IT WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO STOP
Many today have been taught the false doctrine of Cessationism, which teaches that miracles, sign, & wonders were given in the early church to simply validate the onset of The Gospel, but not intended to be a continuing part of the Christian life. Most cessationists believe that the supernatural disappeared by the end of the first century.
While those who attempt to teach Cessationism often create elaborate arguments to support their view, it is impossible for them to escape the fact that there is absolutely no Biblical support for what they teach. The closest you can come to a passage that could be construed as cessational, is I Corinthians 13:10 …
“But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away with.”
Cessationists attempt to teach that “that which is perfect” is referring to the New Testament, and that “that which is in part” points to prophecy, tongues, healing … all things supernatural, and it all will cease. In short, when the New Testament was complete, all supernatural gifts ceased.
The simply-stated problem with this argument is that nothing in I Corinthians 13 even remotely suggests that “that which is perfect” is referring to the New Testament! Even the dispensational theologian, Charles Ryrie, admitted that the “perfect” in this verse is pointing to JESUS … His 2nd coming! That admission, from within the very ranks of the cessationists, discredits the arguments of Cessationism. If the “perfect” is the 2nd coming of Jesus, then I Corinthians 13 suggest that, not only are the supernatural gifts of The Spirit supposed to continue until Jesus returns …THEY ARE NECESSARY!
II Timothy 3:5 warns us of a time when Christians will possess “a form of Godliness”, but will deny its supernatural power. The word “power” in the Greek language, is the word …
dunamis: force; specifically, miraculous [supernatural] power; usually, by implication, a miracle itself
It’s the same word translated “miracles” in I Corinthians 14! Christ never intended for His church to merely APPEAR Godly; He paid the ultimate price for a church that would OPERATE in His power!
Not only is there an absence of Biblical support for Cessationism, it is an idea strongly refuted by the evidence of history. A careful study of church history actually PROVES that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit did not cease at the close of the 1st century, but actually continued to increase. Miracles, signs, & wonders continued to be a vital part of the life of every Jesus-follower, as the New Testament Ekklesia exploded across the known world!
Want proof? Next week’s entry will give you PLENTY!
While those who attempt to teach Cessationism often create elaborate arguments to support their view, it is impossible for them to escape the fact that there is absolutely no Biblical support for what they teach. The closest you can come to a passage that could be construed as cessational, is I Corinthians 13:10 …
“But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away with.”
Cessationists attempt to teach that “that which is perfect” is referring to the New Testament, and that “that which is in part” points to prophecy, tongues, healing … all things supernatural, and it all will cease. In short, when the New Testament was complete, all supernatural gifts ceased.
The simply-stated problem with this argument is that nothing in I Corinthians 13 even remotely suggests that “that which is perfect” is referring to the New Testament! Even the dispensational theologian, Charles Ryrie, admitted that the “perfect” in this verse is pointing to JESUS … His 2nd coming! That admission, from within the very ranks of the cessationists, discredits the arguments of Cessationism. If the “perfect” is the 2nd coming of Jesus, then I Corinthians 13 suggest that, not only are the supernatural gifts of The Spirit supposed to continue until Jesus returns …THEY ARE NECESSARY!
II Timothy 3:5 warns us of a time when Christians will possess “a form of Godliness”, but will deny its supernatural power. The word “power” in the Greek language, is the word …
dunamis: force; specifically, miraculous [supernatural] power; usually, by implication, a miracle itself
It’s the same word translated “miracles” in I Corinthians 14! Christ never intended for His church to merely APPEAR Godly; He paid the ultimate price for a church that would OPERATE in His power!
Not only is there an absence of Biblical support for Cessationism, it is an idea strongly refuted by the evidence of history. A careful study of church history actually PROVES that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit did not cease at the close of the 1st century, but actually continued to increase. Miracles, signs, & wonders continued to be a vital part of the life of every Jesus-follower, as the New Testament Ekklesia exploded across the known world!
Want proof? Next week’s entry will give you PLENTY!
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