Recently, I read from the wall of a theologian who claimed that what happened on the day of pentecost (infilling of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues) has ceased and can never happen again. He said it was a programmed event for that time.
The theological school of thought he belong to is known as cessationism. Those in this camp believe that certain spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, ceased to exist after the apostolic era of the early Christian church.
They argue that these gifts were only intended for the foundational period of Christianity and are no longer necessary or present today. Is this assertion true? Haven't you seen God perform miracles today? Is your existence not a miracle?
There are three types of cessationists. We have the full cessationists who believe that all miracles and spiritual gifts have ceased and can no longer happen. They are anti miracles. The second type are called concentric cessationists. They believe spiritual gifts and miracles may still occur only in unevangelized areas to aid in missionary work but not among those that are saved.
Then we have the classical cessationists who assert that the miraculous gifts, such as prophecy and healing, ceased with the completion of the biblical canon. In all, the assertion of the cessationists cannot be fully substantiated with scriptures or I say they have very weak scriptural support for their beliefs.
Our opening text made it clear that Jesus is the same throughout all ages. If he performed miracles in his days on earth, he can still do same today through us. I have seen miracles happen in my ministry and I can never doubt miracles. In fact, every child of God is meant to operate in the miraculous.
In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus says, "These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. [18] They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed" ( NLT).
As a believer, If you are not operating in the miraculous, you are living below your full potential. Don't allow anyone use baseless knowledge to talk you out of the miraculous. Miracles still happens today.
