Responding to the "Cessationist" Documentary - Part Three

Are the Charismatic gifts real? Speaking in tongues, prophesying, healing, and raising the dead – do these phenomena exist? Charismatic and Pentecostal Christians firmly believe in their authenticity, viewing them as miraculous occurrences. The new documentary "Cessationist" boldly asserts that they have ceased. Under the direction of Les Lanphere, "Cessationist" attempts to dismiss modern practices of spiritual gifts using speculation, church tradition, and human reasoning. Fortunately, the Word of God directly contradicts their confident assertions. In this 3rd installment of our response to the cessationist documentary, we will tackle 3 arguments from the Cessationist movie.

Argument #1: The Cessationist Hebrews 2:2-3 Argument
Tom Pennington, a respected figure from Countryside Bible Church, asserts that spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic era. This assertion is based on Hebrews 2:2-3, where the writer seems to suggest that miracles were foundational but not the norm. Our response is a comprehensive 7-fold argument that peels back the layers of complexity within this passage. We will explore the multifaceted purposes of miracles beyond mere validation, examining the absence of exclusivity to the apostles, and meticulously analyzing the present tense of "bore witness." Discover how these intricacies challenge the cessationist stance, and how the text itself suggests the possibility of God continuing to bear witness through signs, wonders, and spiritual gifts.

Argument #2: "The Wicked Generation That Seeks A Sign" from Matthew 16
The documentary contends that Matthew 16:4 condemns seeking signs to validate faith. We will embark on a profound journey through the context of this verse, unveiling its true meaning. This passage was spoken by Jesus in response to the Pharisees and Sadducees who demanded a sign from heaven to test Him. Their motive was not genuine faith but a desire for on-demand miracles. We will demonstrate that Matthew 16:4 is not a rebuke against the use of spiritual gifts for evangelism, but rather a criticism of those who wanted God to prove Himself through signs. Explore how the apostles themselves sought signs and wonders as tools for God to reveal Himself to their enemies, illustrating the positive role of continuationism in opening doors for evangelism through miracles.

Argument #3: Misrepresentations Of Church History
Nathan Busenitz, the Executive Vice President of The Master's Seminary, makes the sweeping claim that the early church fathers unanimously believed in the cessation of miraculous gifts. This assertion is a distortion of church history. To set the record straight, we will present an extensive list of church fathers who not only held beliefs in the continuation

Kairos Classroom: Use Promo Code Remnant for 10% off
https://kairosclassroom.com/classes