It seems to me cessationism is for those who like me were fearful of receiving the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts or who asked God but never received them. Adherents comforted themselves by adopting the doctrine to explain their lack – a false doctrine that’s rooted in nullification of God’s Word. The appeal of cessationism is that it’s easier than contending with God until He grants your request for more of His Holy Spirit and gifts.

Biblically, the doctrine is rooted in a poor interpretation of the passage “when perfection comes” which holds the Bible itself to be the “perfection” Paul was writing about; found in 1 Corinthians 13:10. Adherents consider tongues and all the other spiritual gifts to have “passed away” when the Bible was completed. Whether “completed” refers to the date the last book was finished or to one of the various canonized versions of the Bible, I’m not sure. Regardless, adherents generally believe spiritual gifts passed away between 1600-1900 years ago. Naturally that puts cessationism at odds with countless living believers who have received the Holy Spirit and practice using spiritual gifts. That leaves them with just 2 choices concerning those who speak in tongues today: admit their doctrine is in error, or persecute them. Sadly, in my experience they have always done the latter and typically with great zeal. If only they realized they are in fact persecuting (and grieving) the Holy Spirit by assailing believers who speak in tongues by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them.

It’s unfortunate so many of the English translations of the Greek word τέλειος (teleios, Strong’s number G5046) render it “perfect” or “perfection”, when in fact the Greek word means “maturity”. It is far better to interpret the passage from the viewpoint that God gives us His Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts to mature and conform us to the likeness of His Son. As we use His gifts for our benefit and growth, their use naturally fades away, because they are overcome by the kind of fruit God seeks in us: faith, hope, and love. His Spirit and gifts help to make us into the kinds of mature sons of God about which He can say “this is my son in whom I am well pleased”. After all, our life is found in Christ and God sees us through His son who imparts His righteousness, holiness and maturity to us through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are His tools to teach, grow and mature us, individually and corporately.

So how does the doctrine of cessation square with the word of God in Romans 11:29 which says:

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (ESV).

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (KJV).

The word gifts is translated from the Greek word “charisma” which according to Strong’s Greek dictionary means “a divine spiritual endowment or miraculous free gift”. Thayer’s Greek dictionary defines charisma as “grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit”.

That the gifts – the charisma – of God are irrevocable sure lets the air out of the cessationism excuse doesn’t it? Either that or Romans 11:29 is in error and the Bible is not really infallible. Hmmm.

In my view the most offensive aspect of cessationism is that it preserves the believers ego at the expense of making God out to be someone who takes back a portion of His gift of divine grace. That’s another of the ways Thayer’s dictionary defines charisma: “Gift of divine grace”. I wouldn’t want to accuse God of taking back His gift of grace to justify my failure to apprehend what I’ve prayed for. God’s character is unimpeachable and He won’t stand for His name to be profaned, yet that’s the root of cessationism. Cessationists believe God either took it back, or God stopped giving what His word says He will give. Knowing that, I repent of ever having believed the cessationism excuse.

About tongues as a spiritual weapon – Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18 “pray in the Spirit on all occasions.” In 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 Paul equates “praying in the Spirit” with the gift of tongues. I consider praying in the Spirit and praying in tongues as euphemisms – synonyms. It’s curious to me how believers today refer to Ephesians 6 as they put on the whole armor of God but omit verse 18 which is the most important instruction for battle: to pray in the Spirit. Our offensive weapon in battle is the sword of the Word of God. The word of God in book form is not the sword we take into battle; our sword is the word of God that we speak and pray by the Holy Spirit. In Revelation 19:15 it’s a sword coming out from Jesus mouth that cuts down the nations. Jesus doesn’t defeat the enemy by clubbing him over the head with a Bible. If we’re not praying in the Spirit, then we’ve neglected our sword and we’re not putting on the WHOLE armor of God – we’re just playing dress up.

Like you I’m sure, I was taught to memorize the Bible and fire scriptures like silver bullets to dispatch the enemy. If you’re anything like me, when I’m in pitched battle, my ability to think and react coolly and rationally is greatly impaired; fight or flight mode is engaged and survival is my only concern. Victory over my adversary? In all honesty, my hope is either to escape the enemies grasp and run to the Lord, or to inflict enough of a blow to stun him and in the letup, escape to safety.

For example, many years ago while attending a conference in Kansas City, my brother in Christ and I got lost while walking back to the convention center following lunch at a restaurant. While we were walking, two men in a car wheeled up, jumped out and ran diagonally across the street toward us. My brother and I abruptly turned around and walked hastily in the opposite direction. The men quickly caught up to me and one of them began making disgusting propositions. Walking as fast as my short legs could carry me, I responded to each with “no, I don’t want that.” Admittedly, I was frustrated with God who when I began to flee, said only “Don’t stop.” After we’d gone half a long city block He asked “had enough?” I replied “YES!” He then said “speak in tongues” and immediately I did as He said. Instantly the men stopped as if they walked into an invisible wall and stared at each other with stunned expressions of confusion. At the same time, I had the vision of a sword being lowered between me and the men which let me put some distance between us. Catching up to my brother, we crossed the street and blended into the crowd of people who were returning to the convention center.

I don’t think anyone would argue in that moment, I was being pursued by devils who intended me harm. So what scriptures should I have used to refute their disgusting offerings of drugs, prostitutes and gambling? Is it reasonable to expect that in the midst of a life-threatening situation I would recall applicable scriptures and recite them like Jesus did? Or is it more reasonable to trust God for His protection and respond obediently to the instructions of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the fight?

In the heat of that moment, I did speak the Word of God, by utterance of the Holy Spirit (the gift of tongues). What was said I do not know, since the Lord gave me no interpretation. Nevertheless, what was spoken had the authority and power of God through the Holy Spirit, which stopped the evil spirit(s) in their tracks, thereby letting me escape without harm. If not for my friend Roger who turned around and witnessed it, I wouldn’t know what happened to them.

Wrapping up this series on the Gift of Tongues, there are a few thoughts I’m led to share. He who is the name above all names (Philippians 2:9), who is is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), who can not lie (Hebrews 6:18), who will not permit His name to be profaned (Isaiah 48:11), said this in Matthew 12:31-32 (ESV); “Blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. (32) Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” Blasphemy is the slandering, detraction, vilification, evil speaking and railing, against the good name and divine majesty of God.

Whenever we consider the Word of God and the beliefs, doctrines and theologies we come to embrace in our studies, we ought keep in mind the revealed character of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and test them for whether or not they slander, sully, undermine, profane, or otherwise impugn the exalted name of God. Does a teaching nullify, add to, subtract from or otherwise change God’s Word? Discard it. Does a belief make excuses for God who doesn’t seem to be doing what His Word says He will do? Repent of it. Does a doctrine vilify the Holy Spirit? Run from it like your life depends on it!

To suggest that which is an empowerment of the Holy Spirit is actually of the devil, impugns and profanes His name and potentially blasphemes the Holy Spirit. Further, to accuse someone of the demonic, but not do anything about it – specifically, to take authority in the name of Jesus and cast it out – is utterly devoid of love. Where Jesus said His children will be known by their love for one another, and Jesus set the example for love by dying for us while we were yet enemies and told us to love our enemies, to turn your back on someone whom you truly believe is afflicted with a demon, is the behavior of goats (Matthew 25:31-46).

But perhaps the greatest absurdity of cessationism is this: the charisma are manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus attributed His mighty works to the power of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 12:28. It is the Spirit’s gift of healing by which Jesus made the lame walk and blind see. It is the gift of miracles by which Jesus walked on water and fed the 5000. It is the gift of faith by which Jesus embraced death on the cross in obedience to God (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). This same Jesus who did all these things by the gifts of power given to Him by the Holy Spirit, said we would do even GREATER things (John 14:12) than He did! But according to cessationism, we’ll have to do those greater works without the gifts of power from the Holy Spirit! Without them, all that would remain is the power of our flesh. Does anyone honestly believe we will do greater works than Jesus by the power of our flesh? Cessationism is a doctrine of the devil for the simple reason that it blasphemes the Holy Spirit and exalts the flesh over the Spirit.

The few times men have tried to discredit the Holy Spirit and His gifts in me, in particular the gift of tongues, I’ve asked them whether they’ve prayed to receive it for themselves. Typically it prompts an angry “NO!” because they’ve swallowed the cessationism lie hook, line and sinker. Mindful of my own history with tongues, I’m fairly certain the real issue is fear of the Holy Spirit, or they embraced the doctrine to explain their lack – a doctrine they embraced because deep down, they’re hurt, angry or frustrated with God. About whether speaking in tongues is delusional, that’s a word better applied to those who put their trust in the weak and oppressive doctrines of men that deny the Word of God.

Friends, if you want more than the water baptism, read the word and ask the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you into all Truth. Don’t be afraid to ask the Father for more of the Holy Spirit and for all the spiritual gifts He’s willing to give you. There’s nothing to fear. Love to all.

Copyright 2024 Jack Helser

Scriptures

Matthew 12:31 MKJV Therefore I say to you, All kinds of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven to men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven to men.

G988
βλασφημία
blasphēmia
Thayer Definition:
1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name
2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
Part of Speech: noun feminine
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G989

G988
βλασφημία
blasphēmia
blas-fay-me’-ah
From G989; vilification (especially against God): – blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.
Total KJV occurrences: 19

But when perfection comes, what is imperfect will be set aside. (1 Corinthians 13:10 Williams)

G5046 (Strong’s Greek Dictionary)
τέλειος
teleios
tel’-i-os
From G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: – of full age, man, perfect.

G5046 (Thayer’s Greek Dictionary)
τέλειος
teleios
Thayer Definition:
1) brought to its end, finished
2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness
3) perfect
4) that which is perfect
4a) consummate human integrity and virtue
4b) of men
4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature

For the gifts (G5486) and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Rom 11:29 ESV)

For the gifts (G5486) and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29 KJV)

G5486 (Strong’s Greek Dictionary)
χάρισμα
charisma
char’-is-mah
From G5483; a (divine) gratuity, that is, deliverance (from danger or passion); (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: – (free) gift.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:18 ESV)

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? (1 Corinthians 14:14-16 ESV)

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15 ESV)

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (G5046), even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14 KJV)

But solid food is for the mature (G5046), for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14 ESV)

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature (G5046). (1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV)

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men (G5046). (1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV)

But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you. As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit’s teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ. (1 John 2:27 GNB)

Thus nullifying the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. And many similar things you do.” (Mark 7:13 EMTV)

He need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. (Matthew 15:6 ESV)

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13 ESV)

But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV)