Topic

Spiritual Gifts

Whether the miraculous gifts described in the New Testament, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing, are still given to the church today.

All Christians agree that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers. The dispute is over the more dramatic gifts listed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12–14. Cessationism holds that these ended with the apostolic age. Continuationism holds that they continue and should be sought. The question became pressing after the Azusa Street Revival of 1906 gave rise to the Pentecostal churches, and again after the Charismatic renewal spread into older churches from c. 1960. Many Christians hold intermediate views, open to the gifts but cautious about particular claims.