Miraculous Gifts: If They Ceased, When?

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

A Theology of Gift Giving

On Christmas day people all over the world will be exchanging presents.

There are two reasons for this:

It’s a cultural tradition within the human family.

It’s a symbolic picture of the Gospel within the Christian family.

Christmas is part of cultural tradition

It is not unusual for “cultural tradition” to be devoid of intentional, sustaining, and maybe even joy-filled relationships.

That’s not necessarily bad. There are a lot of things that I do culturally that are not motivated by or sustained by the idea or hope that I’m going to have a genuine relationship with someone.

You can’t build deeply with everyone, even though you can be nice to everyone. Sometimes traditional gift-giving is a way to honor one’s cultural tradition, even though the extent of your relationship with that person may only be wrapped up in the gift you give.

For example, it could be a formal carryover from their childhood experience. “It’s Christmas. We buy gifts. That’s what we do.”

Who knows? Maybe God will open a greater door in the future by your obedience to their cultural tradition. Paul certainly saw some wisdom in this kind of thinking:

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. – 1 Corinthians 8:13 (ESV)

Cultural gift-giving is not all bad. I want my children to enjoy their cultural Christmas experience with family and friends. However, I also want them to understand and enjoy the deeper and richer meaning of Christmas too.

It can be a challenge to communicate the deeper and richer meaning of Christmas when their little hearts are wrapped up in the idea of presents. I was the same way when I was a child.  Keep Reading >>>

So You Want to Be a Senior Pastor

Looking back on seminary I often wonder why I was not better prepared for certain experiences that have been pivotal in pastoral ministry. There was never a class on how to deal with ministry jealousy. No one ever warned me that it would be tempting to wish I had another man’s gifts, ministry opportunities, and recognition. Furthermore, there were no classes on spiritual warfare. In fact, I don’t remember anyone telling me to expect spiritual warfare. There were no lectures that addressed the fact that as I grew clearer about the gospel, I would become a bigger target for the evil one. And there were no syllabi regarding what it would mean for an associate pastor to transition into ministry as a senior pastor.

A recent edition of the 9Marks e-journal focused on the life and perspectives of a senior pastor versus an associate pastor. The articles were very helpful, but one set of questions were not addressed: What should you expect of the transition from associate pastor to senior or lead pastor? How are the roles different? How can associate pastors prepare as they think and pray about being a senior pastor one day?   Keep Reading...