Liked this post by Steve Crosby about the errors of Cessationism. He goes so far as to call it Heresy, I wholeheartedly agree!
http://swordofthekingdom.com/2012/06/02/cessationism-undermines-the-gospel/
The power to do miracles and live a spirit-filled, fruitful, overcoming life is proof that Jesus really rose from the dead. The power to do miracles by the Holy Spirit validated Jesus' message, it validated the early disciples' message, and it validates our message.
If we don't serve a risen lord who can still do the very same things through our lives today, our message and preaching is in vain! 1 Cor 15:14
Jesus promise was that we would do the very same things he did, and even greater works!
John 14:12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
It is ridiculous to think that miracles ceased with the death of the last Apostle, and it is foolish to believe that God no longer speaks to his people today through Spiritual Gifts, discernment, dreams, visions, etc. If gifts were given to the church for edification and to build up the early Church, why would God pull them away with the death of the last apostle? What makes us think we no longer need these gifts today?
God is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. The same roadblocks of religious thinking that kept the Pharisees of old from receiving the person of Jesus when he came 2000 years ago are the same roadblocks that keep modern Pharisees from believing in the power and work of the Holy Spirit today.
Cessationists hinge most of their beliefs on one passage of scripture that I believe is easily refutable. They believe that spiritual gifts ceased when the perfect came as described in 1 Cor. 13:8-10
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
Cessationists believe that "the perfect" is referring to the completion of the canon of scripture. I believe this is an incorrect interpretation for 3 main reasons.
1. Paul had no idea that there was such a thing as a "canon" of scripture at the time of this writing.
2. "if there is knowledge, it will be done away". Did knowledge pass away also with the completion of the Canon? No.
3. verse 12 implies a time when we are face to face with Jesus and have reached a state of complete knowledge. Even with the completion of the scriptures, none of us can claim to have complete knowledge.
1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
"Face to face", then, can only refer to when we see Jesus face to face at His coming. John says we will see Him face to face (Rev 22:4), and that when he appears we shall see him as he is (1Jn 3:2).
The time when we will "know fully" has nothing to do with the completion of the canon of scripture. It is talking about the time when we will see Christ face to face and are literally dwelling in his presence continually.
Spiritual gifts and miracles are necessary until the end of the age when Jesus returns and wraps up history. When we see him face to face and are living in his presence continually, spiritual gifts will no longer be necessary.
Also see:
http://apologetica.us/2012/02/06/why-1-corinthians-138-10-is-not-a-good-text-for-cessationism/
http://www.prophecyeducation.com/cessationism.htm
http://www.amazon.com/2000-Years-Charismatic-Christianity-pentecostal/dp/0884198723
2000 years of charismatic History is a good book that gives first-hand accounts of miracles and spiritual gifts throughout the last 2,000 years. This book offers undeniable proof that miracles and gifts have never ceased. Literally hundreds of eyewitness and first-hand accounts of miracles have been recorded after the completion of the Canon of Scripture. While reading this book, I was amazed at the number of references to spiritual gifts and miracles in the writings of the early church fathers 100-300 AD.
There are many well documented reports of healing miracles. This video in 2 parts is one of them.
like your article........it is true it is heresy........one has to "want" to believe in it to actually believe it. Never knew of this doctrine until i joined a baptist church in 2013 after leaving an extremist charasmatic church. i was shocked to say the least when i heard this doctrine for the first time (after i had some queries over why they never pray for the sick in the congregation). I believe that Even if the very things that happened in acts were to happen today they will discredit it simply because it doesnt fit their theological doctrine. I really pray that they realise that we can have what God wants us to have wether some abuse the gifts or not or false gifts exist. we should be true to scripture and it teaches the continuation of gifts.
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