In the journey of faith, it is essential to respect differing viewpoints while holding firm to one's convictions. Cessationists, who believe that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased with the early church, are committed to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. This dedication is commendable, yet there is room for respectful disagreement. The belief in the continuation of the gifts of the Spirit is rooted in a different interpretation of Scripture, one that sees these gifts as ongoing and available to all believers today. This perspective encourages a dialogue that is both respectful and rooted in love for the Bible. [04:40]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a person with whom you have a theological disagreement. How can you engage in a respectful and loving conversation with them this week?
Day 2: The Everlasting Promise of the Holy Spirit
The promise of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in Acts 2:33 and 39, is a testament to God's enduring commitment to His people. This promise, which includes the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, is not confined to the early church but extends to all generations. It is a part of the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ, ensuring that believers today can experience the fullness of the Spirit's work. This understanding challenges believers to embrace the gifts of the Spirit as a vital part of their spiritual journey. [06:10]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you open your heart to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life today, especially in areas where you may have been resistant?
Day 3: Pentecost: A Sign for All Generations
The events of Pentecost, particularly the speaking in tongues, were not merely historical occurrences but signs of the Holy Spirit's ongoing work. While some aspects of Pentecost were unique, the outpouring of the Spirit and the accompanying gifts were meant for all generations. This understanding invites believers to see the miraculous gifts as a continuing testament to the Spirit's presence and power in the world today. It challenges the notion that these gifts were only for the early church, encouraging a broader view of the Spirit's work. [09:53]
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you witnessed or experienced the Holy Spirit's work in your life or community recently?
Day 4: The Inclusive Scope of God's Promise
Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost emphasized the inclusive nature of God's promise. The Holy Spirit's gifts were not just for the immediate audience but extended to their children and all who are far off. This inclusivity highlights the universal nature of God's promise, inviting every generation of believers to partake in the gifts of the Spirit. It challenges believers to recognize the breadth of God's promise and to embrace the gifts as part of their spiritual inheritance. [12:27]
"For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (Acts 2:39, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively seek to include others in experiencing the gifts and promises of the Holy Spirit in your community?
Day 5: The Burden of Proof and the Continuation of Gifts
The burden of proof lies with those who argue that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are not for today. Scripture provides evidence that these gifts are part of the New Covenant and continue to serve as a testament to the Holy Spirit's work in the world. Believers are encouraged to explore the biblical and historical evidence for the continuation of these gifts, allowing the Spirit to work through them in powerful ways. This perspective invites a deeper exploration of Scripture and a willingness to embrace the Spirit's ongoing work. [14:43]
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to explore and embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life, testing and holding fast to what is good?
Sermon Summary
In this first installment of a ten-part series, I explore the reasons why I believe cessationism is incorrect. Cessationism is the belief that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased with the close of the New Testament. While I respect my cessationist brothers and sisters for their dedication to exposing false teachings and their love for the Bible, I fundamentally disagree with their stance on the gifts of the Spirit. My conviction is rooted in the belief that the miraculous gifts are part of a promise made to all generations, as outlined in Acts 2:33 and 39.
During Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, he explained that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which included miraculous gifts, was a fulfillment of the New Covenant promises found in the Old Testament. This promise was not limited to the immediate audience but extended to their children and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord will call. The miraculous events of Pentecost, such as speaking in tongues, were not isolated incidents but part of a broader promise that continues to this day.
The burden of proof lies with cessationists to explain why these gifts are not part of the promise to all generations. While I am not suggesting that every believer should speak in tongues, the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are a testament to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the world today. This series aims to provide a biblical and historical perspective on why cessationism is not aligned with the teachings of Scripture.
Key Takeaways
1. time occurrences. While some aspects, like the tongues of fire, were unique, the speaking in tongues was a visible sign of the Holy Spirit's outpouring, meant for all generations. [09:53] 4. The Scope of the Promise: Peter's sermon emphasized that the promise of the Holy Spirit was for the immediate audience, their children, and all who are far off. This inclusive promise indicates that the gifts of the Spirit are meant for every generation of believers.
5. The Burden of Proof: Cessationists must explain why the miraculous gifts are not part of the promise to all generations. The evidence from Scripture suggests that these gifts are ongoing and part of the New Covenant. The miraculous gifts serve as a testament to the Holy Spirit's work in the world today.
According to Acts 2:33 and 39, to whom is the promise of the Holy Spirit given? How does Peter describe the scope of this promise? [06:52]
What were the miraculous events that occurred during Pentecost as described in Acts 2, and which of these were considered unique to that event? [09:53]
How does the sermon describe the cessationists' view on the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, and what are the three things they are said to get right? [03:04]
What is the significance of the phrase "as many as the Lord our God will call" in the context of the promise of the Holy Spirit? [12:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the sermon interpret the promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:39 as being relevant to believers today? What implications does this have for the understanding of spiritual gifts? [13:50]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit serve as a testament to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit? [14:43]
How does the sermon address the burden of proof placed on cessationists regarding the continuation of miraculous gifts? What evidence is presented to support the continuationist view? [15:30]
How does the sermon reconcile the respect for cessationists with the disagreement on the interpretation of the gifts of the Spirit? [05:11]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your understanding of the gifts of the Spirit. How has this sermon challenged or affirmed your beliefs? What steps can you take to explore this further in your personal study? [16:27]
The sermon emphasizes the promise of the Holy Spirit to all generations. How can you be more open to experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in your life today? [12:59]
Consider the role of miraculous gifts in your faith community. How can you encourage a balanced approach that respects both the authority of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit? [04:40]
The sermon mentions the importance of exposing false teachings. How can you discern between true and false teachings in your spiritual journey? What resources or practices can help you in this discernment? [03:04]
How can you engage in respectful dialogue with those who hold different views on the gifts of the Spirit, while maintaining your convictions? What strategies can you use to foster understanding and unity? [05:29]
Reflect on the promise of the Holy Spirit being for "all who are far off." How does this inclusivity impact your view of evangelism and outreach? What actions can you take to share this promise with others? [12:41]
The sermon invites feedback and questions. How can you create a space in your small group or community for open discussion and exploration of challenging theological topics? [16:39]
Sermon Clips
"While I respect my cessationist brothers and sisters for their dedication to exposing false teachings and their love for the Bible, I fundamentally disagree with their stance on the gifts of the Spirit. My conviction is rooted in the belief that the miraculous gifts are part of a promise made to all generations, as outlined in Acts 2:33 and 39." [00:00:31]
"During Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, he explained that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which included miraculous gifts, was a fulfillment of the New Covenant promises found in the Old Testament. This promise was not limited to the immediate audience but extended to their children and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord will call." [00:06:10]
"The miraculous events of Pentecost, such as speaking in tongues, were not one-time occurrences. While some aspects, like the tongues of fire, were unique, the speaking in tongues was a visible sign of the Holy Spirit's outpouring, meant for all generations." [00:09:53]
"Peter's sermon emphasized that the promise of the Holy Spirit was for the immediate audience, their children, and all who are far off. This inclusive promise indicates that the gifts of the Spirit are meant for every generation of believers." [00:12:27]
"The burden of proof lies with cessationists to explain why these gifts are not part of the promise to all generations. The evidence from Scripture suggests that these gifts are ongoing and part of the New Covenant. The miraculous gifts serve as a testament to the Holy Spirit's work in the world today." [00:14:43]
"Acts 2:33 and 39 say that the promise of the Holy Spirit specifically including miraculous gifts is a promise that's made to all generations. Let me read to you here Acts 2:33 and 39: 'Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out this which you now see and hear.'" [00:06:04]
"Peter said for the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord Our God will call. Now let's kind of remind ourselves a little bit of this context of these two statements of Peter in the midst of that amazing, that wonderful sermon that he preached on Acts chapter 2." [00:12:27]
"Some aspects of the event were one-offs, the tongues of fire over each individual head we never hear of that happening again in the Bible, never again the sound of the Mighty Wind we never hear that again happening in the Bible, but the speaking of languages that they had never been able to speak before, that aspect that the crowd could see and hear." [00:09:53]
"Peter explained that this was something that was promised. Again, I'm reading now from Acts 2:39: it was promised to you, number one, to your children, number two, and number three, to all who are far off, collectively both you, your children, and all who are far off, as many as the Lord God will call." [00:11:36]
"The apparently miraculous gifts were part of this promise, and this promise is for us today, not given with any kind of expiration date. Peter did not give an expiration date for the fulfillment of this promise." [00:12:27]
"The first reason I would say why cessationists get it wrong is because the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are a part of a promise that was made to all generations, very specifically in Peter's sermon in Acts chapter 2, specifically at verse 39." [00:15:47]
"I hope you'll join me for this series and I hope you'll just listen to my explanation of why I believe that cessationism is wrong and those who make that argument, cessationists, why they are wrong in their understanding of the Bible on this particular point." [00:16:27]