(B) Are these gifts still valid for today?
(B) Are these gifts still valid for today?
Yes, although a great many sincere Christians claim they are no longer valid, having ceased with the first century church. But it is inconsistent with scripture to teach that God only empowered the first century church for service and that the empowering is not for today.
The church Christ is building is not yet complete, and if His command to disciple all nations is to be fulfilled in the earth, the church today needs the same empowering the first century church had (CP Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:17-20; Ac 2:36-39; 5:32).
Them that believe in Mk 16:17, all that are afar off in Ac 2:36-39, and them that obey in 5:32 all refer to every believer in Christ from the day of Pentecost until God's redemptive plan is fulfilled in the very last repentant sinner saved before Christ comes back to take the church to heaven with Him at the first resurrection.
This is qualified by Jesus when He said in Mt 28:20 …and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
This clearly refutes any teaching that something so integral to God's redemptive plan was only a temporary activity that would cease with the first century church. Christ was not only talking to His disciples of that era but to His disciples throughout the whole of the church age (CP 1Cor 13:8-10, 12).
Most bible commentators agree that when that which is perfect is come refers to the consummation of this present age when Jesus comes again to take the church back to heaven with Him at the first resurrection (CP Jn 14:1-3; 1Cor 15:51-58; 1Th 4:13-18).
When we see Jesus face to face in the eternal state there will no longer be any need for the gifts of the Spirit. But until then they are still valid, or scriptures are meaningless.
(See also comments on Mk 16:17-18, Jn 14:12-14; Ac 2:1-4(B), 19:11-12 and 1Cor 13:8-12 and author's studies Baptism in the Spirit in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith, Signs and Wonders in God's Redemptive Plan in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1) and The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Church in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2)).