The question of whether the miraculous spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing are still available today has been debated among Christians for centuries. There are generally two main views on this issue: Cessationism and Continuationism.
Cessationism
Cessationists believe that some of the miraculous spiritual gifts ceased with the apostles and the closing of the New Testament canon. They base this belief on verses like 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 which says “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” They believe “that which is perfect” refers to the completed revelation of God’s Word with the closing of the New Testament canon. Thus, prophecy and tongues would pass away when the scriptures were complete.
Cessationists also point to Ephesians 2:20 which speaks of the apostles and prophets as the “foundation” of the church. They argue that just as a foundation is laid only once in a building, so the miraculous gifts were needed only in the early church to establish the authority of the apostles.
Additionally, cessationists believe the miraculous spiritual gifts were given primarily to authenticate the message of the first century apostles and early Christians. Since we have the complete scriptures and apostolic teaching today, the signs and wonders are no longer needed to validate the truth. Hebrews 2:3-4 is used to support this belief.
Overall, cessationists teach that while God can still work miracles and heal people today in response to prayer, the miraculous spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy are no longer in operation and have ceased.
Continuationism
Continuationists, on the other hand, believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit have continued and are still available today. They have a couple main arguments for their position.
First, they point to verses which speak of the miraculous gifts without any time limitations, like 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Romans 12:6-8, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. These passages describe the gifts of the Spirit but do not say they will cease before Christ returns.
Additionally, continuationists argue that passages like 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 do not refer to the completed New Testament canon, but rather to when we see Jesus face to face at His second coming. So prophecies and tongues will cease when Christ returns, not before.
Continuationists also believe miraculous gifts are still needed today to empower the church for ministry and outreach. Scripture passages like Mark 16:17-18, John 14:12, and James 5:14-15 are cited to show that signs and wonders will follow all believers.
In essence, continuationists teach that the gifts of the Spirit are still available today just as they were in the early church. God continues to give supernatural gifts to believers for the building up of the church and the advancement of the gospel.
Key Points of Difference
So in summary, here are some of the main points of disagreement between cessationists and continuationists:
- The meaning of “that which is perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 – completed canon (cessationism) or Christ’s return (continuationism)
- Ongoing need for the miraculous gifts – no longer needed (cessationism) or still needed today (continuationism)
- The duration of the gifts according to Scripture – ceased with apostles (cessationism) or continue until Christ returns (continuationism)
- Whether all the gifts are still available today – only some gifts like healing (cessationism) or all gifts like tongues and prophecy (continuationism)
Evidence From Church History
Looking at church history can provide some insight into this debate. In the early centuries of the church, the miraculous spiritual gifts appear to have been widely practiced and accepted. But different views arose starting in the third century after the death of the last apostle John.
In the Middle Ages, Catholicism emphasized the authority of the church over individual revelation, which led to less emphasis on the miraculous gifts. The Protestant Reformers like Luther and Calvin were also cessationists. They taught the sign gifts were no longer needed after the apostolic era.
During revivals in the 18th-19th centuries, experiences of speaking in tongues and healings were reported, sparking new interest in the gifts. But mainstream Protestantism continued to hold a cessationist view until the 20th century Pentecostal movement, which taught the gifts’ ongoing availability.
So while church history shows a general decline in the practice and acceptance of the miraculous gifts after the apostolic age, there is evidence for their continuation as well. But the challenge is discerning between legitimate manifestations and possible exaggerations or counterfeits over the centuries.
Practical Implications
This doctrine has significant practical implications for Christians today regarding our experience of the Spirit’s work and our view of the sufficiency of Scripture.
For cessationists, the fact that revelatory gifts have ceased closes the canon and underscores the authority and sufficiency of Scripture for life and doctrine. But continuationists emphasize experiencing all the Spirit’s gifts, with Scripture as the test of their validity.
Cessationism avoids risks like placing too much emphasis on prophecies or miracles. But continuationism highlights the Spirit’s empowerment of every Christian and the need for gifts in ministry. Biblical warnings against false prophets indicate the need for caution with prophetic gifts.
This debate reminds us to humbly recognize the limits of our understanding. God is free to work in diverse ways. The key is maintaining a biblical balance between trusting God’s Word and God’s Spirit.
Cases in Scripture
A look at how the miraculous spiritual gifts functioned in the New Testament church provides helpful insights into their purpose and value for believers today.
Speaking in Tongues
There are four main passages that refer to tongues – Acts 2, Acts 10 & 19, and 1 Corinthians 12-14. The gift is described as speech in a language not previously learned, used in prayer and praise to God. But Paul emphasizes intelligibility and order in the church over unintelligible tongues.
Prophecy
Old Testament prophets spoke direct revelation from God, as did New Testament prophets like Agabus (Acts 11:28, 21:10). Paul encourages prophecy guided by self-control for teaching and encouragement of the church (1 Cor 14:1-4). He distinguishes between prophecy and authoritative, unchanging apostolic teaching (1 Cor 14:36-37).
Healing
All four gospels and Acts record healings by Jesus and the apostles. James instructs sick believers to call elders to pray and anoint with oil for healing and forgiveness (James 5:14-16). But Paul testifies that God did not remove his “thorn in the flesh” despite prayer (2 Cor 12:7-10), showing not every illness is healed.
Miracles
Miraculous signs testified to Jesus’ authority (John 3:2) and the apostles’ ministry (Acts 5:12). But the greatest miracles were conversions, not physical healings. The key purpose of miracles was to bear witness to Christ (Acts 14:3), not just address physical needs.
These passages indicate the gifts served important purposes in the early church. But their operation required order, discernment, and submission to apostolic authority and Scripture’s revelation.
Guiding Principles
Several biblical principles can guide our approach to this issue today, regardless of our position on whether all the gifts continue:
- Earnestly desire the Holy Spirit’s gifts (1 Cor 14:1), while not neglecting His fruit (Gal 5:22-23).
- Remember that serving others in love is greater than any spiritual gift (1 Cor 13).
- Test all prophecies carefully against Scripture (1 Thess 5:19-21).
- Focus on intelligibility and order over showy displays (1 Cor 14:33,40).
- Submit to governing authorities in the church (Heb 13:17).
Overall, we must look to Christ, not miraculous gifts, for our hope. His finished work is reliable and unchanging. The Spirit’s gifts require great wisdom in operation, but God graciously gives wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5).
Conclusion
The miraculous spiritual gifts undoubtedly served vital purposes in the early church. Christians differ on whether Scripture indicates they have ceased or continue today. But we agree on the all-sufficiency of God’s Word and the need for the Spirit’s fruit. As we contend for our respective positions, our common faith urges us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).