spiritual gifts. 3 questions pneumology before theology or theology before pneumology? cessationist...

Spiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts

3 QUESTIONS

Pneumology before Theology or Theology before Pneumology?

Cessationist or Non-Cessationist?

Which Charismata?

Pneumology before Theology or Theology before Pneumology?

Cessationist or Non-Cessationist?

Which Charismata?

Pneumology

Does our experience of God matter more than what we know of Him from the Word of God?

Or does our knowledge of God derived from Scripture, guide & inform our experience of Him?

Does our experience of God matter more than what we know of Him from the Word of God?

Or does our knowledge of God derived from Scripture, guide & inform our experience of Him?

Pneumology

There are 2 good reasons to suggest that in cases of doubt or conflict, our Theology should guide our experience of God

There are 2 good reasons to suggest that in cases of doubt or conflict, our Theology should guide our experience of God

Pneumology

The Human Argument: The Subjectivity of Human Experience The Partiality of Human Interpretation The Incomplete Nature of Human Knowledge The Sinfulness of Man

The Human Argument: The Subjectivity of Human Experience The Partiality of Human Interpretation The Incomplete Nature of Human Knowledge The Sinfulness of Man

Pneumology

The God Argument: The Immutability of God

• God cannot change [because He is perfect]• God cannot deny Himself

The Immutability of God’s Word• God cannot contradict His expressed Word• God’s Word has no expiry date

The God Argument: The Immutability of God

• God cannot change [because He is perfect]• God cannot deny Himself

The Immutability of God’s Word• God cannot contradict His expressed Word• God’s Word has no expiry date

The Temporal Nature of the Gifts

The Number of the Spiritual Gifts: There are 3 passages that list spiritual gifts In all, there are 18 gifts listed

The Number of the Spiritual Gifts: There are 3 passages that list spiritual gifts In all, there are 18 gifts listed


The Time-Element in Spiritual Gifts: A definite time limit to Spiritual Gifts

• The Bible seems to suggest in several passages that there is a definite time element to some of the spiritual gifts


• The Bible seems to suggest in several passages that there is a definite time element to some of the spiritual gifts




“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”

1 Corinthians 13:8-10






This seems to suggest that there is a definite END to spiritual gifts


This seems to suggest that there is a definite END to spiritual gifts


1 Corinthians 13:8


1 Corinthians 13:8


The Time-Element in Spiritual Gifts:

The question then is:

• WHEN will spiritual gifts cease?• Will ALL spiritual gifts cease?

The Time-Element in Spiritual Gifts:

The question then is:

• WHEN will spiritual gifts cease?• Will ALL spiritual gifts cease?



There are 2 suggestions as to what this ‘perfect’ is:• Some say: the 2nd coming of Christ• Others say: the completion of the BIBLE


There are 2 suggestions as to what this ‘perfect’ is:• Some say: the 2nd coming of Christ• Others say: the completion of the BIBLE

“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”


“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”



The Time-Element in Spiritual Gifts: When will Spiritual Gifts end?


PERFECT = 2PERFECT = 2NDND COMING COMING

• The time of Spiritual gifts The time of Spiritual gifts have not yet endedhave not yet ended

• NON-CESSATIONISTNON-CESSATIONIST

PERFECT = 2PERFECT = 2NDND COMING COMING

• The time of Spiritual gifts The time of Spiritual gifts have not yet endedhave not yet ended

• NON-CESSATIONISTNON-CESSATIONIST

PERFECT = THE BIBLEPERFECT = THE BIBLE

• The time of Spiritual gifts The time of Spiritual gifts HAS endedHAS ended

• CESSATIONISTCESSATIONIST

PERFECT = THE BIBLEPERFECT = THE BIBLE

• The time of Spiritual gifts The time of Spiritual gifts HAS endedHAS ended

• CESSATIONISTCESSATIONIST

CHARISMATICSCHARISMATICSCHARISMATICSCHARISMATICS NON-NON-CHARISMATICSCHARISMATICS

NON-NON-CHARISMATICSCHARISMATICS



• There are 3 references that support this view:



““Truly the Truly the signs of an apostlesigns of an apostle were wrought among you in all were wrought among you in all patience, in patience, in signs and wonderssigns and wonders, and mighty deeds.”, and mighty deeds.”

2 Corinthians 12:122 Corinthians 12:12






Miracles & gifts of healing were given to the apostles as proof of apostleship; with the end of the apostles, so the authenticating gifts of the Spirit ended



Miracles & gifts of healing were given to the apostles as proof of apostleship; with the end of the apostles, so the authenticating gifts of the Spirit ended










““Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:”framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:”

Ephesians 2:19-21Ephesians 2:19-21

““Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:”framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord:”

Ephesians 2:19-21Ephesians 2:19-21




The “foundation of the apostles & prophets” upon which we are built has already been laid; as the apostolic line has ceased, so the miraculous & revelatory spiritual gifts have also ceased



The “foundation of the apostles & prophets” upon which we are built has already been laid; as the apostolic line has ceased, so the miraculous & revelatory spiritual gifts have also ceased

“… “… and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

Ephesians 2:20Ephesians 2:20

“… “… and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

Ephesians 2:20Ephesians 2:20






““How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”Ghost, according to his own will?”

Hebrews 2:3-4Hebrews 2:3-4

““How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”Ghost, according to his own will?”





God validated the apostles word with miraculous signs & gifts of the Holy Spirit which ceased with the passing of the apostles



God validated the apostles word with miraculous signs & gifts of the Holy Spirit which ceased with the passing of the apostles

“… “… and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,”,”


“… “… and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,”,”




• So the event that signaled the end of the miraculous & revelatory gifts of the Spirit was the completion of the apostles teaching & ministry – the Word of God.

• With the completion of the Bible; the time of the apostles ended; & the miraculous & revelatory signs associated with the apostles ceased.


• So the event that signaled the end of the miraculous & revelatory gifts of the Spirit was the completion of the apostles teaching & ministry – the Word of God.

• With the completion of the Bible; the time of the apostles ended; & the miraculous & revelatory signs associated with the apostles ceased.



• This is a very strong argument & position and very well supported

• It is very hard to argue that the Apostles & the line of the Apostles have ceased but their authenticating signs continue


• This is a very strong argument & position and very well supported

• It is very hard to argue that the Apostles & the line of the Apostles have ceased but their authenticating signs continue



• It is possible but it will be necessary to suggest that either the authenticating signs take on a new meaning or they are authenticating something else

• Both are not supported in Scripture


• It is possible but it will be necessary to suggest that either the authenticating signs take on a new meaning or they are authenticating something else

• Both are not supported in Scripture



• There is a converse argument that is much weaker but much more dangerous

• The authenticating signs persist because the line of the Apostles HAS NOT ENDED

• But this gives tacit agreement to the Roman Catholic doctrine of APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION


• There is a converse argument that is much weaker but much more dangerous

• The authenticating signs persist because the line of the Apostles HAS NOT ENDED

• But this gives tacit agreement to the Roman Catholic doctrine of APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION



• The non-cessationists view:


• The non-cessationists view:

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:4-8

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:4-8

Which Gifts

Did all Spiritual Gifts end? Not all Spiritual Gifts were associated with the ministry

of the apostles:• Some gifts were given to prove or authenticate the

special position of the apostles• These were spectacular; miraculous; “revelatory” in

that they revealed a special message or messenger• These were “signifying” or “sign” gifts


of the apostles:• Some gifts were given to prove or authenticate the

special position of the apostles• These were spectacular; miraculous; “revelatory” in

that they revealed a special message or messenger• These were “signifying” or “sign” gifts

Which Gifts


of the apostles:• Other gifts facilitated the building up of the body of

Christ • These were non-miraculous; non-revelatory;

permanent; but no less spectacular• These were the gifts of “service” to the church


of the apostles:• Other gifts facilitated the building up of the body of

Christ • These were non-miraculous; non-revelatory;

permanent; but no less spectacular• These were the gifts of “service” to the church

Which Gifts


of the apostles• There is no evidence to suggest that these “non-

revelatory”, “service” gifts of the Spirit have ceased


of the apostles• There is no evidence to suggest that these “non-

revelatory”, “service” gifts of the Spirit have ceased

Which Gifts

The “Sign” Gifts: Apostleship Prophecy Miracles Healing Knowledge Tongues Interpretation Spirit Discernment

The “Sign” Gifts: Apostleship Prophecy Miracles Healing Knowledge Tongues Interpretation Spirit Discernment

Which Gifts

The “Service” Gifts:The “Service” Gifts: Giving Encouragement Wisdom Ministering / helps Mercy Ruling / Administration Faith Teaching Evangelism Pastor/Teacher

Questions

spiritual gifts. 3 questions pneumology before theology or theology before pneumology? cessationist...

Documents

spiritual gifts slide

spiritual gifts cease

spiritual gifts charity

definite time element

definite time limit

knowledge of god

word of god

experience of god