House Church Talk - Re: cessation of spiritual gifts

[Adamkwyhmed at aol.com]

re:
allow ALL of scripture to be the 
standard by which you evaluate every theory of men, including the theory 
that the gifts of the spirit have ceased

All that I have seen has told me that G-d's word and promises are true.  All 
that has been tested of me have shown me that G-d's word and promises are 
true.  At one point I pondered on whether the gifts had ceased, yet I saw, and 
still see them working around me and through me today.  Theories may sound good, 
however how many boxes are we, as believers and followers, going to put G-d 
in?  I encourage you brethren,(i.e. brothers), to find your reasonings in the 
scriptures, not in the theories around you.  The practical application of the 
scriptures on a daily bases incorperates the authority of "G-d being with us".  
However the constant arguementation of whether the scripturers are applicable 
today instead deny His authority and presence being with us, and instead make 
us bent upon our own works of merit for salvation.  However the answer of 
salvation based on our own merits is found in the scriptures: "For by Grace, are 
we saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves, rather it is a gift of God, 
not of works, lest any man boast".  So if the gifts are applicable, it is for 
the glory of Christ.  "Every knee shall bow and every tounge confess in 
heaven, on earth, and under the earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of 
God the Father".  Until Christ comes physically, the Holy Spirit is our teacher. 
 He leads us and guides us in all things.  The Holy Spirit works through us.  
If needed, there is healings, prophecy, etc..  However in all things, even 
theories, the main glory and edification is to Jesus Christ.  If not than 
someone else is receiving glory.  Even Mary instructed the servants to listen and do 
what Jesus told them to do.  The focus of the believers is not supposed to be 
upon the gifts, which will come, rather upon the Giver.
I have read in the attachments that the gifts have ceased, yet I know of the 
dead being brought back to life, I have seen people healed, the lame men 
walking, the blined eyes opened, the dumb tounge loosed, the sons of Abraham freed 
from demon possession in both the scriptures and my own personal life.  I bear 
you to remember Christ's own words when he left:  
In Mathew: "Chapter 28:18b-20:All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and 
on earth has been given to Me.  Go then and make disciples of all the 
nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy 
Spirit.  Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and 
behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every 
occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age.  Amen (so let it be)." 
Amplified Bible
In Mark: "Chapter 16:15-18:  And He said to them, Go into all the world and 
preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospels) to every creature [of the 
whole human race].  He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies 
on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from 
the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not 
adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Who it sets forth] will be 
condemned.  And these attesting signs will accompany those who believe: in My 
name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; They will 
pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt 
them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well."
In Luke:  "Chaper 24:44-49: Then He said to them, This is what I told you 
while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law 
of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be filfilled.  Then He 
[thouroughly] opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures.  And said to them, 
Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third 
day rise from (among) the dead, [Hos. 6:2] And that repentance [with a view to 
and as the condition of] forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name 
to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  
And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain 
in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high."
In John:  "Chapter 21:15-23: When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 
Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do-with reasoning, 
intentional, spirtual devotion, as one loves the Father]?  He said to Him, 
Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal 
affection for You, as for a close friend].  He said to him, Feed My lambs.  Again 
He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with 
reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]?  He said to 
Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, 
personal affection for You, as for a close friend].  He said to him, Shepherd 
(tend) My sheep.  He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love 
Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close 
friend]?  Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the thrid 
time, Do you love Me?  And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know 
that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, 
as for a close friend].  Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.  I assure you, 
most solemnly I tell you when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own 
belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleassed to go.  But when 
you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a 
girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.  He said this to 
indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God.  And after this, he said to 
him, Follow Me!  But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, 
following--the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had 
said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?  When peter saw him, he said 
to Jesus, Lord, what bout this man?  Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay 
(survive, live) till I come, what is that to you?  [What concern is it of 
yours?] You follow Me!  So word went out among the brethren that this disciple was 
not going to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not ging to die, 
but, If I want him to stay (survive, live) till I come, what is that to you?
The reason I brought up the first 3 books is to remind us what Jesus stated 
we were to do if we are his followers: To wait until we are endued with the 
Power from on high, the promise of the Heavenly Father, to spread the gospel to 
the whole world, both in words and in deeds.  The reason I brought up the 4rth 
book is to remind us of what we are to do if we Love Jesus: a. To feed his 
sheep; b. what is it to us how the Lord works with other believers, we are to 
follow Him, "Jesus Christ"
So whether the Lord works through us in signs and wonders, or even in prayer, 
our main intention should be to follow "Him".
Beloved in Christ, Let us reason together for the glorifying of Christ and 
the edifying of the body of Christ.  Let Jesus Christ be our all in all.
Sincerely,
A BondServant of Jesus Christ and of the persecuted Church,
Adam Waggoner