What about miracles, prophecy, and tongues?
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009I am a hard-cessasionalist on the view of continuing revelation. Simply put, I believe the sign gifts (miracles, prophecy, and tongues) have ceased after the last apostle died. Until the 20th century, this was the primary position held throughout the history of the church. It was not until then that the Charismatic revival, as we know it, began.
The Bible supports the idea that the gifts were for the establishment of the church. Ephesians 2:19-20 speaks of a building only having one foundation. In the church, this foundation was built upon the apostles and prophets with Jesus being the corner stone. The Apostles have done their work, the prophets have done their work and Jesus has done His work. No need for miracles because it always pointed to the authority of the worker.
In 2 Corinthians 12:12 we see that God used signs and miracles to authenticate His apostles, and now that all the apostles are dead, these gifts no longer exist. The miracles point to the messenger. The Bible is complete and there is no new revelation. If God is still speaking supernaturally through miracles, prophecy, tongues, word of wisdom, etc… then the Canon of Scripture is still open.
If God is working through continuing revelation, why have bible translation done? Wouldn’t it be more cost effective and efficient to simply send an apostle or prophet to those who don’t have the Word of God? Yet, the church has consistently sent bible translators into the remotest part of the earth to spend 15-20 years translating the Bible into a language that wouldn’t have it otherwise.
In examining Scripture, it’s seen that God doesn’t typically work through prophecies and supernatural signs/wonders. The Scriptures are inspired by God and therefore inerrant, infallible, and able to adequately equip every man for every good work.
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