The speaker in the video is a continuationist who believes that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit still exist, despite the cessationist doctrine that they have ceased. The video is a response to a cessationist documentary and addresses the five main cessationist arguments: the Clusters argument, the Confirmation argument, the Fading Out argument, the Foundation argument, and the Church History argument. The speaker acknowledges the abuses and errors related to spiritual gifts but believes that a continuationist position is best equipped to address these issues. They argue against the cessationist arguments by providing counterexamples and biblical evidence. The video also discusses the need to differentiate responsible continuationists from prosperity teachers and criticizes guilt by association tactics. The speaker encourages Christians to focus on Jesus and the gospel, test all things, and pray for boldness and signs and wonders.
Introduction
The most profound aspect of the text is that the speaker, a continuationist, believes that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit still exist, despite the cessationist doctrine that they have ceased.
Key points:
- The video is a response to a cessationist documentary, addressing the doctrine that miraculous gifts have ceased.
- The speaker will respond to the five main cessationist arguments.
- Cessationists are still considered brothers and sisters in Christ, and the focus should be on promoting Christ rather than the gifts themselves.
- The speaker acknowledges the abuses and errors related to spiritual gifts but believes that a continuationist position is best equipped to address these issues.
- The five arguments to be discussed are the Clusters argument, the Confirmation argument, the Fading Out argument, the Foundation argument, and the Church History argument.
- The speaker will also share their personal grievance about how the film made its case.
(1) The "Clusters" Argument
The "Clusters" Argument suggests that there were only three significant periods in Biblical history when God directly performed miracles without the use of a person. However, this argument is refuted as scripture does not limit miracles to these three periods. Miracles are recorded outside of these periods as well. The argument overlooks counterexamples and assumes an exhaustive account of miracles in the Bible. Miracles are present throughout the entire biblical narrative, not limited to specific clusters. The direct voice of God occurs frequently outside of these clusters, as seen in the majority of Old Testament scripture.
(2) The Confirmation Argument
The Confirmation Argument discusses the purpose of miracles, suggesting that they were given to authenticate representatives of God. However, it is important to recognize that miracles serve multiple purposes, including glorifying God, showing compassion, and confirming the gospel itself. Therefore, the argument for cessationism based solely on confirmation is insufficient. Miraculous gifts were not limited to apostles, but were also present among lay Christians in local churches. The belief that these gifts were only present in the early church to attest to the apostles is difficult to reconcile with passages that imply their ongoing presence among lay Christians.
(3) The Fading Away Argument
The fading away argument, commonly used by cessationists, claims that the miraculous gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14 ceased after the apostolic era. However, this argument is flawed because the Bible does not have to record every miracle, and the absence of explicit references to miracles does not mean they stopped happening. The argument from silence is weak because later books have less information about local churches. Therefore, the fading away argument does not hold up, and the commandments to pray for the sick and pursue prophecy are still applicable today.
(4) The Foundation Argument
The foundation argument in this video discusses the idea that the entire Apostolic age serves as the foundation of the church, rather than a specific period within that age. The argument is based on the Apostle Paul's letter to the Church of Ephesus, where he describes the church as a spiritual Temple built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the Cornerstone. The video argues that it doesn't make sense to limit the foundation of the church to a specific period within the Apostolic age. The video also connects the foundation argument with the closure of the Canon, stating that one of the tests of canonicity was whether a book had Apostolic origin or approval. The argument suggests that the apostles had unique promises related to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their speaking and writing, which supports the idea of a foundational period. However, the video argues that while there may be a unique foundational period, it does not limit miraculous spiritual gifts to that period, such as the gift of speaking in tongues. The speaker responds to the argument that the closure of the canon is justified because there are no longer any Apostles, arguing that the terms "Apostle" and "Prophet" have different usages in scripture and not all prophecy is scriptural prophecy. They affirm the closure of the canon and the unique authority of the 13 Apostles, but argue that there is a continuation of spiritual gifts. The speaker provides examples from the Old and New Testament to support their argument. The snippets also discuss the spontaneous and widespread expression of prophecy in the Bible, providing examples from various books to support the argument that prophecy was characterized by the sudden rushing or resting of the spirit of God upon individuals or groups. The presence of "companies of prophets" or "schools of prophets" further suggests that this type of prophesying was not limited to a few individuals, but rather a more widespread phenomenon. The snippets also mention the presence of prophets associated with music and the existence of female prophets, challenging the belief that there is only one register of prophetic authority. The argument presents the idea that prophecy is not limited to a specific gender or a rigid form, but rather encompasses a variety of expressions. The video also discusses the gift of prophecy and the role of apostles, arguing that the spiritual gift of prophecy is a more ecstatic charismatic expression, separate from the writing of scripture by the apostles. They differentiate between the technical and non-technical meanings of the term "apostles," stating that while the office of apostleship in the technical sense has ceased, the term can still be used in a more general sense to refer to messengers or representatives. Finally, the video argues that spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, healings, and discerning of spirits, are not bound up with Apostolic and scriptural authority. Instead, they are manifestations of the spirit's work that is distinctive of the New Covenant era. These gifts attest to the in-breaking of God's kingdom, which continues even after the apostles die. The speaker emphasizes that spiritual gifts are not about the foundation of the church, but rather characteristic of the entirety of the church age since Pentecost.
(5) The Church History Argument
The Church History Argument challenges the claim made in the documentary that Bible-believing Christians throughout history, including the Reformation, have been cessationist. The argument highlights the testimonies of early theologians like Justin Martyr and Irenaeus who spoke of miracles being performed by disciples of Christ. It also mentions that even within the Reformed tradition, there has been a continuationist perspective, with Martin Luther himself affirming the continuation of the sign gifts. The argument concludes that the claim made in the documentary is misleading and incorrect.
Guilt By Association Tactics?
Guilt by association tactics are used to criticize continuationists, but fail to distinguish responsible continuationists from prosperity teachers. The need to differentiate between the two groups is emphasized, as responsible continuationists approach the topic with caution and rely on biblical evidence. Evaluating religious figures based on guilt by association is unfair, and the biblical approach is to evaluate their character, conduct, and ministry. Making broad associations or rejecting all prophecies is not biblical. Continuationists are not considered true Protestants because they do not adhere to sola scriptura, but historical figures like John Knox and Martin Luther were continuationists. Cessationist arguments are criticized for faulty interpretations of scripture. The timing of the cessation of spiritual gifts is argued to be the second coming of Christ.
Summing Up
The video discusses concerns about a documentary on cessationism, arguing that it fails to make a convincing case. The speaker encourages Christians to follow scripture, test all things, and focus on Jesus and the gospel. They emphasize the reality of spiritual gifts and encourage prayers for boldness and signs and wonders.