Position: The Holy Spirit is working, but Spiritual Gifts have served their purpose and have been taken away.

Challenge
Regarding the Gifts of The Spirit, they are in operation today and The Lord is pouring out His Spirit on all people in the last days.
Defense
The reality is that the Spirit of God was poured out one time for all people. This is what is called the Baptism (covering) of the Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel.
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, 'What does this mean?' Some however, made fun of them and said, 'They have had too much wine.' Then Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, Let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel. 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people."
(Acts 2:16)
Since the Day of Pentecost, people have been receiving the Spirit of God when they become Christians.

Challenge
After baptism of the Holy Spirit which is available to all who ask and believe, the Holy Spirit gives everyone certain gifts for the building of the body of the church.
Defense
We have to consider 2 issues:
1) When does a believer receive the Spirit?
"You however are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God live in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ."
(Romans 8:9)
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
(Acts 2:38)
A person cannot be saved without the Spirit, and receives the Spirit at baptism.
2) What about the gifts of the Spirit?
The gifts of the Spirit were given to confirm the word. The written word was not yet available.
a. The Holy Spirit decided which individuals received Spiritual gifts. (I Corinthians 12:11)
b. Gifts of the Spirit were not necessary for salvation. Acts 8:9-24 clearly says some in the church did not have Spiritual gifts.
c. The gifts of the Spirit were controlled actions. (I Corinthians 14:27,28)

Challenge
My life has been transformed when I received baptism in the Holy Spirit. My gift is speaking in tongues.
Defense
The beginning of transformation comes when a person receives the indwelling of the Spirit at salvation. The gift of tongues was not designed for personal transformation, it was a sign to unbelievers, not believers. (14:22,23) None of the gifts were designed for personal use, they were designed for building the church. At the time, there was no written word.
We are being transformed daily.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
(II Corinthians 3:18)

Challenge
The gift of tongues is a special gift. When I don't know what to pray or how to pray the Spirit prays thru me and he prays what the Father gives him.
Defense
The gift of tongues is literally the gift of languages...being able to speak a recognizable language that others can understand. Unless you have someone to interpret, you do not know what is being said, so it is of no benefit.
The gift of tongues is not the ecstatic language of God. Remember, the gift of tongues was a sign to unbelievers, not believers.

Challenge
There is an infilling when we receive Jesus and an outpouring when you ask for and receive by faith the Holy Spirit. Who among us does not need the Counselor Helper?
Defense
I am aware of the infilling (indwelling) and the one-time outpouring. (Acts 2) The Counselor (Holy Spirit) is given to all who are saved. (I Corinthians 6:19)
What about those who do not receive the special gifts of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts had a special purpose and are not necessary for salvation.

Challenge
The gifts of the Spirit are in operation today and will be until we are with Jesus and we are transformed into spirit bodies forever to reign with Him.
Defense
This sounds good, but is not Biblical.
I Corinthians 13:8-12 tell us prophecies, tongues and special knowledge would pass away. Faith, hope and love would remain.
Some say this will happen at the end of time, but when Jesus comes there will be no more faith and hope...there will be only sight and fulfillment of hope. The question is: When did the gifts of the Spirit cease.
By the writing of II Timothy 3:16,17, there was no more need for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures were complete!
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(II Timothy 3:16,17)

Read our printable overview of the first mention of the gifts of the Holy Spirit until the last mention.
Overview Printout

If you have other objections, send them to cvalentine@childrensbiblestudy.com.