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Introduction
Often among the most passionate debates, the discussion over the existence of signs has
had no small impact on the Christian world. While this writer understands that there are often
many interesting and convincing arguments within Christianity, the conflict over the continuing
existence of the sign gifts must be resolved at once. According to MacArthur and Mayhue,
“Scripture provides a clear picture of the miraculous sign and revelatory gifts, but when modern
charismatic phenomena are measured against that biblical standard, they fall far short.“1
Furthermore, the majority of the charismatic movement at large has been one of the most
egregious and heretical attacks on the Holy Spirit in human history. A brief overview of biblical
considerations, theological considerations, and historical considerations will show the
continuation of sign gifts to be nonexistent.
Biblical Considerations
To deny the prior existence of the miraculous sign gifts, particularly the gifts of tongues,
prophecy, and healing, is to deny Scripture. The Old Testament has entire books that primarily
contain prophecies such as the books of Isaiah and Ezekial. In the Pentateuch, readers will see
how God permitted and granted the ability of prophecy. “When a prophet speaks in the name of
the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has
not spoken” (Deuteronomy 18:22, New American Standard Bible). We also see exceptional
miraculous gifts given to specific people in specific circumstances such as Moses splitting the
Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and Joshua’s calling on Yahweh (Joshua 10:12-14). In the New
Testament there is quite a shift. The Holy Spirit was not finally just getting involved, because He
had been working in the hearts of man since the beginning; however, it was in Acts 2 where the
1 John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Biblical Truth
(Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 805.
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three sign gifts were being prescribed at large to the church by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 2:1-4
makes the case that these sign gifts were intended only to confirm the teachings of the apostles
and to complete the canon of Scripture. Once the foundation had been laid (Ephesians 2:20),
there was no need for the signs. The prophecies proclaimed were tested (1 Thessalonians 5:19-
22), the tongues were real languages and not gibberish (Acts 2:1-12), and the gifts of healing
were immediate and verifiable (Acts 3:1-10), just as Jesus had performed them (John 5:1-15). It
is important to note that these gifts have ceased, but they have not gone into extinction. The gifts
will return once more during the great tribulation (Revelation 11:3-11).
Theological Considerations
There are three primary point of views when it comes to the continuation of the sign gifts:
the charismatic or continuationist position, the cessationist position, and the uncertain position.
The charismatic believes every sign gift flourishes today through the hands of men and women
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Exorcisms often appear to take place as well. Grudem argues,
“Though there does seem to have been an unusual concentration of miraculous power in the
ministry of the apostles, this is not a reason for thinking that there would be few or no miracles
following their deaths … They set a pattern that the church throughout its history may well seek
to imitate in its own life.”2 Cessationists believe, as does this writer, that the sign gifts have
temporarily ceased. The gifts were primarily granted in order to secure the completion of
Scripture. One verse that should be enough to end the debate is found in 1 Corinthians; “Love
never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they
will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in
part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). It is
2 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Academic, 2020), 484-485.
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important to note that this point of view does leave the door open for miraculous healing;
however, this is done by the power and command of God alone, and it is only requested by
prayer. Prayer is not required for action, but God often desires His people to pray for action. The
third view stands uncertain due to a lack of evidence and typically considers itself open but
cautious to new signs.3
Historical Considerations
A predenominational church teaches based on Scripture alone, and it does its best to stick
to what it says without any influence from any sound confessions such as the Westminster
Confession of Faith; however, this particular church follows closely with that confession. The
church teaches the continuation of miracles according to God’s will, and no man or woman can
wield or command a miracle to occur as seen often in Acts. It teaches the true person and work
of the Holy Spirit, who is so often dragged through the mud by groups who proclaim themselves
to be wielders of the Spirit. It would agree with the great theologian John Owen who writes,
“The great deceit and abuse that hath been, in all ages of the church, under the pretense of the
name and work of the Spirit make the thorough consideration of what we are taught concerning
them exceeding necessary. Had not these things been excellent in themselves, and so
acknowledge by all Christians, they would never have been by so many falsely pretended unto.”4
The church teaches the continuation of many gifts and works to discover them within the
congregation, but there is no acknowledgement of the sign gifts currently. One personal example
of acknowledging miracles within the church occurred when this writer’s father contracted an
unknown disease. Some of the people in the church laid their hands on him while they prayed for
3 Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013), 803.
4 John Owen, The Complete Works of John Owen: The Holy Spirit, vol. 3, 7th ed. (Carlisle, PA: The Banner
of Truth Trust, 2000), 29.
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God to heal him. There was no anticipation for a sudden cure or transference of power from their
hands, but they were simply praying over a brother in Christ to the Father for His help.
Summary and Application
Knowing the Holy Spirit is necessary for continual growth as a Christian. Speaking on
the Upper Room discourse, Sproul states, “I do not think He (Jesus) meant that we all would do
miracles for all the ages, but that the church is empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform works
that go far beyond the local community of Jerusalem or Judea.”5 The three sign gifts have ceased
while God-commanded miracles continue on. The charismatic movement has shown itself to be
fraudulent and disgraceful. Christ was one with the Spirit on a level that no person on earth can
claim to understand, but yet Christ was never rolling on the floor while barking like a dog. He
never shook in convulsions while screaming in uncontrollable tongues that no person
understood. In fact, if someone were to describe a person like that who was in the Bible, one
would have no choice but to conclude it was someone who was demonically possessed as seen
multiple times in the New Testament (Mark 5:1-20; Mark 9:14-29). Finally, Christ never blamed
every wicked attribute of a man on a demon. According to some of those within the charismatic
movement, there are demons who implant lust, a lying tongue, and even male pattern baldness. It
severely undermines man’s true sinful state to say that every problem someone has is the result
of an indwelling demon who is apparently housed alongside the Holy Spirit. Knowing and
recognizing the true work of the Holy Spirit is one of the many keys to biblical growth and
understanding, and to attribute the work of the devil to the Holy Spirit is beyond offensive.
5 R. C. Sproul, John: An Expositional Commentary (Sanford, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2009), 253.
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Bibliography
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
MacArthur, John, and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible
Truth. Wheaton: Crossway, 2017.
Owen, John. The Complete Works of John Owen: The Holy Spirit. Vol. 3. 7th ed. (Carlisle, PA:
The Banner of Truth Trust, 2000.
Sproul, R. C. John: An Expositional Commentary. Sanford, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2009.
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