The Charismatic Gifts Debate

The Charismatic Gifts Debate consists of two view points; the Continuationist view and the Cessationist view. The Continuation view says that charismatic gifts are relevant today and should be used in our life and in the church. The Cessation view claims that charismatic gifts are no longer necessary in today’s world therefore they are no longer in operation. My belief and practice falls somewhere in-between the two views. I uphold the Continuation view but I do not carry it to extreme measures simply because I do not know how to. Though my culture and social society largely does not believe or practice, I support a continuationist view.

I choose to make my personal theology, belief and practice as closely knit to what Jesus did, said and promised as I humanly can. Whether my personal theology is right or wrong I do not know for certain but, I have no reason to think it is wrong otherwise I would not believe the way I do. When it comes to Spiritual gifts and their practice in today’s world I certainly believe they are real and applicable. Jesus and his disciples practiced the gifts, and so did those who the disciples taught and encouraged. This pattern continued in each generation for quite a while, even till today. Men and women all around the world are seeing miracles, being healed and even raised from the dead ect. To those who say Charismatic gifts are demonic activity, remember what the Pharisees had to say even about Jesus: “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons” (Matthew 9:34). It is nothing new for people to question the authority of Christ and the authority of Christ being practiced and lived out through his faithful servants. In fact, I believe that is the sole reason why Charismatic gifts are not more common and widely practiced or witnessed. (Biblos)

Though I have witnessed and acknowledged the gifts of the Spirit, others still have not. To those who have not (perhaps Cessationists) I offer this question: how are we (as disciples of Jesus) to do greater things than Jesus, as he promised, if Charismatic gifts are not alive and operational today? “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14) Unless someone completely disregards the bible and everything it says, a Continuationist view will eventually win out in the end. (Heartlight)

We all will doubt the working and moving of Christ at times; some people will doubt it more often and strongly than others. The truth is that Christ is still moving today, through people and the Charismatic/spiritual gifts that he has given to them. If not, then Nietzsche wins and “God is dead.” Thankfully, Nietzsche is dead and his beliefs were dead wrong. Christ is alive today and for this reason the church is still alive. Perhaps for the same reason our churches in America (in general) are dying but all around the world they are growing. Churches grow and people come to Christ all over the world even in the face of certain death, martyrdom and persecution. All the while, a large percentage of U.S. churches and American people are dying off (spiritually), becoming weak and growing faint. Not due to death, martyrdom or persecution but due to doubt, question and unbelief. (Friedrich Nietzsche)

Cessationists: do not doubt the work of Christ. Do not doubt the power and authority of Christ and what he does today through his good and faithful followers. I urge you to test all that you see and hear. Be wise and accept all that Christ has to offer. If the gifts of the Spirit are dead then so is the one who gives them. He is not dead; he is dormant in your soul, suppressed by doubt and unbelief. If Charismatic gifts are not applicable and alive today then what possibly can attract lost people to the faith? Theological debates? No! They certainly will not. Christ is alive; allow him to move through you and in you, in whatever way he desires. Charismatic gifts are real, applicable and alive today. They are needed today just as much as they were when the disciples lived, perhaps needed more. I am not asking you to jump off the deep end or to dive into emotionalism, neither is God. Just be open and believing in the power and authority of Christ to move and work in the ways which he has always moved and worked.

References
Friedrich Nietzsche. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2009, from age-of-the-sage.org: http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/philosophy/friedrich_nietzsche_quotes.html

Inc., H. (n.d.). Grater Works! Retrieved November 28, 2009, from Heartlight.org: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/john/0925-wjd.html

Matthew 8:31. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2009, from Biblos.com: http://bible.cc/matthew/8-31.htm

Passage Lookup. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2009, from Biblegateway.com: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014:12-14&version=NIV


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