Understanding Cessationism: Part 2

Part 1: The History and Biblical Foundations of Cessationism

Addressing Objections to Cessationism

Have you ever stared at a chaotic to-do list and thought, “If only I had the miraculous gift of multiplying time… or at least a little divine intervention for today’s laundry pile?” While miraculous gifts like those in the Bible might not be available for tackling our daily tasks, understanding the topic of cessationism can equip us with something even better: a deeper trust in God’s Word and His perfect plan. So, grab your coffee (or tea), settle into your favorite chair, and have a heart-to-heart about this important subject. Theology isn’t just for scholars; it’s for moms, mentors, teachers, and every woman seeking to glorify God in her unique calling.

Cessationism often faces criticism and misunderstandings. Many objections stem from a desire to see God work in miraculous ways or from an interpretation of scripture that sees no biblical end to the gifts. However, a close examination of scripture reveals why cessationism is a biblically grounded perspective. In this post, we’ll address four common objections with grace and truth, relying on scripture and insights from reformed theologians.

Objection 1: “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8)

One common objection to cessationism is based on Hebrews 13:8, which declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This verse is often cited to argue that, since Christ is unchanging, the gifts He empowered His disciples with should also continue today. However, this verse emphasizes Christ’s eternal nature and faithfulness, not a guarantee that every action He performed will continue unchanged. For example, God’s methods of working have varied across redemptive history. In 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, Paul highlights the temporary nature of certain gifts: “Love never ends. 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.” Here, Paul contrasts the enduring nature of love with the cessation of gifts like prophecy and tongues, showing their limited role in God’s plan.

John Owen captures this distinction well in The Works of John Owen, Volume 4: “Christ remains the same in His divine attributes and purposes, but His administration of those purposes varies according to His sovereign plan.” Christ’s immutability assures us of His unchanging character, not the unending continuation of every miraculous act seen during His earthly ministry.

Objection 2: “The Holy Spirit Speaks Today”

Another objection is that the Holy Spirit continues to give new revelations today. While cessationists affirm that the Spirit speaks, we maintain that His voice is heard through the completed Word of God. In John 16:13-14, Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”  The Spirit’s primary role is to glorify Christ and reveal God’s truth, a role fulfilled in the completed canon of scripture. Similarly, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Scripture equips believers fully, leaving no need for additional revelation.

B.B. Warfield, in Counterfeit Miracles, writes: “The Holy Spirit speaks through the written Word, applying it to the hearts of believers. To claim additional revelation undermines the sufficiency of scripture.” Holly Pivec adds in Counterfeit Kingdom: “Modern prophecy often leads to confusion and division because it lacks the clarity and authority of God’s Word.” These perspectives highlight the dangers of subjective revelations and affirm the Spirit’s work through scripture.

Objection 3: “Cessationism Limits the Power of God” (“Putting God in a Box”)

Perhaps the most common objection is that cessationists limit God’s power, accusing them of putting God in a box. This objection suggests that cessationists deny God’s sovereignty by claiming He no longer works through miraculous gifts. However, cessationists fully affirm God’s omnipotence and freedom to work as He wills. Psalm 115:3 declares, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases,” while Isaiah 46:10 proclaims, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” God’s choice to cease using miraculous gifts through individuals doesn’t limit His power—it reflects His sovereign plan for redemptive history.

Hebrews 2:3-4 explains the purpose of miraculous gifts: “It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” These gifts authenticated the gospel during its foundational stage. John MacArthur, in Strange Fire, clarifies: “Cessationism does not limit God’s power; it recognizes His sovereign choice to work differently across redemptive history.” This objection often reflects a misunderstanding of cessationism, as it is grounded in scripture, not fear or doubt of God’s ability.

Objection 4: “When a born again, Holy Spirit-filled Christian today receives the gift of tongues, what do you believe is happening?”

This question was posed to me recently during a discussion on cessationism. My initial, knee-jerk reaction was to say, “It isn’t Biblical tongues.” However, that response isn’t very gracious or productive. Let’s look deeper at what scripture says about tongues and how today’s practices compare to their biblical purpose.

In Acts 2:4-11, tongues were known, intelligible languages enabling the apostles to communicate the gospel to people of different nations. This miraculous gift demonstrated God’s power to spread the gospel universally. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 14:22: “Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.” Tongues served as a sign for unbelieving Jews, fulfilling Isaiah 28:11-12, which prophesied judgment through foreign tongues. Furthermore, Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28: “If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.” Tongues in corporate worship required interpretation to edify the body of Christ.

Today’s practice of tongues often involves unintelligible utterances labeled as a “heavenly language” or “prayer language.” However, there is no scriptural evidence that tongues were ever private or unintelligible. Instead, tongues in the Bible always involved known languages, with clear interpretation for the benefit of others. Modern charismatic movements sometimes exhibit behaviors that mirror non-Christian spiritual practices, such as the kundalini spirit seen in Eastern mysticism. These behaviors include uncontrollable laughter, falling into trances, and repetitive, ecstatic speech. Holly Pivec warns in Counterfeit Kingdom: “The mimicry of spiritual gifts seen in some churches today closely resembles practices found in pagan religions, raising serious questions about their source.”

John Calvin critiques the misuse of gifts in Institutes of the Christian Religion: “When gifts are exercised without regard to their purpose, they no longer serve God’s glory but human pride.” When a sincere Christian believes they are speaking in tongues today, I don’t doubt their faith or love for God. However, I would encourage them to examine scripture carefully. Biblical tongues were always purposeful, intelligible, and directed toward glorifying God and edifying His church. Much of what is called tongues today does not align with the scriptural description and may stem from cultural or emotional influences rather than the Holy Spirit.

A Call to Biblical Discernment

Cessationism isn’t about limiting God but understanding His Word. By examining objections like these, we see that cessationism aligns with scripture’s teaching about the purpose and timeline of miraculous gifts. In our next post, we’ll explore how to foster unity in the body of Christ while standing firm on biblical truth.