Understanding the Continuation of Spiritual Gifts Today

Devotional

Day 1: The Spirit's Gifts Are Timeless

The miraculous gifts of the Spirit are not confined to the apostolic age but are part of the New Covenant promise to all generations. Acts 2 highlights this promise, emphasizing that the gifts of the Spirit continue to be relevant and active in the church today. There is no biblical statement indicating that any gifts have ceased, and this understanding encourages believers to embrace the fullness of the Spirit's work in their lives. The gifts are meant to edify the church and empower believers to live out their faith dynamically. [01:43]

"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: How can you open yourself to the work of the Spirit in your life today, allowing His gifts to manifest through you for the edification of others?

Day 2: Rejecting False Categories of Gifts

Cessationism often relies on false categories, such as "sign gifts," to exclude certain spiritual gifts. These categories are not biblically supported and serve to limit the understanding and practice of spiritual gifts. The gifts of the Spirit were never restricted to the apostles alone, and their purpose extends beyond mere authentication. Believers are encouraged to explore and utilize all spiritual gifts, recognizing their value in the life of the church and the world. [02:14]

"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual gifts do you feel God has given you, and how can you use them to serve your community and church?

Day 3: Prophecy and Scripture: A Distinct Relationship

New Testament prophecy was distinct from Scripture and was exercised within Christian congregations. The church was able to discern between spontaneous prophetic gifts and the authoritative words of the apostles. This distinction is crucial in understanding the role of prophecy in the New Testament and today. Prophecy is a gift that continues to be relevant, and believers are called to discern and judge prophetic words, ensuring they align with Scripture. [04:31]

"Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent." (1 Corinthians 14:29-30, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a discerning heart to recognize and weigh prophetic words in your life and community?

Day 4: Prophecy Does Not Add to Scripture

The fear that accepting the gift of prophecy adds to the Bible is unfounded. The New Testament provides examples of legitimate prophetic words that were not regarded as Scripture. Prophecies were to be judged, unlike the authoritative words of the apostles, highlighting the difference between the two. This understanding allows believers to embrace prophecy without fear, knowing that it complements rather than competes with Scripture. [10:02]

"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be open to prophetic words while ensuring they align with the truth of Scripture?

Day 5: The Prophetic Gift Today

While the office of authoritative apostle or prophet is no longer given, the gift of prophecy remains. This gift must be judged by Scripture and approached with humility and discernment. The cessationist concern that recognizing prophecy undermines the authority of the New Testament is misguided, as the prophetic gift today is not equal to Scripture. Believers are encouraged to seek the prophetic gift, using it to build up the church and glorify God. [14:59]

"Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you earnestly desire and pursue the gift of prophecy in a way that honors God and serves others?

Sermon Summary

In this discussion, I explore the reasons why cessationism, the belief that certain spiritual gifts ceased with the apostolic age, is incorrect. I emphasize that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are part of the New Covenant promise to all generations, as seen in Acts 2. There is no biblical statement indicating that any gifts of the Spirit have passed away. The categorization of gifts into "sign gifts" and others is a false dichotomy used to exclude certain gifts. The apparently miraculous gifts were never restricted to the apostles alone, and the gifts were not solely for authenticating the apostles. Cessationists often misunderstand the purpose of the gift of tongues.

I acknowledge the contributions of cessationist brothers and sisters, particularly their exposure of fraudulent practices and their dedication to the Bible. However, I argue that cessationism is flawed because most New Testament prophecy was not equivalent to Scripture. Prophecy in the New Testament was exercised within Christian congregations and was distinct from the authoritative declarations of Scripture. The New Testament church was able to discern between spontaneous prophetic gifts and the authoritative words of the apostles.

The fear that accepting the gift of prophecy adds to the Bible is unfounded. The New Testament provides examples of legitimate prophetic words that were not regarded as Scripture. Prophecies were to be judged, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Thessalonians 5, unlike the authoritative words of the apostles. While the office of authoritative apostle or prophet is no longer given, the gift of prophecy remains, though it must be judged by Scripture. The cessationist concern that recognizing prophecy undermines the authority of the New Testament is misguided. The prophetic gift today is not equal to Scripture and should be approached with humility and discernment.

Key Takeaways

1. vBurzTk&t=103s'>[01:43]
2. Cessationism often relies on false categories, such as "sign gifts," to exclude certain spiritual gifts. These categories are not biblically supported and serve to limit the understanding and practice of spiritual gifts. The gifts of the Spirit were never restricted to the apostles alone, and their purpose extends beyond mere authentication.

3. New Testament prophecy was distinct from Scripture and was exercised within Christian congregations. The church was able to discern between spontaneous prophetic gifts and the authoritative words of the apostles. This distinction is crucial in understanding the role of prophecy in the New Testament and today.

4. The fear that accepting the gift of prophecy adds to the Bible is unfounded. The New Testament provides examples of legitimate prophetic words that were not regarded as Scripture. Prophecies were to be judged, unlike the authoritative words of the apostles, highlighting the difference between the two.

5. While the office of authoritative apostle or prophet is no longer given, the gift of prophecy remains. This gift must be judged by Scripture and approached with humility and discernment. The cessationist concern that recognizing prophecy undermines the authority of the New Testament is misguided, as the prophetic gift today is not equal to Scripture.

** [01:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Introduction to Cessationism
[01:20] - Inviting Feedback and Discussion
[01:43] - Promise of the Spirit's Gifts
[01:57] - No Biblical Statement of Cessation
[02:14] - False Categories of Gifts
[02:30] - Misunderstanding the Purpose of Tongues
[03:40] - New Testament Prophecy vs. Scripture
[04:31] - Prophecy in the New Testament Church
[06:21] - Examples of Prophecy in the New Testament
[09:09] - Distinguishing Prophecy from Scripture
[10:02] - Judging Prophetic Words
[11:37] - The Office of Apostle and Prophet
[12:26] - Communication from God
[14:12] - The Prophetic Gift Today
[15:16] - Conclusion and Invitation for Feedback

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Acts 2:33, 39
1 Corinthians 14:29-33
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21

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Observation Questions:

According to Acts 2:33, 39, what is the promise of the Spirit's gifts, and to whom is it given? How does this relate to the idea that the gifts are not limited to the apostolic age? [01:43]
In 1 Corinthians 14:29-33, what instructions are given regarding the exercise of prophecy in the church? How does this passage suggest prophecy should be handled? [10:46]
How does the sermon describe the distinction between New Testament prophecy and Scripture? What examples from the New Testament are given to illustrate this distinction? [06:21]
What role did Philip's four daughters and Agabus play in the New Testament church, according to the sermon? How were their prophetic gifts viewed? [07:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the promise of the Spirit's gifts in Acts 2 challenge the cessationist view that these gifts were only for the apostolic age? What implications does this have for the church today? [01:43]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the categorization of "sign gifts" is a false dichotomy? How might this affect the understanding and practice of spiritual gifts in the church? [02:14]
How does the sermon address the fear that accepting the gift of prophecy adds to the Bible? What examples are provided to counter this concern? [05:47]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of discernment and judgment in the exercise of prophecy today? How should this influence the way prophetic words are received in the church? [10:46]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your understanding of spiritual gifts. How has this sermon challenged or affirmed your beliefs about the continuation of these gifts in the church today? [01:43]
Consider the categorization of spiritual gifts in your own church community. Are there any gifts that are undervalued or misunderstood? How can you contribute to a more inclusive understanding of spiritual gifts? [02:14]
How do you personally discern between a prophetic word and Scripture? What steps can you take to ensure that you approach prophetic words with humility and discernment? [10:46]
Think about a time when you or someone you know received a prophetic word. How was it judged or discerned within your community? What can you learn from that experience to apply in future situations? [10:46]
How can you encourage a culture of openness to the Spirit's gifts in your church while maintaining a commitment to biblical authority? What practical steps can you take to foster this balance? [14:59]
Reflect on the role of prophecy in your personal spiritual journey. How can you remain open to receiving prophetic words while ensuring they align with Scripture? [14:32]
How can you support others in your church who may have prophetic gifts? What actions can you take to help them exercise their gifts responsibly and biblically? [14:32]

Sermon Clips

Cessationism is wrong because the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are a part of the promise made to all generations in the New Covenant you'll find that in Acts chapter 2 especially verses 33 and 39 number two cessationism is wrong because there's no biblical statement that any of the gifts of the Spirit have passed away the Bible just doesn't say it happened. [00:01:43]

Cessationism is wrong because sign gifts and other gifts are false categories used to exclude certain gifts number four cessationism is wrong because the Apparently miraculous gifts were never restricted just to the apostles number five cessation is wrong because the gifts of the Spirit were not only given to authenticate the apostles. [00:02:14]

Cessationism is wrong because most of New Testament prophecy was not equal to scripture now let me clarify what I mean by New Testament prophecy I mean that prophecy that happened among the Christian congregations and Christian people followers of Jesus Christ Disciples of Jesus in the broadest sense in the New Testament era. [00:03:40]

Friends the gift of Prophecy was exercised in the New Testament Church apart from authoritative declarations for all of God's people in all times isn't that what we believe the word of God is the Bible when Paul wrote to the Galatians by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he was writing to the Galatians. [00:04:31]

There are many examples of legitimate recognized words of Prophecy or from those who are called prophets without a single thought that those particular words should be regarded as scripture for all God's people for all time you see in New Testament times they were able to make the distinction between a spontaneous exercise of a prophetic gift. [00:06:21]

When Believers spoke through the gift of Prophecy they did so in Corinth you find that in 1 Corinthians chapter 14: 5 and: 29-31 clearly prophecy was exercised in Corinth among the congregation not simply from the Apostle Paul or even Apollos but among the congregation there was the exercise of the gift of Prophecy in Corinth. [00:06:56]

These all in Corinth in Rome Philip's four daughters agabus these were all legitimate prophetic words in New Testament times that were not recorded that were not regarded as scripture friends where are the writings of the Corinthian prophets where is the collection of the prophecies from the Roman Church why weren't the Prophecies of the four daughters of Phillips recorded. [00:08:34]

In the New Testament they seemingly had no problem Discerning the authoritative words from the apostles sort of that Ephesians 2:20 kind of foundational word that the church has built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets they had no trouble distinguishing between that like when Peter calls the writings of Paul's scripture. [00:09:09]

In addition when Believers spoke through that spontaneous prophetic word in the New Testament Church it was to be carefully judged that's what 1 Corinthians chap 14: 29-33 says that's what 1 Thessalonians chapter 5: 20 and 21 says judge prophecies friends that was not a practice followed for the authoritative words of the Apostles. [00:10:02]

There were spontaneous exercises of the gift of Prophecy that they were to judge as I said before with the second point of these 10 points here I would agree that there are two gifts that are no longer given to the church or more precisely one office and one gift now these are not spiritual gifts that are specific mentioned in the New Testament. [00:11:37]

There is a prophetic gift that remains and it is in no way equal to the Scriptures it is always to be judged by the scriptures just like the gift of Prophecy in Corinth was to be judged by the scriptures just like the gift of Prophecy in Rome was to be judged by the scriptures just like any word from Philip's four daughters would to be judged by the scriptures. [00:14:12]

The fear of the cessationist that that any recognition of the legitimate gift of Prophecy automatically undermines the sufficiency of the authority of the New Testament I just think it's misguided I don't think it's accurate I I don't think that that is a fair treatment a fair understanding of what the New Testament tells us about this. [00:14:59]

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