Gordon Fee on Ongoing Pentecostal Spiritual Gifts

The spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit are available to believers in every age of the church, not limited to the first century. Historically, the church showed little interest in these gifts until the late 1950s, when manifestations such as speaking in tongues and prophecy became more publicly recognized. This neglect or rejection of spiritual gifts often arises from theological biases rather than faithful biblical interpretation ([56:56]).

Some have justified restricting the operation of spiritual gifts to the early church based on preconceived theological commitments rather than sound exegesis. Such an approach results in the church losing touch with the Spirit’s ongoing work, settling for ordinary expressions of faith and missing out on the supernatural empowerment that the Spirit provides. The church must remain open and receptive to the Spirit’s activity, recognizing that these gifts continue to be active and vital for fulfilling the church’s mission ([58:31]).

The neglect of spiritual gifts frequently stems from a lack of desperation for God’s Spirit to move. A posture of openness and humility is essential, acknowledging that the Spirit distributes gifts according to His will. The church’s failure to seek and desire these gifts reflects diminished trust in God’s power. Believers are encouraged to earnestly desire the most helpful gifts, trusting the Spirit’s sovereign distribution, and to exercise their gifts in love, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. Recognizing and utilizing spiritual gifts is crucial for the church to remain alive, vibrant, and effective in its mission. Neglecting these gifts creates a barrier to experiencing the fullness of the Spirit’s work today ([56:56], [58:31]).

The ongoing relevance of spiritual gifts is firmly grounded in Scripture. The church’s vitality and mission depend on cultivating a desperate and receptive attitude toward the Spirit’s power. Embracing the gifts of the Spirit enables the church to operate in the fullness of God’s provision and to engage the world with supernatural effectiveness.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches.