The “gifts of the Spirit” are active today..533-1 - 2 - 7

Paul had much to say about the gifts of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:7, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

Paul goes on to list them:

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 8, “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10, To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”

So are the gifts of the spirit active today? There are two extreme views. There is Cessationism, the doctrine that these gifts ceased with the passing of the original apostles. At the other end of the spectrum is the Charismatic Movement, a rather aberrant view of the work of the Holy Spirit. Other names would be Hyper-Pentecostal and Hyper-Charismatic.

In the last several decades The New Apostolic Reformation, NAR, provided many tele-evangelists espousing views such as we are little God’s, holy laughter, angel guides, gold dust and more. While many claim the role of apostle, not one could fulfill the requirements in Acts 1:21-22. Also, there are many in the NAR who claim they are prophets. Fact is there are now schools where you can learn to be a prophet, for a price.

I like what one pastor said about discernment. He said discernment wasn't between right and wrong, rather between what is right and what is almost right. Even Satan quote Scripture. Those in the NAR and the Word of Faith Movement used just enough Scripture to appear to adhere to the Word of God.

But I digress. In Acts 2:17 Peter quoted Joel 2:28-29, "28. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29, And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."

Peter used the words "in the last days" rather than "afterward" as did Joel. This makes it very clear that these gifts would last throughout the Church Age.

So yes, the spiritual gifts are active today, however, I would add discernment is of the utmost importance. As an aside, the Assembly of God Church that I attend when at my winter home really emphasizes the spiritual gifts of healing and tongues. Tongues, to be continued.