c) Paul compares his own Christian experience on earth with that of the perfect day
Paul compares his experience of God on earth with that in heaven to a non-speaking baby's experience with that of an intelligent man. This certainly does away with the idea that Paul is referring to the Scripture canon, when he speaks of the perfect day, for Paul even knew truth outside of the New Testament canon, truth he was not permitted to utter. 2Cor 12v1-4. Paul knew by revelation much, if not all, of the truth contained in the book of Revelation, for he speaks of the trumpets, 1Cor 15v51-53; of the evil career of Antichrist and his judgement, 2Thess 2v1-12; of the two resurrections and the last judgement. 1Cor 15v21-28. The lack of the future knowledge of the condition of the churches in Revelation did not make Paul “a none speaking babe,” he knew the vast preponderance of New Testament truth. Indeed, Paul knew more of God's truth in theory and experience than any person who has ever lived, except the Lord Jesus. 1Cor 15v10.
Having the full New Testament canon does not make us superior in knowledge to Paul, indeed, in comparison to Paul, we are the babes. The illustrations that Paul used of a non-speaking babe compared with a man, and a dull reflection in contrast with a face-to-face vision, only makes sense if they are interpreted in the clear sense of the context, as a comparison of our present earthly experience of God now, compared with our experience of God in His kingdom. The only things that will bear any comparison with Heaven, and are the same in Heaven as on earth, are faith, hope and love; our present knowledge is nothing compared to the knowledge of Heaven. Paul said that his partial knowledge was to cease and pass away when the complete came, so it cannot be the canon of Scripture, for we still need all of it until Jesus comes. Those who insist on interpreting, “that which is perfect,” as the Scripture canon, end up with a great many contradictions and difficulties, a proof of wrong exposition.
d) Notice how Paul tells the Corinthians in 1Cor 12v31 and 14v1, to desire spiritual gifts
Paul does not say that they did not need to bother with spiritual gifts any more because they were soon to finish; he gives them the correct teaching on the gifts, and tells them to seek them for their spiritual welfare. 1Cor 14v1-3,12,18,39. Spiritual gifts profit and built up Christians, they carry on the ministry of Christ, and meet great needs in the body of Christ. Isaiah 53v10, 1Cor 12v7,18-31. Both Israel and the Church have always needed God's power, as well as God's truth, to meet the needs placed before them.
e) In 1Cor 13, Paul considers spiritual gifts and the other principal aspects of our experience in relation to love
Paul speaks of “ALL sacred secrets and ALL knowledge,” the ultimate in sacrificial giving, and martyrdom for God's sake, as well as spiritual gifts. The knowledge mentioned is not just supernatural knowledge; it is “all knowledge” and includes Scriptural knowledge. Even divinely inspired truth will be nothing compared with the face-to-face meeting with God its author. There is no Scripture that gives stronger evidence that spiritual gifts will continue right up to the end of this age, than Paul's statement in 1Cor 13, that spiritual gifts will continue right up to this face to face meeting with God.
2) Spiritual gifts occurred throughout the Old Testament dispensations in periods of revival
This was usually when there were people willing to receive them and seek God for them. If spiritual gifts were manifested throughout the age of Law, should they not be manifested throughout the age of grace, during which the Spirit of God is said to work in greater measure and with greater manifestations, than He did in the age of Law. Heb 8v10-13, 2Cor 3v6-18. The Scriptures tell us that the new covenant was to be more glorious and more full of the Holy Spirit's workings throughout all its duration, than the age of the Law. There is no Scriptural justification for the statement that signs, wonders and miracles could only be expected at the start of the age of grace. Acts 2v16-21,38,39. To say that we could not expect miracles after the apostles finished their ministries, would mean that the age of grace was less spiritually powerful than the age of Law, a statement the Scripture absolutely refutes. The cause of the lack of spiritual gifts in this age of grace, is the same as it was in the previous age of Law, spiritual apathy, backsliding, low or non-existent faith, and the lack of love for needy mankind. Gideon had the sense to realise that when God was with you, miracles took place. Judges 6v13. The Jews required a sign of spiritual authority from any prophet; they knew that if God commissioned anyone, He gave them the spiritual power and authority to manifest spiritual gifts. 1Cor 1v22. All New Testament ministries, including elders, were expected to manifested spiritual gifts. 1Cor 12v28, James 5v13-19. If God manifested spiritual gifts throughout “the ministration of death,” that is, the Law, how much more will He do it during, “the ministration of the Spirit?” 2Cor 3v6-11. The New Testament dispensation is promised, and possesses, more gifts from God than the Law, not less. All thirsty believers in Christ can receive the Holy Spirit's power and fullness. John 7v37-39.
Part III