Samson's Jawbone

  One of the most often overlooked aspect of the continuationist and cessationist debate is over the legitimacy of the continuationist claim. In other words, are the charismatic phenomenon which many millions have experienced around the world a continuation of the first Pentecost? What would we expect a continued Pentecost to look like, and how does that compare to the modern Pentecostal experience? What parameters does the New Testament place on the continued use and manifestation of those gifts, and how do they compare to the modern charismatics experience? Cessationism asserts that there is nothing in the modern charismatic movement that remotely resembles a continuation of the first century Pentecost or is consistent with Biblical conditions under which they would expect.  L et's examine what occurred as the twelve waited for what Jesus had promised at the 1st century Pentecost: "And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the...

  The prominent Southern Baptist continuationist scholar says in his SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine  says," We can define the sufficiency of Scripture as follows: The Sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture contained in all the words of God he intended his people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it now contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting him perfectly, and for obeying him perfectly. This definition emphasizes that it is the Scripture alone that we are to search for Gods words to us. It also reminds us that God considers what he has told us in the Bible to be enough for us, and that we should rejoice in the great revelation that he has given us and be content with it [italics mine]."  If Grudem's definition represents the Biblical doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture, then why do we need the revelatory gifts of tongues, knowledge and prophecy? Doesn't it make senses that the "...

I admit it: I grew up thinking charismatics were weird or worse lunatics, but after getting to know some of my Pentecostal brothers and sisters hearing their scriptural defense and testimony, I later changed my mind. However, after many years of considering myself a continuationist, I am now a convinced cessationist. I just believe charismatics are wrong because of either ignorance or neglect of good hermeneutical principles.  Now after nearly 50 years as a believer and 30 years in ministry and studying God's word, I no longer believer charismatic are weird or lunatics. I just think they are wrong.  For the sake of clarity some definitions: A continuationist believes that the Holy Spirit will continue his revelation of himself, and divine truth in the same ways he has throughout scripture. In fact, Pentecost, means he has come in full measure and is active and available in full measure. Although the frequency of manifestations of the so called revelato...