Counteracting cessationism
- crossroadscaloundr
- May 1
- 33 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Foreword:
Counteracting cessationism (the belief that miraculous gifts ceased after the apostolic age) involves engaging with biblical, historical, and experiential arguments while maintaining a spirit of love and unity. When engaging, it is generally advised to focus on "gentleness and respect" (1 Pet 3:15), acknowledging that both sides aim to honour Scripture. It isn't strange that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to facilitate the unifying of the church, and yet the issue of the Gifts is one of the most divisive in all Christendom. Some insist that a single gift is essential. They require anybody who is filled with the Spirit of God to possess the gift of tongues, and they cause division in the Body of Christ over it. Others deny the validity of the gifts of for the church today, and they too divide the body too. We're getting hit both ways. I hope to bring some balance and clarity in this matter.
1 Corinthians 14:39 New King James Version
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 New King James Version
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
Topic & content:
All the gifts of the Holy Spirit valid, supernatural gifts for believers today. After the introduction, I give my personal testimony, followed by the most common excuses & argumentation that is used against the gifts & specifically speaking in tongues, concluded with Scriptural defence & notes against cessiationism & closing with teaching notes from Chuck Missler, who to my pleasant surprise clearly believed in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues. Please read this with an open mind, not with "glasses" of denominational interpretations.
Introduction: I had it on my heart to write about this topic for a long time. I don’t know, if it just me, but I have found that Christians who believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit & miracles & signs for today, specifically those who can speak in tongues like me, are more under attack, mocked & challenged. I even read from brothers & sisters in Christ who I do agree with on sound Biblical teaching & end-times-eschatology (I do not agree with “Prosperity” & NAR teaching) judging & condemning believers like me as “Tongue-speaking Charismatics” & tarring everyone with the same brush. Even suggesting they are demonic tongues. Yes, I am the first one to agree that there are extreme & wrong practices & even counterfeit in the Charismatic & Pentecostal Movement.
But if there is a counterfeit then it confirms that there is a legitimate. But if you study church history you will find to your surprise (or maybe not) that every church revival / renewal & reformation movement needed corrections & adjustment, as far back as the Corinthian Church in the 1st Century AD.
My own testimony:
I remember when I was around 21 years old, visiting a church in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, as there were special guest speakers. I was spontaneously baptized in the Holy Spirit & started speaking in unknown languages, without anybody forcing anything or laying hands on me. I have been speaking in tongues ever since in my prayer closet or when spiritual warfare is required.
This has been so much challenged in certain Christian circles, that I went back to the “drawing board” so to speak, searching the Scriptures, finding comfort & affirmation through exhaustive Biblical study, that this is for today!
I do not believe or teach that Christians who don’t believe the same or don’t speak in tongues yet, are second rate Christians or that they don’t have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. That is not up to me.
But I would like to exhort my brothers & sisters in Christ who are on the more conservative side with different doctrinal views stop judging & condemning others who have experienced this & do speak in tongues & believe in miracles today.
Yes, I observe & agree that the church does not have the same anointing & power as the apostles & others in the first Century. I also think it better not to use the titles Apostles & Prophets today, as it can lead to pride & misunderstanding. This not because God or the dispensation of Grace has changed, but the church has changed.
The more we draw near to God & seek to walk in holiness, signs, wonders & miracles can & will follow & affirm the preaching of the Word! But please stop condemning & judging others who do, even for your own sake.
Do you really think that this pleases the Lord? Or are you deceived in thinking that you are some sort of “heresy hunter”, warning & protecting the Body of Christ against "Charismatic Christians". Maybe you need to have a good look at yourself: Do you think it is honouring to the Lord with statements of unbelief like: “This not for today”, “The Lord does not do this anymore”, “This has died out with the Apostles”.
This is intellectual arrogance & spiritual wilful ignorance, rejecting the Lord's gifts & blessings.
This is the heart of cessationism — unbelief and defiance. Yes, if you don’t have faith in this, I am sure nothing will happen in your church service.
But remember: “Without faith it is impossible to please God” or “Will the Lord find faith on the earth when he returns?” I am saddened to see how this has deeply affected many churches & individual Christians. Confessing to be believing born-again eternally saved, but never expecting or believing anything supernatural to happen regarding healing in their bodies or other gifting as the Holy Spirit determines.
There's a position among some groups of Christians that the gifts of the Spirit were for the early Church only. To justify this belief they argue that the New Testament canon is "that which is perfect has come" and the gifts are done away with. There are a couple of things wrong with this view.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are being given continually
1 Corinthians 12:11-12 New King James Version
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
Throughout this passage, Paul speaks in the present passive indicative "is being given" This usage conveys that the gifts are being given continually. That is, they are not just for a specific time in early church history of the church. They are continually being given according to the wisdom and will of the Holy Spirit, who builds and moves the many members of the single Body of Christ.
Most common standard defence of cessationists is:
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 New King James Version
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just a. s I also am known.
*First of all, New Testament Canon is not perfect. It is not complete. In Revelation 10:3-4 seven thunders made an utterance, and John is told to seal up what the seven thunders said and not write it down. That means the New Testament Canon is not complete until we know what the seven thunders said. I don't mean we should keep adding books to the New Testament. Not at all. I simply mean that we do not have complete knowledge, and therefore the canon cannot be "that which is perfect".
*Second, Paul is clearly referring to being with the Lord in Heaven in a perfect setting: no sin, no rebellion, no imperfection. The idea that the completed New Testament canon is "that which is perfect" is a recent idea that was developed to counter the Pentecostal movement starting in 1906 with the Azusa Street Revival. Until the 20th Century, this verse was always interpreted to mean the Second Coming of Christ, which is certainly the most intuitive meaning and the one that makes the most sense. Until Christ's returns, nothing is complete or perfect. We still live in a fallen world, and our knowledge is broken and filled with holes. The Gospel has not reached every corner of the world yet, and we need the Gifts of the Spirit today in our cold, secular world more than ever. Our knowledge cannot be complete until we see Christ face to face.
*Third, the verb "to prophecy" in the Greek text of 1 Corinthians shows that this particular verb always appears in the present tense. Whether it is in the indicative or subjective mood, whether it is a particle or an infinitive, the verb always means ongoing, continues action in the present tense. In Acts 2:17-22, Peter quotes Joel on the day of Pentecost, on the day the church was birthed. Peter is explaining to the crowd that the disciples are speaking in tongues according to the Prophet Joel. Joel was speaking of something that took place until the Day of the Lord in the last times. Peter was full of the Holy Spirit when he was speaking , and so it appears we have been in the "last days" for around 2000 years. Joel described something that would continue till the very end. The Holy Spirit has the same attributes as God the Father. He is immutable; He doesn't change!
*Fourth, remember there are many different gifts besides prophecy and healing and miracles. There are gifts of wisdom and faith and teaching, exhortation and evangelism, governance and mercy. If the gifts have ceased, does that mean that the gifts of teaching and exhortation and mercy have ceases as well-or just the demonstrative ones like prophecy and tongues? Does this make any sense, no not to me.
Other things that I have heard from cessationists in regards to speaking in tongues:
"But you don't know what you are praying"
Well that is exactly the whole point, the Lord is giving a language to the warfare & praise him in your prayer closet. Also the devil can't hear what you are praying.
"Linguists & other experts investigated this and have concluded that is nor really a language like we have on earth, the structure, syllables & tones etc are different"
I would say thank for confirming that this is not an earthly language but something supernatural. By the way: Is it not also "experts" that are telling us that wearing masks can stop a virus, that the COVID vaccines are safe & effective, that we are facing a catastrophic climate change, the earth is not created by God and is 6 Billion years old & that Islam is a religion of peace.
So please give me a break!
When the Apostle Paul said he was speaking more in tongues than any of the believers, that he was referring to the languages he spoke naturally as from his background.
What a nonsense! I myself like most of of Dutch people & Europeans, South Africans etc speak at least 2 languages fluently. But since prayer to our Heavenly Father is very personal & intimate, that when we pray with understanding, in a language that we are most comfortable with. Not constantly switching between languages. I doubt that Paul was referring to the natural languages he was able to speak.
You are just going on feelings, emotions & experience
Agreed the final test of truth is the Scriptures, but what Bible are you reading concluding that feelings, emotions & experience have no part in your Christian walk & life.
We have to obey "and tongues will cease" from 1 Corinthians 13:8.
First this is not a command and second this is absolutely not the meaning based on the context. This is not just a different interpretation, this outright nonsense.
Scriptures actually state the opposite:
1 Corinthians 14:39 New King James Version
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
Tongues are demonic
Yes Satan does imitate things & demonic tongues do exist, so we need to use discernment. It is like with with many things in life the illegitimate makes the legitimate look bad. But this does not exclude that we seek the Lord for the spiritual gifts, including tongues.
Please see more detailed study, facts & links for those who want to dig deeper:
Summery:
Biblical Arguments
No Explicit Cessation Script: Point out that the New Testament does not explicitly state miraculous gifts would end with the apostolic age.
"The Perfect" (1 Cor 13:10): Argue that "the perfect" refers to the return of Christ, not the completion of the New Testament canon.
Prophecy and "Last Days": Highlight that Acts 2:17-18 places prophecies, dreams, and visions within the entire "last days" period (from Pentecost to Christ's return).
Gifts Promised to All: Emphasize that spiritual gifts were not limited to the original apostles but were active among diverse believers in early churches (e.g., Rome, Corinth, Galatia).
Do Not Quench the Spirit: Cite 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20, which warns against quenching the Spirit or despising prophecies, arguing that cessationism can lead to quenching these manifestations.
Theological Counter-Arguments
Counterfeit Proves the Real: Argue that the existence of false manifestations (abuses of spiritual gifts) does not negate the existence of genuine, godly spiritual gifts.
Misunderstood Purpose: Argue that sign gifts were not solely to validate apostles, but for the edification of the body of Christ, a purpose that still exists today.
"Last Days" Continued: Argue that if we are still in the "last days" (Acts 2:17), the miraculous activity of the Holy Spirit should still be expected.
Practical and Historical Approaches
Distinguish from Extremes: Acknowledge legitimate concerns regarding Pentecostal/Charismatic abuses while clarifying that "mainstream" continuationism rejects abuses, such as the prosperity gospel.
Focus on Love: Use the context of 1 Corinthians 13 (the "love chapter") which is positioned in the middle of a discussion on spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12-14), reminding all sides to put love over all.
Encourage Experience within Scripture: Encourage believers to seek the gifts but also to test everything against Scripture (1 Thess 5:21).
Key Scripture Passages
1 Corinthians 14:39: "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues."
1 Corinthians 13:8-12: Regarding the cessation of gifts at "the perfect."
Acts 2:17-18: The promise of spiritual gifts for the "last days."
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22: Warning against quenching the Spirit.
Hebrews 2:4: Describing the gifts given "according to his will."
Several well-known Bible teachers and theologians throughout history and in modern times have held "continuationist" views—believing that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (such as prophecy, healing, and tongues) did not cease with the apostolic age and continue to be active in the church today.
Some notable figures often associated with this perspective:
Recent & Contemporary Teachers
Sam Storms: A prominent theologian, author, and pastor known for a moderate, biblically-based defence of continuationism, often emphasizing the proper use of spiritual gifts.
John Piper: While often aligned with Reformed theology, Piper has stated he is not a cessationist, viewing spiritual gifts as potentially available today, though he emphasizes caution and biblical testing.
Matt Chandler: Lead pastor of The Village Church, often cited as a Reformed pastor who holds to a continuationist view of spiritual gifts.
Dr. Michael Brown: A scholar and host known for his defense of the miraculous and continuationist theology.
Mike Winger: A popular online Bible teacher from a Calvary Chapel background who provides in-depth, verse-by-verse teaching while holding a continuationist view.
Derek Prince: Peter Derek Vaughan Prince (1915-2003) was a Bible teacher whose daily radio programme, Derek Prince Legacy Radio, is broadcast around the world in various languages.
Charles W. Missler (May 28, 1934 – May 1, 2018) was an American author, evangelical Christian, Bible teacher, engineer, and businessman. Chuck Missler (founder of Koinonia House) generally aligned with a continuationist perspective, though he was not a typical charismatic. He believed in the active, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit to reveal truth through the various gifts of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ.
H.A. Maxwell Whyte: H. A. Maxwell Whyte (1908–1988) embarked on a journey in ministry that was fraught with uncertainty and an absence of familiar landmarks when he was sovereignly led by the Holy Spirit into an understanding of demonic activity and spiritual warfare. As is often the case with pioneers, he was misunderstood, ridiculed, and ostracized by the Christian community, even in his own city of Toronto. Despite great opposition, he forged ahead in the battle against the forces of Satan, convinced that the ministry of deliverance was scripturally based and was being restored to the church in his day.
Historical Figures
Irenaeus of Lyons: An early church father who reported that miraculous gifts, including prophecy and raising the dead, were still present in the late 2nd century.
Justin Martyr in his Dialogue with Trypho comments, 'For the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to the present time.'
Irenaeus was a pupil of Polycarp, who was a disciple of the apostle John. He wrote in his book Against Heresies, Book V: "In like manner do we also hear many brethren in the church who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light, for the general benefit, the hidden things of men and declare the mysteries of God, who also the apostles term spiritual".
"Those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles], so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years…. The name of our Lord Jesus Christ even now confers benefits [upon men], and cures thoroughly and effectively all who anywhere believe on Him".
Augustine of Hippo: While initially leaning toward cessationism in his earlier life, Augustine later changed his view to a form of continuationism, documenting numerous miracles and healings in his own city of Hippo.
John Wesley: Founder of the Methodist movement, who argued that the scarcity of miracles was due to Christians losing the faith and falling into dead formality, not because gifts had ceased.
Charles Spurgeon: Although often claimed by cessationists, some scholars note that Spurgeon, a Baptist, expressed beliefs in direct divine guidance and answered prayers that aligned him closer to a form of continuationism in experience, if not strictly in doctrine.
Smith Wiggelsworth: This great evangelist, moved mightily in faith & anointing. Miracles in his ministry were second to his message. The miracles were so astounding that there are even records of him raising the death, among many other miracles.
Andrew Murray: Andrew Murray was a South African writer, teacher and Christian pastor. Murray considered missions to be "the chief end of the church" He strongly believed in the baptism and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, viewing it as a necessary, post-conversion experience for holy living and empowering service. He emphasized that this "baptism of the Spirit" is the conscious presence of Jesus within the believer, essential for victory over sin and for fruitful service.
These teachers emphasize(d) that while biblical, the miraculous should be tested against Scripture and conducted in an orderly fashion.
More Study for “Bereans” :
An appeal to my cessationist brothers
The desire of this note is to appeal to those who hold to cessationist doctrine; who believe the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are not operational in the Church today. My hope is that this does not come off as an attack, but as an appeal or open letter. Perhaps, opening your heart for further evaluation of continuationism.
I’ve noticed in my discussion with those who hold to cessationist doctrines a few words that typically draw criticism, one particular word being, “experience.” Now, my theology indeed is affected by experience but this in no way ought to devalue it, if, and only if, it can be supported by Scripture.
I would like to address this rebuttal first. When I use the word "experience," I am referring to a sequence of events that I’ve witnessed or partook in. The cessationist will argue that experience does not trump Scripture, which is a sentiment both the continuationist and cessationist agree on.
However, to say experience in no way can shape one’s theology is misguided. Consider a man who is in practice to become a surgeon. During his schooling, he has studied and trained for surgical operations and understands the text inside and out. Yet, once that surgeon performs his first few operations, his experience will begin to mould his understanding of his schooling. In the same way, it’s one thing for a boxer to study his opponent’s fatal right hook. It’s a whole other to catch one to the jaw in a bout. Experience can be a great tool to shape one’s understanding as long as the foundation it’s forged upon is Scripture.
In my experience, I have had many instances where I’ve seen prophetic words from my own utterances come to pass. For those who’ve had specific moments where they’ve felt the presence of God come upon them in a dream, vision, or time of worship, it can bring them to a theological crossroad.
The cessationist may say, "Your prophetic dreams are nothing more than happenstance or fragments of your mind." Or worse, they may say the devil is leading you by his will. However, in my experience, my prophetic words have brought about not only repentance, but in some cases, salvation. Scripture comes alive, “But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all.” (1 Cor 14:24)
What am I to say in this instance? That this prophetic word was a figment of my good will? Or I was being led by a demon?
No, the most logical conclusion is to read the message from Paul and say, “Ah, yes. This is what Paul was talking about when he was addressing prophecy, for it happened just like he said it would.”
Pertaining to the gift of tongues, when this particular gift of the Spirit operates in its capacity, I feel it triggers some of the soul's most intimate prayers (James 4:5) and is in a way “hidden communication to the Father;” a language only the believer and the Trinity can distinguish (of course enabled by the Holy Spirit). Even the believer has trouble distinguishing what his own spirit is yearning (1 Cor 14:14) yet the Father perfectly understands. Yes, I’m speaking of tongues as a hidden language, but I’m also aware of the ability to speak in foreign tongue.
Scripture: Sufficient Against Cessationism
This article is written in the first person, addressing somebody who is a cessasionist:
[1] The cessationist argument is based on the sufficiency of Scripture. They claim that a sufficient Bible should render prophecy unnecessary, and if a prophecy only repeats or applies what the Bible says, then it is not prophecy in the biblical sense, but only a reminder of what the Bible says. This is a familiar argument, and therefore I will not repeat all the details. You mention that the Bible says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This is a significant passage for the doctrine, but your inference is false.
Paul was speaking to Timothy, not to you. Of course, it applies to all of us by extension. The principle applies to all of Scripture and anything that is Scripture, so it is correct to affirm it for our Christian Bible. However, Paul referred to whatever “Scripture” that Timothy had. You cannot make this identical to what you have now — you have more. You mention that Second Timothy is considered one of the later New Testament documents, but this is irrelevant. To use Paul’s statement this way in order to make the “Scripture” in this verse identical to the complete Christian Bible, this must not only be the final document, but it must be the final sentence in Scripture. Moreover, for the “Scripture” in this verse to be identical to what we have, Timothy must have had access to the Christian Bible in its complete form. Unless this was the case, it would be irrelevant even if this is the final sentence of the final document in the Bible. Timothy at least did not have access to Second Timothy while Paul was writing it! In fact, it is likely that Paul had in mind only what Timothy could access in his infancy, since the verse before says, “From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
My point is that the Scripture was already sufficient way before 2 Timothy 3:16-17, but since it was not finished, God continued to write. This is why the sufficiency and the finality of Scripture are two different doctrines. The Christian Bible is not only sufficient to equip us for every good work, but it is more than sufficient for this. Scripture was sufficient before it was complete. If the cessationist uses the sufficiency of Scripture to undermine the continuation of prophecy, he must first use the sufficiency of Scripture to undermine all the Scripture that was produced after Timothy’s infancy — this would include Second Timothy itself. Therefore, to use the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture against the continuation of prophecy is first a repudiation of Scripture. Before any debate about the continuation of anything, the argument would first prevent both the completion and the collection of Scripture. When you do that, from the Christian perspective, you are finished. It is over for you. You are anti-gospel. You are the counter-Christian heretic. Save yourself before you pretend to be a theologian and criticize other people.
By this point, we have already refuted the objection, with the bonus that the cessationist is charged with sin, heresy, a rejection of Scripture, and therefore a renunciation of the Christian faith. We are done, and we can stop here if we wish. But I will take this opportunity to discuss additional problems with the argument.
[2] The way the cessationist formulates and applies the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture plunges him into all kinds of trouble. Have you even read the rest of Second Timothy? How about 2:21? It says, “If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” Do you see the problem? “Prepared to do any good work.” Does the cessationist even need the Bible? I can have some fun with this, but we still have a lot to cover, so we will talk about prophecy.
Have you read First Timothy? Paul wrote, “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:18) . And later he wrote, “Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you” (1 Timothy 4:14) . Timothy had studied the Scripture many years before that point (2 Timothy 3:15), a Scripture that Paul declared sufficient (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If Timothy never received any prophecy, we would say that he could have lived without it, but he did receive. Prophecy was spoken to Timothy, and Paul told Timothy to use it, to fight the good fight with it. The apostle saw no conflict between this and the sufficiency of Scripture.
[3] Then, you claim that if prophecy speaks only information that is in the Bible, then it would not be like the kind of prophecy in the early church, but it would be a mere reminder from the Holy Spirit. For now, let us proceed with this limitation, that prophecy will speak only what is in the Bible. Does that mean it cannot be like the kind described in the Bible, the kind experienced by the early disciples?
I know someone who started preaching when he was sixteen, right away to people who were thirty-five to seventy-five. He would teach about many topics from the Bible, and counsel these adults about anything from parenting, drug abuse, to sexual dysfunction, having never experienced these things. He had never been taught how to interpret the Bible, how to preach, or even how to make an outline. He learned, but God helped him begin. When he prepared a message, he would sometimes see a vision of the complete outline, and he would copy it down and use it. Sometimes he would see a vision of himself speaking in an upcoming service, and when the time came, he would just act out what he saw. Every time it was accurate and biblical. He started in ministry soon after his conversion, and so he still had not read the entire Bible. Sometimes when he was preaching or counseling, or answering hecklers, he would recite whole biblical passages that he had never read, because he would read them off from a vision as he spoke. The people thought he had memorized the passages, but sometimes that would be the first time he read them.
In one of his meetings, while the people started to arrive and waited for him, he was praying in another place in the building. Two people in the audience were talking to each other about a certain biblical topic, and one of them asked the other a series of questions. Then the preacher came out to speak. About ten minutes into his sermon, he suddenly stopped and turned to the two people. He looked at them and spent several minutes to address a different topic, and then returned to his sermon. It looked like a digression. Later, he was told that he answered the questions that the person asked his friend before the service, in the same order that he asked them. There were a number of other cases. In every case, the man said nothing that was not already in the Bible, but it was an evident manifestation of the prophetic, and it had the effect that prophecy ought to produce: “The secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!'” (1 Corinthians 14:25). Therefore, even when prophecy is limited to the information in the Bible, it does not necessarily mean that it is a mere reminder of biblical teaching, but it can have the same striking effect as when Jesus said to Nathaniel, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you” (John 1:48).
[4] This is to show that the point betrays your spiritual ignorance (1 Corinthians 12:1), but the truth is that it also puts you in a lot of trouble. If prophecy that contains no information other than what is already in the Bible is not the kind of prophecy demonstrated in the Bible, then this can be turned against the Bible itself. Many propositions in the Bible repeat the same words or ideas contained in previous portions of the Bible. How many times could a person say “His mercy endures forever” before it stopped being prophetic (Psalm 118)? According to you, the second time was already different. When Jesus preached in Nazareth, he read from Isaiah 61 before he added, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” According to you, Luke 4:18-19 was not prophetic, but at best a Spirit-prompted reminder, but Luke 4:21 was prophetic, because it was new information. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, he cited from Joel 2 and several other places. According to you, major portions of his sermon were not prophetic, but only Spirit-prompted reminders.
What about all the other times that Jesus quoted Scripture? What about all the other times that the apostles copied Scripture in their letters? According to you, only their expositions and other revelations were inspired, but their quotations of existing Scripture were not. If we also discard those parts where the Bible repeats its own ideas even if not the exact words, then the cessationist Bible becomes even thinner. For example, regardless of the words used, only the first time the Bible asserts the deity of Christ would be prophetic. All subsequent instances would be mere reminders. This means that the cessationist who uses this argument denies hundreds of portions of Scripture, relegating them to unnecessary reminders. On the other hand, I say that all the times that the Bible repeats its own words and ideas are inspired and prophetic.
The cessationist makes at least three attacks against Scripture in this one argument that supposedly defends Scripture. First, contrary to the Bible’s own claim, he declares that the Bible was never sufficient until completion. Second, because the Bible indeed declares itself sufficient before completion, but the cessationist claims that anything that is beyond sufficient is unnecessary, and not in the same class as biblical prophecy, he declares that all portions of Scripture produced after what Timothy had in his infancy are unnecessary and uninspired. Third, because he claims that prophecy that repeats the information contained in Scripture as in a different or lower class than the prophecy of Scripture, or even not prophecy at all, he declares that all portions of Scripture that repeat the words or ideas that were already contained in previous portions of Scripture are unnecessary and uninspired. Any one of these offenses, if made clear to a cessationist, and if he refuses to repent, is a sufficient basis for excommunication.
[5] I asked if you have read First and Second Timothy, and it seems that you have not. But have you even read the verse you used? Let us read it again: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Oh, you are in so much trouble.
You use this to supposedly defend Scripture, but what good is it if you refuse to do what Scripture says? Paul said that Scripture is useful for teaching, not just so that you can argue that it is useful for teaching, but so that you would start teaching it. What good is it, if you declare that Scripture is useful for teaching, and then you turn around and teach atheism? He said that it is useful for training in righteousness, not just so that you can argue that it can serve this purpose, but so that you would start training in righteousness. What good is it, if you declare that Scripture is useful for training in righteousness, and then you turn around and train in murder and adultery? You would be like one who looks in a mirror. You see what you are like, and you see what you need to do. But the moment you turn around, you forget all about it, and you carry on with your own ideas and goals. This happens over and over again in your studies, conversations, and religious activities. You think you are spiritual and faithful to Scripture, just because you are constantly engaging the word of God, but you are not a doer of the word of God. You deceive yourself (James 1:22-25).
Scripture is sufficient “for every good work.” What are these good works? Do you even care? You never thought about this, huh? For this verse to put a stop to prophecy, it must exclude prophecy as a good work. However, Scripture explicitly declares prophecy as good. Acts 2 says that God’s Spirit is poured out, and as a result, this would produce visions, dreams, and prophecies in his people (v. 16-18). And Peter said that this same “gift of the Holy Spirit” — the Spirit that produces visions, dreams, and prophecies — would remain available for future generations, “for all whom the Lord our God will call” (v. 38-39). Paul instructed even the unstable Corinthians to desire spiritual gifts, and in their context, especially the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1). He added, “Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39). Scripture is sufficient to offer a basis for prophecy, and it is sufficient so that there is no excuse to avoid or forbid it.
[6] The cessationist is in much more trouble than this. The argument opposes prophecy on the basis of the sufficiency of Scripture, but prophecy is not the only good work that the cessationist refuses to perform. What about healing the sick? I do not say praying about the sick, but healing them. The Bible does not tell us to pray about the sick, and then see what happens. The Bible tells us to heal the sick by God’s power, to pray for them so that they will receive healing, so that they will no longer be sick (James 5:15). Why do you care that the Scripture is sufficient for good works, if you refuse to perform the good works that it commands? Should you not be shamed by the doctrine of sufficiency, and too embarrassed to mention it, instead of using it to undermine others?
You refer to John 14:26, that the Spirit can remind us of what Scripture teaches. Now let the Spirit remind you of what Jesus said only several verses before this: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Jesus said that Christians will do the same works and greater works, and I have shown elsewhere that he referred to miracles (John 14:11). Scripture is sufficient to equip you to perform these works, but if the sufficiency of Scripture is only an idea to you, or only a tool for debate, or an excuse for unbelief, then what good is it? Man, it is wasted on you! What about Matthew 21:21? Jesus said that if you have faith, you can command even a mountain to move out of the way. Instead of arguing about it, why don’t you take that and help deliver someone from their oppression? It is wasted on you! The Bible says, “Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Why don’t you teach this to someone so that he can receive healing? It is sufficient to bring healing. But it is wasted on you!
[7] You mention something about preaching the gospel on the basis that the Bible teaches it, but the Bible also teaches you to heal the sick and prophesy. But if you refuse to obey the Bible on these things, why do you need to obey it when it tells you to preach? To you, the Bible is sufficient, but not authoritative. You are not only selective about what you accept from the Bible, but selective about how you apply this doctrine of sufficiency. You use the sufficiency of Scripture, not as a basis for faith and instruction, but as leverage for argument, in order to defend and justify yourself. You disobedient and hypocritical swine! Why do you call him Lord, but refuse to do what he says (Luke 4:46)? The Bible calls this a sufficient basis for damnation, but even if we pretend that it is not, it is at least a sufficient basis for excommunication (Matthew 7:23).
If the Bible is sufficient, then do what it says. If the Bible is sufficient, then believe what it promises. If the Bible is sufficient, then you should not need someone like me to KICK you in order to make you believe and obey what it says. If the assumption is that, if the Bible is sufficient, then we do not need prophecy, even if the same Bible commands prophecy, then this can apply to other things that the Bible commands, and even more to things that the Bible does not command. It can apply to preaching, to ordination, to churches and denominations, creeds and councils, and to seminaries. You may say that these help me to follow the Bible, but if the Bible is sufficient, then I do not truly need these things, do I? If the sufficiency of the Bible still allows me to refuse what it commands – this is what you say – then how much more can I refuse what it does not command? How can you justify your creeds, denominations, and seminaries? If I can read the Bible, and it is sufficient, why do I need to listen to you preach? Why do you preach? Is it because the Bible tells you to “preach the word”? The Bible tells you to do a whole bunch of things that you refuse to do, that you reject even in principle, so what right do you have to tell me anything?
[8] This is the heart of cessationism — unbelief and defiance. The Bible is a sufficient basis to condemn any cessationist person, refute any cessationist creed, disband any cessationist denomination, defrock any cessationist minister, and terminate any cessationist professor. If the cessationist wishes to use the sufficiency of Scripture to take one thing away from me, then I will use the same doctrine, the way he uses it, to take away everything from him. If you want to cancel out what the Bible teaches on prophecy, then I will cancel out your salvation. If you want to cancel out what the Bible teaches on healing, then I will cancel out your denomination. I can single-handedly destroy all his practices, all his doctrines, all his creeds, all his churches and denominations, all his seminaries — everything. All he is left with is cessationism – a doctrine of what God does not do for him and what he cannot do for God. With nothing but the Bible, I have sufficient authority to demand the repentance of any person or group, and if this is refused, to demand expulsion or dissolution. I have no power to coerce, but the Bible is sufficient, so when I make a biblical case, it is a case with sufficient weight, so that it is God’s word to them, and he will hold the people accountable when they disobey what I say from the Bible. This is how much I believe in the sufficiency of Scripture.
If you defend a Scripture that you refuse to obey, then Scripture is only a monument, a decoration. It is a symbol and a slogan, and not the word of God. Just as the cessationist has turned against Scripture, Scripture has turned against the cessationist. The sufficiency of Scripture is not a refuge for the apostate, but it is a reminder of his hatred of God. The cessationist argument based on the sufficiency of Scripture backfires against him, because it demonstrates the fact that he is selective about what he accepts from Scripture, that he has made up his mind apart from Scripture as to what he will believe and perform. The cessationist conspires with Satan and tries to turn Scripture against Scripture, and against God himself. The Pharisees claimed that they revered the Scripture, but when the word of God came as a person, it tested them and exposed them, and they killed him in the name of Scripture. What good is it, if you claim that you would go all over the world to preach the gospel on the basis of biblical command, but then you make the people twice the children of hell as you! Precisely because the Scripture is sufficient, I will uphold what it teaches and promises. I will conspire with Scripture against the cessationist.
We affirm again that we believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. The Bible is sufficient for defining and teaching doctrine, for correction, counselling, training, and equipping us for every good work. Therefore, in principle, it is not “necessary” for God to teach anyone doctrine or provide anyone direction by what we call supernatural revelation. If a person has perfect knowledge of Scripture and perfect obedience to Scripture, then in principle this person’s life would please God, and he would never commit sin. We agree that no one has perfect knowledge or perfect obedience, but the point is that Scripture is sufficient, so that there is no excuse for ignorance or disobedience. It is possible for a person to go through life and make his decisions based on the Bible alone. He might never receive a prophecy and still make the right decisions. In this sense, the Bible is sufficient and other things are unnecessary, but the fact that these things are unnecessary does not mean that they are wrong or that they have ceased.
To use another illustration, in principle, it is possible for a person to never become sick. One day when he is very old, he will fall asleep and his spirit will return to God. For him, healing is unnecessary, but this says nothing about whether healing is available, or whether it is right or wrong. Many people never received prophecy, but many people never accepted the Scripture that they claim to live by and to defend. When God reveals to us more than what is sufficient because of his grace, they even turn his grace against his grace, and use his doctrine to suppress his power. This is the damnable demonic legacy of cessationism.
Teaching notes from Chuck Missler:
There are a lot of opinions out there about whether speaking in tongues is
appropriate for today. Of course, there are groups who don’t believe the gifts of the
Spirit are for today –tongues or miracles or prophecy or any of them. We talked
about that. These groups regard the gifts to have been given only until the canon of
the New Testament was completed. Dallas Theological seems to be the most
conservative of all the seminaries in the United States – that I’m aware. They have
produced some great Christian leaders. Yet, they have had a strong position that the
gifts of the Spirit are not for today, based on this view that arose in 1906 as a
reaction to the Pentecostal movement. We’ve covered this, but I want to make a few
more notes. When Jesus announces that the disciples will receive His Spirit just prior
to His Ascension, He doesn’t mention any limitations or temporary stat us.
Acts 1:8 New King James Version
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall
be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
the earth.”
Have we given witness to the uttermost part of the earth yet? Has every tribe and
nation been reached? We are still in the business of being Christ’s witnesses, and
we still need His Spirit. Joel 2 doesn’t give the outpouring of the Holy Spirit a time
limit. In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes Joel, saying, “In the last days,” which is a label even
more appropriate to our time than it was to Peter’s.
The Dallas Theological Seminary view that 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to the
completed New Testament canon doesn’t have support from anywhere else in the Bible. Even
now, we do not have complete knowledge. The words of the seven thunders were
sealed up in Revelation 10:4. The canon is not perfect. There is a place in the Bible,
however, that describes “that which is perfect.” We find it in Isaiah 11:1-10. Let’s look at it.
This is a picture of Christ’s reign on earth. Right now as I write these words, wolves
are not living peacefully with lambs and lions are not eating hay. Right now, mothers
pull their small children away from snake dens lest they get bitten by something
deadly. At this present time, the knowledge of the LORD does not cover the earth the
way the waters cover the sea. The Holy Spirit will no longer need to empower us as
witnesses after Christ has returned and reigns because everybody will already know who God
is.
That time has not yet come, and we still need that empowering today – perhaps
more than ever. We need God to heal people, to teach people. We need prophecy
and words of knowledge and wisdom. We need people empowered to do great
works of faith, and we need people who are skilled in all manner of creative arts and
hospitality and mercy. We need the Holy Spirit working in the Church today. We need
a living Church filled with the life and love of God and not a dead shell.
Paul’s primary focus in these chapters is the unity of the assembling Christians. We
really do need other Christians. We cannot live as healthy Christians in isolation. We
need the rest of the Body of Christ. Sadly, those who hide away are usually those
who have been injured by the very people who are supposed to be conduits for the
unconditional love of God. If we ourselves have been injured, we need to remember
that there are other tender souls out there who need our love and the work that the
Holy Spirit can do through us.
The Holy Spirit works in different ways in each of us. We should not impute one
person’s experiences to another person and expect the same results. We are all
unique, and God is working different purposes in each of us. Some of us are eyes
and some of us are livers and some of us are toes. We won’t look the same,
because we have different jobs to do. God is diverse and He’s sovereign and He’s not limited to formulas. We should not insult God by forcing our prejudices on Him.
Above all things, we need to remember that Jesus Christ loves His Church. He loves us as individuals, and He loves us as a Body. He loves the dirty, smelly person next to us just as much as He loves us despite our own dirt and stink. I’ve had many miracles take place in my life, and I could sit here and relay them to you.
Some of them have been very dramatic. My wife Nancy has written a wide number of
books that describe God’s power working in human beings, and her books have
encouraged thousands upon thousands of women and men alike. More than
anything, though, my hope for you is that you will experience your own miracles. If I
tell you mine, I’m giving you my witness, but you can’t share mine with other people.
That would be hearsay on your part. You need to have your own miracles. You need
the confidence that comes from serving in your own gifts, full of the Holy Spirit that
leads us each closer and closer to Christ.
Heavenly Father, we are so grateful for who You are. Thank you for the Holy Spirit
and His gifts to each one of us. Thank you for the gift of Your Son who made it possible
for us to have access to You. We cannot comprehend the magnitude of that. We have
access to Your presence because You gave Your Son for us. How precious are the extremes
You have gone to on our behalf. Thank you, Father, for the diversity of the gifts that are
available to us through the Holy Spirit. We can grieve the Spirit because He loves us. May we
not grieve Him, but learn to use the gifts You’ve given us to bless the Body of Christ, the
Church. We pray that through Your Word and through Your Spirit, You would give
us understanding in these matters, that we would be free from error. We want to be
pleasing to You, and we want to be more effective stewards of the opportunities that
You give us – that lives might be saved. We commit ourselves into Your hands with
no reservations whatsoever. We commit ourselves to You. In the name and the glory
of Yeshua HaMashiach, the Lord our Messiah. Amen.
When you take the time to study the Word and its emphasis on the power of praying in tongues, you’ll build your faith to move into times of this special fellowship with the Lord. You are never alone, and you are never without answers. Set aside time to pray in tongues — it can even be in your car, while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store — anywhere. The more time you spend with Him, the more powerful your victories!
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