The Cessation of Special Revelation: A Humble Argument for the Cessation of NT Prophecy and Tongues, Part 1
Posted by deangonzales on March 2, 2009
Perhaps one of the most debated topics among modern Christians is the subject of tongues and prophecy. Many believers in our day are raising the question, Are the New Testament gifts of tongues and prophecy still for today? This question is not just a modern question. It has been raised from time to time throughout the history of the church. In the early church, there were different responses to that question. For example, the early church fathers Irenaeus (c. 130-200) and Tertullian (c. 150-212) both refer to ongoing manifestations of prophecy and tongues in their day (i.e., 2nd and 3rd century). On the other hand, both Chrysostom (c. 350-407) and Augustine (354-430) argue that the gift of tongues had ceased by their time (i.e., 4th and 5th century). During the Protestant Reformation various Anabaptist sects claimed to be recipients of direct revelation. Luther and Calvin were very skeptical of these claims. In general they seem to argue for the cessation of extra-ordinary gifts, but there are inconsistencies in their writings. For example, in his commentary on Ephesians 4:11, Calvin argues that the offices of apostle, prophet, and evangelist have ceased, and only the offices pastor and teacher are perpetual.[1] However, in his Institutes he concedes that the Lord “now and again revives them as the need of the times demand.”[2]
A more thorough and consistent answer to the question of tongues and prophecy did develop until the modern era. It was not until the emergence of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements that more definitive and clear positions were taken on this issue. Today, there are basically three positions that are held among Bible-believing Christians.
1. The Continuationist (or Non-cessationist) Position
This view argues that all the NT gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, including the gift of prophecy and tongues.[4] Modern representatives would include Pentecostals, Charismatics, and the Third Wave movement. There is also relatively new denomination of Sovereign Grace Churches which are reformed in their soteriology but charismatic in their pneumatology.[5]
2. The Cessationist Position
The cessationist view argues that the NT miraculous gifts were revelatory and therefore, they belonged to the foundational stage of church history. Since that stage has been completed and since canonical revelation has ceased, the NT revelatory gifts are not for today. This position is defended by both Dispensational and also Reformed theologians. The Westminster Confession and the Baptist Confession of Faith appear to adopt or at least to favor this position,[6] though some debate whether these confessions actually take a clear position.[7] Whatever the position of the Reformed confessions, there certainly have been Reformed Christians who have been open to the possibility that God could revive some of the extraordinary gifts in unique situations, which leads to a third, mediating position.
3. The Open but Cautious Position
Those who hold to this position are open to the possibility of miraculous gifts today (perhaps as a precursor to the Second Coming of Christ). They are cautious, however, and often skeptical about many modern claims of miraculous gifts. For example, Martin Lloyd-Jones, a reformed pastor and commentator, said of the extraordinary gifts, “In the sovereignty of the Spirit, [God] can give any one of these gifts at any time; we must therefore be open. But we must also always be cautious and careful.”[8] This may be the most prevalent view among mainline evangelicals today.
My plan is to argue for the cessationist position. I do want to make clear at the outset, however, that the question of tongues and prophecy is not a simple issue. There’s not one conclusive proof-text, to my knowledge, that settles the issue for any position. The advocates of each position appeal to Scripture and advance theological arguments for their viewpoint. Nevertheless, I do believe the weight of biblical evidence tips the scales toward the cessationist position. Hence, by God’s grace I shall argue for the cessationist position in a spirit of humility, acknowledging that there are good men representing each of these positions.[9] In Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 of this series, I’ll argue for the cessation of Scripture quality revelation with the completion of the canon. In Part 5, I’ll clarify the point of debate, namely, whether NT prophecy and tongues should be placed in the same class as Scripture quality revelation. In Part 6, I’ll provide the reader with an overview of the position of Wayne Grudem, a leading advocate of continuationism, as well as his main arguments. In Part 7 and Part 8, I’ll present arguments in favor of viewing NT prophecy and tongues as belonging to the same species of revelation as canonical prophecy. Then in Part 9 and Part 10, I’ll attempt to address common objections raised against the cessationist position. Finally, in Part 11, I’ll conclude with some words of commendation, caution, and exhortation addressed to those on all sides of this debate.
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
[1] Calvin’s New Testament Commentary, vol. 11, ed. David Torrance and Thomas Torrance (Eerdmans, 1965), 179-80.
[2] The Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeill (Westminster Press, 1960), IV, 3.4.
[3] For historical surveys, see Victor Budgen, Charismatics and the Word of God, 2nd ed. (Evangelical Press, 1989), and Benjamin B. Warfield, Counterfeit Miracles (1918; reprint, Banner of Truth, 1995).
[4] Some distinguish varying positions among the continuationists. E.g., Wayne Grudem, ed., Are Miraculous Gifts For Today? Four Views (Zondervan, 1996), 10-13.
[5] This denomination of churches was formerly called PDI or “People of Destiny International.” For more information about Sovereign Grace Ministries click here.
[6] Compare the following references in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith: 1.1, 6, 10; 8.8; 10.1; 18.3; 22.1. See also “ARBCA Position & Policy Paper: Spiritual Gifts” available in PDF or MS Word format here.
[7] See Byron Curtis, “‘Private Spirits’ in The Westminster Confession of Faith § 1.10 and in Catholic-Protestant Debate (1588-1652),” Westminster Theological Journal 58 (Fall 1996), 256-67; Garnet H. Milne, “‘Private Spirits’ in the Westminster Confession of Faith and in Protestant-Catholic Debates: A Response to Byron Curtis,” Westminster Theological Journal 61 (Spring 1999), 102-11; Dean R. Smith, “The Scottish Presbyterians and Covenanters: A Continuationist Experience in a Cessationist Theology,” Westminster Theological Journal 63 (Spring 2001), 39-63.
[8] Cited by Iain Murray, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: The Fight of Faith (Banner of Truth, 1990), 487.
[9] When teaching this series in an adult Sunday School class, I placed framed photographs of D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, John Piper, and a well-known and loved Reformed Baptist missionary on the pulpit so that they were visible to me and to my audience. I wanted to present the case for cessation as if these highly esteemed men who are not cessationists were present.
18 Responses to “The Cessation of Special Revelation: A Humble Argument for the Cessation of NT Prophecy and Tongues, Part 1”
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March 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
“Leave a Reply”?
Yeah…where’s part two?
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:28 am
[...] a comment » Bob Gonzales is beginning a series at RBS Tabletalk in which he offers a humble argument for the cessationist postion. These series are usually pithy and punchy, and this one will doubtless be worthy of [...]
March 4th, 2009 at 10:41 am
[...] Part 1 of this series, we noted that many believers today debate the question of whether God is continuing [...]
March 5th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Hello, brothers -
My apologies for the excess linkage produced by repeated tweakings of the title of my post linking to yours. Please feel free to ditch the two earlier links.
Thank you for this material. There is more fullness in having a completed revelation than a continuing one – at least, until the revelation of Christ in his glory! I look forward to reading through the remainder of the posts.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Thanks, brother. I agree.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
[...] Part 1 of this series, we noted that many believers today debate the question of whether God is continuing [...]
March 9th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
[...] began our study (Part 1) by noting the three common positions taken among evangelicals on the question of whether God is [...]
March 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
[...] divinely authoritative special revelation has been completed and has, therefore, ceased (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5). If it can be demonstrated that the revelation of tongues and [...]
March 17th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
[...] time to bring our argument to a conclusion. After introducing this series in Part 1, we attempted to demonstrate, as our major premise, that all pre-parousia divinely authoritative [...]
March 24th, 2009 at 10:10 am
[...] “A Humble Argument for the Cessation of NT Prophecy and Tongues (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8), we have tried to demonstrate from the [...]
March 25th, 2009 at 8:55 am
He states that both continuist and cessationists offer exegetical arguments for thier position. The continuist position is easy, for example 1 Cor. 12-14 which writes of both tongues and prophesy as a present reality and gives no reason to suggest that such will cease until Christ returns. I’ve yet to see a Biblical case for cessationism.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
[...] we have compelling reason to conclude that the prophecy and tongues of the NT have ceased (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8). The various objections raised by [...]
August 16th, 2009 at 6:24 am
I find that the continualist position can be supported strongly with scripture.
On the other hand, Cessationist positions typically rely on extra-scriptural doctrines ABOUT the role of scripture. For example, a quote from this article says, “NT miraculous gifts were revelatory and therefore, they belonged to the foundational stage of church history. Since that stage has been completed and since canonical revelation has ceased, the NT revelatory gifts are not for today.”
The arguments about canonical revelation ceasing that are used to build a case for cessationism rely on extra-Biblical concepts of the canon, the role of the scriptures, and the role of apostles.
I Corinthians 12 teaches that the Spirit gives certain gifts (including some rather spectacular ones) as He wills. That is the doctrinal teaching of scripture. And there is Biblical evidence for God imparting spiritual gifts without the laying on of hands of an apostle. There is no real solid evidence for cessationism.
The thing I really don’t get is dispensationalists who will argue that the gifts of tongues and prophecy have ceased, but when questioned about how the two witnesses will prophesy at the end of time, say that the gift of prophecy will be restarted again at this time period. Why then would they have ceased temporarily? It makes no sense.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:32 am
My view is one of looking at the timing of the events as they are recorded in the Bible. It is generally accepted that these gifts started in the NT on the Day of Pentecost when Apostle Peter declared that the Pentecost event is about the prophecy of Joel:
AC 2:16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
AC 2:17 ” `In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
AC 2:18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
AC 2:19 I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
AC 2:20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
AC 2:21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
I believe it is vital to note that the Pentecost launching is called the “last days” season by the prophet Joel. Peter simply heralded the beginning of the last days in his time in agreement with Joel. Signs and gifts are the distinctive marks of the last days.
Paul mentioned in 1 Cor 13:8-10 the cessation of these gifts which are the distinct marks of the “last days” season.
Peter’s and Paul’s ministry is definitely within the time frame of the “last days” prophecy of Joel.
For sure our time is still called the “last days” as well. Based on Joel’s prophecy and Peter’s declaration the signs and gifts manifested and mentioned at the day of Pentecost is still in effect today. The “cessation” time mentioned by Paul is yet to come. The reason is because the signs and gifts are coterminous with the “last days” prophecy of Joel.
Note also based on Peter’s affirmation of Joel’s prophecy (Acts 2:16-21) that both signs and gifts are conclusive evidences and legitimate instruments in drawing the attention of the people so that they will call on the name of the Lord for their salvation (v.21,And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved).
Therefore, these signs and gifts are still in effect in our current version of the “last days”. The legitimate signs and gifts have the salvation effect when they are ministered to the people. Let us be very careful when we make a stand regarding this issue. We might unknowingly invite judgment if we try to stop God’s operation today and find ourselves on the other side of the equation.
Cessation seems to be an expression of belief based on rationale.
The age of reason runs contrary to the supernatural acts of the God’s kingdom.
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:36 am
Or shall I say supernatural acts of the Gospel of the kingdom?
February 23rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Felipe,
Thanks for taking the time to read this segment of my study, for your comments, and gracious caution. As a firm believer in the supernaturalism of Scripture and an opponent of rationalism, I take seriously your warning. Of course, there’s an opposite danger that I address in a later segment of this study. I also address the Acts 2 passage as well as 1 Corinthians 13. I’m not convinced either of these passages demand the continuation of scripture-quality special revelation. Most continuationists agree and, therefore, argue for a newer form of prophecy that, unlike OT prophecy, is fallible and errant. Personally, I don’t think the case for this lesser form of prophecy is exegetically convincing. But I respect your right to disagree with my position. I hope you’ll read through all the segments of this study. And once again, thanks for your input.
Your servant,
Bob Gonzales
May 27th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
[...] “The Danger of Reformed Traditionalism” Part 1 and Part 2. [↩]See my series, “The Cessation of Special Revelation: A Humble Argument for the Cessation of NT Prophecy and T…. [↩]I’m doubtful they would want us to follow them as if they were infallible guides. [...]
May 28th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Dr. Bob,
How would you respond to the Scottish Covenanters and their claims of prophecy or defense of continued (non Scripture-quality) fore-telling prophecy, e.g., Samuel Rutherford, a framer of the Westminster Confession of faith?
http://www.puritanboard.com/f15/ongoing-prophecy-fore-telling-scottish-covenanters-60828/