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Why Some Say All Spiritual Gifts Continue

Some Christians say spiritual gifts like tongues and healings have ceased. Others say these gifts are still available to the church today. Both sides say their view is biblical.

What I’m going to do is give you the best arguments from both sides. And then let you decide which one you think is correct.

What is Continuationism?

We’re talking about gifts like prophecy, tongues, word of knowledge, healings, and miracles. Some say these gifts were only meant for the early church. But continuationism says they all continue today.

Top reasons for Continuationism

One, we know miraculous gifts are still valid because we see them in operation today.

For example, in 2012, Christianity Today said that in Mozambique there were credible reports of deaf people being healed, food being multiplied, crippled and blind people restored, and even people being raised from the dead.[1] There are many stories like this of God working around the world today.

Two, Paul gives clear and frequent apostolic instruction regarding prophecy throughout his letters.

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul said all Christians should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1)

He later says we should earnestly desire to prophesy and we shouldn’t forbid speaking in tongues. (14:39)

In Romans he says if we have the gift of prophecy, we should “prophesy in proportion to our faith.” (12:6)

And he warns in 1 Thessalonians “do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies.” (5:19,20)

The point is, the miraculous gifts aren’t just mentioned in 1 Cor, but his other letters too.

Three, cessationists point to 1 Cor. 13:8-12 to prove the gifts have ceased. This says:

“…As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (emphasis mine)

This verse does speak about miraculous gifts ending. But it isn’t talking about the present day. It’s clearly talking about when we’re finally in God’s presence.

Four, people say sign gifts were only meant to authenticate the apostles in the early church. Once the apostles died off, there was no more need for these gifts. But there are easily hundreds of others that the Bible talks about—who did miracles through these gifts—and none of them were apostles.[2]

For example, the Bible says Stephen, who wasn’t an apostle, did “great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8). Philip, who also wasn’t an apostle, did signs like healing the lame and paralyzed (Acts 8:6, 7).

And here are many more:

Five, the miraculous gifts didn’t just happen at Corinth. They were happening everywhere.

According to the Bible, all of these cities were experiencing “the miraculous and revelatory gifts.”[3]

Six, we see miraculous and non-miraculous gifts all mixed together in scripture. We can’t pick and choose. If even one gift continues, then they all continue. Most people believe the non-miraculous gifts like leadership and teaching are still valid, so they others are too.

Seven, Paul was very happy to see that the Corinthians had all the gifts—even the controversial charismatic ones.

He wrote, 1 Corinthians 1:4-7:

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge… Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.” (emphasis mine)

So we Paul thought all gifts would continue until “the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed” in other words, when Christ returns.

Eight, the church fathers testified that the charismatic gifts did continue long after the apostles.

Justin Martyr said around 160AD that

“the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to the present time” (Dialogue with Trypho, 82).[4]

Irenaeus said in 192 AD that believers in his day could perform miracles.

“Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years.”[5] Against Heresies (2.32.4)

Conclusion

These 8 arguments convince continuationists that the charismatic or sign gifts are valid for today.

But before you agree or disagree, you need to watch my next video!

I’ll give you the top arguments for the other position: why the supernatural gifts are invalid for today.

Watch that video and then decide which position you think is most biblical.

Gentleness and Respect

Also remember that there are many secondary issues that Christians disagree about. And both sides are trying to use Scripture to back up their position. It’s important to show grace, love, gentleness and respect towards people who have different views from our own.

References

  1. Tim Stafford, “Miracles in Mozambique: How Mama Heidi Reaches The Abandoned,” ChristianityToday.com (Christianity Today, May 18, 2012), last modified May 18, 2012, accessed June 20, 2022, https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/may/miracles-in-mozambique.html. ↑
  2. “Others aside from the apostles who exercised miraculous gifts include (1) the 70 who were commissioned in Luke 10:9, 19-20; (2) at least 108 people among the 120 who were gathered in the upper room on the day of Pentecost; (3) Stephen (Acts 6-7); (4) Philip (Acts 8); (5) Ananias (Acts 9); (6) church members in Antioch (Acts 13); (7) anonymous converts in Ephesus (Acts 19:6); (8) women at Caesarea (Acts 21:8-9); (9) the unnamed brethren of Galatians 3:5; (10) believers in Rome (Rom. 12:6-8); (11) believers in Corinth (1 Cor. 12-14); and (12) Christians in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 5:19-20).” Sam Storms, “Why I Am a Continuationist,” The Gospel Coalition, last modified January 22, 2014, accessed June 20, 2022, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/continuationist/. ↑
  3. Ibid. ↑
  4. Justin Martyr, “Dialogue with Trypho (Chapters 69-88),” Church Fathers: Dialogue with Trypho, Chapters 69-88 (Justin Martyr) (New Advent, n.d.), accessed June 20, 2022, https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/01286.htm. ↑
  5. Irenaeus, “Against Heresies (Book II, Chapter 32),” Church Fathers: Against Heresies, II.32 (St. Irenaeus), accessed June 20, 2022, https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103232.htm. ↑

Bibliography

Geisler, Norman L. Systematic Theology, Volume Four: Church, Last Things. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers. 2005.

GotQuestions.org. “What Is Continuationism?” GotQuestions.org. Last modified July 14, 2014. Accessed June 20, 2022. https://www.gotquestions.org/continuationism.html.

Stafford, Tim. “Miracles in Mozambique: How Mama Heidi Reaches The Abandoned.” ChristianityToday.com. Christianity Today, May 18, 2012. Last modified May 18, 2012. Accessed June 20, 2022. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/may/miracles-in-mozambique.html.

Storms, Sam. “Why I Am a Continuationist.” The Gospel Coalition. Last modified January 22, 2014. Accessed June 20, 2022. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/continuationist/.

Wilson, Andrew. “The Continuation of the Charismata.” The Gospel Coalition. Accessed June 20, 2022. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-continuation-of-the-charismata/.