 |  |
This was written to a group who came "behind in no gift" (I Cor. 1: 7). They had
severe divisions and there was great disunity, but they had all the gifts. Further problems
can be seen with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5: 1-11), who tried to deceive the assembly.
Even Paul and Barnabas were so divided over John Mark "that they departed one from
the other" (Acts 15: 36-39). Then there is Peter who "withdrew and separated himself"
from the Gentiles (Gal. 2: 11-13) and Barnabas joined him. It is a fundamental truth that
"all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3: 23). Thus there has never
been a time when human beings did not disagree. For us the unity has been made by the
Holy Spirit; we have to guard it (Eph. 4: 3), and by and large we do a poor job. So the
view that miracles will return when the Christian Church is a unity is not supported by
Scripture.
(2)
Miracles cease when Christ return.
This view affirms that miracles should abound from the day of Pentecost, throughout
this age and dispensation, right up to the return of Christ, when they should cease.
I.Cor.xiii.10 "when that which is perfect is come", refers to the second coming of Christ,
so it is claimed. However the word `come' is elthe which has nothing in common with
parousia, the word for the Lord's second coming. Also, "that which is perfect" could
hardly refer to a person since it is neuter, but we need not resort to Greek grammar to
show the view is unscriptural. Heb. 6: 5 refers to the miracles of the Acts period and
describes them as a foretaste of the age to come, the Millennial age.
". . . . . tasted the good word of God, and the powers (miracles) of the world (age) to
come" (Heb. 6: 5).
That millennial age is brought in by Christ at His return and miracles will abound.
This is clear from various portions of the prophets. For example: healing--Isa. 58: 8,
Jer. 30: 17, Mal. 4: 2; judgment (as experienced by Ananias & Sapphira)--Isa.lxv.20;
prophecy--Joel 2: 28, 29. So it is not true that miracles will cease when the Lord Jesus
Christ returns. It is the very opposite. They will abound.
(3)
Miracles cease when the Bible was completed.
To any unbiased observer it is obvious that we do not live in the days of the Acts of
the Apostles. The miracles, then so common, are not around us. This has led some to
view the writing of the New Testament with scepticism, suggesting it to be exaggerated,
in error and not true. It has caused others, who believe in the inspiration and accuracy of
the Bible as God's Word, to seek another explanation. The view that the miracles ceased
upon the completion of the Bible is, perhaps the most commonly held explanation and
Merril Unger is its great advocate. His style is not easy to follow.
"But when that which is perfect is come (Greek to teleion, the completed and final
thing, which means `the New Testament Scriptures'; the neuter in the Greek denotes
neither Christ nor His second advent, both of which thoughts are foreign to the context),
then that which is in part (partial or piecemeal revelation through the gift of directly
inspired prophecy and knowledge before the New Testament was given) shall be done