When writing about the sanctification of the Spirit, I remembered the misconception that some people have about 1 Corinthians. 13:10 which states

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

I’ve heard it said (by a person professing to be a Christian) that the scripture there refers to the Bible as “that which is perfect” and which, in the context, means that which will give us perfect knowledge, as stated in verse 12

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known

Such people infer that the manifestations of the Spirit in the apostles’ time no longer exist – because they are no longer required when we have the Bible. Somehow we have a Spirit which does not manifest in the same way. Or perhaps we no longer need “the gift of the Holy Spirit”. Perhaps the Spirit has changed? The apostles were able to discern when someone had received the Spirit by the manifestations which followed. Are we supposed to guess? Remember Jesus saying that He had to leave before the Spirit could come. Can the Spirit remain when Jesus returns? Do we see the Bible “face to face” or will we see Jesus “face to face”? Who can I know from reading the Bible “even as also I am known”?

What does the Bible say about its own role? We could start with 2 Peter 3:16, where he refers initially to Paul’s epistles:

As also in all his epistles, … in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Peter does not seem to hold out a lot of hope for all those who may expect perfect knowledge from reading scriptures.

It’s necessary to make a distinction here between those baptised into the Church and those outside the Church. For the first, Ephesians 4:11-12 says

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

As for those outside the Church, that brings me to preaching. Why “the foolishness of preaching”? I’d like to suggest that it’s foolishness of a different kind which keeps many from entering through the strait gate. They are ‘rich’ with their own ideas, beliefs, thoughts; captives of their own intellects. Do you believe that those who are rich in such ways have no difficulty entering the Kingdom of God? Some scoff at the notion of a virgin woman giving birth, the idea that a crucifixion could open the way for salvation, baptism, speaking in tongues.

“The foolishness of preaching” is not my expression; it comes from 1 Corinthians 1 from which I’d like to quote verses 19, 21, 25 and 27

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [citing Isa 29:14] ….

For … it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe….

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; ….

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

Paul writes in Ephesians 3: 8-9

Unto me … is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ

and in Romans 11: 33-34

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

Isaiah wrote in chapter 55 verses 8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ….

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How could Paul preach “riches” and “judgments” which are “unsearchable” and “ways past finding out”? I believe that we need the same Spirit which the apostles received if we are about “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). In 1 Corinthians 2:7, 10-14 Paul writes

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom ….

the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

… the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have … the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

That is why the world still needs preachers. Preaching the Gospel “to every creature” is the commission given by Jesus to His disciples. Paul writes in Romans 10: 13-14

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [citing Joel 2:32]

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?