Recently I read an article in which the author stated why he is a cessationist. Cessationism is the doctrine certain spiritual gifts and the calling of an apostle ceased with the early church. I suppose if labels must be used (and I try to avoid them personally) I would then be a "continuationist" - news to me. This isn't a name I would use to classify my beliefs, but one others have made for me. It is not surprising gifts have ceased if people do not believe they are in operation and do not ask for them according to scripture.
I do not want to lump all cessationists together as if they all agree theologically, for I am convinced there is a variety of beliefs represented by them. I know there is also a wide breadth of beliefs, convictions, and practices between so-called "continuationists," and it is troubling to be lumped in with others who support and encourage unbiblical practices. And this is the rub: the cessationist view is always put forward as the biblical view - typically without much middle ground. It is quite true there are some who wrongly appeal to personal experience in lieu or in violation of the Word of God, but there is much evidence in both the Old and New Testament of the miraculous. Paul famously said in 1 Corinthians 13:8 a time for the cessation of gifts as revealed in scripture will occur, but the primary source of major disagreement between the camps is when and why they should end. If prophecy and tongues have ceased, it follows knowledge must have ceased as well. Wait, we still need knowledge... ;)
I will be absolutely blunt: it is impossible for me to be a cessationist because according to scripture I desired spiritual gifts, prayed specifically that I might receive, and God graciously gifted me to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 14:1). It wasn't weird, wild, crazy - or unbiblical - as the uninitiated may claim. I do not deny there are people who violate scripture in their expression and beliefs concerning this gift in particular. Those who have been hottest in opposition about this burning subject with me were interestingly often those who felt scorned by others for their inability to speak in tongues - as if it was the only real evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts tells a very different story. As different parts of the Body of Christ we have unique talents and spiritual gifts. Militant cessationists could be likened to the woman brought before Solomon who would not agree to give the child back to his rightful mother, but was fine with Solomon using the sword to divide it. This divisive impulse is alive today as it was in the Corinthian church, to use the Sword of the Spirit to divide genuine believers into factions.
It does not take long in reading articles or posts which support cessationism before I think, "No, no!" How many times have opposing views been misrepresented as a caricature, words and terms curiously and narrowly defined, even scriptures wrenched from context to prove some spiritual gifts have arbitrarily passed into antiquity because they are no longer needed! Says who? The gift of prophecy is conveniently reduced to "preaching" when it suits (though the same assert preaching can be prophetic), and the Acts of the Apostles are sadly relegated and limited to an archaic age. Those designated "sign" gifts by theologians are written off as valid only in the early church, though I see no such designation between gifts in scripture. Can fruit of the Spirit be out of season today? Praise the LORD the miraculous regeneration and salvation of the soul by the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ is not outdated! It is the scripture which sets the precedent for the use of spiritual gifts in love, and the Bible governs the proper use of gifts. I'm speaking from the heart here, but I also want to use my head.
I am convinced even if I did not knowingly operate in a spiritual gift I would continue to believe all spiritual gifts are available from our awesome God today according to His will, as it says in scripture (1 Cor. 12:11). Our tongues are very needed to speak to share the gracious truths of the Gospel, so it would be remarkable tongues of men and angels would now be invalid to praise and glorify God for His wondrous works as a sign to unbelievers. It is a grief to my heart when people abuse the use of spiritual gifts or make them a gauge of spirituality. It is also a great tragedy people use the Bible to castigate those who honour God, the scripture, and edify the church with spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, as well as shutting the door on even seeking and asking God for spiritual gifts. How can a person who doesn't believe Christians can operate in a spiritual gift by the power of the Holy Spirit ask believing and in faith receive? It may be true some of what is passed off as spiritual gifting is a sham, but people ought to take care they do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit by claiming the operation of genuine spiritual gifts is demonic. We do need the discernment of the Holy Spirit in the church today, don't we? God knows what we need more than we do.
Anyway, this subject is something lately I've been thinking about. Praise the LORD the Gospel is not outdated and the Holy Spirit has been sent to indwell and empower believers for the glory of God. People on all sides of this complex topic are convinced in their own mind by the scripture, and let us all continue to unite in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. I gladly reach out my hand in brotherhood and friendship to those who identify as cessationist in Jesus Christ not as a "continuationist" but as a Christian, for we are united as one in His body. Without God's love spiritual gifts and knowledge of scripture cannot be properly wielded, and praise the LORD God's love never fails.
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I do not want to lump all cessationists together as if they all agree theologically, for I am convinced there is a variety of beliefs represented by them. I know there is also a wide breadth of beliefs, convictions, and practices between so-called "continuationists," and it is troubling to be lumped in with others who support and encourage unbiblical practices. And this is the rub: the cessationist view is always put forward as the biblical view - typically without much middle ground. It is quite true there are some who wrongly appeal to personal experience in lieu or in violation of the Word of God, but there is much evidence in both the Old and New Testament of the miraculous. Paul famously said in 1 Corinthians 13:8 a time for the cessation of gifts as revealed in scripture will occur, but the primary source of major disagreement between the camps is when and why they should end. If prophecy and tongues have ceased, it follows knowledge must have ceased as well. Wait, we still need knowledge... ;)
I will be absolutely blunt: it is impossible for me to be a cessationist because according to scripture I desired spiritual gifts, prayed specifically that I might receive, and God graciously gifted me to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 14:1). It wasn't weird, wild, crazy - or unbiblical - as the uninitiated may claim. I do not deny there are people who violate scripture in their expression and beliefs concerning this gift in particular. Those who have been hottest in opposition about this burning subject with me were interestingly often those who felt scorned by others for their inability to speak in tongues - as if it was the only real evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts tells a very different story. As different parts of the Body of Christ we have unique talents and spiritual gifts. Militant cessationists could be likened to the woman brought before Solomon who would not agree to give the child back to his rightful mother, but was fine with Solomon using the sword to divide it. This divisive impulse is alive today as it was in the Corinthian church, to use the Sword of the Spirit to divide genuine believers into factions.
It does not take long in reading articles or posts which support cessationism before I think, "No, no!" How many times have opposing views been misrepresented as a caricature, words and terms curiously and narrowly defined, even scriptures wrenched from context to prove some spiritual gifts have arbitrarily passed into antiquity because they are no longer needed! Says who? The gift of prophecy is conveniently reduced to "preaching" when it suits (though the same assert preaching can be prophetic), and the Acts of the Apostles are sadly relegated and limited to an archaic age. Those designated "sign" gifts by theologians are written off as valid only in the early church, though I see no such designation between gifts in scripture. Can fruit of the Spirit be out of season today? Praise the LORD the miraculous regeneration and salvation of the soul by the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ is not outdated! It is the scripture which sets the precedent for the use of spiritual gifts in love, and the Bible governs the proper use of gifts. I'm speaking from the heart here, but I also want to use my head.
I am convinced even if I did not knowingly operate in a spiritual gift I would continue to believe all spiritual gifts are available from our awesome God today according to His will, as it says in scripture (1 Cor. 12:11). Our tongues are very needed to speak to share the gracious truths of the Gospel, so it would be remarkable tongues of men and angels would now be invalid to praise and glorify God for His wondrous works as a sign to unbelievers. It is a grief to my heart when people abuse the use of spiritual gifts or make them a gauge of spirituality. It is also a great tragedy people use the Bible to castigate those who honour God, the scripture, and edify the church with spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit, as well as shutting the door on even seeking and asking God for spiritual gifts. How can a person who doesn't believe Christians can operate in a spiritual gift by the power of the Holy Spirit ask believing and in faith receive? It may be true some of what is passed off as spiritual gifting is a sham, but people ought to take care they do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit by claiming the operation of genuine spiritual gifts is demonic. We do need the discernment of the Holy Spirit in the church today, don't we? God knows what we need more than we do.
Anyway, this subject is something lately I've been thinking about. Praise the LORD the Gospel is not outdated and the Holy Spirit has been sent to indwell and empower believers for the glory of God. People on all sides of this complex topic are convinced in their own mind by the scripture, and let us all continue to unite in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. I gladly reach out my hand in brotherhood and friendship to those who identify as cessationist in Jesus Christ not as a "continuationist" but as a Christian, for we are united as one in His body. Without God's love spiritual gifts and knowledge of scripture cannot be properly wielded, and praise the LORD God's love never fails.
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