Did the miraculous gifts of the Spirit cease with the apostles and the completion of Scripture, or do they continue in the Church? The dispute is chiefly among Protestants, between cessationists (largely Reformed) and continuationists (Pentecostal and charismatic). The Catholic position is continuationist, holding that the gifts continue, but strongly ordered and discerning: a third position rather than a middle one.
27 verses are cited on this page. Each one links to its chapter in the Greek text.
...whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease... But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.1 Corinthians 13:8-10
The cessationist text, given at full strength. Paul does say these gifts will pass.
Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.Matthew 5:48
Teleios, the same word as that which is perfect in 1 Corinthians 13:10. Christ uses it of a state a man is commanded to reach, which tells against reading it as a finished book.
Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.2 Corinthians 12:12
The core cessationist claim, that signs marked apostles specifically. Paul does say they mark an apostle. He does not say they mark only apostles, and Stephen and Philip, who were neither, worked them in Acts.
It was confirmed unto us by them that heard him, God also bearing them witness by signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost.Hebrews 2:3-4
Signs authenticated the founding message, which the cessationist reads as their whole purpose, discharged once. The verse gives the purpose and gives no end date, and says the Spirit distributes according to his own will rather than according to a period.
We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known.1 Corinthians 13:12
The context that identifies the moment: seeing face to face and knowing as we are known, which describes the vision of God, not a finished book.
But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as he will.1 Corinthians 12:11
The distribution of gifts is governed by the Spirit's will, and no term is set.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.Acts 2:4
The first instance, and the pattern: the Spirit gives and the men speak. Luke reports it twice more, at Caesarea and at Ephesus, so a reading that confines tongues to the founding apostles has to account for Cornelius.
...I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.Acts 2:17-18
Peter applies Joel's prophecy to the age inaugurated at Pentecost, "in the last days," the whole span until Christ returns.
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.Mark 16:17-18
The continuationist text, and this edition carries it rather than bracketing it. It promises signs to those who believe and sets no term, which is why a cessationist reading has to supply the term from somewhere else.
And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, for the perfecting of the saints, until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man.Ephesians 4:11-13
The answer to reading the perfect of 1 Corinthians 13:10 as the closed canon. Paul sets a terminus for the same offices here and it is not a book. It is the unity of faith and the full stature of Christ, which has not arrived.
And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit.1 Corinthians 12:7
The gifts are given for the common good, not for the recipient's status.
...seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.1 Corinthians 14:12
The measure of a gift is whether it builds up the body.
Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.1 Corinthians 14:1
Paul neither disparages the gifts nor exalts them above love, and ranks them by usefulness.
If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass... and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.1 Corinthians 13:1-2
The whole point of the famous chapter: gifts without love are worthless.
Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit.1 Corinthians 12:4
Charismata, the word the whole debate is named for. Paul's first move is that the variety comes from one source, which answers both a congregation that prizes one gift and a party that denies them all.
Extinguish not the spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
Three commands in a row that rule out both suppression and credulity.
Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits if they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.1 John 4:1
Testing is commanded, and false claims are expected.
...let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church.1 Corinthians 14:27-28
Concrete rules limiting and ordering the exercise of tongues.
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace.1 Corinthians 14:32-33
The gift does not overwhelm the one who has it, and disorder is a sign against a manifestation, not for it.
But let all things be done decently, and according to order.1 Corinthians 14:40
Paul's summary rule.
To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits.1 Corinthians 12:10
Discernment is itself listed among the gifts. They are not self-authenticating, and one of them exists to judge the others, which is what a Church governing charisms needs.
Paul does say that prophecies and tongues will pass away, so the question is only when. He answers it himself in the next breath: when we see face to face and know as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12), which is the vision of God and has not yet come. Nothing in Scripture announces that the gifts expired with the apostles, and Peter at Pentecost applies Joel's outpouring to "the last days," the whole age until Christ returns. The Church has never believed miracles ceased; she still requires verified miracles before canonising a saint, which would be an absurd requirement if they had. But the cessationist warning is not empty, and Scripture agrees with it more than charismatics sometimes admit: Paul spends chapters correcting the misuse of these very gifts, subordinates them all to charity, ranks them by whether they build up the Church, and lays down hard rules of order. The Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium 12) states the balance: charisms are to be received with thanksgiving, are not to be rashly sought, and their genuineness is judged by those who preside over the Church. Extinguish not the Spirit, and prove all things. Both halves are commands.