The Deception of Cessationism
By Trenton and Nichole Adams
I understand that the "Charismatic" church today is totally corrupted, and is extremely abusive. I understand that there are word of faith preachers out there that put all of the onus on the sick person, or the parents of a sick child, to be healed. They are willing to accuse, but they are unwilling to press in with those people to receive healing from on high. But, that does not give those who have been abused, or had children die, or gotten really ill themselves, to throw out the sign gifts. If we would quit following men, we would not be disappointed when men fail us. Yes, the pain from the death of a child may remain, but the sting and sourness of men lying to us, or failing us in some other way, would not be.
Another thing that is commonly done in the name of the Lord, is to state that a person who has not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not have the Spirit of God. But, the bible says that if we do not have the Spirit of God, we are not saved. There are yet others who say outright that you are not saved if you do not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Again, that must mean that the leaders of the Asusa street revival were not saved either. They had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the gift of tongues, until quite some time after others had. This also leaves everyone from the Apostle's time until now unsaved.
I hope to show anyone reading this, that does not believe in the power of God, that the sign gifts are still for today, by refuting the common scriptures used to attempt to show that they are not for today.
Jesus Behaviour
First off, are these the things we see Jesus doing? When people were sick, did Jesus tell them that they lacked faith? Or, was it the disciples whom He told, lacked faith? No, rest assured, God rarely said that the common people did, it was those who were supposed to have faith to heal that were rebuked for having a lack of faith. It was those who had already witnessed, and experienced the power of God through faith. The only instance I can recall, that the Word shows that people were not healed due to their own lack of faith, is when Jesus went to His own home town. And they were obstinately refusing to believe that He could heal. But when people are wanting healing, and trying to have faith, who are we to judge them and say that it's because of their lack of faith (unless God specifically tells us to).
Did Jesus accuse those with sin, of being sick because of their sin? Or did Jesus instead heal them first, and then tell them to "go and sin no more"? And other times, did Jesus, or did He not, FIRST tell people that their sins were forgiven, and then heal them? Was Jesus EVER accusatory towards them, or judgmental towards them, for their sin? Or was He always quick to forgive the common folk, and to heal all of their diseases?
It is extremely difficult, to go through a time of great sickness, and to still have faith. It is up to those who have faith, to put their money where their mouths are, and press in for the sick, to receive healing. I believe that is why Jesus outright rebuked His disciples for lack of faith. It was not those who they were praying for that were rebuked, but the disciples themselves.
Refuting the Cessationist Deception
Mostly cessationists misuse scripture out of context. So, showing the scriptures in their proper context refutes the most of the bad doctrine of cessationism. Rather than taking the Word literally, they try and
Refuting Common Misuses of Scripture
Performing Signs and Wonders
We'll start with a common scripture that clearly shows that all the disciples who come to Jesus can have the sign gifts. This was not talking about the existing disciples of the day, it's talking about the ones they are going to be preaching to, that come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Mark 16:15-18 (KJV)
15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Knowing in Part and Prophesying in Part
Here's a key scripture that many use to refute God actively working in our lives by signs and wonders.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (KJV)
But, the key verse is v10, which tells us when these things shall be done away. When Christ comes, and His perfect Kingdom, we will have no use for sign gifts. I mean this is pretty basic exegesis, as you must look at the context. If you leave out v10-v12, one could believe that Paul was alluding to the sign gifts being done away with. In fact, some say that v11 is saying that they are done away with. Let us examine each verse so that there is no confusion.
Verses 8-9 we already looked at. They are the point Paul is trying to make, but by themselves, they do not show the context of Paul's point. So, let us look further into the context.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
In order to understand all of this, we must come to a conclusion on what is perfect that is coming. What is it? Is it a perfectly mature Christian? Is it a perfect body of Christ? Or, is it the kingdom of God?
11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Now, I've heard it argued that this is talking about becoming mature in Christ, here on the earth. But it definitely is NOT. It is talking about the perfect kingdom of God coming, when we shall know Christ, even as we are known by Him, FACE TO FACE. In other words, we will be in the kingdom of Heaven, and all knowing in part will be done away, just as when a child grows up and puts away childish things. In order to understand this, we must continue to examine the context. So, let us look at the next verse too.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
The key word is "for" at the beginning of the verse there. He's continuing on from the verse about putting away childish things. So, if v11 is about maturity in Christ here on earth, then what face to face is this talking about? Are we face to face with ourselves? Are we face to face with our brother's and sisters? Or, is this talking about being face to face with Christ? Well, look at what Paul says next, that we shall know even as we are known. In other words, our seeing darkly, will be done away, we will know Christ just as He knows us. There will no longer be a need for the gifts "in part", because we will have PERFECT knowledge of the Son of God.
Lastly, why would Paul be so foolish to speak against the gifts of the Spirit, only to continue on in 14v1, telling the Corinthians to desire spiritual gifts, and especially prophecy? Simply put, HE WOULD NOT. And, this shows the clear context of what Paul was saying. Furthermore, some say that sign gifts were only for the apostle's time. Yet they cannot use scripture to back that up. They just use human reasoning to try and promote cessationism because they have no power, and they can't meet up to the requirements of what Jesus said about believers casting out devils, healing the sick, speaking with new tongues, etc.
Tongues
Cessationists believe that speaking in tongues was for a specific purpose at a specific time. Yet when Paul speaks about it, he speaks as if it's a common thing. Not to mention the fact that Jesus said that believers would speak with "new tongues". The word "new" is intended to be there. It implies that they will speak with tongues that have never before been heard. In other words, not recognizable (See 1 Corinthians 14:2,14 below).
One particular argument is that tongues was for the people on the day of Pentecost to hear the Word of God in their own language, and that was the only (as we know that was A purpose) purpose. But, there are several scriptures that refute such thinking.
In 1 Corinthians 14:2, Paul talks about a type of tongues that only God understands. If the "only" purpose of tongues was for the people of the day to hear the gospel in their own language, then why would Paul talk about a tongues that "no man understands"?
1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV)
In the above verse, Paul is clearly speaking of a different purpose for speaking in tongues. Namely to speak to God. Why would one speak to God in tongues? Well, according to Paul, tongues is a gift for praying, as we see in 1 Corinthians 14:14.
1 Corinthians 14:14 (KJV)
Clearly, there is a type of tongues that is specifically for PRAYING, which is also what Jude refers to in Jude 1:20.
Jude 1:20 (KJV)
Revelation Knowledge Required for Salvation
It is absolutely crystal clear, by reading scripture, that the only way to be saved, is by revelation knowledge. Yet some claim that there is no more revelation knowledge. How can that be?
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (NKJV)
Knowledge. First we would have to determine what kind of knowledge Paul is talking about here. It cannot be worldly knowledge, there is still plenty of that to go around. Generally, it is loosely intepreted as revelation knowledge, which is a type of knowledge that God supernaturally reveals to us through the Spirit.
Why must we have revelation knowledge of God? God wants us all to know Him intimately. In the bible, it says Adam KNEW his wife Eve (Genesis 3:7). That is the kind of knowing that God wants spiritually with us. That is why He is called our husband. He wants to KNOW us and He wants us to KNOW Him.
It's really very clear scripturally how we come to KNOW God. The only way to have faith in Christ is if it is revealed by revelation knowledge that Jesus is the Messiah!
Matthew 16:16-17 (NKJV)
How was Jesus revealed to Peter? By the bible? No, by revelation knowledge. How does EVERY believe receive Christ? By hearing the Word only? If it is only by hearing the Word, how come only a few are saved? And if it only by hearing the Word, why did Jesus tell us that we can receive NOTHING except He grants it to us?
So now that the apostles have passed, can flesh and blood now reveal the truth? Not according to John the Baptist:
John 3:27 (NKJV)
It is literally impossible to be saved just because someone told you the truth. The only way to be saved is if the Holy Spirit reveals [through revelation knowledge] the truth to you as another person is sharing the gospel.
Ephesians 1:17-18 (NKJV)
Are the eyes of our understanding enlightened by man's wisdom, or by the Spirit of God, through revelation? Elsewhere, is written that God grants repentance to people. In essence, that means that God reveals to their heart what true repentance is.
Hebrews 10:26
July 24th, 2008 - 06:33
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance … Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” -Acts 2:4,6
) in their own native tongue (i.e., language). What they actually experienced that day was HEARING IN TONGUES. Peter never spoke any language other than the Greek he normally spoke. It is IMPOSSIBLE to reconcile the demonic jibber-jabber of Pentecostals today with the miracle of tongues in the Bible. Acts 2:9-11
mentions sixteen different nations which were present on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:8
plainly states that each man HEARD the Gospel in his own native tongue in which he was born.
I am bewildered at the ignorance of Pentecostals today concerning this issue of speaking in tongues. There is clear Scriptural evidence condemning the mumbo-jumbo, nonsense, which Charismatics call “speaking in tongues” today. First, on the Day of Pentecost Peter spoke in Greek, no other language.
The Bible says that the people from other nations HEARD (Acts 2:6-8
Furthermore, the Apostles NEVER sought the miracle of tongues, it was always initiated by God. Pentecostals preachers today arrogantly claim to have the ability to access God’s power at their will. They do not. This is sinful pride and a perversion of the teachings of God’s Word.
Also, please note that every time the Bible mentions the Apostles speaking with new tongues that the Gospel message was being preached. In sharp contrast, Charismatics today don’t even know what they’re trying to say, and someone else has to interpret.
Consider this, why do Pentecostals only speak in Charismatic tongues during Charismatic meetings, and in Charismatic churches? If speaking in tongues is a sign of being saved and spiritual (as Pentecostals teach), then why do they never speak in tongues in public? Have you ever seen a Pentecostal speak in tongues on a city bus, or at a ball game, or in a restaurant? Hmmm?
So none of the Apostles, nor any of the New Testament saints, ever spoke in some unknown Heavenly jibber-jabber; but rather, in their own native language. This is confirmed in Acts 2:8
. The gift, or miracle, of tongues was manifest in the HEARING of the Word, and NOT the speaking.
The gift of tongues still exists today; but the Apostolic miracles of tongues and healing ceased during the New Testament, which is evidenced by Paul’s inability to later heal himself, Timothy, and Trophimus. God does still heal today, but he works through the prayers of the saints, and requires for us to be reconciled with our Christian brethren (James 5:15-16
).
A clear distinction needs to be made between the sign miracle of tongues in Acts 2
, and the “gift” of tongues (languages) which Paul spoke of in 1st Corinthians 14:18
. It is also very important to notice that NO ONE in the Bible ever decided to initiate the miracle of tongues, it was ALWAYS initiated by God alone. In sharp contrast, the language gift of tongues for today is something which we can use daily as we serve the Lord, trying to get people saved with that gift.
Revelation 7:9
, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues…” It is abundantly clear from Revelation 7:9
that the word “tongues” here is referring to established earthly languages. The word for “tongues” here is “glossa,” the same as in Acts 2
and 1st Corinthians 14
. So there is no debate for the honest Bible student concerning the word “tongues,” it simply means known earthly “languages.” This is also confirmed in Acts 2:6
, “…every man heard them speak in his own language.”
Some believers today question whether the gifts of tongues is still valid; but they have a completely wrong understanding of what tongues is to begin with. Biblical speaking in tongues was a sign gift, to validate the message of the Apostles. The Word of God wasn’t completed until A.D. 96, and the sign gifts ceased near the completion of the Bible. There is no speaking in tongues today, as there was in Acts Chapter 2. And there NEVER was a jibber-jabber type of speaking, as the Charismatic Pentecostals practice today.
If speaking in tongues is evidence of salvation, as Pentecostals claim it is, then why DIDN’T John mention tongues even once in his epistles? I mean, John stated that he wrote his epistle of 1st John so that we may KNOW that we are saved; yet he NEVER mentions “tongues.” The Biblical sign of one’s salvation is a changed life (2nd Corinthians 5:17
). John spoke of love, and keeping God’s commandments; but, he never mentions tongues. He never mentions baptism either.
If speaking in Charismatic tongues were so important, then why doesn’t the Bible place any emphasis upon it, as the Pentecostals do? The purpose of ALL of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to win lost souls to Jesus Christ; not to make a display for entertainment. Charismatics have turned the house of God into an entertainment center–with their drums, screeching guitars, falling on the floor, rolling on the floor, laughing, barking, acting crazy! They make a mockery of decency and the Word of God.
Charismatic tongues is dangerous, because it involves familiar spirits. It also draws unsaved people into church for the wrong reasons. It’s the same problem with so-called “Christian rock.” People come to the rock music, not to Jesus Christ. Most people join Charismatic churches because of the excitement and entertainment, not because they want to find God.
We are living in apostate times, when most people have religion without God, and knowledge without truth.
You do not apply sound biblical hermeneutics and exegesis in your post above.
July 24th, 2008 - 19:28
The above is erroneous. Yes, the apostles never sought after the miracle of tongues, they sought after people being baptized by the Holy Spirit, which some believe is accompanied with tongues. Remember, Paul was talking to people who already believed, if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed.
Thanks for bringing up that point. You are right, when speaking in tongues, we don’t know what we’re trying to say, because the spirit prays, but the mind is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14
). Now, this makes me wonder if you even read my article (because I already mentioned this), but instead just wanted to come on here and refute a biblical doctrine that you don’t believe in.
Hmm, that’s not what the bible says. Again, it’s becoming pretty obvious that you did not read a word of what I wrote, and the scriptures I posted.
You are confusing me.
1. Tongues exists for today
2. Tongues doesn’t exist for today
3. God doesn’t heal today
4. God does heal today
Yes, there is a difference between the two. But, I’m not following you about the bolded sentence above. How is it that a prayer language that no man understands is going to get someone saved, unless God gives the interpretation to them so that they hear it in their own language? The tongues that comes with baptism in the Holy Spirit is a prayer language, not for everyone else, unless someone has the gift of interpretation of tongues.
1. I didn’t say that tongues is evidence of a person’s salvation, nor does the bible as far as I can tell
2. John was writing to a specific people at a specific time for a specific reason, just as many of the epistles were written to specific people, at specific times, for specific reasons. So, we do not know if John already knew they were all baptized in the Holy Ghost or not. They most likely were though, being people he had apparently brought into the fold.
See the previous response above.
I agree.
Well, namely because it is the least of all gifts. I mean people put emphasis on the gift of healing too, and it’s also labeled by Paul as one of the least gifts. Having a gift of healing is not a good indicator for one’s ability to be a “leader”.
Couldn’t agree with you more. The Charismatic church is nothing more than a circus these days. And yes, most of the sign gifts are to win lost souls to Jesus. But they are also for edification of the body, as Paul said.
Be careful what you say. I agree that there are probably demonic tongues. But, unless God told me that a particular person was speaking in demonic tongues, I wouldn’t be saying so.
Totally agree with that one.
If that is true, you’ve done a downright lousy job of showing me.
Anyhow, if the gift of tongues works the way you say it does, and it’s not a prayer language (which it seems you implied), then why would God be so silly to have a bunch of greeks start speaking in tongues for no apparent reason at all?
November 16th, 2008 - 10:13
Hello Trent and Nichole,
I ran across this by accident this morning and have to run to church soon. But I want to share something, because the scriptures are dissected and divided and digested by so many in so many ways, all believing they hold the correct interpretation. It seems a time to point out that God is not subject to OUR interpretations, but to his meaning and sometimes we miss part or all of it, though our intentions be good.
I must agree with Trent and Nichole in saying the “sign gifts” as you call them are for today. Yet, Denny makes a good point in saying that today’s preachers arrogantly claim to have the ability to control the Holy Spirit in these things. I have seen this too.
In my own experience, there is a God and I am not He!
Denny, if you are reading this…. you are correct in saying these things are given by God alone. That does not mean that the gifts are not given by God today. Please allow me to share my own experience:
I was in a chapel late at night and had been praying for a few hours. God’s PRESENCE was so real I almost could not bear it. I had prayed every prayer and sung every song I knew. As tears poured down my face I cried out to the Lord that I had no words left. There is no way to describe to you the sense of His very real presence that night and the depth of my desire to praise Him forever, and knowing that there were no words sufficient to expound his mighty majesty and glory as I felt it that night.
Suddenly, I was singing a song in tongues that I did not know, but the Lord was giving me the interpretation at the same time! I had no one laying hands on me. It was just me…. and God. And He gave me this miraculous gift. I was singing high praises to the Lord in Heaven in a language I did not know.
When these discussions/debates about gifts for today, how is it given, and is it of Satan come up…. I don’t care how anyone interprets the written word of God. I know what happened that night and I know it was from God, period.
Today, most Christians fail to explain their own testimony. When one has experienced the miraculous…. no one will ever take it away or convince them that it was not true. No one will ever convince me that the gifts I am given came from any other source than the Lord God Almighty, Creator and Sovereign God of All, who is seated on the Mercy Seat, his Throne of Judement, Mercy and Grace, upon which my Savior Jesus Christ sprinkled his own blood and is now at the right hand of the Father, interceding for me, and who promised the Holy Spirit would come to believers and miracles would be done in His Holy Name.
To deny that, is to deny Jesus ministry on earth, because it is what he taught and lived.
Where I distance myself from many preachers, is when they try to “teach” such things…. like “saying syllables until it comes to you” and other such things. When the Holy Spirit comes on a person, it is all of God.
That is my experience and opinion.
God Bless,
Sue
November 26th, 2008 - 15:47
Thanks for the testimony Sue.