I do not think it applies to Christ, I think it applies to Paul and or Christians as in Phil 3:11,12.
Does 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 teach the sign gifts have ceased?
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Jordan Kurecki, Mar 11, 2018.
Page 6 of 6
-
-
-
As Moses, the Apostles, and others who were "face to face" with nothing between.
I am not diminishing the Scriptures. Rather, the Scriptures tell of Him, they are not Him. When He returns, we are face to face and no need to attempt to discern mysteries through fallen eyes and the bias of sin. We will be face to face, nothing between.
The Lord said, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;..." If the Scriptures were the author, why then would He make such a statement?
Face to face with the author will happen, but it is not now, and therefore this passage of Paul is yet to be fulfilled.
But, note that it takes study, it takes effort, it takes time, it takes diligence.
That is not true when one is "face to face."
Rather, "face to face" would be along the lines of Amos' statement, "Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?"
To illustrate:
When one makes a doctor appointment, they have no desire to sit in the library reading about cures for illness, but want face to face time with the physician.
One can and should read and apply the principles of the Scriptures, yet when the Lord returns, it is then that the statement of Paul is truly satisfied:
"12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."
Look at the tenses of the English.
"will" is placed as in the future, yet what has Paul stated has already occurred? Is it not that he is already fully known? Who has fully known Paul? Christ. When will Paul be "face to face" no longer seeing "through a mirror dimly?" When he is present with the Lord. When will the time of the Holy Spirit helps cease? In the presence of the Lord, at His return. -
The Scripture impact and imprint upon the believer is never to be diminished.
However, the Scriptures are that which brings and points the believer to Christ, as Paul and the Lord stated. They are given for instruction in righteousness, they point to the giver and sustainer of righteousness. Just as the Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but point one to the Christ, so do the Scriptures.
The Scriptures present the believer the statements of the author, but that is not "face to face" with the author, rather it is reading that which the author gave.
Being multilingual is a tool and some are gifted in such communication skills and as such may be used by the Holy Spirit to His desires.
For the readers:
Do not consider the modern tongues of the charismatic crowd to be that which Paul is using in 1 Corinthians 13. It is NOT! Rather, Paul is using the word "tongues" in reference to earthly languages and heavenly communication. It was not some "sign" given as the modern charismatic folks present, but a tool available to communicate the gospel in the native language of the people hearing the message. -
-
The "tongues" is a most unfortunate translation, and it would have been far better (imo) had the translators used the word "languages." -
-
-
What we seem to do is to discern what is written very differently.
For example, in this thread, it would seem you place the Scriptures as the catalyst when I present that the Scriptures lead and point to the catalyst.
The folks who questioned the Lord Jesus did the same, which is why He said, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;..."
All I am pointing to is to that which Paul pointed to, which was when we are face to face with the Redeemer there is no mystery, and no need for language interpretations. Face to face one does not see dimly, nor have unanswered questions.
The completion of writing of the Scriptures nor the compiling of the Scriptures into a single bound volume did not remove language barriers around the world. Nor did it remove all mysteries from being resolved concerning even the Scriptures.
As you pointed out, "face to face" means exactly that.
Until we are "face to face" with our Redeemer, we behold the mysteries of the writings and attempt to resolve spiritual matters as those that do not hold all the facts and cannot bring unresolved issues in "face to face" discussions. For even John states the world could not contain the books if all were to be written that the Lord Jesus did, how much less would it be able to hold if the Book given did not have some sealed parts not recorded?
Page 6 of 6