The EFCA unambiguously affirms that the biblical canon is closed and that Scripture is the supreme and final authority. No new inspired writings can supplement or replace the Bible. At the same time, the EFCA's 2008 Statement revision opened secondary doctrinal freedom on the question of spiritual gifts — including whether gifts like prophecy and tongues continue today.

Cessationist EFCA churches hold that revelatory and sign gifts ceased with the apostolic era, so that no current spiritual gifts function as vehicles of new divine revelation. Continuationist EFCA churches hold that prophetic gifts continue but must always be tested against Scripture — they function as Spirit-prompted illuminations and encouragements, not new canonical revelation. The EFCA's official position accommodates both perspectives as secondary matters.

The EFCA has produced position papers on spiritual gifts that outline the range of acceptable positions. In all cases, the principle is clear: whatever the Spirit does through gifted believers today is always subject to the authority of Scripture, never above it or supplementing it with new binding content. This protects the EFCA from the excesses associated with some charismatic movements while allowing genuine openness to the Spirit's ongoing work.