JD: David, there are probably a number of different ways to approach this particular subject but what do you think is the best way to deal with it? And what do you think is the strongest Biblical evidence for the sign gifts having ceased in the first century?
DJ: Well one of the things that you find when you’re talking with someone who believes that the sign gifts are still in operation today they will point to Hebrews 13:8 which says Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever. And they will suggest that because of what was happening in the first century that that will continue forever because Jesus doesn’t change. And I would say I agree Jesus doesn’t change but we shouldn’t go back to Acts chapter 2 but rather we should go back to Genesis chapter 1 since Jesus was the creator and he is the one who operated miraculously on the earth gave the miracles throughout all of history.
So we start in Genesis and then take a dispensational approach
and we see that there were periods of time in history where there were miracles
beginning especially with the flood, then the tower of Babel, then the time of
Moses, and then the time of Elijah. These are major periods and they were long
periods where there was very little prophecy going on and there was an
especially very little miraculous.
And there was another time then when Jesus
and the apostles were on the earth and then once again during the tribulation
period in the future. So, there are long periods of time where there’s very
little miraculous activity and then you see this Biblical pattern. And as far
as the evidence for us now being in one of those periods of quiet of little miraculous
activity and certainly not the sign gifts and operation is one the pattern in
the Bible. And then if you look at the purpose of the sign gifts it was for
laying the foundation through the apostles and prophets foundation for the
church.
And the third thing would be that if you look at Paul’s
ministry in the 60s he left three people sick. Apparently they were slowly
being withdrawn by God even as early as the 60s. So, I believe that they were for
the foundation of the church so that they are currently not operative.
Although, I do believe that there will be a time when a miraculous will begin
again and become more common placed during the tribulation period.
JD: David James with a Biblical approach for signs, wonders and
miracles in the church today.
David James gave us a Biblical understanding of signs,
wonders and miracles for today. Jesus Christ in the Olivet Discourse Matthew
chapter 24 said the exact same thing. In Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24 Jesus Christ
said that deception is the number one sign for his second coming. And that
deception will be through signs, wonders, and miracles. We today are seeing
Bible prophecy fulfilled.
