I consider myself a Charismatic Apologist. I also consider myself a Continuationist as opposed to a Cessationist.
Cessationists basically and generally believe that the supernatural gifts recorded in Scripture ceased at the end of the age of the Apostles, or with the death of the Apostle John. Continuationists basically and generally believe that the supernatural gifts have never ceased, and most don’t agree that the age of the Apostles has ended.
From the research I’ve done, it seems that Cessationists establish their position on 1 Corinthians 13:10, “but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”
They interpret “that which is perfect has come” to mean the canon of Scripture. The canonization of Scripture was a critical proof test applied to many documents to determine if they were inspired by God and written by men. The Catholics have additional books, The Apocrypha, in their Bible, believing them worthy whereas the Protestants do not.
While I agree that Scripture, the Word of God, is infallible, I do not believe it is the Bible that 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to with the phrase “that which is perfect has come.”
The Greek word for the word perfect in this passage is teleios. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (5046) the word means “brought to the end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness; perfect.” Additionally the cross references for the word teleios takes us to Isaiah 24:23; 60:19-20 and Revelation 21:22; 22:4-5. These verses clearly refer to Jesus Christ. From this much, I conclude that 1 Corinthians 13:10 refers to Jesus.
While the Son of God does not need to be perfected, His Bride (meaning all Believers), does. I take the position that the supernatural gifts will cease when the Bride has made herself ready, (Revelation 19:7) by the power of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus returns.
The Apostle Paul went to great lengths to teach Christians to use spiritual gifts to withstand the enemy and overcome his evil attacks. The enemy is spirit and by spiritual power he attacks. Christ died to provide us a victorious, abundant life over the enemy. Christ also instructed, often with stern warning, about the increase of all manner of evil in the last days.
It seems entirely inconsistent with the revealed character, will and intentions of God to withdraw spiritual abilities, at a time when Believers need them the most. Does it make sense that New Testament Believers would have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but that He would be limited in the demonstrations of His power in and through us, in light of what Christ has done? Why would Jesus spend much of His ministry teaching the Apostles how to live in Christ’s power and authority and also instruct them to teach the nations all He instructed? Matthew 28:18-20 reads, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus instructed His disciples to go into the nations with His imputed authority to make disciples who will observe ALL Jesus commanded, with the confidence that Jesus is always with us. Elsewhere in Scriptures Christ’s disciples are called Ambassadors. The authority of any ambassador is the same as the authority who appointed them. Jesus’ demonstrated authority while on earth included the ability to heal the sick, bring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, feed the multitudes, command the wind and sea, command demons to leave, and raise the dead and much more.
What limits Christ’s demonstrated power on earth today is unbelief. Matthew 17:14-21 provides us an account of the disciples attempting to deliver a boy from demons, without success. When they inquired of Jesus why they couldn’t Jesus plainly replies, “Because of your little faith.” Jesus shows the contrast between effective and ineffective faith, and explains lack of belief as the cause for lack of success. Faith can be strong or weak, based on what we believe. If our beliefs are based on truth and wholly consistent with the Word of God, then just as Jesus said of the disciples, nothing will be impossible for us.
My book, Renew Your Hope! Remedy for Personal Breakthroughs, is all about how to acquire effective faith. In these last days, we need to know how to wield effective faith more than ever.
I welcome your comments on this and the future posts I have planned on this topic. So, what are your thoughts?
Learn much more from Pamela’s second book in the Faith to Live By book series, Renew Your Hope! Remedy for Personal Breakthrough. This book teaches how to have the spiritually effective faith that Christ died to provide.
