Do you believe in Cessationism or Continuationism? (poll)
- Thread starter BenFTW
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I can't really choose an option here. I have an open mind and so I am always willing to learn and look at things from a different perspective my perspective on this subject is while it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if all the gifts were operational and used even in this day age as I believe that if it is needed then God will use it.
At the same time one gift I have never seen in action is tongues and honestly I don't see the use of tongues or even understand the purpose of the gift however that doesn't mean tongues is not operational today just because I have never seen it in action.
I have seen many fake this gift and seen many fake all kinds of spiritual gifts and maybe some gifts are inactive but merely rarely used for whatever reason.
And also I don't enjoy putting myself under labels according to what I believe or view
At the same time one gift I have never seen in action is tongues and honestly I don't see the use of tongues or even understand the purpose of the gift however that doesn't mean tongues is not operational today just because I have never seen it in action.
I have seen many fake this gift and seen many fake all kinds of spiritual gifts and maybe some gifts are inactive but merely rarely used for whatever reason.
And also I don't enjoy putting myself under labels according to what I believe or view
I think in some respects it gives us a framework in seeing who we are having a bible discussion with. That is why the poll is public. Believing or not believing in God's gifts today and the operation of the Holy Spirit is revealing and can help us understand where the other person is coming from. This poll allows us to familiarize ourselves with one another, and it lets us know, in part, why they hold to certain doctrines they hold and why they oppose doctrines you hold.
In knowing certain people are for the gifts, I might be more inclined to share some pearls with that person. If I know someone is a cessationist, I may refrain from sharing to that person as it may just lead to a debate (which isn't all bad).
This may seem... controversial, but this question for me is almost a litmus test of whether I should be attentive to what people are sharing in posts. If someone tells me, for example, that today we cannot hear the voice of God, do you suppose I would speak to this person on how to have intimacy with the Lord? Or, if they are teaching against a doctrine I believe in and find scriptural, do you think I would given them any weight if I knew they denied Jesus Christ as the Son of God?
You see, even in this poll we have a question that pertains to the Holy Spirit's activity today and through the children of God. If someone shows they are against it, or don't believe it that, in part, is revealing. Revealing to what? Possibly a number of things. I don't mean to judge up front and completely disregard anything they have to say, but certainly if they disagree with something that is foundational in our walk with God and edifying the body of Christ I may choose my words more wisely and also too, what words I consider from them.
If I start talking about fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit in tongues and with an interpreter present, for example, this might be extremely controversial to a cessationist. They might even call me a heretic. It could sever all ties with such a person. Yet, it wouldn't with a continuationist. So, this thread/poll kind of gives us a back drop of what to share with certain people. Not to judge them, but to use discernment in who we are sharing with and what we are sharing.
In knowing certain people are for the gifts, I might be more inclined to share some pearls with that person. If I know someone is a cessationist, I may refrain from sharing to that person as it may just lead to a debate (which isn't all bad).
This may seem... controversial, but this question for me is almost a litmus test of whether I should be attentive to what people are sharing in posts. If someone tells me, for example, that today we cannot hear the voice of God, do you suppose I would speak to this person on how to have intimacy with the Lord? Or, if they are teaching against a doctrine I believe in and find scriptural, do you think I would given them any weight if I knew they denied Jesus Christ as the Son of God?
You see, even in this poll we have a question that pertains to the Holy Spirit's activity today and through the children of God. If someone shows they are against it, or don't believe it that, in part, is revealing. Revealing to what? Possibly a number of things. I don't mean to judge up front and completely disregard anything they have to say, but certainly if they disagree with something that is foundational in our walk with God and edifying the body of Christ I may choose my words more wisely and also too, what words I consider from them.
If I start talking about fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit in tongues and with an interpreter present, for example, this might be extremely controversial to a cessationist. They might even call me a heretic. It could sever all ties with such a person. Yet, it wouldn't with a continuationist. So, this thread/poll kind of gives us a back drop of what to share with certain people. Not to judge them, but to use discernment in who we are sharing with and what we are sharing.
I have seen it, and yes I've seen folks I'd imagine try (not fake it but just don't have it) but this one guy I looked up to some what when I was younger, at night we would walk around our camp praying, and this brother would speak in tongues, I don't know what he was saying, but sounded pure and sat well as The Spirit moved with us and through us, pretty amazing.
I consider myself a cessationist, but that's because I believe the work of the Holy Spirit is different from what it was during the time of the Apostles.
I agree that the spiritual gifts are still active, but they are not as frequent or as pronounced as they were during apostolic times.
God still heals, still gives the gift of speaking in tongues and the interpretations thereof.
I'm not Pentecostal or Charismatic, but at the same time, I don't believe that the spiritual gifts have stopped altogether.
I agree that the spiritual gifts are still active, but they are not as frequent or as pronounced as they were during apostolic times.
God still heals, still gives the gift of speaking in tongues and the interpretations thereof.
I'm not Pentecostal or Charismatic, but at the same time, I don't believe that the spiritual gifts have stopped altogether.
I believe for certain gifts there are surrounding conditions, such as tongues and interpreting. However, I disagree that tongues must always be interpreted or have an interpreter present. The verse dealing with those tongues are in dealing with tongues that are speaking to a congregation and then an interpreter interprets what the Lord is saying to the whole body present. This doesn't mean that if you are praying for someone privately it must be interpreted, though that is exceptionally edifying (as much as prophesy according to the apostle Paul). VVhich makes sense, because tongues can be prophetic because within the tongue the Lord can have a prophetic utterance.
The gift of miracles some might compare to the gifts of healings, but I am not so sure. Sometimes I think this has to do with altering nature, like a sign and wonder. Think of Jesus turning water into wine. I could be wrong though. I also don't believe that someone must have the gifts of healings in order to heal the sick. All believers can heal the sick in the name of Jesus, they have that authority because they have His name and the same Holy Spirit inside of them that raised Jesus from the dead.
The gift of miracles some might compare to the gifts of healings, but I am not so sure. Sometimes I think this has to do with altering nature, like a sign and wonder. Think of Jesus turning water into wine. I could be wrong though. I also don't believe that someone must have the gifts of healings in order to heal the sick. All believers can heal the sick in the name of Jesus, they have that authority because they have His name and the same Holy Spirit inside of them that raised Jesus from the dead.