Pneumotology III: How Is the Church Divided Over the Hly Spirit?

The Nature of Miraculous Gifts

Are the miraculous gifts still prevalent today?

Cessationists

• Cessationism is the belief that the miraculous gifts of tongues and healings ceased after the apostolic age.
• While many cessationists would believe that God can still do miracles today, He would no longer use these gifts through people.
• They would believe God gave tongues to initiate the Church and validate the first leaders.
• “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1 Cor. 13:8-10).
• The debate centers on how you interpret what the coming “perfect” is.
• Cessationists would claim that the perfect came when the canon of Scripture was completed.

Continuationists

• Continuationism is the belief that the miraculous gifts of tongues and healings continue to this day.
• Many would believe that the “perfect” will be when Christ returns.
• These gifts are not required for all but given to some.
• “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Rom. 12:6).
• “Nevertheless, in church, I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Cor. 14:19).

The Need for a Second Blessing

Should we expect a second filling of the Holy Spirit?

Confusion

• Some Christians speak of a need for a second blessing meaning either the baptism of the Holy Spirit or a state of sinless perfection.
• In certain denominations, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience post-salvation where the Holy Spirit comes richly, typically providing the gift of tongues.
• While the original disciples received the gift of tongues for gospel proclamation, it is typically portrayed as being utilized now for worship experiences or private prayer languages.

Correction

• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 teaches that the same Spirit gives different gifts for the good of the Body.
• 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 teaches that we all do not have the same gifts.
• Descriptive portions of the Bible do not always provide prescriptive expectations.
• In the early stages of the Church, Acts describes events that happened to specific individuals but does not guarantee they will happen to each of us.
• If you don’t have the Spirit of God, you are not in Christ (Rom. 8:9; Eph. 1:13).

The Necessity for Specific Guidance

Does the Holy Spirit direct us like He did the disciples?

Concerns

• Many Christians take God’s name in vain in doing what they want to do but blame “the Spirit’s leading” on their actions.
• Due to such abuses, others deny that the Spirit leads believers practically today.
• Is there a healthy balance of being directed by the Word and led by the Spirit?

Clarity

• “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
• Don’t let your theology be dictated by exaggerated reactions to unhealthy practices.
• If Jesus said we are dependent on the Spirit, we are hopeless if we believe He retired from the ministry once the Scriptures were completed.
• The Spirit guides us on applying biblical truth to a particular situation.
• The Bible tells us what to do; the Spirit guides us when and how to do it.