I was recently out with a group of people doing some door to door evangelism, and we had a conversation with a woman who asked about our stance on the gift of tongues. My evangelism partner shared how he believes that the gift of tongues ceased along with certain other gifts when the apostles completed writing the new testament. I ended up sharing how I believe the gift of tongues is still available today, and how I have personally experienced that gift being exercised in a disciplined and biblical manner. We ended up having a good discussion around how this is not a salvation issue and how we can disagree on peripheral issues and still worship together with love and grace.
At the time of the conversation, I had never really given any serious study to the arguments of cessationism because I did not realize how prevalent this view was. Since that conversation, I spent a significant amount of time studying the arguments on both sides and comparing them to what the scriptures have to say on the matter. While it is not a salvation doctrine, it is certainly a topic that can have significant ramifications on how we live out our christian life, and how we conduct ourselves in communal worship gatherings.
During my research, I was determined to avoid “leaning on my own understanding” or interpreting the scripture through my own experiences. Instead, I endeavored to challenge my assumptions and ensure that they are in line with what the scriptures teach. I have used much prayer, careful exegesis of the relevant passages in the Bible, and the generally accepted rules of logic to analyze each of the major cessationists arguments that I have found in my research. I have done my best to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, and rely on the scriptures to reveal what is true.
I have challenged my assumptions like this several times before and, in some cases, I ended up changing my stance and adopting a more biblically compelling view on other peripheral doctrine issues. This time around though, I have only become even more convinced that continuationism is better supported by scripture than cessationism. This document is my effort to effectively and clearly communicate my reasoning on how I came to this conclusion.
More importantly, my study of this debate has convinced me that while there are plausible arguments on both sides of this issue, the scriptures are not explicitly clear one way or the other. However, the scriptures are explicitly clear on how these gifts should be used in the context of a church gathering. Therefore my main message throughout this document will not be an effort to prove beyond all doubt that these gifts are available today. All I will do is demonstrate that the arguments for cessationism are not 100% conclusive. I believe this is an important distinction to make because there are many cessationists who are assuming that the clear commands of scripture regarding the use of these gifts are no longer applicable.
In Colossians 2, Paul warns against letting plausible arguments, or human traditions distract us or even dilute the clear message of Christ. There are many mysteries that God does not explain, but we should never let our human reasoning on those matters put us in a position where we ignore or disobey the parts of the Bible where God is clear. Therefore, this document will emphasize the parts of the scriptures that are clear, and encourage everyone to follow those teachings no matter where they stand on the more mysterious parts.
I realize that, in my effort to set aside any personal experience or emotions and rely only on scriptures and logic, I run the risk of coming off as ungracious, cold, matter of fact, arrogant, and/or un-loving. So, I would like to say at the outset that it is my earnest desire to “speak the truth in love”, and I am keeping Ephesians 4:15-16 in mind as I write this. It is my desire that we all come to a clear understanding of what the scriptures have to say concerning the use of spiritual gifts.
I would also like to note that I am open to being corrected. If there is anything in this document that is clearly out of line with scripture, or if there is any flaw in my understanding of the cessationists arguments or my application of logic, please feel free to point it out to me so that I can consider it.
No matter where you stand on this peripheral issue, I believe we can still work together in unity, love, and grace towards the greater goal of spreading the Gospel throughout the world.
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