SIGN GIFTS AND TODAY'S CHURCH

The controversy over the question of the sign gifts in the "church" today seems to center around the interpretation of one key passage, being I Corinthians 13:8-10. It reads:

Thus we see that the sign gifts are for a limited time. They are scheduled by God Himself to fail or cease at a given time. We see in verse 10 that this occurs "when that which is perfect is come". Herein lies the controversy, what is meant by this phrase? Those who say sign gifts are for today claim that this refers to the return of Christ, whereas those who say these gifts are not for today say it is the Bible. Perhaps it would be clearer if we went back to the original Greek text. The transliteration of the Greek reads "when but comes the perfect THING", and Strongs verifies that it is of neuter gender! Now Yeshua can NEVER be classified as a thing, and He is always referenced as the masculine in gender, so this perfect "thing" can not refer to Him, but can only mean the complete Word of God. It would provide the future form of knowledge via wisdom rather than by inspiration/vision, and teach us to verify the "fruit of the spirit" of a servant of Christ by the maturity of that person in Christ rather than by the manifestation of sign gifts. The passage continues to clarify this by relating these former things linked to the early church to a child ( immature church) and indicates that the later, matured church would not have need of it. The terminology "face to face" in verse 12 of this passage is confusing here due to our current understanding of this phrase, whereby we think of a person's physical face in each instance. However, the word "face" here is from the Greek word "pros" which means "In general, that part of anything which is turned or presented to the eye of another", and would indicate that our very eyes could see in completed form all that is to be available for the needs of the mature church. In view of the neuter gender noted in the verses above it, this is the only valid interpretation possible.

Often people try to quote Hebrews 13:8 in order to show that God's sign gifts are still in use today. It reads:

Praise the Lord, Yes He is! If He was not, He would not be God. However, what is meant by "the same" as it is used here? Could it ,mean "the same" in form? No, Yeshua was first in spirit form, then in human form, and now is in resurrected form. How about "the same" in regard to manifestation? Well, how many burning bushes have you seen lately that were not touched by the flames? The form in which He has chosen to manifest Himself throughout history has varied greatly. That cannot be the intent here, it has NOT been consistent throughout time. His ESSENCE, however, (i.e. His deity, His righteousness, etc.) has never changed and will never change! Why? Because HE IS GOD!

Is it possible for a servant of God to exhibit the miracle of a sign gift today? With God all things "are possible, and in certain unique cases, it is a remote potential. Is it occurring on the wide scale being broadcast today? If this were so, it would be in direct conflict with His Word. If He said sign gifts would be "done away" when the Bible was completed, we need to acknowledge that.

The Bible further warns us that deceiving spirits and false prophets will use signs and wonders in the end days to draw many away from the true faith that we are intended to develop into a false form of faith. Apparently this new "faith" will not even be recognizable to Yeshua, as He asked in Luke 18:8 if He would even find "faith" on the earth! It seems He knew that signs and wonders would deceive the end days "church". Maybe that's why He warned us that they would end when the Bible was complete! If He says they would end at that time, then let's agree with Him on that. He is not the author of confusion per I Corinthians 14:33, so let's not be confused. If the signs Being used in the church today are not of God, we need to depart from their use and/or presence.

Maybe we should be turning FROM the soulical, experiential manifestation of the sign gifts which satisfies "self", and turn TOWARD the obedience and yieldedness that satisfies God and matures "us as Believers. May God bless you with His total understanding as you bow before Him.