Much is debated today about if miraculous gifts (aka “power of the Holy Spirit” in Scripture and charismatic gifts today) of the Holy Spirit still exist. Miraculous gifts as a topic is sometimes condensed into two camps – cessationists and continuationists. It is a debate closely associated with and connected to whether or not God still works miracles today.
he miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit are understood to be those gifts of the Holy Spirit that defied natural law (i.e. miraculous) whose purpose was laying the foundation of the church. They were most usually the gifts of tongues and prophecy discussed at length in I Corinthians 13-14 by Paul, but also included healings such as Peter performed (Acts 9) with the express purpose of confirming the word and their authority (given by God).
We could ask “Do miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit still continue today?” But just as the miracle question is more fundamentally answered by understanding their purpose, the miraculous gifts question is more fundamentally answered by understanding how they were given.
how Scripture answers "How were miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit given?"
an answer short on commentary and long on Scripture as footnoted1 | please contribute with your comment at the bottom
The miraculous power of the Holy Spirit was first promised by Jesus to the apostles just before He ascended1. They first received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit not many days later on the day of Pentecost2. From then on, the apostles alone could bestow the miraculous gifts to baptized believers4 by the laying on of their hands3,4. There is no other mention or example of this ability of non-apostles with the power to pass it on.
the answer above is based on and footnoted with the following passages and their BSF application
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will testify about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Jesus tells the apostles they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them.
Does it apply? Yes
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
It is the day of Pentecost and Jews have made pilgrimage to Jerusalem from all different nations. The apostles have what appear to be “tongues as of fire” resting on each one of them to the amazement of the crowd. They are able to speak in everyone’s native tongue and Peter begins to preach to them of Jesus.
The apostles receive the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit and power to speak in tongues for the first time.
Does it apply? Yes
A very plain passage, restated several ways, that “the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands.” We read that they did it, then we read that Simon saw it, then we read Simon’s statement reiterating it.
!! study note: context very important here !!
Does it apply? Yes
Paul is on his third missionary journey in 52AD.
Paul, an apostle, laid his hands on these men in order for the Holy Spirit to come on them with power (speaking in tongues and prophesying).
Does it apply? Yes
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If you know of some other verses or you have something to add to the verses already listed for this question please leave a comment below! We welcome the public discussion and will incorporate your input into the Framework above. We have nothing to hide and invite your help in considering all that God’s word has to say.
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