Why Are Cessationists hated?

 Cessationism is the doctrine that the miracles and speaking in different languages came to an end when the first-century apostles died. History has shown that no genuine miracles or instances of somebody preaching in an unknown language has happened since those days.

When the Charismatic revival began at the beginning of the twentieth century, Many Christians thought it was a reawakening of the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy. Teachers of that doctrine assumed that Joel 2:28 (BBE) applied to twentieth-century believers. "And after that, it will come about, says the Lord, that I will send my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will be prophets, your old men will have dreams, your young men will see visions:"

But Peter explained in Acts 2:16 and 17 (BBE) that what just happened at Pentecost fulfilled the prophecy. "But this is the thing which was said by the prophet Joel; 'And it will come about, in the last days, says God, that I will send out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will be prophets, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams:'"

But bear in mind that all sixty-six Bible books were written to those to whom they were sent and not us today.

After Peter spoke to the crowd about the resurrection of Christ, he said this in Acts 2:33 (BBE). "And so, being lifted up to the right hand of God, and having the Father's word that the Holy Spirit would come, he has sent this thing, which now you see and have knowledge of."

We, who study the scriptures faithfully, also know that the apostles and disciples expected Christ's return any day. One example is written in Hebrews 10:25 (BBE). "Not giving up our meetings, as is the way of some, but keeping one another strong in faith; and all the more because you see the day coming near." "This day" means Christ's return.

I know that many Charismatic Christians, of whom I was one,  feel hatred toward cessationism because it exposes the lies they've adopted as truth. In my own experience, I remember feeling superior to cessationists because I thought they were ignorant. Now I realize I was the ignorant one.

I know that it's still true that Christ will return. If he hasn't come by Thursday, I hope to post about Puffed Wheat Christians.

What's Good About Good Friday?

This month's posts have been leading up to this question. After all, since Christ came to save sinners through his atoning death on the cross, we must understand how vile sin is. We also need to understand why only a sinless, eternal being could fulfill the law which God gave to the Israelites.

The "good" in Good Friday is that Jesus went to the cross for whosoever would believe in him. He could have "chickened out" but he went through with his mission. In Matthew 26:53 (KJV) Jesus said to the disciples and those taking him prisoner, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"

Since one angel killed one-hundred-and-eighty-five Assyrian warriors, imagine the carnage seventy-two-thousand angels could do to Jerusalem and the Romans.

Instead, Christ fulfilled the scriptures, not only with his death on the cross but by his birth, life, and resurrection on the third day. As Mark 16:19 (KJV) states, "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he  was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."

And what's good about Christ being in heaven? Because he ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit was given by God to we who believe in Christ. As Peter said to the crowd on the day of Pentecost, (Acts 2:33 KJV), "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was given a glimpse into heaven, as Luke recorded in Acts 7:55-56 (KJV), "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up  stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus  standing on the right hand of God, And said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and  the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.'"

And having our sins forgiven, we are justified in Christ as righteous. As Paul noted in Romans 8:34 (KJV),  "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died,  yea rather, that is risen again," who is even at the right hand of  God, who also maketh intercession for us."

So what should be our response to such a great gift which salvation is? Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1 (KJV), "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things  which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

Because Jesus fulfilled all that the Father gave him to do, he reigns even over death. As he told his disciples in Matthew 28:18 KJV), "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.'" That wouldn't have happened if he disobeyed.

I'll include more about the awesome benefits of a surrendered life in Christ in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Watch this space for updates.