Cessationism (Apologetics)

Cessationism is the general held belief that certain supernatural workings, anointings, and callings have ceased to operate; and do not operate in the current church. The doctrine of Cessationism argues that apostles and prophets no longer function. It also argues that believers can no longer minister in healing, cast out demons, or function in the gifts of the Spirit. This teaching became popular in the 1500’s during the reformation. Cessationism came out of ‘Reformed Theology’ which some have credited to Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin. Many believers have grown up spiritually in the church being taught this doctrine, and it has therefore become a stronghold that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ.

The Bible never states that speaking in tongues, prophecy, miracles, healing, and apostles and prophets have ceased from operating. In fact, the New Testament teaches all these things as a model or blueprint for how the New Testament church should function. To argue against the truth revealed in the New Testament is to argue against God and His word. It is deep pride when we tell God that His word is no longer valid, by arguing against His supernatural power and giftings. God tells us how His church is to function and operate, not the other way around. 

Unbelief is another root cause for arguing against the Lord’s word, and thus opposing Him. I first read the scriptures without being indoctrinated by the traditions of men, and theologies that come from the human mind. So when I read the scriptures, the Holy Spirit guided me into truth. He applied them to me and the current church, as they are supposed to be. His word is either living, or it’s a dead history book. I found out it was living because I approached it by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. If someone approaches God’s word with doubt in their heart because of the traditions of men, they are not going to receive the word by faith. Their heart has already been hardened by the inaccurate doctrines of men, and is hindered from having faith and receiving the word. Unless we believe God’s word with a child-like faith, it will not take root in our hearts.

Could you image if Noah didn’t believe God when He spoke to him about the coming flood? What if Noah’s theology was, “God doesn’t speak anymore.” If that was the case, Noah would have thought the voice was his own thoughts, or would have concluded that the vision given to him was simply his own imagination.” But Noah believed God could speak, and he believed God. His faith in God was accredited to him as righteousness, just as it was for Abraham. 

Let’s say for example, someone was taught that the gift of speaking in tongues is not in existence any longer. This doctrine sets up like a stronghold in their mind, so when they read about it or hear about it; unbelief hinders them from experiencing it. The same is true with other Biblical truths. If we don’t believe God’s word, He will most likely not allow us to experience or partake of the manifestation of His word. He must be approached by faith. We will most likely not experience the Holy Spirit when we are in unbelief. 

The same is true with salvation. People are born-again by believing in Jesus as their personal Savior. People enter into this salvation miracle as their spirit-man is recreated by the Holy Spirit through faith. That is a supernatural experience or also known as experiential Christianity. Without that literal experience, that person would not have the Holy Spirit in them, and would not have eternal life. Faith brings a person into a spiritual experience. There are people who have a general belief in God, but have never entered in to experiencing God for themselves and being born again by the Spirit. 

It’s amazing that some Christians recognize the need of experiencing the “new birth,” but then shy away from other spiritual experiences. As if there was only one spiritual thing that could ever happen, or as if there was only one experience written of in the Bible. Every spiritual truth put into the Bible is an invitation to know the Lord in a greater degree. Those who refuse to engage the Lord by faith will limit their experiential knowledge of Him, and thus hinder His being revealed in them. Many believers are currently holding God at a distance because of their unbelief and refusal to engage His word by faith. 

Apologetics 

Many “scholars” and “theologians” argue against God’s word with their “wise” reasonings. These are the ones who didn’t believe God’s word by faith, so it never entered their hearts. For example, they didn’t pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit for months or years in faith until it happened. They started off in unbelief and then formulated their arguments against the Bible. They are not true sons of Abraham. Abraham, all hope being gone, hoped and grew stronger in faith over the years, although he didn’t have a son manifesting in the natural. Spiritual sons of Abraham believe God and His word, even if they don’t see a physical or spiritual manifestation of the promise through God’s word for many years.  

Cessationists are like modern day Pharisees who sow their own doctrines as a “fact.” They replace the truth in God’s word by their doctrine. They practice apologetics (writings or arguments in justification of something) for their doctrine of Cessationism, Instead of being involved in apologetics for Christ and His word. They use their “knowledge” and seminary degrees to actually oppose God and explain His word away. This does much damage to the spiritually young who are starting off their journey with God in the church. These modern Pharisees could be used like Paul to stand for the word of God and teach it in fullness, thus leading people into a deeper revelation of Jesus Christ. But in pride they resist the revealing of God through His word, and set themselves up for a fearful day of judgment before the throne of the Almighty. 

Not Loving the Truth

One really has to dislike the word of God, in order to actively make a case against it. But modern Pharisees twist scripture to make it fit their theology. The Lord is looking for believers who will honor and stand for His word, and not replace it with traditions of men. The Lord wrote us a blueprint for the New Testament church age (which we are still in), and He never changed it. How can any man change God’s word or even teach that certain parts of the New Testament are obsolete? Why would anyone even consider listening to someone teaching that God’s word is obsolete? This is a sure way for false doctrines to develop and spread. Whenever men teach, by their own revelations, that certain parts of God’s word no longer apply; sin spreads and destroys. We must see the danger in this. No man has authority to cancel God’s word. Only God can change or add to His word. Once we start ‘picking and choosing’ which scriptures we believe are still valid, and which ones we don’t think are valid anymore; apostasy follows. The only safe way is the stay grounded in the word of God, and trust God. 

Relationship 

Those who are engaged in apologetics for Cessationism, have loved their own doctrine and thinking more than the Lord. If they sincerely put the Lord first, they would be seeking Him. These Cessationists could repent and experience the Lord for themselves, if they would use the safe word of God as a foundation in which to seek and encounter God. The word of God is safe and true. Those who are afraid or “weirded out” by certain spiritual experiences mentioned in the Bible are operating from their natural minds (from the fall of Adam). To walk with God in the Spirit we must allow Him to renew our minds, and give us the minds of Christ. Then by functioning in the mind of Christ (thinking according to the Spirit of God), we engage God by faith using the scriptures as our “rock solid” foundation of truth that points us to God’s will. 

When I first read the scriptures, I engaged the Holy Spirit with faith based upon His word. I saw that people were baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues in Acts chapter two. I then read that Peter said this same experience was for all who would come to Christ afterward:

“And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”” (Acts 2:38-39 AMP)

Those with the renewed mind of Christ take this verse with child-like faith and trust in the Lord and say, “I want to experience this just like they did. Your word says this is for me! Father I want to encounter you like this. Please let the Holy Spirit come upon me in fire and tongues just like in Your word!” 

Cessationists with unrenewed minds look for everything they can find to disprove that this manifestation of the Holy Spirit is for the church today. Their attitude is the exact opposite of child-like faith and trust in their good Heavenly Father. By their ungodly attitudes, they put up a wall between themselves and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit usually only moves upon those who actually want Him to. If you don’t want Him, then most likely, you won’t have Him. Those who want the Spirit, trust their Father in Heaven:

““So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”” (Luke 11:9-13 AMP)

You can only have the Father in Heaven if you are born again and adopted as sons and daughters of God. So this verse is dealing with those who already have the Holy Spirit in them and are saved. The Father will give the gifts of the Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, various anointings of the Spirit, the presence of the Spirit, and encounters with the Holy Spirit to those children who continue to ask and seek. Children who are speaking against the gifts of the Spirit, will not participate in spiritual gifts. 

I first started seeking the Lord in regard to the baptism of the Holy Spirit six months after I was saved (in 2004). I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in a private setting while praying in faith, after about five months of seeking and knocking. If I would have given up after the first month of seeking this spiritual experience, then most likely I would not have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I might have even developed my own doctrine about how the baptism of the Spirit is not for the church today. I probably would have told other believers that this spiritual encounter ended with the first century church. However, I continued in the faith of God and what His word stated. By faith, I stepped into the reality of this Biblical encounter. You can too. 

The religious leaders during the time of Jesus knew the word of God better than anyone else, but they didn’t actually know God. When Jesus stood in front of them, they didn’t even recognize Him. This is a simple principle, but a true one; you know who you spend time with. Many religious leaders and Cessationists of our day, know the word of God really well, but they do not know the Lord very well. These people may know Jesus as Savior and be born again, but because they have sought the written word over the Living Word (Jesus Christ); a spiritual blindness has come upon their eyes. Some of these people have placed a higher value on God’s written word, than an actual relationship with God Himself. They would rather read words about Him, than actually sit in His very presence and have Him speak to them. Some of these religious Cessationists have made the written word an idol just as the Pharisees did. Here is what Jesus would say to them about His written word:

“You search and keep on searching and examining the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and yet it is those [very Scriptures] that testify about Me; and still you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40 AMP)

The Lord Jesus wants us to come to Him so that He can be the life in us. This means that we should come before Him often and be in His presence. We should eat and drink of the Lamb of God until His life begins taking over and flowing from us. The written word does not contain life, Christ does. Cessationists who examine parts of the Bible only as a history book, will not have Christ revealed in them. They will actually be willingly blinded to Him, and fight against Him, His word, and His people. The Spirit gives us spiritual life. Those who reject the working of the Holy Spirit will reject His life flowing in them and through them. We have a choice. 

Healing the Sick and Casting Out Demons

Those who conduct apologetics for Cessationism don’t believe that God still uses His disciples or followers to perform miracles. However the scriptures never state this. In fact, the Bible states the exact opposite:

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)

Jesus told His first disciples to make other disciples. He commanded them to teach others to observe “all things” that Jesus Himself had taught His first disciples. No one has any right or authority to undo Jesus’ command. To teach or preach anything other than Jesus would be “anti-Christ” in nature and doctrine. Let’s examine a few things that Jesus commanded his first disciples to do (and then obviously teach others to observe): 

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8 NKJV)

Jesus clearly commanded His disciples to heal the sick, cast out demons, and perform miracles. Therefore, as per the word of Jesus Christ in the scriptures, those disciples were supposed to train other disciples to observe these same commands. Then those disciples would go and make more disciples of Jesus, and teach them to obey all things that Jesus commanded; and so forth.

However that didn’t happen. Jesus words were eventually not obeyed, and the next generation of disciples were not raised up to fulfill all the commands of Jesus. Which brings us to this present generation, in which many believers and leaders actually argue against the commands of Jesus and the word of God. I hope we can see how far the church has apostatized! Everyone of us should be fighting for God’s word instead of trying to find ways to explain it away. 

The following verse sums up what we are discussing. All disciples/followers of Jesus who persist in faith, and are doing what they are led by the Spirit to do, will have these signs follow them as scripture states. The word of God does not and cannot lie:

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”” (Mark 16:15-18 NKJV)

Note: the Greek word used for “take up” can also be translated: “take away, remove, destroy, kill.” So the verse could be more accurately translated, “they will take away or remove serpents.” I believe this better fits the context of what the Holy Spirit is conveying in this verse (in terms of fighting the enemy and casting out demons). 

Those who believe will heal the sick and cast out demons in the name of Jesus. I have heard Cessationists attempt to explain this verse away by stating, “Not all manuscripts contain that verse.” However the fact is, it’s in the Bible. The Holy Spirit has protected the scriptures and has only allowed His truth to be printed. If that verse was false then it would mean the entire book could be corrupted and unreliable, since a little leaven leavens the whole loaf. Do you really think that the Lord would allow false doctrine in His book? He certainly would not. The verse is there because the Lord wanted it to be there. Again, it’s about trusting the Lord. 

Apostles and Prophets 

Nowhere in scripture does it state that apostles and prophets ceased to exist after the first century church. Men do not have the authority to tear down and replace God’s word with their own speculations, theories, and theologies. The Lord spent a significant amount of time setting His blueprint for His New Testament church in scripture. I’m sure you can imagine what He thinks of people when they try to tear His word down and make it of no effect! Can you see the pride in trying to cancel out what the Lord said? 

We are in the New Testament church age. When Jesus returns, He will set up His Kingdom on the earth, and we will transition into the Kingdom age or millennial reign of Christ. The Holy Spirit gave us a model of how the New Testament church is suppose to be. No one but God can change that, and it will not be changed until He returns. If there are things found in scripture not currently happening, it is not because God removed them. It’s because man is fallible, turned away from the truth, and lost the manifestation of God’s will found in scripture. The Lord has been restoring a number of things in His word over the last hundred years. It’s a good thing we have a book that states the will of God for His church so we can partner with the restoration movement of the Holy Spirit, instead of the religious messengers of the Cessationism movement. 

Only a false prophet would prophesy against the truth of prophecy found in God’s word. Of course the devil doesn’t want God’s people to believe what God’s word says to the church about prophecy or prophets! So Satan sends his false prophets to attack God’s word about prophets. If Satan can get the church to disbelieve prophets and prophecy, he can cut off the church from hearing the voice of the Lord. When the church cannot hear the voice of the Lord, she is more open to deception and more likely to fall into Satan’s various traps. It really is an excellent battle strategy by Satan, and many believers have drank this poisonous doctrine and agreed with Satan. 

The scripture shows us the truth:

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18-22 KJV)

The church “is built,” present tense, on the foundation that apostles and prophets lay. The only foundation that can be laid is Christ. Only apostles and prophets have the grace of God to reveal Christ in the hearts of believers and see Christ formed in them. Living stones need living apostles and prophets to lay the living foundation of Jesus Christ in them. These ministries labor until Christ is formed in believers. Cessationists argue that we no longer need apostles and prophets because the foundation has already been laid. However that is their opinion. The scripture does not state we no longer need them. In fact, the scriptures state we do need those ministries until we come to the unity of the faith (which we obviously have not arrived at yet):

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV)

Just like we have not yet come to the unity of the faith; neither has the church come to the perfect man and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The scripture states that it takes all five ministry gifts to bring the church to maturity. It cannot be done with one or two ministry gifts presently operating. To state that a pastor and teacher can bring the church to maturity by themselves is arrogant, and a contradiction of scripture. God tells us how things will be done, not the other way around. True humility is submission to His word and will. 

Apostles and prophets must be in operation with the other three ministers in order for the church to be made ready for Jesus. The church has been sitting under the ministry of pastors for many years, yet has not come to the full measure of Christ. This is real-world proof that all five ministry gifts are needed. Cessationists argue that the church doesn’t need apostles and prophets any more. I can make the opposing argument: “If we don’t need apostles then we don’t need pastors either. The church has already had pastors and they have done their job.”

Pastors can easily be explained away or canceled from the scriptures if we have the authority to say what things in scripture are no longer valid or necessary. Can you see what a “slippery slope” it is when people start justifying the cancellation of scripture? Only humanistic pride believes it has the authority to cancel certain New Testament scriptures. Only the Author of the book has that authority.

A cessationist would probably not agree that pastors are no longer needed. So how then can they argue that apostles are not needed anymore? You see, they make void the scriptures they don’t want and uphold the ones they do. They are unrighteous judges dividing the word of God poorly and inaccurately. They “pick and choose” what ministry gifts they want to believe in, and which ones they want to explain away by their own traditions. They are blind guides leading the blind. Either all five ministry gifts are still functioning and necessary, or none of them are! And we know according to scripture, all five gifts are needed and functioning until the New Testament church age is over.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Tongues

One thing I have learned from the Holy Spirit is that I do not get to tell Him how and when He moves and functions. The eternal Godhead does what He pleases. If I were to take a portion of scripture and tell the Holy Spirit, “Do it just like this or I won’t believe it’s scriptural;” I can pretty much guarantee that the Holy Spirit won’t obey my commands.

In Acts chapter two, the Holy Spirit moved on people in a certain way and they spoke in other languages. The Holy Spirit can move on others differently if He chooses to. He can give people a prayer language that no one else can understand if He chooses to. God is limitless, yet many believers limit Him according to the understanding of their natural minds. The Lord will never contradict scripture, but He can do things that are not in scripture. He is bigger than His word. The Bible is finite, and the Lord is infinite. The Bible cannot contain God. 

For example, look at the life of Joseph (Jacob’s son). Joesph interrupted a revelation given to Pharaoh of seven years of prosperity, and seven years of famine. What if Joseph would have said, “I can’t receive that revelation because it’s not written in your word God. Therefore I reject that revelation. Create a book for me if you want to speak, and then I can believe you.” 

I know that sounds ridiculous, but that is how some religious people are. If there isn’t something written in God’s word, they won’t believe it. Many don’t believe that God can speak through prophets, or words of knowledge, a still small voice, or in other ways. Some say that God can only speak through His Bible. Again, it’s never a good a idea for us to tell the Lord how He can speak to us. The Lord speaks anyway He wants, and the scriptures tell us that He does not change. 

So the Holy Spirit can give someone the gift of prophecy if He chooses. He can also give someone the gift of speaking in tongues if He chooses. This gift is for the entire congregation and should be used in conjunction with the interpretation of tongues. Obviously everything should be done in order as the scriptures state. The Holy Spirit can also release speaking in tongues as a prayer language for a believer to operate in privately. As we can see, some passages do not say that other languages were spoken when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, but only that they spoke in “other” tongues. The Holy Spirit is the one who chooses what the tongues are, not us. The Holy Spirit can come and give someone Heavenly tongues or the tongues of angels if He wants to. Again, we don’t direct Him. 

“And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.” Acts 19:1-7 NKJV

These 12 men were not in a public assembly so obviously everything was not “descent and in order.” This encounter with the Holy Spirit was a raw outpouring of power. These men had already been baptized in water (John’s baptism) when they first believed in Jesus, but now they experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They spoke in tongues and prophesied as the Spirit led. Notice they didn’t argue with Paul and say, “Show us in the Bible where this is and then we will believe.” These men accepted Paul’s word by faith and the Holy Spirit fell on them. Do you see how the Spirit responds to faith? Doubt does not lead to encounters with the Holy Spirit. 

The above scripture does not state that the 12 spoke in other languages like what occurred in Acts chapter two. The Holy Spirit can and does do things differently if He chooses. We should not assume they spoke in other earthly languages unless the scripture says they did. 

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (I Corinthians 14:2 NKJV)

When you pray in a spiritual language or tongue, you are speaking mysteries to God. No one can understand this prayer so it should be done privately unless it is interrupted publicly. If it is interrupted publicly then it will edify the church, but if not then it only edifies your own spirit:

“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”(I Corinthians 14:4 NKJV)

It is good to pray in tongues so that our spirits can be edified. We need the power and strength of the Holy Spirit to wall upright and stand against the evil in this world. As we speak mysteries to God, our spirits’ pray His will through the direction of the Holy Spirit; and we are strengthened in our inner-man. This is a powerful and important truth for the private prayer life of a believer. 

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (I Corinthians 14:14-15 NKJV)

“I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (I Corinthians 14:18-19 NKJV)

Paul was giving instructions to the church when they met corporately. He was not discouraging speaking in tongues. He confessed to speaking in tongues (praying in the spirit). He clearly indicates that in a private setting before the Lord, we can pray in the spirit (tongues). This grace is available to every believer and most often comes with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The gift of speaking in tongues in front of the entire church is not given to every believer, but those who the Holy Spirit assigns it to (1 Corinthians 12).

Paul didn’t try to argue or explain away the manifestation of tongues as many leaders do today. Paul stated that praying in tongues was beneficial, as long as it does not interrupt the church meeting. Today, we know not to be disruptive in a meeting, but during that time the subject needed to be addressed. 

Imperfect Prophecy

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come upon a prophet and they would hear exactly what the Lord was saying. The New Testament church is a bit different. The Holy Spirit is in us, and sometimes our souls can get in the way when the Lord is speaking. That is why the Charismatic Church has seen inaccurate prophecies, and partially true prophecies over the years. I have addressed these issues in depth in other articles involving the prophetic ministry. These concerns are why Paul told the church to judge prophecy:

“Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.” (1 Corinthians 14:29 AMP)

The Greek word translated ‘weigh carefully’ can also be translated: to separate, to make a distinction or difference, distinguish, to examine, scrutinize, to discern, discriminate, to judge, or to decide a cause. 

The Holy Spirit is saying that we must use wisdom and discernment from Him to determine if the prophetic word is accurate or not. Sometimes the person prophesying is immature and they mix their own thoughts or will into the prophecy. We need to discern if the prophecy is the pure word of the Lord or if it is a mixture from the person’s self-life. The Lord uses prophecy to speak to people, churches, and nations in order to give them  ‘present’ or ‘future’ understanding. We don’t tell the Lord how He can and can’t speak to His people.

We are told not to despise prophecy (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). We test the prophecy and hold on to it if it is good. If it is a bad prophecy that does not bear witness with our spirit, then we disregard the prophetic word. I have received prophetic words in which the presence of God came upon me to confirm the word was from the Lord. I have also received several words that seems forced and did not sit right with my spirit. After years of collecting prophetic words, I can look back on them and tell which ones were the Lord, and which ones were influenced by a person’s soul. This discernment comes with time and maturity. Most of the words I have received over the years have been accurate.

To reject prophecy would be equivalent to despising it, thus disobeying the scriptures and being in sin. Rejecting portions of the Bible is sin. If believers truly honor God’s word, then they embrace it, believe it, and practice it. We dishonor God by rejecting portions of His word. 

I understand that inaccurate prophecies are a problem and can do much damage. I do not support a number of things related to prophecy in the prophetic movement. I believe failed prophecies can destroy the faith of young believers, and this is not acceptable. But regardless of our personal experiences, we must trust and believe the word of God. The Bible transcends my personal experiences. True faith is submission to God’s word. Unbelief in prophecy is a byproduct of false teaching, bad experiences, or lack of experiences. None of these are good excuses for not believing, obeying, and having faith in God’s word. We will all have to give an account before the judgment seat of Christ if we reject portions of His word.

As a believer follows Christ and allows Him to put to death their self-life, they become increasingly more pure. Christ increases in the believer and they are able to deliver prophetic revelation that is uncontaminated. We must strive for holiness and purity so the Holy Spirit can speak through us with clarity. 

When Do Gifts Pass Away?

“Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part [for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete]. But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].” (1 Corinthians 13:8-12 AMP)

In the current church age we know in part and prophesy in part. When Jesus (the only one who is perfect) comes back to the earth and sets up His perfect Kingdom; that which is ‘in part’ will be done away with. When that which is perfect comes, we will no longer be imperfect children, but we will be transformed to the mature man that Christ is. Then we will see clearly and know fully. So the gifts of the Spirit will continue to function in the New Testament church until Christ and His Kingdom comes. 

If we do not fully know or see clearly as in ‘face to face,’ then it is a major indicator that we still know in part and prophesy in part. And if we still know in part and prophesy in part, then the gifts have not yet passed away. There is no ‘in-between’ dispensation. The Bible says we transition from knowing in part to knowing fully. It does not say that we go from knowing ‘in part’ to ‘not knowing,’ and then to ‘knowing fully.’ Christians who believe that we currently don’t operate in the gifts of the Spirit are essentially saying that we don’t see in part or know in part. Therefore, they are not interpreting the scriptures correctly. If we are not at the place of ‘knowing fully,’ then that which is ‘in part’; is still in effect. That which is ‘in part’ is the gifts of the Spirit operating in believers.

Jesus 

Greater than any spiritual gift, is knowing the Lord Himself. The Lord does reveal Himself and His will through His word if we are reading it with proper heart motives. Sitting before the Lord and waiting in His presence is necessary to know Him and become friends with Him. Just as in the natural, you become better friends with those you spend more time with. The same is true with the Lord. Many believers read their Bible, but don’t meditate on the word with the intent of coming to know the Lord as a friend. Every spiritual gift and Holy Spirit encounter is meant to lead us into a deeper relationship with the Lord. If we stop at the gifts of Spirit, like many in the Charismatic Movement have, then we have missed the point. 

Salvation in Jesus is the beginning step of walking with Him. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is another step. But both of those experiences should never define our relationship with the Lord. My relationship with the Lord should be “present tense.” For example, friendship with the Lord is based on fellowship and communion that we have with the Lord throughout the week. Did we talk and spend time together? Was Christ revealed in me in a greater degree? Was I transfigured a tiny bit more into His image this week? Did I increase in the revelation knowledge of the Son of God? Are the Lord and I a little closer because of our interaction this week? Did I commit myself to following Him as a disciple in a greater way? 

If, as a Christian, all I do is talk about one point in my past where I got saved, or baptized in the Spirit, or operated in a spiritual gift; then my relationship is not progressing with the Lord as it should be. We should be able to tell people what the Lord has been saying to us, and what He has been doing in us. We should be having continual encounters and experiences with the Holy Spirit. He is present with us and He wants to be involved in our lives. He desires for us to know Him, and for us to be intimate with Him. The religious spirit will always try to keep believers from having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

Every spiritual encounter should be leading us deeper into knowing the Lord. My salvation experience is not going to sustain my relationship with Jesus. Going to a church meeting once a week is not going to sustain my friendship with Jesus. The Lord wants to be that all-consuming fire in us that burns up all other idols, so that He is our first love and our “one thing.” The spiritual things of God are supposed to lead us to God Himself. I don’t worship healing or healing the sick, I worship Jesus. Out of our lifestyles of worshipping Jesus, then the healing power of Christ should manifest and heal people. Our focus must be on our current journey with the Lord. 

There is nothing but death in apologetics for Cessationism. It argues against the word of God, and fights against the spiritual steps that lead us to an intimate relationship with God. I believe it is a doctrine responsible for keeping believers from knowing the Lord intimately. That is why the Lord had me write this article. He is jealous for His people, and He doesn’t want them turned away from Him by traditions of men.

Real ministers of the Gospel lead people to Christ, instead of arguing that certain scriptures are obsolete. Real preachers preach the Bible, which reveals the will and purposes of Jesus. Those preachers who keep the Lord’s people from Him should be afraid. The jealousy of the Lord for His bride is a fearful thing. It is best to stand beside the Bridegroom so He can see and speak to His bride. We do not want to stand in-between the Bridegroom and His bride, so that we hinder His communication to her; and prevent her from gazing upon Him. 

I urge you brothers and sisters to believe the word of God over any word of man. Seek the spiritual truths found in the scriptures, and allow those truths to bring you closer to the Truth Himself; Jesus Christ. 

-Ty Unruh (2023)