Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Has “that which is perfect” come? When the subject of miracles is approached today there are at least three viewpoints most accepted. One view is that miracles did not, do not and will not happen—ever. A second view is that miracles are happening every day if we will but look for them. A third view is that God, at various times in history, has given men the ability to perform miracles, but that He no longer does so. Part of the problem in reconciling these views is that of defining “miracle.” For some, the birth of a baby, or a football team coming from behind to win a big game in the last seconds is a miracle. But the Bible uses such words as “mighty works” and “signs and wonders,” and amazement and wonder accompanied them because they required God’s power for their accomplishment. Miracles Were Intended to be Temporary In the Bible we also see that these miracles and signs were only temporary, not a permanent gift for Christians. In fact, the apostle Paul wrote that their duration was temporary (see Ephesians 4:11-16), or “until” we attain to the unity of the faith. He not only told the church at Corinth that these gifts (including a miraculous measure of knowledge, wisdom, prophecy and speaking in tongues) were temporary, but he told them when these gifts would cease. The Holy Spirit’s words were not vague, for He caused Paul to write that these miraculous gifts were to “fail…cease… vanish away,” 1 Corinthians 13:8. “That Which is Perfect” In 1 Corinthian 13:8-10 Paul was inspired to write that these miracles would come to their end “when that which is perfect is come.” The setting for this context is the letter written to Corinthian Christians who were fighting and squabbling among themselves over these very gifts. Some were gloating that they had what they perceived as the better gift, while others were jealous and envious that their gift was considered inferior to that of others. The division that resulted caused them to abandon their real purpose, that of taking the gospel to the lost and living an example worthy of a follower of Christ. Instead, they brought reproach on the body of Christ and were rebuked. They also received instruction in the use of the gifts while they were still in effect. But what is meant by the phrase, “that which is perfect”? Some claim Jesus is “the perfect one,” and that miracles will continue until He comes again. But the word “perfect” does not mean sinless or flawless as we use it today. Others claim that miracles will continue until “all Christians are united in love.” But, while unity is commanded, nowhere is such a term as “that which is perfect” said to be unity. What Does This Verse Mean? As we study this subject, we must remember that God has promised that the Bible can be understood, Ephesians 5:17, 2 Corinthians 1:13. We must study, but we can understand if we give proper diligence. The context of any passage is always important. The things that were to be “done away” are all related to information. It is implied that this information was “in part,” or incomplete. Therefore, when it was complete, or “perfect” (to teleion), that knowledge would be complete (see verse 12). To the Greek world, this term for “perfect” does not carry the meaning of flawless or sinless as it may for English speakers. When a person is the subject this word means “full grown; mature” (see Hebrews 5:14 and 1 Corinthians 14:20). When an object or process is the subject, the word means “brought to its end; lacking nothing necessary to completeness; complete” (see James 1:25, Romans 12:2). We now have, in the Bible, what many early Christians did not have—the full, complete revelation of God’s will and mind. Called the “perfect law of liberty,” James 1:25, it “thoroughly furnish[es] us unto all good works,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Now that we have the full revelation of God, we do not need miraculous gifts. Therefore, “that which is perfect” refers to the completed revelation of the will and mind of God—ultimately, the Bible. The age of miracles has ended, “vanished away.” The Bible is God’s final word for man’s instruction. Carl B. Garner

“Once miracles were performed and verified by credible witnesses they stand as evidence for all time. Scripture was “written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name” (John 20:31). So, let us not look for the partial but the complete; not the temporary but the permanent; not spiritual gifts but faith, hope and love.” Denton Lectures, 1982, page 179