1 Corinthians 13:8-12

8 "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."

When I read this short passage found in Pauls first letter to the church of Corinth I am amazed at how people of similar faith and passion find different theological philosophies in regards to the nine manifestations listed in 1 Corinthians 12, especially tongues and prophecy. Cessasionists would take this passage and attempt to convince you and I that tongues and prophecy are not for today, for when the cannon of Scripture was closed (v. 10 "the perfect comes") these ceased to be of any use to Christians. On the other side of the aisle, those who might be called charasmatics, pentecostals, third wavers, etc. would look at this passage and find validity in their super-natural experiences. Those who believe the nine manifestations are for today would look at verse 10 and say that when Paul says, "When the perfect comes," he is referring to Jesus' second coming. Until then Christians need these manifestations and are encouraged to pursue them (1 Corinthians 14:1).

I find it astonishing that Christians on both sides of this passage are just as passionate as the other, yet disagree on the interpretation. Who's right? Thankfully God is!

Blake