SPIRITUAL GIFTS by Oliver Hopper

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 17, 1862

SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

By Oliver Hopper

DEAR BRETHREN : I wish to say to you all, that I am a firm believer in the perpetuity of spiritual gifts; for it seems to me that there is no plainer doctrine taught in the Bible; and it is a wonder to me how men and women professing godliness, and claiming at the same time that they take the Bible as the rule of their faith and practice, can reject spiritual gifts, and set up the claim that they were only intended for the apostles and first Christians, and ceased with them. Such persons certainly are far off from the old landmarks. They are not with the great apostle when he says, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts." The majority of professors of religion in these last days do not desire them, and perhaps the reason is, they have always been taught that they ceased with the apostles. But any person that believes the Bible, and reads it carefully, must come to the conclusion that spiritual gifts were intended to be manifested through all time, or until that which is perfect is come. We believe then that these miraculous powers shall attend the believer even unto the end of the world; that signs and wonders will be done and seen among the remnant who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, just before Jesus comes. And I would say to all the dear saints scattered abroad, Wake up, and covet earnestly the best gifts; and may we all be fitted up to stand in the coming conflict; for it is surely coming, and that quickly.

OLIVER HOPPER.

Attica, Ohio.