The argument that it has ceased is straightforward, with the necessary scripture:
- Signs are for the nation Israel. (Exodus 4, Psalms 74:9, Judges 6:13)
- The Messiah was promised to Israel and prophecy stated that he will perform many signs and wonders to prove his identity (Luke 7:20-23)
- When Jesus appeared, he performed all the necessary signs to testify to the nation Israel (John 20:30-21, Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:4)
- Despite the numerous signs, Israel rejected him by putting him on the cross. (Luke 20:14, Acts 2:36)
- God gave Israel a one year extension as God's favored nation (Luke 13:8-9, Acts 3:26), by sending the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, who performed numerous signs and wonders again in Acts 2-7, in a final attempt to convince Israel to repent of murdering the Messiah and be converted (Acts 3:19-21).
- Israel rejected the Holy Spirit by their leaders stoning Stephen (Acts 7)
- Israel the nation fell and now salvation has been released to the gentiles thru their fall, as God has planned since the foundation of the world (Romans 11:11)
- Paul was given signs and wonders temporary to alert Israel of the change in dispensation (Acts 15:12)
- By the time Acts 28 arrived, even the diaspora of Israel has rejected Jesus (Acts 28:28).
- Signs and wonders have completely ceased at Acts 28.
Any comments and different perspectives?
I agree with some of this, but some important differences in opinion:
1. Agree.
2. Agree.
3. Agree.
4. Agree.
5. What? where does the 1yr extension come from? Israel rejected Christ and crucified him - this was prophesied and necessary. But Jesus prayed: 'forgive them' (Israel), and so the WHOLE Acts period is the second chance for ISRAEL to accept Jesus as THEIR promised messiah.
Initially in Jerusalem under the leadership of James/Peter, and later to the diaspora under Paul - but even then each new city he travelled to he went first to the synagogue to share the word - and only when the Jews rejected it he turned to the Gentiles "to provoke Israel to jealosy". This continued throughout Acts.
Even as late as Acts 28:20 Pauls states "..it is because of the
hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain". And earlier in the same chapter miracles are still in play as he healed the whole isle of Malta. It is only at the very end of Acts, in Acts 28:25-28 that we get the final dismissal of the Jews: "..THEREFORE let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles".
6. Agree.
7. Because of that rejection of Israel, a new 'dispensation' was ushered in AFTER Acts, which is reflected only in the post-Acts epistles (Eph, Col, Phi, 1&2 Tim, Tit, Phm) - here we see terms such as "hid in God", "unsearchable", "
BEFORE the foundation of the world". The hope now becomes "in the HEAVENLIES". This is all NEW stuff, none of this is in the OT. Where as before this, the focus is all on Israel (to be the priests to the world in the millenium), EARTHLY hope, the kingdom, the 'signs and wonders' which are all prophesied in the OT. Even in late Acts Paul says he has claimed nothing but what is in the OT.
8. Paul and ALL (?) the other believers were given signs and wonders as a TASTE of that which was to come (ie. in the millennial kingdom).
See Acts 2.16-21 - Peter explains to the crowd at Pentecost what they are witnessing: "But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will...' "
See Heb 6:5 - Paul is warning the Jews regarding their falling away: "For it is impossible, in the case of those who
have once been enlightened, who
have tasted the heavenly gift, and
have shared in the Holy Spirit, and
have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers OF THE AGE TO COME,..".
Here in these two passages we see WHY there were gifts during the Acts period. It was FOR the Jews as proof of the disciples' credentials, and it was a TASTE of the gifts that would come to ALL ISRAEL in the millennial kingdom.
9. Agree.
10. Agree.