Are Miracles/Spiritual Gifts for Today?

Are the working of miracles and spiritual gifts for today?

In Matt. 28:18-20, the "Great Commission," Jesus told His followers to make disciples, "teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you..." Jesus commanded his disciples to heal the sick and cast out demons. He here tells them to teach their disciples (us) to observe all those things.

A passage speaking to spiritual gifts is Ephesians 4:7-13. In that passage--which seems to speak specifically of certain gifts--but in context must include them all (vs. 7-8), Paul tells us the purpose and the duration of them, "...for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

There are other scriptures which support the present-day operation of the Holy Spirit in signs and wonders. One which we as a Foursquare church emphasize is Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." As Jesus and the Father are eternally the same, they will act the same and deal in the same manner with their children. God always treats His children with grace. This is true in both the Old and New Covenants and in the "church age." The Greek word for grace is charis, which is also translated "gift." If God's grace has not disappeared, how then can the gifts of His grace?

In the Bible we are told to pray and expect miracles, but the performing of these signs is totally up to God (James 5:14ff). This cannot be construed to be a culturally or socially limited promise. It is a scriptural universal command and accompanying promise. We are responsible only to pray and wait on God who is responsible for the results.

Resources:
1) Series: "Covet the Best Gifts" (tapes 1422, 1425, and 1428)
2) Series: "God’s Gift Distribution Plan" (tapes 1854, 1857, 1859, 1862, and 1867)
3) Tape #1654 "The Work of the Gifts - Part 1"
4) Tape #1663 "The Work of the Gifts - Part 2"
5) Tape #1926 "The Plea for Prophesying"
6) Tape #592 "The Gifts in Perspective"

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