Which type of Cessationism is true?

[TruthSeek3r]

There are four major types of Cessationism:

• Full cessationists believe that all miracles have ceased, along with any miraculous gifts.
• Classical cessationists assert that the miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostles. However, they do believe that God occasionally works in supernatural ways today.
• Consistent cessationists believe that not only were the miraculous gifts only for the establishment of the first-century church, but the need for apostles and prophets also ceased.
• Concentric cessationists believe that the miraculous gifts have indeed ceased in the mainstream church and evangelized areas, but may appear in unreached areas as an aid to spreading the Gospel. Daniel B. Wallace describes himself as a concentric cessationist and describes the other cessationist viewpoints as "linear".

(source)

Which type of cessationism is true?

• Is full cessationism true?
• Is classical cessationism true?
• Is consistent cessationism true?
• Is concentric cessationism true?
• Are they all false?

 

[Trusting in Him]

Sorry guys, but I'm one of those who not only believes that God still does miracles, but I've received miracles when people in my church have prayed for my healing. I also seen imposible things happen when really ill people have been prayed for. God still answers prayers and still is the God of miracles.

I've been face to face with death twice and been raised up from both a heart attack in 2005 and a serious stoke in 2019. I don't need much convincing about this when it has happened to me!

 

[Gregory Thompson]

There are four major types of Cessationism:

• Full cessationists believe that all miracles have ceased, along with any miraculous gifts.
• Classical cessationists assert that the miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostles. However, they do believe that God occasionally works in supernatural ways today.
• Consistent cessationists believe that not only were the miraculous gifts only for the establishment of the first-century church, but the need for apostles and prophets also ceased.
• Concentric cessationists believe that the miraculous gifts have indeed ceased in the mainstream church and evangelized areas, but may appear in unreached areas as an aid to spreading the Gospel. Daniel B. Wallace describes himself as a concentric cessationist and describes the other cessationist viewpoints as "linear".

(source)

Which type of cessationism is true?

• Is full cessationism true?
• Is classical cessationism true?
• Is consistent cessationism true?
• Is concentric cessationism true?
• Are they all false?

I get the sense it's more of a Matthew 13:58 situation.

 

[Guojing]

There are four major types of Cessationism:

• Full cessationists believe that all miracles have ceased, along with any miraculous gifts.
• Classical cessationists assert that the miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostles. However, they do believe that God occasionally works in supernatural ways today.
• Consistent cessationists believe that not only were the miraculous gifts only for the establishment of the first-century church, but the need for apostles and prophets also ceased.
• Concentric cessationists believe that the miraculous gifts have indeed ceased in the mainstream church and evangelized areas, but may appear in unreached areas as an aid to spreading the Gospel. Daniel B. Wallace describes himself as a concentric cessationist and describes the other cessationist viewpoints as "linear".

(source)

Which type of cessationism is true?

• Is full cessationism true?
• Is classical cessationism true?
• Is consistent cessationism true?
• Is concentric cessationism true?
• Are they all false?

How would you classify those that believe that signs and wonders are put on hold for now, but God can still perform miracles for us, based on his sovereign will?

Basically, nobody here has the "gift of miracles", whether it be tongues, prophecies, healings etc. But if God desires, he can choose to heal when any of us pray for healing.

 

[Der Alte]

Sorry guys, but I'm one of those who not only believes that God still does miracles, but I've received miracles when people in my church have prayed for my healing. I also seen imposible things happen when really ill people have been prayed for. God still answers prayers and still is the God of miracles.
I've been face to face with death twice and been raised up from both a heart attack in 2005 and a serious stoke in 2019. I don't need much convincing about this when it has happened to me!

@TruthSeek3r What he said! /|\

 

[TruthSeek3r]

How would you classify those that believe that signs and wonders are put on hold for now, but God can still perform miracles for us, based on his sovereign will?

Basically, nobody here has the "gift of miracles", whether it be tongues, prophecies, healings etc. But if God desires, he can choose to heal when any of us pray for healing.

I think that description sounds compatible with the definition of 'classical cessationism'. Any reasons why you hold that position? Do you believe that miraculous healings in response to prayer are still happening today?

 

[Guojing]

I think that description sounds compatible with the definition of 'classical cessationism'. Any reasons why you hold that position? Do you believe that miraculous healings in response to prayer are still happening today?

Thanks, yep that fits best into that particular category

I have explained to you before, but in case you forgotten

Here is a rough timeline for signs and wonders:

1. Signs are for the nation Israel. (Exodus 4, Psalms 74:9,Judges 6:13, Isaiah 8:18)
2. The Messiah was promised to Israel and prophecy stated that he will perform many signs and wonders to prove his identity (Luke 7:20-23)
3. When Jesus appeared, he performed all the necessary signs to testify to the nation Israel (John 20:30-31, Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:4)
4. Despite the numerous signs, Israel rejected him by putting him on the cross. (Luke 20:14, Acts 2:36)
5. God gave Israel a one year extension as God's favored nation (Luke 13:8-9, Acts 3:26), by sending the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, who performed numerous signs and wonders again in Acts 2-7, in a final attempt to convince Israel to repent of murdering the Messiah and be converted (Acts 3:19-21).
6. Israel rejected the Holy Spirit by their leaders stoning Stephen (Acts 7)
7. Israel the nation fell and now salvation has been released to the gentiles thru their fall, as God has planned since the foundation of the world (Romans 11:11)
8. Paul was given signs and wonders temporary to alert Israel of the change in dispensation (Acts 15:12)
9. By the time Acts 28 arrived, even the diaspora of Israel has rejected Jesus (Acts 28:28).
10. Signs and wonders have completely ceased at Acts 28.

Note that 1 Corinthians was written before Acts 28, so it will fall under points 8-10. Signs and wonders, especially tongues, were seen in the church in Corinth to make the nation of Israel of jealous since they always claim that signs belong to them Psalms 74:9

All signs are miracles, but not all miracles are signs.

When we say signs have ceased today, we are not saying God is no longer performing miracles today.

Thus there can be, as you stated, miraculous healings in response to prayer are still happening today, one good example is stated by Paul in Ephesians 2

25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.

29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:

 

[TruthSeek3r]

@Guojing What are your thoughts on concentric cessationism? Do you believe that the spiritual gifts may legitimately manifest in the mission field, in the cutting edge of evangelism in unreached areas?

 

[Guojing]

@Guojing What are your thoughts on concentric cessationism? Do you believe that the spiritual gifts may legitimately manifest in the mission field, in the cutting edge of evangelism in unreached areas?

Nope, as I have explained above, signs are for the nation of Israel only (Exodus 4, Psalms 74:9,Judges 6:13, Isaiah 8:18)

 

[Der Alte]

Nope, as I have explained above, signs are for the nation of Israel only (Exodus 4, Psalms 74:9,Judges 6:13, Isaiah 8:18)

Assumption NOT supported by specific statements. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
47.Many sick people healed by Peter – Acts 5:12-16
48.Apostles freed from prison by angelic intervention – Acts 5:19; 12:7–11 49.Stephen’s great miracles – Acts 6:8
50. Dying Stephen’s vision of Christ – Acts 7:55-56
51.Philip cast out unclean spirit – Acts 8:6-13
52. Ananias’ vision – Acts 9:10
53.Paul’s sight restored – Acts 9:17-18
54.Aeneas healed of palsy – Acts 9:34
55.Dorcas restored to life – Acts 9:40
56.Cornelius’ vision – Acts 10:3-4, 30-32
57.Peter’s vision – Acts 10:9-20
58.Agabus’ prophecies – Acts 11:28; 21:11
59.Peter released from prison by angelic intervention – Acts 12:7-11
60.Elymas blinded – Acts 13:11
61.Lame man cured by Paul – Acts 14:10
62.Paul’s vision on the way to Damascus – Acts 16:9
63.Fortune teller delivered from evil spirit – Acts 16:16-24
64.Earthquake released Paul and Silas from prison – Acts 16:25-26
65.Gift of tongues – Acts 19:6
66.Special miracles by Paul – Acts 19:11-12
67.Eutychus restored to life – Acts 20:7-12
68.Paul unharmed by viper’s bite – Acts 28:1-6
69.Publius’ father healed – Acts 28:7-10
70.John’s vision on Patmos – Revelation (entire book)
71.Innumerable miracles of Christ not recorded but witnessed by the apostles – John 20:30; cf. Acts 10:38–39

 

[Guojing]

Assumption NOT supported by specific statements. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
47.Many sick people healed by Peter – Acts 5:12-16
48.Apostles freed from prison by angelic intervention – Acts 5:19; 12:7–11 49.Stephen’s great miracles – Acts 6:8
50. Dying Stephen’s vision of Christ – Acts 7:55-56
51.Philip cast out unclean spirit – Acts 8:6-13
52. Ananias’ vision – Acts 9:10
53.Paul’s sight restored – Acts 9:17-18
54.Aeneas healed of palsy – Acts 9:34
55.Dorcas restored to life – Acts 9:40
56.Cornelius’ vision – Acts 10:3-4, 30-32
57.Peter’s vision – Acts 10:9-20
58.Agabus’ prophecies – Acts 11:28; 21:11
59.Peter released from prison by angelic intervention – Acts 12:7-11
60.Elymas blinded – Acts 13:11
61.Lame man cured by Paul – Acts 14:10
62.Paul’s vision on the way to Damascus – Acts 16:9
63.Fortune teller delivered from evil spirit – Acts 16:16-24
64.Earthquake released Paul and Silas from prison – Acts 16:25-26
65.Gift of tongues – Acts 19:6
66.Special miracles by Paul – Acts 19:11-12
67.Eutychus restored to life – Acts 20:7-12
68.Paul unharmed by viper’s bite – Acts 28:1-6
69.Publius’ father healed – Acts 28:7-10
70.John’s vision on Patmos – Revelation (entire book)
71.Innumerable miracles of Christ not recorded but witnessed by the apostles – John 20:30; cf. Acts 10:38–39

I have given you plenty of scripture explaining the role of signs and wonders to the nation of Israel.

Exactly which ones do you disagree with and want to share alternative interpretations?

 

[Der Alte]

I have given you plenty of scripture explaining the role of signs and wonders to the nation of Israel.
Exactly which ones do you disagree with and want to share alternative interpretations?

How many miracles involving gentiles occurred in the NT before Acts 28?

 

[Guojing]

How many miracles involving gentiles occurred in the NT before Acts 28?

Not many will be my answer.

I made the point that

All signs are miracles, but not all miracles are signs.

When we say signs have ceased today, we are not saying God is no longer performing miracles today.

Do you understand that point? If so, you won't be asking me about miracles.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

1 Corinthians 4:8 and chapter indicate a divide in the spiritual quality between the Apostles and the next generation of believers. It has a lot to do with the choice of lifestyle.

This lack of spiritual quality spread through the discipleship, diluting the quality of faith over the years: until the faith became about a book, instead about Jesus.