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...

  In the Old Testament, the Feast caled Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, celebrated the beginning of the wheat harvest, then later, the giving of the Law to the People of Israel. It celebrated God's past work and foreshadowed and celebrate a coming greater blessing. It is no wonder that the blessed coming of the Holy Spirit, as promised by Christ, came 50 days after Passover, the day of his resurrection, on Pentecost, anticipating a new more glorious coming of the Spirit.  As Jesus prepared to ascend, he promised his followers that the Spirit would come to empower the gospel's promulgation to the Jews, Samaritans and then to usher in the kingdom of God to include the Gentiles. (Act 1:8) Ten days after the ascension, while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Pentecost, all Jews, who could, were expected to pilgrimage to the temple for the event, anticipating the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law, and a greater blessing from God in the consummation of his kingdom....