Why I Reject Cessationism

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KingJimmy Feb 13, 2011

by

Jimmy Humphrey

There is a theological position known as cessationism. The basic idea behind this doctrine is the rejection of the contemporary existence of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now, there are various degrees of cessationism. A few people reject the gifts of the Holy Spirit altogether. But much more common is the rejection of the more “spectacular” gifts, namely that of prophecy. And there are various reasons for this position, namely, it is based on the belief that upon the completion of the canon of Scripture, there was no more need for the gift of prophecy. So, with the Scriptures being complete, the gift of prophecy is viewed as having faded away.

Such is a very short and simplistic overview of the cessationist position. And there are many reasons why, Biblically speaking, we should reject such a position.

One of the main reasons we should reject such a view is because the Scriptures teach no such thing. Proponents of cessationism say that the contemporary existence of the gift of prophecy would undermine the important reformation doctrine of sola Scriptura– that the Scriptures alone are sufficient for our faith. But the main problem with this argument is that the Scriptures do not teach that the gift of prophecy somehow undermines the sufficiency of the canon of Scripture for our faith. It is rather ironic, that while espousing sola Scriptura, those who hold to a cessationist position actually rely on an extra-Biblical argument to make their case. And in doing so, they are actually the ones undermining the doctrine of sola Scriptura.

For instead of teaching about the prophetic gifts fading out of existence after the completion of the canon, the Scriptures teach in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14, and Ephesians 4 that the gift of prophecy actually compliments the revelation contained within the Scriptures, and has a usefulness in the regular life of the church beyond the writing of sacred Scripture. Indeed, in these passages the gift of prophecy is seen as a gift that exists for the purpose of building up others in the faith, and serving as an aid to maturing the body of Christ as a whole. To say that the gift of prophecy existed for the primary purpose of the creation of the canon of Scripture is to employ an argument the Scriptures themselves never make. As central as the Scriptures are to our faith, might I be so bold as to say that its existence is merely a bi-product of the gift of prophecy, and not the main purpose for which the gift was intended?

For the primary purpose of the gift of prophecy is to actively declare the mind of God. The prophet is one who literally speaks on behalf of another. In the history of the prophetic ministry, the Scriptures were so inspired out of men who actively declared what God had to say. And in all their declaring, a body of literature was written down and preserved for all time, and this body of literature contains within it the faith once and for all handed down to the saints. And we must never minimize this whatsoever. But the Scriptures in themselves never contain every prophetic message ever uttered in the history of time. Indeed, Noah was a prophet, but none of his oracles are recorded. The prophet Samuel spoke many times on behalf of the Lord, and all of Israel confirmed Samuel as a prophetic minister. Yet we have hardly any of his prophecies. Likewise, John the Baptist spent quite some time out in the wilderness prophesying, yet we only have a handful of his words recorded. And above all people, our Lord Jesus Christ spent three years on earth ministering as a prophet, yet for all the words He spoke, John reminds us that Christ said and did many more things that were not recorded.

But in saying all of this, and as important as these points have been, I believe there is one major reason alone why we should reject any partial or total cessationist theologies. And that reason is central to all of the Scriptures. We should reject cessationist theologies because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a contemporary, modern-day prophet. Indeed, Hebrews 1 reminds us that God has in these last days spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ, as a modern-day living prophet, is still carrying out His prophetic ministry that began 2,000 years ago in Judea. The Lord has not grown silent just because the canon of Scriptures is complete. Jesus Christ is still speaking on behalf of God today.

And one of the ways in which Jesus Christ still speaks on behalf of God today is through the Church. Namely, through those who, being a part of His body, share in the prophetic ministry He Himself has. It is my contention that those well meaning brethren who deny contemporary prophetic ministry have a major blind spot in their theology. Namely, they fail to see that Jesus Christ has a present day prophetic ministry. And though they confess Him as Prophet, Priest, and King, practically speaking, they deny the prophetic ministry of Jesus Christ by denying a place for the gift of prophecy in the Church today. For in making no room for prophetic expression today, the ministry of Christ Himself as a prophet is effectively silenced.

And the last thing this world needs is for God to be mute. This is why I reject cessationism.

http://christthinks.com/2011/02/13/why-i-reject-cessationism/

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Christinyou Feb 14, 2011

What is a "contemporary prophetic ministry", how does it work and what does it do?

In Christ: Phillip

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

I believe contemporary prophetic ministry is the same as we read from cover to cover in the Scriptures. It is the giving of a supernatural utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit, who gives the prophet the ability to actively declare the mind of Christ. Though not always crouched in the language, it is a gospel-centered declaration of what "thus saith" the Lord.

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

Interesting observation: I noticed there are over 700 views on this thread, but only one reply. That seems to be an awfully wide gap. Feedback welcomed!

:-)

sermonindex Feb 14, 2011

may i speak honestly and clearly from the heart?.....and what i write is NOT meant to be a put down, or "rebuke", as we've set up in theo-speak.

this is just me, but if i see a church, para church, whatever calling itself a "contemporary prophetic ministry", i flee....and quick.

a true prophet NEVER would term himself OR herself a prophet....they just are, it's a God given gift, and it is also a heavy load, you could even call it a curse, because the lot of a prophet, is not shiny caddilacs, or nice suits, with those fancy head sets, and a beautiful church building, and conferences with other all too earnest "prophets".

the lot of the prophet is almost always slim living, poverty, being hated, scorned, lonely, in the human realm.
the lot of the prophet is to have the gift of foretelling, and sometimes the prophet sees the full extent of the coming wrath.

and if we want to delve even further into the lot of the prophet Scripturally, not one of the prophets was even trained in a seminary.

let's just look at John the Baptizer, he didnt wear the finery of the priestcraft, his meals were rather improvised, and when the people came out to the river, he didnt greet them with a smile and a bulletin, he told them straight up, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee the coming wrath?"

the seeker sensitive crowd might have a problem with that.

which leads me to just to say something to you, with love...no put down. i love your scholarship, the fact that you would take time, write a paper, speaking of a viewpoint of Scriptures, and God sees this, God sees your earnest heart, and He just loves you for it, but you write in high theological terms....and THATS COOL, but look at Jesus, He spoke very simply to the people in His Earthly Ministry.

Today, we have a LOT LOT of some very frightened scared lost people, and they havent attained that level of theological terminology. Such a paper MIGHT be fine for SI, or maybe your sharing a seminary assigment, which is good, but to speak to people about the Deep Things of God, we really just gotta make it plain.....

....and saints, who should know better, should quit fooling around with God, and refrain from calling themselves "prophets", even if they really are. Same goes for ministries, as Jesus said, My House will be called a House of Prayer.

believe me dear Jimmy, i didnt write this to fuss with you, i wrote this almost as if i was sitting across from you at a table, just talking.

I'm sure you're aware that something afoul is in the air, something dark stirring in the world, and yes, there are very dark days a coming.

We have to band together in the Love of Messiah, and live and love in faith IN Jesus.....AND we have to be a warm pair of outstretched arms to any burdened sinner, desiring to confess Jesus as Lord. (oh and we also have to start stashing and hiding Bibles NOW)

i love you, Jimmy....just talking with you over this internet.

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

Thanks for writing. I get what you are saying.

"Contemporary prophetic ministry." Don't flee over that. I'm just trying to be specific as possible in talking about the operation of the prophetic ministry in our generation. While there might be much today that would cause one to expel their lunch over in what happens in "prophetic" ministry, I have in mind here Biblical prophetic ministry. Not pop-culture extremes.

Regarding everything else you said though, I think you should go back to the Scriptures and wrestle more with what prophetic ministry is about. I think your notions are a bit "romantic."

While there is some truth to what you say, such doesn't apply very well across the board when put to the acid test of Scripture. For example, Biblically speaking, the prophets regularly identified themselves as prophets, just as Paul regularly identified himself as an apostle. And regarding seminary, Ezekiel was a priest before being sent into exile, and most certainly would've gone through the "seminary" of his day. So, while "seminary" in no way qualifies one, it in no way disqualifies one either. And if you study the Scriptures closely, you will also learn that there is some "formal" theological language used by its authors from time to time. Not everything was, "See the birds of the air!" Words like "propitiation" were just as abstract then as they are now.

And I always attempt to make things as plain as possible. The next few weeks in the high school Sunday school class, I'll be teaching on the gifts of the Spirit. And while I'll be especially sure to make things as plain as possible for those in the class, I am not going to shy away from educating them either, challenging their minds, and sometimes dropping $500 words. We shouldn't be frightened by big words and the abstract language of theology. While we don't need to overdose in the stuff, we don't need to shy away from it either.

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Areadymind Feb 14, 2011

It would seem that 1 Thessalonians 5:20 is a pertinent scripture to consider in light of this thread.

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

Indeed.

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ginnyrose Feb 14, 2011

Neil wrote:

it's a God given gift, and it is also a heavy load, you could even call it a curse, because the lot of a prophet, is not shiny caddilacs, or nice suits, with those fancy head sets, and a beautiful church building, and conferences with other all too earnest "prophets".

AMEN.

The fact that this usually the case frightens people away from this ministry. Sad.

On the other hand you have those that appear the opposite of this and foretell 'events' with great pronouncements and you wonder. Many times it is couched in poetic language that flies over the top of ones head - especially those not inclined to the poetic, like me. I do not get it. You have to say what you mean and mean what you say. Be blunt. When God spoke through the prophets, the people understood what they said. Same with the apostles when they taught.

My understanding.

Interesting thread.

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

While poverty, rejection, and being alone are things that often accompany prophetic ministry, it should be noted that these things are the essence of prophetic ministry. The essence of prophetic ministry is speaking on behalf of Christ, from whom we have our prophetic ministry today.

And it should be noted that no matter how poor a contemporary prophet might be in America, even the poorest people in America are in the top 10% wealth of the world. And in a healthy local fellowship, rejection and isolation should not be something the prophet experiences much of. Indeed, in the New Testament, I see no prophet ever lacking for fellowship who is rightly joined to a local assembly of the saints.

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Lysa Feb 14, 2011

And it should be noted that no matter how poor a contemporary prophet might be in America, even the poorest people in America are in the top 10% wealth of the world.

In one sentence you just did away with all the poverty in America!!! Fabulous!

God bless you brother!
Lisa

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

In one sentence you just did away with all the poverty in America!!! Fabulous

No, not at all. There is poverty in America, and real poverty at that. I'm not in poverty, but I'm far from being middle class, let alone wealthy. I know how tough it is just to "make it" here in America, especially due to the very high standard of living our nation requires by law. But let's face it, death due to starvation or basic medical attention is a very rare thing here in America. Relatively speaking, even our homeless are doing better than many in the rest of the world.

I'm just trying to put everything in perspective, and put a check on any romantic notions individuals might have. Even the Leonard Ravenhill's of the church, for all their rejection, still made a decent "living" from "full-time ministry." A. W. Tozer, who was probably the greatest prophet in American history, carved out a comfortable living as the pastor of a "mega-church" in Chicago, and even sat on top of denominational boards. So, let's not make the prophetic ministry into something it is not.

*edited*

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narrowpath Feb 14, 2011

I see another problem with cessationism. Many churches say they believe in the gifts, but in reality do not allow them to be practised. There is just no time for anyone to speak in tongues or utter a prophesy and there is nothing in place to evaluate prophesy by a mature eldership.You are asked to speak it in private to the pastor. People then do not dare to utter prophesies because they sense an insecurity of the pastor and do not want to stick out.
Some pastors do not want their "order" to be jeopardized.

Pratising the gift is one thing, but you need a propper understanding and practise of eldership.
It can only work when there is a true body of Christ and not just a preacher with a seated audience.

Most of the time I see either unbridled (ab)use of the gifts ending in disorder or control that quenches the Spirit. Rarely have I experienced a church that got it right.

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MaryJane Feb 14, 2011

Pratising the gift is one thing, but you need a propper understanding and practise of eldership. It can only work when there is a true body of Christ and not just a preacher with a seated audience.

_____________
narrowpath I just had to agree with what you said here!!

God bless

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Theophila Feb 14, 2011

What narrowpath said.

Back to the OP; i've seldom heard the prophetic declaration of God's word these days. You know the sort that pricks your conscience and demands a response? Just heaps of 'nice', 'encouraging' sermons.

Will never forget the day i came across 'Reality in the Christian Life' here on SI. Blessed be God for that day!

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

You know the sort that pricks your conscience and demands a response?

As Art Katz used to say on a regular basis: the prophetic word is a word of requirement.

Amen.

sermonindex Feb 14, 2011

you wrote:

"Contemporary prophetic ministry." Don't flee over that.

King Jay, i would, will and do flee so far and so fast from the dung heap mound of what passes for "ministry" in America these days, you cant even see the back of my heels.

and i thank you for this encouragement:

Regarding everything else you said though, I think you should go back to the Scriptures and wrestle more with what prophetic ministry is about. I think your notions are a bit "romantic."

yeh, i'll try that, right now in my daily morning Scripture reading, i'm in Luke. God the Holy Ghost leads me to do Things like read and re-read all Four Gospels accounts over and over...maybe make a Sidetrip to the Minor Prophets, its all just where He leads. thats why morning time is my favorite time of the day.

its funny..."romantic" huh? first time the notion of being hungry, alone, getting your hind quarters kicked, or your head caved in with stones, or chowing on locusts is termed "romantic"....but worry not, if your the real thing, you'll get your chance.....very soon.

WahBaeYo, ...means "see ya later" in Japanese, neil

sermonindex Feb 14, 2011

oh my bad!! Jimmy, when you spoke of my "romantic notions", you might have meant that part where i said we should be always ready with a warm open outstretched pair of arms to hug any overburdened sinner.

is that the part of my initial post that got me stamped "romantic"?

the hug i give is an agape hug, not an eros hug bud. scared lost hurting people DO need that kind of thing, and in Jesus Name i will always endeavour to do such when so led, decently and in order.

less words, more Demonstration of Jesus IN us.

sermonindex Feb 14, 2011

Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7 Or ministry (service), let us wait on our ministering (serving): or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man 'SEVERELY' 'AS HE WILL'.
1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ

Brother, about thirty something years ago, an excellent teaching on the gifts & callings emerged by, I forget who - but as Satan always does, following on the heels of a good revelation of GOD's truths - the abuses of the gifts & callings took the predominance.

The gifts mentioned in Romans and Corinthians 12 were all but virtually forgotten by an over-emphasis on the callings of Ephesians 4.

Instead of people seeing that maybe their pastor or teacher was also being used in the 'gift' of prophecy, they began to think their Pastor or Teacher was a Prophet... or thought so of themselves.
That those who GOD chooses to use in giving a prophecy were Prophets.

The 1 Corth 12 gifts can be given one day and not ever again, "severely AS HE WILLS." They are not "resident" in the person, but given by GOD as He sees the need arise. Any Christian could potentially be used in all of these gifts within their lifetime, if He so chooses.
He can use a person who's been born-again just yesterday in all 9 in one day, if He Wills, and then not use them again but in one next year.

[Please understand that the caps are only because there's no codes for emphasis.]

The Romans 12 "gifts" are called motivational giftings.
The 1 Corinthian 12 "gifts" again, are manifested when needed, severely as He wills, at that moment.
Those of Ephesian 4 are "callings".

The Romans 12 "giftings" and Ephesians 4 list of "callings" are 'resident', but those of Romans 12 are not "callings" but burdens from GOD that affect all that a person stays burdened by.

Not only does the "gift" of prophecy confuse one into thinking that they're or someone is a prophet by calling, but so does the gifts of "exhortation", "a word of knowledge", "interpretation of tongues" or "a word of wisdom" get a person confused with the "gift of prophecy" or the "calling" of a prophet now-a-days.

Mostly all we hear of anymore is the "Fivefold Ministries", and never in the history of mankind, have more people claimed to be "prophets or apostles" or have used those titles more loosely than within these last 25 yrs or so.

Andrew posted a message titled "A letter to a reluctant prophet" on his website and just look at the replies to that one Article. There's just no words for that many responses.

Three times Jesus called His Spirit, "The Spirit of Truth". He said that, the OT prophets were moved by the Spirit of Christ. Christ is The WORD of GOD. So prophets have above all things an insight into "Truth" above all other things.
Many prophecy in these last days, but what do they believe doctrinally or what does their lives represent against The Word of Truth?

The abuse of these 4 Scripture references of the "gifts" and "callings" is catastrophic in these days.

I must say, that I also do not feel that anyone should need to proclaim themselves to 'be' any one of the 5 Ministerial callings.
If you are a Teacher - those who love true-truth will see that you are, but better yet, will just remember the good teaching and not you.
If you have a shepherd's heart - you needn't call yourself Pastor and certainly not "Reverend" - as that's defined as "someone to be Reverenced" - that's pushing things a bit much.
If you have an overwhelming burden to reach the lost - no need to call yourself "Evangelist So&So".
If you are called to a life of a "Missionary" - which is in reality what an "apostle" is - no need to to introduce oneself as "Mr Missionary Jones" or Apostle Jones.
And all the more so with any prophets out there. Just do your job [what GOD lays upon your heart] - period and let GOD be the Judge of what we are or are not.

How could we not admit that far too much emphasis has been placed upon men and not on His One Body as a whole?

Recognition is a thing of this world - it shouldn't be so in His Body.
He made of Himself of no reputation. Better to go 'Anonymous' than to look for recognition of one's "calling" or "gifts".
Just obey The Shepherd and point to Him and let the "well done" praise or recognition wait, until we hear it from the only omniscient One Who will judge all of our works on that Day.

I believe we're living in the generation of "Everybody wants to be Somebody" - having any type platform that they can afford, or steal - and I just can't find that in His WORD. Too much of His Body is being neglected on account of this over-emphasis on the who's who in His Church or who wants to be what or who. That is something that I feel is not Scriptural at all.

If we don't see all of His Body as equals - we've missed the whole picture as seen from Heaven and where these gifts, etc are actually originating From and for what 'Purpose'.

If we set on minds on His Mind - we won't be looking at ourselves anymore. We'll just be available vessels - freed for Him to use as He so chooses. Eyes on Him and having His heart, seeing the blessedness of His entire Body & love for the lost and not on ourselves.

1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that GOD in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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KingJimmy Feb 14, 2011

King Jay, i would, will and do flee so far and so fast from the dung heap mound of what passes for "ministry" in America these days, you cant even see the back of my heels.

Well, I'm not talking about whatever cynical view you have of contemporary ministry. The subject matter at hand is about genuine contemporary prophetic ministry. I mentioned nothing about nice cars or any such thing. Why are you wanting to bring it up?

its funny..."romantic" huh? first time the notion of being hungry, alone, getting your hind quarters kicked, or your head caved in with stones, or chowing on locusts is termed "romantic"

I call it "romantic" because it's a highly idealized idea I think you would do well to abandon. It's not in accord with Biblical reality. It's a dream. A fiction. It's made up.

but worry not, if your the real thing, you'll get your chance.....very soon.

I have been a partaker of the sufferings of Christ. But it's not so much due to my ministry callings. It's more so just due to the fact that I am a Christian, and with being such, experience many tribulations. Not all is bad though.