Challenging Cessationism: Embracing the Continuing Work of the Holy Spirit and the Five-Fold Ministry

Cessationism, a theological perspective asserting the cessation of certain spiritual gifts and offices, has been a source of theological debate within the Christian community.

Ephesians 4:11-16 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

Ephesians 4:11-16

¹¹And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, ¹²for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; ¹³until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; ¹⁵but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, ¹⁶from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Introduction

This article aims to expose the unbiblical nature of Cessationism and shed light on how it inadvertently fosters unbelief among believers.

By exploring the ongoing relevance of the gifts of the Spirit and the five-fold ministry, we will reveal the continuous work of the Holy Spirit today. Additionally, we will demonstrate how Cessationism robs genuine believers of the full revelation of the Holy Spirit, hindering the transformative power of God and potentially impacting evangelism.

NOTE: It is important to bare in mind that God’s purpose is to bring believers to maturity so they can be effective in bringing sinners to Christ for the glory of God. We also need to keep in mind that the five fold ministry is probably not operating as it should in the body of Christ as God has purposed. Therefore it is going to take a great awakening of the body of Christ for this ministry to be restored to His Church in these last days.

The Unbiblical Foundation of Cessationism

Cessationism’s foundation rests on the belief that certain spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic age, a perspective that requires careful examination against the dynamic portrayal of the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in Scripture.

The Enduring Gifts of the Spirit

Contrary to Cessationist views, the Bible affirms the perpetual relevance of spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NASB) declares, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good,” emphasising the continuous provision of spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ.

The Living Five-Fold Ministry

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NASB) outlines the existence and purpose of the five-fold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—for the equipping of the saints, fostering unity of faith and maturity. Rejecting the continuity of this ministry structure overlooks its crucial role in nurturing believers and guiding them toward spiritual maturity.

The Impact on Believers’ Unbelief

Cessationism contributes to unbelief among believers by limiting their expectation of the Holy Spirit’s active involvement in their lives. The belief that certain gifts and ministries have ceased can foster spiritual apathy, hindering believers from experiencing the full revelation and transformative power of God.

Robbing Believers of the Holy Spirit’s Power

Embracing Cessationism unintentionally robs genuine believers of the Holy Spirit’s power to convict sinners of sin, righteousness, and the coming judgement (John 16:8). This not only impedes believers’ personal growth but also hinders their ability to effectively share the Gospel and bring sinners to salvation.

The Urgency of the Full Revelation of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 (NASB) emphasizes the empowering role of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Denying the ongoing work of the Spirit hampers believers’ ability to be effective witnesses for Christ.

Cessationism and Unbiblical Pentecostalism: Two Extremes, One Distorted Gospel

Cessationism, while seeking to avoid excesses, ironically mirrors unbiblical Pentecostalism in creating a false dichotomy. Both extremes distort the Gospel—Cessationism by limiting the Holy Spirit’s work, and Pentecostalism by elevating experiential manifestations over the foundational truths of Scripture.

False Apostles and Prophets in the Last Days

The emergence of false apostles and prophets in the present era does not provide evidence that these ministries have passed away. Instead, it aligns with the warnings in Scripture about deceptive figures in the last days (Matthew 24:24). This underscores the need for discernment rather than affirming the cessation of genuine apostolic and prophetic ministries.

Conclusion

Challenging Cessationism is crucial for believers to fully embrace the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit and the relevance of the gifts and ministries bestowed upon the Church. Recognizing the potential consequences of unbelief and the hindrance to the transformative power of God, believers can navigate a balanced perspective. It is a call for believers to reevaluate their theological positions, rediscover the biblical truth about the Spirit’s active involvement, and embrace the fullness of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry, personal growth, and impactful evangelism, without falling into the traps of either extreme.