Spiritual Gifts

Gifts are tools for building the church, not trophies of spirituality.

Cessationism vs. Continuism

The Cessationism versus Continuityism debate involves a Christian theological dispute over whether spiritual gifts remain available to the church, or whether their operation ceased with the apostolic age.

Cessationism

Cessationism is the doctrine that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing ceased with the apostolic age. The doctrine was developed in the Reformation and is particularly associated with Calvinists.

Most cessationists believe that although God can and does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs. The biblical record shows that miracles occurred during specific periods for the purpose of authenticating a new message from God.

Continuity

Continuityism is the belief that all the gifts of the Spirit are available to Christians today according to God's will and gifts for His purposes and times.

Central Biblical Passages

The central text in this debate is 1 Corinthians 13:8-12. Continuists point to these verses to argue that the gifts will continue until the second coming of Christ.

The Question of Prophecy

Some argue that NT prophecy still exists today, being 'mixed with error' and therefore not inherently authoritative and infallible like Scripture.

Languages

The gift of tongues is a more difficult matter. In Acts, this gift means that the age of fulfillment has arrived where God's covenant promises are being realized. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 and Acts 2:17-18 also suggest that interpreted tongues are equivalent to prophecy.

Varieties of Positions

•Classical cessationists: They claim that the miraculous gifts ceased with the apostles.
•Concentric Cessationists: They believe that the gifts have ceased in the mainstream church, but can appear in unreached areas to help spread the Gospel.
•Lutherans: Maintains an intermediate position, 'open but cautious' continuityism.

The Most Excellent Way

Paul emphasizes that without love, gifts are useless noise (1 Corinthians 13). The fruit of the Spirit (character) is more important than the gifts of the Spirit (power).