Christ," instead of saying, "Ye are the body of Christ," and you are members one of

another; but you are only body and members partially, imperfectly, the perfect state is yet

to be revealed. It has been so revealed in Ephesians. There we find "the perfect man, the

measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ."

In the last verse of Chapter 12: the apostle speaks of "a more excellent way" than the

best gifts; that way is "love," and forms the subject of parenthetical chapter 13: As we

read verses 4-7 of chapter 13: we shall see that in the one word "love" is summed up all

the "lowliness and meekness, the long-suffering and forbearance" that are necessary to an

endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:). After this wonderful definition of

"the more excellent way," the apostle speaks of the temporary character of the "gifts"

(verses 8-11). "Tongues" are to cease. The gifts of prophecy and knowledge are to be

"done away." The apostle continues with the illustration of "childish things" being "put

away." The word translated "fail," "vanish away," "done away," and "put away" in

verses 8, 10 and 11 are one and the same in the original. The argument is one. Seeing

that the apostle uses the self-same words in connection with "gifts" as with "childish

things," and seeing that "childish things" are contrasted with "becoming a man"; and

further, seeing that the "man" is parallel to "that which is perfect," which in its turn is

contrasted with that which is "in part," or "partially" (I Cor. 12: 27), the teaching must

be that gifts are the accompaniments of the childhood dispensation, but became obsolete

when the present dispensation of the perfect man was ushered in. Can we with I

Cor. 13: before us raise the cry, "Back to Pentecost" anymore? Are we not turning back

to the nursery, and despising the marvellous grace now opened to sinners of the Gentiles?

I Cor. 13: 12 is often taken to mean the yet future, but it must be remembered that

when we are with the Lord we shall have no more need of hope.  The present

dispensation is anticipatory of the new creation, and similar expressions are used

concerning it as of that yet future day. The gift of tongues, according to I Cor. 14: 21, 22,

was for a sign to Israel, "as it is written" in Isa. 28: 11, and given for a similar purpose

to that of the call of the Gentiles, "to provoke to jealousy" (Rom. 10: 19), "to provoke to

emulation" (Rom. 11: 14). Israel, however, went on their climax sin, they resisted the

Holy Ghost, they "filled up their sins" in connection with this very matter

(I Thess. 2: 16), wrath came upon them, Jerusalem was destroyed, Israel scattered, the

kingdom became in abeyance, and consequently the need for signs and wonders ceased

One word more before closing, and this a word of solemn warning. In Heb. 2: 4 we

read of signs, wonders, miracles (semeion teras dunamis).  These refer to the gifts of

Pentecost.  In II Thess. 2: 9 we read of other "power, signs and lying wonders"

(dunamis semeion teras), but these are the work of Satan. The anti-Christian apostasy

will be a marvellous parody of Pentecost. How many thousands will be deceived who are

ready to accept the marvellous as a sign of divine approval! May we learn the lesson;

"Gifts," as such, have ceased; the present dispensation is one of faith apart from sight,

and removed from all connection with "earthly things" and the earthly hopes and

blessings of Israel.

I Cor. 12:

3

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed:

and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.