Cessationism v. Continuationism
Phil Johnson (PyroManiac) has posted his response to the seemingly never ending “discussion” regarding Continuationism and Cessationism. In the past two days, he has posted You’re probably a cessationist, too and Allow me to reiterate.
First off, a very brief description of each for those that might be confused:
Continuationism: “the assumption that the miraculous gifts are normative and have continued in uninterrupted operation since Pentecost.” (Theopedia)
Cessationism: “the belief that the miraculous gifts such as healing, tongues, prophetic revelation, and supernatural knowledge pertained to the apostolic era only, served a purpose that was unique to the era before the New Testament was complete, and passed from use before the canon of Scripture was closed.” (Theopedia)
Before I go any further… let me start by saying that I feel this is a non-essential matter in which Christians should not argue. It is not essential to salvation nor is it essential to the teachings of Christ. There has been significant amounts of blogs made within the blogosphere on this topic already (google link to blogs on the debate). With that in mind…
Point #1: God does not need gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, etc. in order to reach people
God is not limited, or confined, in how He reaches people. God’s grace is completely and utterly irresistible. Miracles are not required for a person to hear the Gospel of Christ and profess their faith in Christ Jesus. God is able to regenerate a person through the Holy Spirit without any extra requirements or external influences.
Point #2: Scripture does not explicitly teach either way
Acts certainly discusses the gifts of prophecy, tongues, healing, etc. but does not give the reader any reason to conclusively say that these gifts either will, or will not, continue. Scripture as a whole would certainly support the idea that God can work in whatever ways He deems appropriate and necessary. Many would point to Eph 2:19-20 as a defense of the cessational perspective:
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, (NASB)
This could be viewed as an implicit teaching that the gifts were needed only to establish the initial Church. Another verse referenced in support of cessationism is 1 Cor 13:8-10:
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
What is the perfect? The Bible? Jesus Christ? Again, without clear, Biblical evidence, we are left to our presuppositions — what a dangerous thing, indeed!
Point #3: Establishment of the Church
As we look back to Eph 2:19-20, I am inclined to agree that the gifts of prophecy, tongues, etc. were given on Pentecost in order to help establish the initial Church. Now that the Church has been established, the “need” for such gifts is not required.
Point #4: Public “abuse” of any gifts has significantly impacted credibility
There have been repeated accounts of false prophets, false healers, etc. These people have impacted the experience and reason that people have with respect to the continuation of gifts. Many are extremely nervous about person who self-professes to have these so-called gifts due to the “stories” they have heard or seen in the media. Case in point — a survey was conducted of a theology class. Every single student stated that they had never witnessed or experienced, first-hand, a verifiable gift of prophecy, tongues or healing. Certainly, this is not a conclusive statement but is given as a data point. There are absolutely “one off” events that are unexplainable. I would argue that the power of faith is a gift, not necessary the gift of healing or the like.
In conclusion, based on my belief in Sola Scriptura, I find myself standing on a position of “soft cessationism”. God’s will cannot be thwarted. If tongues, healing, prophecy or other miraculous gifts are “required” in order to accomplish that end, then they will happen. I believe that God has done just that in the presence of some in order to either bring them to him, or to strengthen their faith. However, I do not believe that this is a common practice and that everyone walking around claiming these gifts is in their right mind. Luckily, I believe in a God whose grace is irresistible and whose mercy is plentiful. I thank God for the blessings and the gifts He has given to me — none of which include any of the miraculous gifts discussed in this article.
Acts may not show that the Gifts and Miracles are needed to continue the work of the Church, however it implies that the such has not ceased. The closer reading of Scripture shows that the Gifts and Miracles are important as a witness of faith to both Believers and Unbelievers. The implication is the Gifts and Miracles are abused via the works of the flesh there is no value in them. Only the Love of God has value as an end.
I just want to say that the bible in romans clearly states that the Gifts and Callings of God are without repentance. The orginal greek tranlates irrevolcable. That means that God does not change his mind. So if Gods word is truth and inspired. Then to even assume that God has taken the Gifts use away from the church is saying that God is a lair. So we know that God in not a liar. The bible clearly calls those gifts the gifts of the Spirit. They are not your gifts nor my gifts but his gift. The bible states in I cor. 12 that he distrubes those gifts to who he wills. And we know that the Holy Spirit is still here he has not left because Jesus has not come back. Cessationism does not make any since now or never has. If paul ment in I cor 13 that gifts would stop at the cannon of scripture why would he say in I cor 14 to desire spiritual gifts and forbid not to speak in tongues. If it was going to go away way would he incourage that. We need the Holy Spirit working in our live. People say “Well does make any since to me why we need tongue any way”. Well God choice the foolish things to confound the wise. Preaching to the world is foolishness but the bible declares it to be the power of God unto salvation. God did not stop preaching. The bible says his ways are not our ways. Through out history the church has record of gifts in operation past the apostles. But because we cant in our natural mind understand things we want to tell God that he cant do that no more. The bible says that the gifts are for edifacation. They are to empower believers through the holy spirit to be a witness. As long as the church is on this earth, the holy spirit will still be here to empower believers. But when Jesus comes (that which is perfect) then those impartal gifts will no longer be needed because the church will have fulfilled her commision and she will be adorned for the marriage supper of the lamb. II Tim 3 says that in the last days men will in versus 5 have a form of godliness, but DENYING THE POWER THEREOF, he commands From such turn away. I cor chapter 1 and 2 says that spiritual things cannot be understood by our natural understanding. The spirit seaches out the deep things of God and has to be revealed by him. He is the spirit of truth (john 14-16). He wrote the book. Pray for understanding. I implore you not to make conclusions on mans tradition, thinking or teaching. The bible says if any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God. Pray that the Holy Spirit will teach you all. If it dont make sinces ask of God. Thank you for your time.