Are the Spirit's Gifts Still for Today?
Month 4: Walking in the Spirit · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 & Acts 2:39
8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines. — 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
39 This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” — Acts 2:39
Memory Verse
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”— 1 Corinthians 12:7 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 1–2
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 114 of 365 — the great family record from Adam onward.)The Heart of It
Some people say the Spirit's gifts stopped after the first apostles died. They mean gifts like healing, prophecy, and praying in new languages. But when we open the Bible, we don't find a single verse that says the gifts have an end date. Instead, Paul lists them as the normal equipment of the church. He says, "to one is given the word of wisdom… to another faith… to another gifts of healings… to another the working of miracles… to another prophecy" (). And then Peter spoke on the very day the Spirit was poured out. He said, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (). "All who are afar off" means people far away in distance. It also means people far away in time. That's us.
The gifts didn't stop, because the Giver didn't stop. The Holy Spirit is just as present and powerful in our day as in Acts. We want to avoid the ditch on either side of the road. One ditch says, "None of that is real anymore." It quietly closes the door God left open. The other ditch chases miracles for excitement and hype. It makes the whole thing about a show. The healthy middle is simple and humble. We expect the Spirit to work. We ask Him to. We test everything by Scripture. And we keep the focus on Jesus and on love. Verse 11 settles the matter beautifully. It is "one and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually as He wills." He still gives. He still chooses. He's still here.
Around the Table
The Holy Spirit still helps people today, just like in the Bible — He never stopped!
Let's do it: Say together, "Holy Spirit, You are here today!" and give a happy clap.
Peter said the promise is for "you and your children" — that means kids like you, right now.
Let's talk: What's something you could ask the Holy Spirit to help you do this week?
Nothing in the Bible says the gifts stopped. Verse 11 tells us the Spirit gives them "as He wills." So He still chooses to give them today.
Let's go deeper: How can we be open to the Spirit's gifts and careful to test everything by Scripture?
💬 Conversation Starter
Have you ever prayed for something and watched God answer in a way that surprised you? Tell the story!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "Miracles and spiritual gifts stopped with the apostles": kindly answer, "Where does the Bible actually say that? I've never found a verse for it. But I have found , where Peter says the Spirit's promise is 'to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off.' That includes us. And says the Spirit still gives gifts 'as He wills.'" Then add the gentle part Peter () calls for: "I'm not after hype or a show. I'm just open to whatever God still wants to do, tested by His Word." A calm question and a Scripture do more than an argument.
For Dad · Go Deeper
This is the heart of classic, balanced Pentecostal conviction. The gifts are for today, and the same Spirit who fell at Pentecost fills believers now for witness and service. But "continuationism" is not the same as credulity. Robert Menzies and others root the case in Luke-Acts itself. The promise of the Spirit is missional and ongoing, not a one-time historical fireworks display. The job of a discipling father is to hold both rails: genuine expectancy and discernment. Teach your kids to say a hearty "yes" to the Spirit's work while testing everything (). That way they grow up neither cynical nor gullible, but open, humble, and grounded in the Word.
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Pentecost: This Story Is Our Story.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Your Holy Spirit is still alive and working today. Make us open to all You want to do. Help us test everything by Your Word. And keep our eyes on Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Giver never stopped giving. The Spirit is just as alive and active today.