4 out of 5 stars ****
This book enhances knowledge of oneself by becoming familiar with spiritual gifts God bestows on people to glorify Himself and His church. This is not to bolster one's ego; rather, the book explains that such gifts can make one a better disciple of Christ who benefits others in the church body.
The author, Thomas R. Schreiner, refers to scripture to present whether certain spiritual gifts are active as before the church's existence (continuationism) or that some no longer feed the purpose of establishing a consistent church body of Christ and so no longer exist (cessationism). The two major gifts in question are Prophecy and the Gift of Tongues. Interpretation of Tongues and Healing present differently today than they once did, also, when the conversation refers to healing miracles by the apostles and the sudden ability to translate foreign languages.
Schreiner makes a strong case for cessationism in this book. He concludes that all gifts will cease with the second coming of Jesus Christ, a time no one knows but anticipates. He admits that his charitable opinion for cessationism may not be convincing to those who see more clearly but he cannot imagine apostles and prophets in today's world being necessary for the church to exist.
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