Dealing with Cessationists

[TruthSeek3r]

How do you deal with Cessationists?

How do you approach Christians who disregard all modern miracle accounts as hearsay unless hard indisputable evidence is provided, in the form of peer-reviewed publications in medical journals, undeniable footage of a miracle, etc.?

Do you just share your testimony and hope for the best?

Do you engage in scriptural debates and go over controversial passages that Cessationists typically cite to make their case?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

How do you deal with Cessationists?

How do you approach Christians who disregard all modern miracle accounts as hearsay unless hard indisputable evidence is provided, in the form of peer-reviewed publications in medical journals, undeniable footage of a miracle, etc.?

Do you just share your testimony and hope for the best?

Do you engage in scriptural debates and go over controversial passages that Cessationists typically cite to make their case?

Why not offer undisputed evidence?

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Why not offer undisputed evidence?

For example?

 

[Sabertooth]

Do you engage in scriptural debates and go over controversial passages that Cessationists typically cite to make their case?

You cannot argue someone into recognizing/receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

1. If they are a Born-Again Christian, God can/will prepare their hearts at an appropriate time.
2. If they are a "legacy" christian, they don't have a foundation to receive Him in the first place.

 

[Albion]

You cannot argue someone into recognizing/receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

1. If they are a Born-Again Christian, God can/will prepare their hearts at an appropriate time.
2. If they are a "legacy" christian, they don't have a foundation to receive Him in the first place.

No offense intended, but that approach wouldn't persuade anyone. However, if you mean only to explain why arguing the point without reference to scripture or church history is useless, you probably are right.

 

[lismore]

For example?

hard indisputable evidence, in the form of peer-reviewed publications in medical journals, undeniable footage of a miracle, etc.?

God Bless

 

[Sabertooth]

...but that approach wouldn't persuade anyone.

My point was that God had to prepare their hearts, first.

 

[lismore]

How do you deal with Cessationists?

I would talk gently with the Cessationist. Glean what you can from their testimony. Find out the reason why they believe what they believe. Is it because of a past bad experience with a Charismatic church or person for example? Try to find a foundation of common ground, for example even the most hardened cessationist believes in prayer, that God hears and answers prayer. They believe that the Holy Scriptures are divinely inspired, if you do too then that's another starting point. That's my input. God Bless

Edit to Add: Try to avoid coming across as condescending or smug, this might just cause someone to entrench further.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

@lismore, do you think hard indisputable evidence actually exists?

 

[lismore]

@lismore, do you think hard indisputable evidence actually exists?

If I didn't then I'd (maybe) be a Cessationist too God Bless You

 

[Albion]

My point was that God had to prepare their hearts, first.

Yes, but it's only a claim. Of course, people of that persuasion are going to say that's the answer, but to anyone else hearing the argument minus any reference to God's word or the history of the Christian church, it's just a hopeful opinion. The Cessationist will have been given nothing else to consider.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

If I didn't then I'd be a Cessationist too God Bless You

Where is that evidence?

 

[Sabertooth]

The Cessationist will have been given nothing else to consider.

Until they are ready, it is like trying to explain complex numbers to a first-grader.

 

[rocknanchor]

How do you deal with Cessationists? Do you engage in scriptural debates and go over controversial passages that Cessationists typically cite to make their case?

Great post! Currently, have assumed a different flock but still engaged with the previous and about to finish up, , lest God opens the hearts of the Elders and Minister, their raw refusals will likely end in more silence displayed from hardness of heart!!!

 

[lismore]

Until they are ready, it is like trying to explain complex numbers to a first-grader.

Hello Sabertooth, no offence meant but that is perhaps the type of wording of a post to be avoided. Even if not meant so it leaves an impression of condescension. That they're first graders not able to understand complex things like we are. For someone looking for a pretext to discount what you are saying to them, that could be it. God Bless You

 

[Albion]

Until they are ready, it is like trying to explain complex numbers to a first-grader.

If you wish. I was trying to stay with the intent of the Original Post and address what might be the best way to "deal with" or "approach" a Cessationist.

To say either, "you'll know it when you're ready" or "You feel that way just because of the church you belong to, etc." will be absolutely useless and might as well not even be considered, and you are aware of this yourself. If that is the situation, where does it leave the Continuationist?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

For example?

If you are trying to prove something you need evidence . You will need to find someone who was healed by a miracle and collect evidence from that person. Shouldn't be difficult.

 

[Sabertooth]

That they're first graders not able to understand complex things like we are.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, like i, is counterintuitive.
We won't consider either until we are developed to a certain point.

 

[lismore]

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, like i, is counterintuitive.
We won't consider either until we are developed to a certain point.

Absolutely yes. But for those who don't have it I think perhaps the need is to go the extra mile in respect. Not to give a pretext for anyone to reject what is being said.

 

[Sabertooth]

But for those who don't have it I think perhaps the need is to go the extra mile in respect.

...or to avoid pressing the issue until a certain level of maturity is evident.