This study of cessationism considers three essential questions. Focusing on the gift of tongues, Parts 1 and 2
addressed the first of these: What were the gifts in the New Testament,
and how does that biblical description compare to what is happening in
contemporary charismatic circles? When we approach the
continuationist/cessationist debate by first defining the gifts
biblically, it becomes apparent that modern charismatic practice does
not match the New Testament phenomena.
The second essential question is the when question. If the
miraculous gifts (biblically defined) are not occurring in the church
today, then does the Bible provide indications to when those gifts
ceased?
For the sake of space, this question will be addressed only briefly.
Those interested in further study on this issue should read Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit by Thomas Edgar.
In interacting with the when question, six texts must be
considered. Many of these texts are used by continuationists to argue
for the ongoing nature of the charismatic gifts.
1. Acts 2:16–21
Some continuationists argue, based on Peter’s reference to Joel 2 in
his Pentecost sermon, that the sign gifts should be expected to continue
throughout the entire church age. The problem with this interpretation,
however, is that it cannot account for the cosmic signs that are part
of Joel’s prophecy (such as the sun being darkened and the moon turned
to blood—cf. Acts 2:19–20).
Even if Acts 2 is regarded as the complete fulfillment of Joel 2, it
does not demonstrate the continuation of spiritual gifts throughout the
entire church age. Rather, it would suggest that the church age is
bookended by supernatural phenomenon—marked by charismatic signs at the
beginning and cosmic signs at the end. Moreover, the prophecy predicted
in Joel 2 (cf. Acts 2:18)
is the Old Testament form of prophecy—which poses a problem for
continuationists who want NT prophecy to be categorically different than
its Old Testament predecessor. For dispensationalists who see a partial
fulfillment of Joel 2 in Acts 2, this passage does not present a
problem, since the full fulfillment of Joel 2 will take place during the
Tribulation Period after the church age has ended.
2. 1 Corinthians 1:4–9
Although gifts (in a general sense) and the return of Christ are both
mentioned in this passage (v. 7), the text does not state that the
miraculous gifts will be in operation until the Parousia. Continue at Nathan Busenitz
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