Understanding Cessationism: Does the Gift of Prophecy Continue?

What Cessationists Believe About Prophecy

As a Christian, one of the central tenets of your faith is the belief that God communicates with His people. Through the centuries, God has spoken to His people through various means, including the written Word of God, the Bible, through prayer, and through the Holy Spirit. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of prophecy. This gift, according to 1 Corinthians 14:1, is to be earnestly desired by believers. However, there are different views on the continuation of the gift of prophecy in the church today. One of these views is known as cessationism.

What is Cessationism?

Cessationism is the belief that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, including prophecy, tongues, and healing, ceased after the apostolic era. Cessationists believe that these gifts were necessary in the early church to authenticate the apostles and their message, but are no longer needed today because we have the complete Word of God in the Bible. Therefore, they argue that the gift of prophecy, as it was exercised in the early church, is not present in the church today.

There are many reasons why someone might hold to cessationism. Some argue that the gift of prophecy was only given to the apostles, and therefore, it was a temporary gift. Others point to the fact that the gift of prophecy was often accompanied by signs and wonders, which were given to authenticate the message of the prophets and apostles. Since we no longer see these signs and wonders today, cessationists argue that the gift of prophecy has also ceased.

The Biblical Case for Cessationism

There are several biblical passages that cessationists point to in support of their belief. One of these passages is 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, where Paul writes, “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.” Cessationists argue that the “perfect” that Paul speaks of is the completion of the canon of Scripture, and that once the Bible was complete, the need for the gift of prophecy ceased.

Another passage that cessationists point to is Hebrews 1:1-2, which says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Cessationists argue that this passage shows that God no longer speaks through prophets in the same way that He did in the Old Testament.

Why Cessationism Matters

Cessationism is an important issue for Christians to consider because it has significant implications for how we understand the nature of God’s revelation and the sufficiency of Scripture. If the gift of prophecy continues today, it raises questions about the authority of Scripture and the completeness of the Bible. On the other hand, if the gift of prophecy has ceased, it affirms the sufficiency and authority of the Bible as the final and complete revelation of God to His people.

Additionally, cessationism has practical implications for how we understand and practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church today. Cessationists believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are still present today, such as teaching and evangelism, are to be exercised within the bounds of Scripture and in submission to the authority of the Bible. They also believe that the church should be careful to avoid excesses and abuses in the exercise of spiritual gifts.

Objections to Cessationism

While cessationism has its biblical and theological supporters, there are also those who object to the idea that the gift of prophecy has ceased. One objection is that cessationism is based on a narrow reading of certain biblical passages, and that there are other passages that suggest that the gift of prophecy continues today.

For example, in Acts 2:16-18, Peter quotes from the prophet Joel and says, “This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’” Those who believe in the continuation of the gift of prophecy argue that this passage suggests that the gift of prophecy is not limited to the apostolic era.

Another objection to cessationism is that it is based on a faulty understanding of the nature of prophecy. Those who believe in the continuation of the gift of prophecy argue that prophecy is not necessarily about predicting the future, but is rather about speaking forth the word of God in a timely and relevant way. They argue that the gift of prophecy is still needed today to help the church discern God’s will and to encourage and edify believers.

Conclusion

Whether or not the gift of prophecy continues today is a matter of debate among Christians. Cessationists believe that the gift of prophecy, as it was exercised in the early church, has ceased, while those who believe in the continuation of the gift of prophecy argue that it is still present today. While both sides have their biblical and theological arguments, it is important for Christians to remember that our ultimate authority is the Word of God, and that we should be careful to submit our beliefs and practices to its authority.

References:

• 1 Corinthians 14:1


• 1 Corinthians 13:8-10


• Hebrews 1:1-2


• Acts 2:16-18

As we consider the issue of cessationism, it is important to remember that God is a God who communicates with His people. Throughout history, God has spoken to His people through various means, including the written Word of God, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. While there are different views on the continuation of the gift of prophecy in the church today, we can be confident that God will continue to speak to His people in ways that are consistent with His character and His revealed Word.

As we seek to understand God’s will for our lives and for the church, let us be diligent in our study of His Word, and let us be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Whether or not we believe that the gift of prophecy continues today, let us be united in our desire to obey God and to pursue His will for our lives.