Which is these answers below explains the phrase “when that which is perfect is come” of 1 Cor. 13:10?

1) Some people believe that it is a reference to us dying and going to heaven.

2) Others believe that it refers to when Jesus returns to earth.

3) Others believe that it refers to the completed Bible. This is the only sound view in the light of context, grammar, and in light of Scripture. 1 Cor. 13:10 is referring to the completed canon of Scripture of the first century A.D., then including Paul’s revelation of the mystery as found in his thirteen epistles to the mainly Gentile “church, body of Christ.” (Eph. 1:22b-23a)

There are no spiritual gifts operating today as was during the Acts period. This is because we not only live during the new grace-age of “the dispensation of the grace of God,” we now have in our hands the completed 66-book Holy Bible as God’s full revelation for us as members of “the church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a).

If we are to be people of faith, we must throw away our doctrinally-deficient hymns, discard our faulty traditional theological systems, our traditions, and bible commentaries, rituals and rites, to break away from our long-held pre-conceived religious ideas… in favor of “the word of God” itself.

We need to embrace the simple truths of the Bible and the uniqueness of the age of grace that we live in today. We learn the details of this age from Paul’s thirteen epistles (Romans to Philemon) that are written to and for the members of “the church… the body of Christ,” not just the six (6) Pauline epistles written during the Acts period. Paul’s last seven epistles complete the revelation Jesus from heaven gave to Paul for us in this age.

God’s written “Word” alone, not theological systems, not Bible commentaries, not preachers or teachers is all that matters. All “truth” of God’s written word is to be revealed to us now by the innermost anointing of the Holy Spirit.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (Jn. 16:13)

“(I, Paul) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling (for us), and what (are) the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints (believers), (Eph. 1:16-18)

Well then, are there genuine Apostles and Prophets today?

Perhaps you’ve seen men and women on so-called Christian TV claiming the title “Apostle so and so” or “Prophet so and so.” These then would be false Apostles and false prophets.

We should let Paul to explain the work of the real apostles of Paul’s day, he and his co-workers. Paul wrote that “the church, which is His Body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a) is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20), referring to grace apostles and grace prophets (preachers) who were co-workers with Paul in his day. (I Cor. 12:28-29). This does not apply to Jesus’ twelve Apostles to Israel. The work of these Pauline apostles and prophets was of God and foundational in nature. The word “apostle” in Greek is ‘apostolos,’ meaning “a sent one,” sent by God. Paul sent some men as Apostles and Prophets, such as Barnabas, Titus, and Timothy. The prophets of Paul’s day spoke forth the same foundational doctrinal truth as Paul spoke, it was not “future telling.”

“As I besought thee (Timothy) to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine (Than Paul’s Christ-given revelation),” (1 Timothy 1:3)

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (Gk. anathema, banned). ⁹ As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9)

If 2,000 years later we’re still laying the foundation of the Church, there is something seriously wrong! In their day, the true Apostles and Prophets could speak for God by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaking verbally the same message with the same inspired authority that Paul experienced when he was still writing his epistles.

Paul could not be everywhere at once, and so God needed other Apostles and prophets who at that time could speak the same truth with the same authority that Paul enjoyed as he wrote his thirteen epistles. Once the Bible was complete, however, “that which is perfect” actually was come, and the knowledge gifts ceased (I Cor. 13:8-10). When these gifts of ceased, of course, there also were no more apostles and prophets.

So, within the pages of His Holy Word, God has already said all that He needed to say.

Note that Jesus closed the last book of the Bible, “Revelation,” He pronounced a curse on any who would add to what was “written in this book.”

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:” (Rev. 22:18).

With this in mind, it’s not just wrong to call a man an apostle or prophet today, it’s dangerous. None today can speak and act with the authority of the written “word of God” that we hold in our hands. Today no man can genuinely demonstrate “the signs of an apostle.”

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)

- Significant Portions of this Study were adapted from Shawn Brasseaux -

https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.org/2014/08/21/that-which-is-perfect-1-corinthians-13-10/