[N]owhere in the NT is the purpose or function of the miraculous or the charismata reduced to that of attestation. The miraculous, in whatever form in which it appeared, served several other distinct purposes: doxological (to glorify God - John 11:4; 11:40; John 2:11; 9:3; and Matt. 15:29-31); evangelistic (to prepare the way for the gospel to be made known - see Acts 9:32-43); pastoral (as an expression of compassion and love and care for the sheep - Matt. 14:14; Mark 1:40-41); and edification (to build up and strengthen believers - 1 Cor. 12:7 and the “common good”; 1 Cor. 14:3, 4, 5, 26).
All the gifts of the Spirit, whether tongues or teaching, whether prophecy or mercy, whether healing or helps, were given, among other reasons, for the edification, building up, encouraging, instructing, consoling and sanctifying of the body of Christ. Therefore, even if the ministry of the miraculous gifts to attest and authenticate has ceased, a point I concede only for the sake of argument, such gifts would continue to function in the church for the other reasons cited.
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