could come to them “with joy by the will of God” (Rom. 15:23-33). Had these plans been made through the direction of the Spirit, our faith might well be shaken, for these plans did go awry. But they were Paul’s own plans which fell through just as some of our plans fall through.

4. The tragic failure of “Spirit-led” projects of our generation is proof that they were not truly instigated by the Holy Spirit. Had the Spirit truly instigated them, they would have been successful. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn.4:1).

5. The Spirit does lead us into various fields and activities through the revealed word, leading us through the directions he gave to the inspired men of the first century. As we read the Spirit’s directions to Peter to go to Cornelius, the Spirit is leading us to go to people of all races without prejudice. As we read of the Spirit’s directions to Paul not to turn aside into Asia and Bithynia, he is leading us to ever expanding territories in our world. As we read of the Lord’s encouragement to Paul in his time of despair in Corinth (Acts 18:9, 10), he is encouraging us in our time of despair.

6. We do believe that God’s continues to work within our lives, “choosing our changes” on occasions, but his providential workings should not be confused with the direct leadings of the Spirit in the first century.

Paul wrote of certain ones in his day who were inflated without cause, taking their stand on visions they had seen, rather than holding to the Head (Col. 2:18,19). Such people always seem to take on an air of superiority, lightly regarding those who simply take their stand on revealed and confirmed truth. Paul did not want the Colossians to be intimidated by such people in his day, and we must not be intimidated by such people in our day.

The Spirit leads through the word he has revealed. When all fully realize that the Scriptures are the product of the Holy Spirit, and that whenever we read the Scriptures he is speaking to us, teaching us, and leading us, most of our problems over the Holy Spirit will vanish.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, pp. 238-239
April 14, 1991

By Carrol R. Sutton

When God sent Moses to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from bondage, he gave him power to perform miracles and signs. The purpose of these signs and miracles was to confirm to the Israelites and to Pharaoh that God had sent Moses on this mission (see Exod. 4:1-8,17,21,28-3 1). Moses spake God’s message to Pharaoh and confirmed it with signs which he did.

In the book we call the New Testament Scriptures we have God’s revealed and confirmed word to produce faith in our hearts and to instruct us in righteousness (see Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). A study of how God, through (or by), the Holy Spirit revealed and confirmed his word should be of interest and concern to all of us.

Although the coming of the Messiah had been foretold by the prophets, when the Messiah (Jesus of Nazareth) came, even “his own received him not” (cf. Jn. 1:11). Jesus performed miracles to prove that he is indeed the Son of God. In Mark 2:1-12 Jesus forgave a man (who was sick of the palsy) of his sins when he saw the faith of those who brought the sick man to him. When some scribes (in their hearts) accused Jesus of blasphemy, he miraculously healed the palsied man that they might know that he (the Son of man) had power on earth to forgive sins. After Jesus turned water into wine in John 2 “his disciples believed on him” (v.11) . For other miracles which Jesus did, see Matthew 4:23-24; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 13:11-17; John 11:41-46, etc. We learn from John 20:30-31 that the signs which Jesus did that are recorded are written that people “might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing” they “might have life through his name.”

When Jesus (during his personal ministry on earth) sent the twelve disciples and later the seventy out to preach to the Israelites “the kingdom of God” and that “men should repent” (see Matt. 10:1-23; Mk. 6:7-13; Lk. 9:1-6; 10:1-20), he gave them power to perform miracles (such as healing the sick and casting out devils). The miracles which they performed could serve as “credentials” to prove that they indeed were messengers of God’s Word!

Apostles Were Promised Holy Spirit Baptism

In addressing his apostles (a short time before his death) Jesus said: “But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,” and “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak not of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (Jn. 14:26; 16:13). Speaking to his apostles after his resurrection, Jesus said, “But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. . . ” and “. . . Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:5-8). Here are some of the facts we gather from the statements made by Jesus.

(1) The apostles would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

(2) The Holy Spirit would teach the apostles “all things.”

(3) The Holy Spirit would bring “all things” that Jesus had said unto them to the remembrance of the apostles.

(4) The Holy Spirit would “guide” the apostles “into all truth.”

(5) The Holy Spirit would “show” the apostles “things to come.”

(6) The apostles would “receive power” after the Holy Spirit came upon them (also cf. Lk. 24:48-49).

(7) The apostles would be “witnesses” of Jesus.

We learn from Mark 16:15-18 that the apostles were to go into all the world and preach the gospel and that certain “signs” would follow believers.

The Apostles Received Holy Spirit Baptism

In keeping with the promise that was made to the apostles in Acts 1:8 (“Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence”), we learn from Acts 2:4 that “they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” This occurred on Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. A close study of Acts 1 and 2 will reveal that only the apostles received Holy Spirit baptism on Pentecost. Although we have no record as to when Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit as the apostles were on Pentecost, the evidence points to the face that he was so filled (see 2 Cor. 11:5; 12:12; Gal. 1:1,11-12). We learn from Acts 10 and 11 that Cornelius (and “his kinsmen and near friends”) also received Holy Spirit baptism. This was evidence that God had also to the Gentiles “granted repentance unto life.”

Laying On of the Apostles’ Hands

After the apostles laid their hands on the seven men in Acts 6 it is specifically stated in verse 8 that “Stephen, (one of the seven -CRS) full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” We learn from Acts 8:5-13 that Philip (another one of the seven) preached Christ and did “miracles and signs” in Samaria. The people believed the preaching and were baptized. The apostles at Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria and they (Peter and John) laid their hands on the Samaritans and “they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:18-19 says, “And when Simon saw that through the laying on the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money saying, Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Obviously, the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way. In Acts 19:6 Paul (an apostle) “laid his hands upon them” (12 men at Ephesus) and “they spake with tongues and prophesied.”

Those on whom the apostles laid hands could perform signs and wonders. Some could speak “with tongues and prophesy” (Acts 19:6). Stephen could speak the truth “with wisdom” and could do “great wonders and signs” (Acts 6:1-10). Philip could preach Christ and do “miracles and signs” (Acts 8:5-13). Not all could do the same things (cf. 1 Cor. 12:28-31).

Although those on whom the apostles laid their hands and those to whom a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit was given could speak in tongues and prophesy, speak the truth with wisdom and could do great wonders, signs and miracles, there is no evidence that any of them could impart a miraculous gift to others.

Spiritual Gifts of 1 Corinthians 12

There are nine spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians. They are: (1) The word of wisdom, (2) The word of knowledge, (3) Faith, (4) The gifts of healing, (5) The working of miracles, (6) Prophecy, (7) Discerning of spirits, (8) Kinds of tongues, and (9) The interpretation of tongues.

All who received miraculous gifts of the Spirit did not receive the same gifts. For example, all were not “workers of miracles.” Neither did all “speak with tongues, ” nor “interpret” (cf. 1 Cor. 12:28-31).

The apostles (and those who received spiritual gifts) received by revelation of the Holy Spirit the truth and they confirmed the truth of the message they tauhht by doing wonders, miracles and signs.

In Galatians 1:11-12 and Ephesians 3:2-6 the apostle Paul stated that the gospel that he preached was revealed unto him by Jesus Christ. He stated that God’s message was “revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” Paul declared that he had written the message revealed to him that others might read and understand what he knew. Here are some of the wonders, miracles and signs performed in confirmation of the revelation received by inspired men. (1) The apostles and some others spake in tongues (i.e., languages) they had not learned (cf. Mk. 16:17-20; Acts 2:4; 1 Cor. 12:6-3 1; 13; 14). (2) The sick and afflicted were healed (cf. Acts 3:1-16; 5:12-16; 8:5-7; 9:32-35; 14:8-11). (3) Elymas, an enemy of righteousness, was stricken blind (cf. Acts 13:6-12). (4) Unclean spirits were cast out (cf. Acts 5:16; 8:7). (5) The dead were raised (cf. Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12). (6) Wonders, miracles and signs . (No doubt some of the above are included in these [cf. Acts 2:43; 5:12; 6:8; 14:3; 15:12,15-21; 2 Cor. 12:12]).

Men could not have known the things of God unless the Spirit of God had revealed them to men. The Spirit revealed the things of God to men in the first century and they preached the gospel (cf. 1 Cor. 2:9-13; 1 Pet. 1:12). The wonders, miracles and signs that were done confirmed the truth of the message. Mark 16:20 says, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” We learn from Hebrews 2:3-4 that the “great salvation” first began to be spoken by the Lord “and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.”

The Duration of Miraculous Gifts

In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 we have the nine spiritual gifts listed. In 1 Corinthians 14 we have regulations given to govern the use of spiritual gifts as long as they were in operation. In 1 Corinthians 13 we have the duration of spiritual gifts stated. In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 Paul declared: “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. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” Please consider the following facts:

(1) Spiritual “gifts” (prophecy, tongues and knowledge are specifically mentioned but may stand for all) were to be done away (i.e., “fall”, “cease” and “vanish away).

(2) Obviously, some inspired men knew only a part of all truth for it was not all revealed through one man or all at one time. Some of the truth was given (i.e., revealed) through some men and the rest was given through others until finally all the truth (i.e., the perfect and complete revelation) would come from God to men.

(3) The words “when” and “then” are particles of time and point out a certain time for spiritual gifts to “be done away.” Paul said it was “when” that which is perfect or complete (in contrast with the parts or fragments that they then had) is come that the miracles would cease. Some translations say “partial” or “incomplete” or “imperfect” instead of “in part” and “complete” instead of “perfect” in verse 10.

(4) Logically, “that which is perfect” (i.e. , “the complete, “) is in the same realm or is of the same nature as “that which is in part.” Since “that which is in part” refers to the transmission of divine truth by revelation, the expression “that which is perfect” must also refer to the revelation of divine truth, but not in part but in whole. Therefore, “that which is perfect” refers to God’s complete revelation of truth, “all truth,” the entire New Testament.

The thing which is “in part” is of the same nature as the whole. The truth being revealed was “in part” as a result of the spiritual gifts which were given for revelation, inspiration and confirmation. The truth being revealed in part was being contrasted with the truth in all of its parts. The partial ‘ the incomplete, the fragmentary, the imperfect was being contrasted with the complete, the whole, the perfect!

When all the parts were finally revealed, “that which is perfect” – the whole, the complete truth was in existence (i.e., was made known to man)! This was accomplished by the time inspired men had written the last word of the New Testament. Note: The word “perfect” is used in the New Testament to refer to God’s revelation and surely it could be so used here in 1 Corinthians 13:10 to describe it (see Jas. 1:25; Rom. 12:2).

(5) When “that which is perfect” came, then that which was “in part” no longer existed! The partial or incomplete became the whole, the complete, the perfect! Neither would the spiritual gifts which revealed and confirmed the truth continue to exist. Their purpose had been fulfilled. In fact, at that time, they ceased as the apostle said they would!

No Holy Spirit Baptism and Spiritual Gifts Today

Since the purposes of Holy Spirit baptism and spiritual gifts have been fulfilled, the need for such no longer exists. Although there had been other baptisms, when Paul penned Ephesians 4:5 he said there is “one baptism.” By this time Holy Spirit baptism was no longer being received by anyone although water baptism continued to be in effect and would continue as long as men are lost and thus need to be saved (see Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:18-20).

Today, we have a complete revelation that was confirmed by miracles and signs that were done in the first century (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Jas. 1:25; 2:12; Gal. 3:15). There is no need for nor is there any evidence that anyone today is being baptized with the Holy Spirit or receiving any spiritual gifts. Those things ceased by the time the last apostle and those upon whom the apostles laid their hands died.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 8, pp. 230-232
April 18, 1991