18. Of Miracles, Signs And Wonders

We believe that the gifts of the Spirit in I Cor. 12, are given today, for ministry and edification to all parts of the body of Christ with the exception of those gifts which are specifically called “signs”. We believe that sign gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, miracles, prophecy and the gift of healing, were temporary, miraculous sign gifts; That these sign gifts were given by the Spirit during the beginning of the Church for these purposes; (1) to identify an “Apostle”, (2) to get the Jews to listen to the Gospel or believe a new revelation, and (3) to confirm the Word of Scripture that was being spoken by the Apostles, but was not yet in written form as we have the Scriptures today. Since there are no Apostles present today and we have a complete Bible, we reject the “speaking in tongues” and “supernatural healing “as found in the apostolic ministry. We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit and that ultimate deliverance of the body from sickness or death awaits consummation of our Salvation in the Resurrection, though God frequently chooses to answer the prayers of believers for physical healing. (I Cor. 1: 22; 13: 8; 14: 21-22; II Cor. 12: 12; Mark 16: 17-20; Hebrews 2: 3-4; II Timothy 4: 20; III John 2).