Have These Gifts Ceased?

Q

Some say the gifts of healing, prophecy & tongues have ceased. I have always been taught to desire those gifts, all very confusing. Need some clarity on this issue, please.

A

The teaching that these spiritual gifts gradually declined after the first Century and are no longer present in the Church cannot be supported with Scripture. It depends on an incorrect interpretation of 1 Cor. 13:8-10 where the perfection referred to is presumed to be the canonization of the New Testament.

This interpretation cannot be found anywhere in Church history prior to the birth of the Pentecostal movement in the early 1900’s. As 1 Cor. 13:11-14 explain the perfection this passage refers to will come in the Rapture/resurrection when our imperfect selves are made perfect.