Celibacy: The Forgotten Gift of the Holy Spirit

In this article, Stephen Vantassel argues that the gift of celibacy enjoys “explicit and clear (even emphatic) Scriptural support,” but Protestants have tended to neglect it or object to it for various reasons. Vantassel maintains that there is a distinction between singleness and celibacy: Biblical celibacy is a choice of the single life for service to Christ, rather than for self-gratification or for flight from responsibility and commitment. He concludes with practical steps in recovering a biblical view of celibacy.