Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?
The question of whether miraculous gifts continue today remains one of the most debated issues among Christians. According to the Bible, spiritual gifts such as healing, prophecy, tongues, miracles, and discerning spirits were given to the early church as visible expressions of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Yet believers have long disagreed about continuation of gifts versus cessation of gifts, and these disagreements often reflect different approaches to Scripture, church history, and the purpose of the Spirit’s work in the last days.
Historically, one group of Christians taught that miraculous gifts ceased after the death of the apostles because the gifts validated the original gospel message. Another group maintains that spiritual gifts continue throughout the entire church age because the Bible never states they would stop before Christ’s return. A third group accepts ongoing gifts but rejects teachings such as a required “second blessing.” These three views appear across denominations, scholarship, and contemporary church practice.
Because the Bible presents the church age as the “last days” and because these last days extend from Christ’s ascension to his return, the question remains vital: Are miraculous gifts for today?
1. What the Bible Shows About Miraculous Gifts in the Early Church
The Bible portrays spiritual gifts as manifestations of Christ’s risen power within the community of faith.
Key biblical patterns include:
The Spirit empowers ordinary believers for ministry (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).
Miracles, healings, and prophecy accompany gospel preaching (Acts 3:6–8; Acts 8:6–7).
Tongues and interpretation serve the gathered church under order (1 Corinthians 14:26–33).
Discerning spirits protects the church from deception (1 John 4:1).
The early church viewed these gifts as normal, not extraordinary. When Peter quotes Joel in Acts 2, he describes the last days as an age where prophecy, visions, and signs accompany the Spirit’s outpouring on “all flesh.” Because the last days began at Pentecost and continue until Christ returns, many Christians conclude that miraculous gifts belong to the entire period of Christ’s rule.
Scripture also presents purpose statements for spiritual gifts:
To strengthen the church
To serve others rather than elevate the gifted
To bear witness to Christ’s resurrection
To prefigure the coming renewal of all things
This pattern across the Bible suggests that miraculous gifts were not merely signs for the apostles but part of the Spirit’s ongoing ministry.
2. Why Some Christians Believe Miraculous Gifts Ceased
Arguments for cessation of gifts often appeal to several biblical texts and theological principles.
A. The interpretation of “the perfect” (1 Corinthians 13:8–10)
Some interpret “the perfect” as the completion of the biblical canon. Under this reading:
Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge were temporary.
The gifts ceased once Scripture was completed.
The church no longer requires miraculous gifts because the Bible is sufficient.
Those who take this position prioritize the unique authority of the apostles, believing miraculous gifts authenticated their ministry in the same way signs validated Moses in Exodus.
B. The foundation argument (Ephesians 2:20)
Others argue that apostles and prophets formed the foundation of the church:
Since foundations are laid once, the gifts tied to them no longer remain.
Miracles served as credentials for that foundational era.
C. Concerns about misuse
In some traditions, the cessation view also grew out of concerns about doctrinal error, disorderly gatherings, or spiritual manipulation associated with tongues or prophecy. For these Christians, the safest approach is to emphasize biblical teaching, ordinary means of grace, and leadership exercised through Scripture.
However, challenges remain for cessationism:
The Bible does not explicitly say miraculous gifts would end before Christ returns.
Historical accounts after the apostolic era describe healing, deliverance, and prophetic activity.
The interpretation that “the perfect” refers to the canon is not widely held outside certain traditions.
These tensions keep the discussion open.
3. Why Many Christians Believe Miraculous Gifts Continue
Arguments for continuation of gifts rest heavily on biblical expectations about the entire church age.
A. The “last days” include the present era
Acts 2 describes the Spirit poured out “in the last days.” Hebrews 1:2 likewise states that God has spoken “in these last days” through his Son. Because miraculous gifts accompany the Spirit’s presence in these passages, many conclude that the gifts remain until the consummation.
B. The purpose of spiritual gifts continues
Ephesians 4:11–13 says Christ gives gifts to equip the saints “until we all attain to the unity of the faith.” Since the church has not reached that fullness, continuationists argue that gifts such as prophecy or healing still serve the church.
C. The mission of the church still requires spiritual power
Jesus teaches that believers will do the works he did because he goes to the Father (John 14:12). The early church understood this to include:
Healing the sick
Delivering the oppressed
Speaking bold words from God
Demonstrating Christ’s authority over evil
In places where the Gospel advances into dark or resistant cultures, missionary accounts often resemble the supernatural patterns in Acts. While these experiences must be discerned carefully, they reinforce the conviction that miraculous gifts still operate.
4. How the Bible’s Story Shapes the Question of Miraculous Gifts
Looking at Scripture as a whole helps Christians see why the question persists.
A. Miracles appear during pivotal moments of redemptive history
Three major clusters stand out:
Moses and the Exodus
Elijah and Elisha
Jesus and the apostles
Each cluster highlights a moment when God’s kingdom confronts darkness in a decisive way. Some argue this proves miracles occur only at certain peaks. Others argue it shows miracles accompany every major phase of God’s kingdom breakthrough—including this present age between Christ’s ascension and return.
B. Miracles point toward the coming new creation
Healing anticipates resurrection.
Prophecy anticipates full knowledge of God.
Miracles anticipate the defeat of evil powers.
Tongues anticipate the gathering of the nations into one people.
Because the Bible describes the church as living in the tension between the already and the not yet, some Christians believe miraculous gifts testify to Christ’s present reign while waiting for all things to be made new.
C. Spiritual gifts serve as signs of Christ’s kingdom victory
The Gospel proclaims that Christ has overcome sin, death, and demonic powers. For many believers, miraculous gifts are expressions of that victory:
Healing shows death is losing its grip.
Deliverance shows evil powers are defeated.
Prophecy shows Christ continues to shepherd his people.
This eschatological lens shapes how many answer the question Are miraculous gifts for today? with a confident yes.
5. How Christians Can Approach the Question Faithfully
Rather than divide, these discussions should lead believers to deeper discernment.
Three commitments shape a faithful response:
Test everything by Scripture — spiritual gifts must never override biblical authority.
Pursue what builds up the church — Paul’s central concern in 1 Corinthians 12–14.
Recognize the Spirit’s freedom — the Spirit distributes gifts “as he wills,” not as people demand.
Because the Bible emphasizes both order and openness, Christians may reach different conclusions about miraculous gifts while still confessing the same Lord. Yet all believers can agree that the Spirit continues to sanctify, empower, and preserve the church until Christ returns.
Bible verses about miraculous gifts
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” (Acts 2:17)
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21)
“God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit.” (Hebrews 2:4)
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church… and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick.” (James 5:14–15)
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)
“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20)
“Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.” (John 14:12)
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29)
