The question cessationists must answer.

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Where did God say that in His word? Are you putting words in the mouth of God, making Him out to be a liar?

The irony, of course, is that since scripture never once declared that prophecy ceased, it would necessarily have required a prophecy to establish this fact, but the prophecy would have been self-refuting. To publicly declare that no prophecy outside of the canon is true is to prophesy outside of the canon, and the prophecy then declares itself a lie, which we can, naturally, ignore. However, because there is no prophecy within the canon to state this cessation, being wed as we are strictly to the doctrines set forth in this canon we must ignore such extra-biblical claims of a cessation.

 

[GingerBeer]

By what wisdom or power do YOU minister today? is it by human wisdom, accrued knowledge? or is it imparted to you by the Holy Ghost?

How can any one be sure that what they say or think is from the Holy Spirit as a spiritual gift rather than an opinion enthusiastically embraced or an appealing idea heard, read, or seen in their experience?

 

[Strong in Him]

In Acts, God distributed the gifts in the two outpourings. And then only through the hands of an apostle. Only an apostle could impart them. When the apostles died off, only the ministerial gifts remained. Tongues, prophecy. word of knowledge, signs and wonders all ceased.

How do you define a sign or wonder?
What makes you think that they all ceased?

I would say that someone coming to Christ, receiving new life and a new heart after being dead in their sins, is a wonder.
I would say that the gift of each new day, the beauty of creation and life itself, is a wonder.
I would say that someone being healed from an illness after prayer - Jennifer Rees-Larcombe from encephalitis, me after 18 years with M.E and many others that I have read about - is a wonder.
I would say that God's own presence with us is a sign - a sign that he keeps his word and is faithful.

 

[Strong in Him]

But after the two outpourings, an apostle was the only means of distributing the gifts. The gifts ceased with the apostles.

The Holy Spirit distributes his own gifts.
The Holy Spirit is alive and active today, and still gives us gifts. If he didn't, we couldn't serve God.

 

[Dave L]

The Holy Spirit distributes his own gifts.
The Holy Spirit is alive and active today, and still gives us gifts. If he didn't, we couldn't serve God.

We all have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But tongues, word of knowledge and prophecy ceased with the Apostles. Scripture replaces these inferior gifts.

 

[Dave L]

How do you define a sign or wonder?
What makes you think that they all ceased?

I would say that someone coming to Christ, receiving new life and a new heart after being dead in their sins, is a wonder.
I would say that the gift of each new day, the beauty of creation and life itself, is a wonder.
I would say that someone being healed from an illness after prayer - Jennifer Rees-Larcombe from encephalitis, me after 18 years with M.E and many others that I have read about - is a wonder.
I would say that God's own presence with us is a sign - a sign that he keeps his word and is faithful.

Signs and wonders were unique to Christ and the Apostles.
“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.” (Acts 5:12) (KJV 1900)

 

[Dave L]

Where did God say that in His word? Are you putting words in the mouth of God, making Him out to be a liar?

You are not backing your claims with scripture that says otherwise.

 

[Dave L]

The words you are about to write, will define who you are, and who you are not. Even the bait is seen before it is set. Be Blessed and consider the words spoken.

Are you God? You know nothing about me yet judge me as though you do.

 

[Dave L]

Have you ever seriously asked?

God knows which direction you ought to turn. Are you so certain He wouldn't tell you, if you really wanted to know which way to go for His purposes? Are you certain He'd rather you go the wrong way?

Why would He not tell you the right way to go? Only one reason:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. -- James 1

If you are hearing voices in your head, it isn't God.

 

[Dave L]

And if he has a plan, and needs to tell you to do something important for the kingdom, he can't do it then, so anti biblical.

God speaks only through scripture and he directs us when love is our motive. The flesh and imagination direct us at all other times. Do what love would do when given a choice and that is God speaking.

 

[RDKirk]

How can any one be sure that what they say or think is from the Holy Spirit as a spiritual gift rather than an opinion enthusiastically embraced or an appealing idea heard, read, or seen in their experience?

When the Holy Spirit bears witness of its truth within two or three other believers.

Have you ever heard the old pastors calling, "Can I get a witness?" or "Can I get an amen?"

When a preacher and/or prophet has truly spoken a word that God intended spoken, the Holy Spirit will confirm that within two or more believers in hearing. When that happens, those believers have an obligation to confirm that word for the others in hearing.

If the preacher can't get a witness--if the Holy Spirit does not confirm what he's preaching within other believers--he should shut up and sit down.

 

[RDKirk]

If you are hearing voices in your head, it isn't God.

God speaks only through scripture and he directs us when love is our motive. The flesh and imagination direct us at all other times. Do what love would do when given a choice and that is God speaking.

When the voice points me to scripture and speaks through scripture, it is God.

 

[RDKirk]

Are you God? You know nothing about me yet judge me as though you do.

And yet you told me that I have never heard God.

 

[Dave L]

Claudio Freidzon, he is an Argentinian, Radio Gospel was the radio, 88.1, Buenos Aires, is 40 km away from my city accross the Plate River. I live in Uruguay.

I think Pentecostals confuse the apostolic gifts with the ministry gifts. Prophecy, word of knowledge, and tongues all ceased, being replaced by scripture. But the prayer of faith still heals. Demons still flee at Jesus' name. And we all have gifts for ministry. But God does not speak other than in his word. And faith stemming from love points the direction we are to go in.

 

[Dave L]

And yet you told me that I have never heard God.

I don't think so if you claim the voices in your head are him speaking.

 

[Dave L]

When the voice points me to scripture and speaks through scripture, it is God.

You shouldn't have a spirit guide.

 

[RDKirk]

You shouldn't have a spirit guide.

Dave L, you just accused me of witchcraft.

 

[Dave L]

Dave L, you just accused me of witchcraft.

You are the one hearing voices in your head. Not me........

 

[Francis Drake]

Paul urged believers to come behind in no gift until the coming (apocalypse or Revelation) of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7). This is the same word John uses for the apocalypse of Jesus Christ. What we call the book of Revelation.

It is an astonishing abuse of scripture to claim your Corinthian verse refers to the book of Revelation! Anyone with common sense can see from the next verse that Paul was referring to the "Day of the Lord, ie. the Second Coming!
1Cor1v7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
8He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Dave L]

It is an astonishing abuse of scripture to claim your Corinthian verse refers to the book of Revelation! Anyone with common sense can see from the next verse that Paul was referring to the "Day of the Lord, ie. the Second Coming!
1Cor1v7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.
8He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you look into the Greek words, "coming" in 1 Cor. 1:7 = apocalypse. And John uses the same word "revelation" of Jesus Christ = apocalypse of Jesus Christ. So we have direct quotes from scripture proving Paul's anticipated "coming" was then fulfilled.