Signs of the apostles

How should believers assess current claims about spiritual gifts? In this book, Walter Chantry describes the worldwide spread of the charismatic movement and considers its significance. God is still at work in the world today, but the author does not believe that miraculous powers are now in the hands of individual men and women.

Following the course of miracles in the Old and New Testaments, he concludes that their primary function was to confirm the mission of God's spokespeople. Therefore, he states, all recorded instances of receiving miraculous powers in the New Testament occurred through the ministry of an apostle. Walter Chantry believes that now that the canon of Scripture is complete, the pursuit of all the spiritual gifts of the apostolic age can only be done based on a failure to acknowledge the sufficiency and finality of the Bible.

The argument of this book is highlighted by biblical exposition. The surprising treatment of 1 Corinthians 13 shows that spiritual gifts can be present while love is absent, thus indicating that their presence was never considered in the New Testament Church as evidence of spiritual maturity. Through 2 Corinthians 10-13, the author demonstrates that what God uses for His glory is human weakness, not conscious power. With Psalm 85, he outlines the true character of revival, and closes the book with references to the Great Awakening of the 18th century.

This short work has a clear and vigorous style. It carefully distinguishes between different types of Christians who lean towards charismaticism. It raises questions that confront every believer, and Walter Chantry's answers are consistent with those of the great leaders of the Church throughout the centuries.