Gifts Ceased

Many people have been converted by Pentecostal groups because non-Pentecostals struggle with dealing with Ephesians 1.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

This sealwas after baptism and not related to laying of hands.

It shows the administration of the Spirit by the Father separate it seems from the laying on of hands by the Apostles. The Apostles could give gifts through laying on of hands. This was also a type of Spirit administration that was temporary and ended it seems with the apostles.

Act 8:17  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Act 8:18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Since Ephesians 1 does not mention laying of hands Pentecostals argue the gifts continue even without the Apostles.

There is a weakness in their argument.

1. The seal of the spirit would continue.

2. The gifts of tongues, prophecy, and knowledge would end.

Paul did not say the Apostles passing gifts would cease, but the gifts would cease regardless of the source. Paul saying they would cease did not say only those given through the laying of hands, but all three gifts would cease.

Thus the Pentecostal argument isn't very compelling.

1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Some argue Christ promised to be with the church till the end of the age or world, so the gifts would abide till Christ returns, but that is an argument that isn't considering all facets.

"Lo I am with you" does not prove gifts would continue, since there are multiple ways Christ worked with the church. Certainly Christ works through eternity. in different ways. Not necessarily through tongues or modern and continuing prophecy.

Also, just because the laying of the apostles hands ceased and three corresponding gifts, doesn't mean God has ceased all works such as healing through prayer.