Does This Verse Teach Cessationism? And a Bit On Bethel. 1 Cor 13:10-12

Some cessationists (those who believe that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today) will say that 1 Corinthians 13:10-12 teaches that after the Bible was fully delivered to the church we no longer expect to see the gifts of the Spirit operating. While I think cessationists can give us valuable insights I think this particular passage is used wrongly when they use it to support cessationism. I'll be giving an analysis of 1 Cor 13:10-12 and interacting with the views of some cessationists. I want to point out that there are plenty of cessationists who are with me on this passage and say not to use it in support of their position. So don't consider this a debunking of all cessationism but merely a refutation of a misuse of 1 Cor 13.

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[silversparrow]

When I think of God intervening miraculously in our world/lives, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have the answer to this question, in what they said to Nebuchadnezzar, just before he threw them into the furnace;

"If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of fire... But even if He does not rescue us... we will not serve your gods or worship the statue you have set up."

Will God move mountains in our time? Will He raise the dead? Will He open the eyes of the blind again..? He might. Then again, He might not. Either way may I serve Him.

[regularstan]

My family is Jewish, two Russian business men, came to California on business stopped bt izuzu street, converted to Christianity, they became missionaries and went back to Ukraine and Russia, and preached the Gospel. They came to my great grandparents Jewish village in 1935. Told them the gospel and they accepted Christ. My grandma has said that people would fall down and lie prostrate before the Lord for hours while farming or working in the barn. The town hall which became the church would be packed Jewish people repented and accepted Christ. Few years later the communist came in and destroyed the village trying to get rid of Christianity in Soviet Union. What ever was left was destroyed BBY the Nazi when the war broke out. But to this day their are allot of Jewish familys that accepted Christ. Due to the work on izuzu street reaching those Russian business men.

[keeganryan]

What lead me to this video and thinking about cessationism today were these verses from 1 Thessalonians:
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:19‭-‬21 ESV

To state it very loosely, my overall view is that extreme cessationists despise prophecies, and other types of gifts of the Spirit, in the way that they don't even approach the idea that they are active today. Yet on the other hand, continuists easily might take the idea of Spiritual gifts and run with it without ever being careful about testing them with Scripture. I feel that 1 Thess 5:19-21 gives a very balanced view on how we should approach prophecies, tongues, etc

[shereemcgarvey]

Wonderfully clear, commonsense and right on!!! I have witnessed the gifts over 35 years of walking in Christ and I can't apologize or ignore the realty of experience when it only confirms scripture, and is not contradictory...but I am appalled at seeing Bethal, Benny Hinn and the like damage the character of Christ with these abuses. Saten infiltrates, imitates and discredits....he's a one trick pony. Your videos are a gift to the body of Christ. May the Lord make way for His word.

[bobbyjohnson]

The gifts aspect of my christian walk has been the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. As a few examples, charismatics tried to teach me tongues & I see them trying to do the same with prophecy. They also twisted scripture and told me God wants me wealthy and healthy at all times. The hurt they have inflicted by seeking signs and wonders has been very painful. I say this as someone who has experience many supernatural things. In the end I found relief when I heard John McArthur preach. While I am not a cessationist, there was comfort and growth when I heard someone simply read and explains the Bible line for line. I appreciate you Mike for being honest and rightly dividing the word. I appreciate you for being loving above all else. The anger and bitter spite we see from those who have been harmed by false teaching harms us as well. Stay faithful brother. God bless

[scott]

Thanks Mike, I spent my life in charismatic churches and am now sorting through my experiences, some good and some bad. You are helping me biblically understand what the church should look like. Keep up the great work! take care!

[SketchpadWarrior]

When discussing this topic I always ask, "Why would God make a manual, (e.g. 1 Cor 12 through 14), when the very subject of that manual's instructions, would be rendered obsolete immediately upon publication of that very manual?"

[nocoincidencesm]

I was raised to believe in cessationism which was based mainly on those verses. When I got much older, I had a strong desire to want to help those who needed healing and started re-studying that subject. While we were taught that the gifts were gone, we believed in prayer for the sick and that God sometimes answers and heals. They just didn't believe people had a special gift of healing and could lay hands on them like the biblical disciples did & work. I came to the conclusion those verses did not teach the gifts would leave. And I thought what's the difference between believing God answers prayers like that but not if you lay hands on them or whatever? It's still prayer and God decides whether to answer or not.
Sometimes He says no. It's not every time as I guess a lot think. And no, it's not bc of lack of faith. Very harmful teaching. Sometimes God says no to me and not heal. It's still not the person's decision, it's God's. It's just another way to use ourselves as His vessels to work through. And it's very powerful to bring others to faith.
So I started praying over my kids, family, myself for healing and began to see instant results. One time I was instantly healed of a broken foot. Those kind of things. I also believed we had authority that Jesus gave us over demons and after reading about spiritual warfare, I started doing that & saw results. That one has become VERY helpful and all Christians need to exercise it IMO. We are given them to use and bc it is highly needed! I think bc so many don't, is one of the main reasons the church is in a mess as it is and increased demonic stuff.
When you discern something may be demonic, command it/them to leave in the name of Jesus. I figure if there isn't one, it doesn't hurt. One time I just whispered it (to my son who was complaining of hearing some voice saying God was not really there when he was praying & was shaking with fear). As soon as I finished, he said "it" was gone. There's no "gift" involved - all have that authority if you have the Holy Spirit living in you. They know whether you do or not. I hope more start using it. Most common ones are spirits of fear, lying, doubt, "compulsions", depression, suicide, "fits", sometimes diseases.
All Christians are "oppressed" at times by these attacks of satan/demons as scripture warns - which is not the same as "possessed", assuming you have the Holy Spirit inside. Just beware that if the person the demons leave doesn't have the Holy Spirit (saved), then they will no doubt come back even worse. Even those of us who do, I've noticed they'll try again to test you or just bc they like doing it. But the more you do it, the less they bother you.

[kaylynn]

I was learning from a lot of cessationists while experiencing really bad spiritual torment and really awesome, deep prayer times with God (I definitely am a groaner 😊). I got the hint that my experiences were not “normal” and that I needed psychological help. It was very depressing for a period of time. Then I finally met believers who actually experienced the same things I do and suddenly I realized that I was way more “holy roller” (as my mom would put it) than I ever imagined. 😂 I always felt like I was going crazy, especially since I came from a non-religious background, but the truth is that sometimes reality IS stranger than fiction.

I hadn’t been able to comprehend this topic fully the past few years despite studying it, but I did always say that the Bible doesn’t seem to support the idea that the gifts ceased at any point. This video really puts each argument into perspective for me.

God bless you. Thank you for this video!

[andreakaniecki]

You’re the first person I listened to that talked about Bethel that I really felt you weren’t attacking but educating. I have been a bethel fan for a long time but I asked God to please show me if I am an idolater with Bethel. Its amazing what God will tell or show you when you really want to know the truth! Thank you so much for this. I realize no one has it all. I’m thankful for the truth you shared but also for Bethels portion. I’m so Grateful God balanced me with your video!

[lindag]

A great testimony that I watched is Duane Miller, a Pastor that did not believe in healing. He had an injury to his vocal cords and eventually stopped preaching because his voice was so terribly difficult to listen to. He was asked to teach a Sunday school class and reluctantly did so. While reading Psalm 103 he was explaining that the Psalm, was not referring to a physical healing but a Spiritual one. When he got to the verse, He redeemed my life from the Pitt, there was a tiny change in voice that’s was barely noticeable, as he kept reading his voice got more and more clear and he broke down sobbing and thanking the Lord. The Lord, healed him in front of all those people while he was explaining the text wrongly. Powerful testimony!

[jeremyryannoel]

As someone that has experienced healing and prayers answered for those needing healing, being baptized in the Holy Ghost, and hear God speaking to me from time to time, it’s difficult to relate to those in the Cessationism especially being a witness and experienced them first hand. It’s especially a conviction to doubt experiences when they’re as real as me typing this. At the same time, what you’ve stated about Bethel is dangerous theology and unbiblical (goes without saying).

With all this being said, it’s true that some make the interpretation of Scripture more than what it is. That’s why we must refer to context and daily prayer, allowing God to use us as He wills.

[Mleobarreal]

I lean cessationist, but I agree with you Mike, the arguments biblically for it are weak. The strongest argument against the gifts today is just the lack of evidence. I just don’t see it or witness it, and the ones that I do are usually wonky and off the wall. I’ve even heard a false prophecy by a speaker at my church. However, I am open to gifts for today and would not (at this time) day they have ceased dogmatically. As you also said ok the video, the NAR (Bethel) is really making me want to stay away from anything charismatic.

[cathyhamlin]

I believe that all gifts are still valid
and that Jesus gives us his gifts
to glorify and for edification for
His church

[marisa]

I know this is a really old video comparatively, but cannot bypass saying thank you. As one raised in a hypercharismatic environment that had my eyes opened to the dangers in the teachings, I have been spending the last eight years or so rebuilding my faith on the truth in His Word. Upon first leaving my old church and hypercharismania behind, it was hard not to go extremely guarded and full-on cessationist. My spirit had become so heavy and, honestly, deeply wounded by all the years of deception and I did not even want a hint of the old teachings touching me. But, as I have continued to ponder what the Word has to say on this and match it to the way I have seen God move miraculously in my own life ( especially concerning His providence), I cannot say I don't believe He continues to move in our midst in some unexpected and unexplainable ways. I think the key is remembering not a bit of it is something we can do or "activate" ( my old church was fond of this word, too.). It is all in His sovereignty, for His purposes. Ours is not to demand what He will do but rather to humbly ask and say, "Your will be done". We should keep our hearts open to how He chooses to demonstrate His will, but never seek to manufacture it. Appreciate greatly the balance you shared here. It is rare to find.

[elizabeths]

It has taken me a year to watch this video – God’s timing is perfect. You have confirmed what the Holy Spirit has been teaching me from the BIBLE. I often feel like the odd man out - I keep thinking, "I'm not a cessationist, but I’m not one of these “5 fold ministry” people either, with modern apostles and prophets.” Bethel’s philosophy, hyper-charismatic, is a sad mess, blind leading the blind because it’s so exciting, it feels good – but it’s a counterfeit, a poor substitute for the spiritual feast available in the scriptures. My spirit is grieved also. As for the conclusion of this portion of scripture, all the spiritual gifts will one day disappear, what will remain is God’s love and His eternal Word.

[SiaD]

At last! A voice of reason in a sea of madness about cessationism and continuism, thank you and praise God! My beliefs before God are perfectly in line with what you say. 🙌❤🙌

[davidrussell]

Another great teaching video by the only YouTube Bible teacher I ever listen to that teaches against my theology! ;) It’s true, brother. You really come across as having the heart of a shepherd, complete with boldness in contending for the one and only true faith. May the Lord continue to bless you, man. I’ll have to order one of those mugs. Keep up the good work. Shared this with our small group leader since we’ve been looking at these issues last couple of weeks. Great treatment of the topic.

[LeslieFlemons]

Thanks for the video, Pastor Mike! I didn't think about this topic too much until I came across some videos on TikTok of people "casting out demons". And I didn't even think about the topic of cessationism until I heard a YouTuber talk about gifts ceasing. I have been so confused on this subject for months. And my confusion increased as I tried to do research on this topic. I even started to doubt the gifts of the spirit for today. But now after watching your video, I realize that they have to exist today and not just because of the experiences from others, but the Word of God.

I also agree with you on Bethel and how churches like this can abuse the gifts. That's how people can leave the church quickly and their faith. I don't feel too comfortable with people forcing out tongues or anything crazy like that. I'm thankful for growing up in a (my parents') church that believe in spiritual gifts. I'm also thankful that they are not hyper-charismatic like Bethel.

But no church is a perfect church. Like, when a church is promoting tongues, they don't use an interpreter. Most churches don't do that. I'm wondering what that will look like.

Okay, I'm rambling on. Again, thank you for this video! God bless you and your ministry! <3

[NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

I'm not a cessationist but the fact that 90% of the "gifts" I've seen folks use have been 100% fake has made me flirt with it 😂