Dear Pastor Guzik, thank you for this video message. Up until I was 24 yrs old I was raised and attended churches that were in the cessationist camp. Then I attended a Bible Study with my sister-in-law who was raised in the Reformed theology. There were a few women there that were Pentecostal in their interpretation of the scriptures. None of in the group were dogmatic or aggressive but let their lives speak to the truths that they knew and experienced in their daily lives. One day, while I was pregnant with my first child, I was doing dishes at my sink, meditating on the scriptures pertaining to the gifts of the Holy Spirit I suddenly broke forth spontaneously with a language I did not know. I am an English speaker and this language was definitely not English. I neither forced or contemplated speaking in tongues as I was vehemently opposed to such expression of emotion as I had been taught in my earlier years. That change in me through the Holy Spirit has remained in me for the past 51 years. It has been a source of comfort, strength and refuge throughout my life. I pray that those watching seek to know the Holy Spirit and not close themselves off to this wonderful promise of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
@@BouncySlim1 truthfully I can't say I understood but I do know the peace and the sense of confirmation from the Holy Spirit. I have never doubted the validity of tongues these 51 years ever since. I use the gift in my own private prayer time I have never felt lead to speak it in public. When spoken I noticed that it doesn't sound like the same words being repeated but definitely like sentence breaks. The gift of tongues I don't believe is necessary for salvation or even evidence of such, as some teach. It has, however, provided me with great personal edification and comfort. Much needed while raising 6 children.
That’s beautiful. Maybe I’m in a certain head space at the moment, but for some reason, reading your testimony just made my eyes well up with tears. Seeking Him and His heart in the mundane activities of our day and He chooses to reveal Himself in such a beautiful, tender way.
@@Kathleen253 "I use the gift in my own private prayer time I have never felt lead to speak it in public. " yeah, that's a red flag the gifts are given to edify the church, 1 Cor 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10 doesn't it make you wonder why the Spirit gives a gift that never edifies the church?
Hi Dave, I appreciate how you demonstrate humility and grace while explaining the difference in your view from theirs, something popular bible teachers need to also demonstrate without throwing them under the bus.
I consider myself a practical cessationist only bc I have never seen the gifts (similar to Paul Washer). This is despite there being no scripture to indicate that the gifts have ceased. However, I would never consider you an enemy but a brother in Christ. I also love your enduring word commentary.
@westonmeckes hello sir, I can see where you might think that comment connects but Im not stating disbelief. Our faith is not blind, the amount of evidence for Christ is overwhelming. The amount of sign gifts being active today is not. I believe all of the sign gifts from the Scripture, I just haven't seen any today. Just like I believe Jesus walked the earth bodily but now He is on His throne so I wouldn't expect to see Him until His 2nd coming. I've only seen "Christians" make a mockery of the faith by giving false prophecies, fake healing, and false tongues. I do hope to see the gifts as Scripture teaches but I don't need to see them to believe in Jesus and trust in His righteousness for a sinner like me. I also believe miracles still happen today but from my own experience, majority of them are from prayer and the others are almost always showing God's complete sovereignty over all. I pray all is well with you my friend. Peace in Christ.
Thank you Pastor David for your clear exposition of God's word. Satan is doing such a good job of deceiving many in the church today - some all word and no Spirit others all Spirit no word. Jesus wants us all in the middle using ALL of Fathers word. God Bless you Pastor from Scotland.
How can you say that? That’s a shame. Where there is the faithful preaching of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is there for He is the Spirit of Truth. Where people are being converted and born again under the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirt of God is there. Only the Holy Spirit can convict of sin. Please rethink what you wrote.
@alstroemeria227again4 I think you are slightly stretching my point. What you say is right of course and maybe if you read it for what it is I'm saying you wouldn't jump to such a conclusion. In fact the sentiment came from a sermon preached by Spurgeon in London. Please in future think twice about jumping to such conclusions- there's way too much of that in today's church.
@@nigeljohnston1802 You literally wrote “all word, no spirit”. If the Word is there, the Spirit is always there. Take responsibility for what you wrote. I’m not a mind reader. I just look at your words.
@alstroemeria227again4 I'm not going to get into some kind of spiritual tennis match with you, so ill finish with this . I'm a CEO of a Christian mission in the UK and have been teaching God's word for 30+ years. This doesn't make me a master of God's word, but I think the simplicity of what you are accusing me of is so elementary within theological understanding that it is quite sad someone feels it is worth making such a point. I suppose this is the risk of posting on social media - lesson learned.
#2 of the list of "what they get right" is why I LOVE my cessationist brothers and sisters and often find more common ground with them than with other continuationists, at least in the town where I serve / live.
I will be following this series with much interest. This video has already bought clarity and grace into my understanding of the issues raised so far. God Bless you. I also long to love the Word of God as much. May the LORD CONTINUE TO FILL YOU WITH WISDOM AND GRACE AS YOU TEACH. amen
Thank you for this video Pastor Guzik. I appreciate the spirit with which you describe brothers and sisters who have a different view. I’m also a frequent user of your online commentary.
Jesus has turned my pain into purpose. It’s been a tough three years. But I got so much closer to the Lord. As a single mother I’m struggling. Struggling to buy groceries struggling to pay rent every month is a battle. My health is also fading since having a heart attack Jesus heal me. But I trust your plan Lord. Lord please protect and provide for my boys. Both of my sons are autistic so they are challenging at times. Thanks to God my children have made so much progress now that I’m homeschooling them but my hours to work are limited. I will keep faith in you Lord Jesus no matter my struggles.❤
I have been a single mom and it is a very difficult thing. My child (who is now an adult) had lots of problems growing up and into her 20s. The only reason we made it was because God was with us every step of the way. I hope you have a church family who loves you and the boys.
”When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.“ Acts of the Apostles 2:6 NLT I do agree that God can work through any believer who has received the Holy Spirit at the time they have been saved. This verse says they heard the apostle speaking in their own language. This doesn’t seem to be the gibberish speak that we modernly hear as speaking in “tongues”. It would be wonderful if God blessed us to speak in foreign languages. So we could go preach the gospel as they did in Acts 2 without studying to know that foreign countries language. Love your teaching please keep these videos coming 😊
Please read the passage for yourself that he pointed to in this video. I feel that he mixed up the gift (singular) of the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) with the GIFTS (plural) of the holy Spirit. Peter was referring to the Holy Spirit of Promise which is given to all believers throughout the generations.
Hi David. I have read all your commentary and really enjoy it. I am a Cessationist and my thoughts on Acts 2 are that YES we are promised the Holy Spirit- but that doesn’t prove that the miraculous gifts are still present for today. But all believers are promised the Holy Spirit at conversion- praise the Lord. God bless!
As a cessationist, and having just finished this first episode, I'm keen to watch the next nine. I don't really have anything to say other than I appreciate your comments and whilst I'm not necessarily convinced by this first episode for the case of continuationism, I do want to say thank you for all the work you have done for the body of Christ.
Bu the gift of the Holy Spirit is not the same as the gifts of the the Holy Spirit. Yes, today and forever, all who receive Christ will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirt as a seal but this is difference from the gifts of Healing, and sings and wonders...two different things. Acts 2;38-39 is not talking about the gifts of the spirit but instead the Gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
I’m so glad I found this series! This is the only one I’ve watched and I’ll be watching the rest. I have been in denominations of both sides. I was raised in a denomination that taught the gifts were only for those days and I converted if you will, as an adult to a denomination that focuses on the gifts and teach that you have the gift of tongues in order to be saved. I began to question that later in life and I’ll say, it really messed me up for a while trying to figure it all out. But now I’ve been at peace with my belief now for years, which is exactly what you’re describing here. The gifts never ceased to exist. Paul actually explains it well when you don’t have someone else twisting scripture to interpret it for you. There is a difference in the gift of receiving the Holy Spirit and the gifts of/from The Holy Spirit.
I REALLY appreciate how gracious you are to those with different opinions to yourself and how you focus on searching and expounding on the Scriptures rather than trying to expose others as "heretics" which is what so many other RUclipsrs do. I use your commentary all the time so thank you for making it free. Greetings from New Zealand
I would love for someone to come forward and demonstrate they have the gift of healing, miracle or prophecy. Not pray for someone to be healed or for a miracle to occur but actually perform one. Also, where are the prophets with real prophecies where they give actual names, timing and details of what will come to be and are never wrong. I haven’t seen it at all.
That is the point of cessationist. you are correct. Not one person in history has been named nor made know to have any of the gift of healing, prophecy nor miracles with exception to false prophets and televangelist.....to believe in these gifts today, is to open your doors to false teachers/ preachers as already seen. Mega churches filled with people believing these wolves and liars....performing fake healing and false prophecies that are ambiguous and unclear....All they do is add to scripture what is not there.
Hang around for video #8 in the series! I deal with what I believe is a significant misunderstanding, one that is shared by some cessationists and some Pentecostals - that God gifts people with the power to do miracles "on demand" or "at will." I don't think that was true in apostolic times and not true today. I'll deal with that a lot in video 8.
Thank you Pastor Guzik for your response. I have tremendous respect for your ministry and I love your bible commentary. I look forward to listening to more of what you will teach on this subject. I don’t think it was on demand but it was instantaneous and no one could doubt what they witnessed. That is not what I see today. God Bless you! @@DavidGuzikEnduringWord
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord funny you mentioned that because that is exactly what I was thinking… it’s either we are misunderstanding the gifts to be continually or based on specific situations… however please address how you used act 2 in reference to the gift of the Holy Spirit but implied the spiritual gift, which are two different things being addressed.
@@trevino37 Pentecost marked the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church. Those Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit, and according to the plan of God, that group all received the gift of tongues. That group all went on the glorify Jesus via the exercise of the gift of tongues. The giving of the Spirit and the giving of the gifts (tongues) were both separate and simultaneous. The giving of the Spirit at that moment could have included any number of different gifts being given to the Believers, but God choose at the monument to give them all tongues, which was perfect for the occasion, and prompted the attention of the roads, which led to Peter's sermon, and the conversion of thousands. I hope that this helps. Blessings!
Ty Pastor David for your in depth teachings on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As someone who grew up as the daughter of a Pentecostal preacher, it has been a struggle to come to terms with who God really is. Good, kind, forgiving and greatest of all loving. Your verse by verse teaching brings me great joy as it seems to make Gods words seem so much more real and true. God bless you and your ministry♥️
He confused the gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit of Promise with the gifts (plural) of the holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 speaks of the promised Holy Spirit, and yes, this promise is for all generations. It doesn't matter to me where one falls on this issue, as it's not a salvation issue. That being said, please make sure he's true to the text during this series. Watch and listen with discernment. Peace be with you! 💞🙏🏾
@@BouncySlim1 gift(S) would include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. I imagine you believe those are for today. What are texts that disclude miraculous (the virtues are also miraculous, but you understand what I mean) gifts for today? Thx
@@Matt-Pursley 1. I never in my statement above concluded nor alluded to being a continuationist nor cessationist. 2. What you listed are the FRUIT of the Spirit, not the gifts of the Spirit 3. Please examine my critique of the mishandling of the passage albeit one's stance on the topic discussed in the video. My point was I felt he wasn't true to the text. If I'm incorrect, correct me in that, not introducing the Fruit of the spirit as a kinda rebuke. This is from Guzik's commentary regarding this passage: " As they repented and demonstrated faith and obedience by baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to them as it was given to the original group of disciples. Peter also specifically promised that the promise of the Holy Spirit would be given to those who believe in all succeeding generations (all who are afar off).". Here he ties in salvation with the gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit which is consistent with Ephesians 1: 13 and Paul's teachings elsewhere in the NT. Believe and Receive the Holy Spirit of Promise. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances".
@@BouncySlim1I think you may be reading too much into my comment. I am not accusing you of taking a side or trying to rebuke you or trying to change the subject. I apologize if my comment came through in any of those ways. What I was attempting to demonstrate is that we shouldn't make too much of a distinction between the gift and the gifts or the fruit for that matter. They are all miraculous and all gracious and all present in the life of the believer today. I don't see any text that limits the spirit from his work or separates his work into systematized categories. I hold an all for one and one for all view of the Spirit to his works. Peace and grace
@@Matt-Pursley Apologies not needed. We are in RUclips land. Comments can be written with one tone and read with another. No way to represent that via text. Lol 🙂 The whole reason Guzik is doing this series is to demonstrate that miraculous gifts are still relevant today, contrary to what cessationist believe. John MacArthur and crew came out (or is coming out) with a movie about cessationism and this series is to debunk the premise of the movie. The proverbial line has been drawn, so to speak, between cessationist and continuationist. I believe a distinction between Gift of the Promised Holy Spirit and giftS of the Spirit has to be made. The GIFT is promised to ALL believers. GiftS of the Spirit are given by the Spirit according to His will and purpose. Some are given wisdom, some knowledge , some faith, some healing , some tongues, interpretation, etc. Not all believers will have the same gifts, but all believers have THE GIFT of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Fruit (singular) of the Spirit is evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. All - received the Holy Spirit Some - receive various gifts of the Spirit All - should show evidence of the indwelling Spirit by the Fruit. Where do I fall: Biblical Continuationist: the gifts that look like what we see in the Bible. Grace and Peace be unto you 😇🙏🏾💞
Find me anyone who has the gift of healing and a true gift of Prophecy then I will reconsider on being a Cessationist. The burden of Proof is on those who claim the gift for today while having no one individual they can name to be genuing in their gift, as in the days of the Apostles. The burden of proof is not on Cessaionist but on those who claim its for today and naming someone that has that gift continually..
@trevino37 that is not how burden of proof works when it comes to biblical discussion. Ps Dave has given you scripture to show you that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for all generations. You are basically discarding that scripture and asking to be shown an example. God has physically healed many people supernaturally through me but that would not be the basis for me declaring that people should believe in the gifts of the Spirit. The basis should be the word of God. It would be the basis for me to point "unbelievers" to Jesus and to study the bible. Ps Dave asked you to give a reason why people should not believe that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. He has given you biblical evidence. The burden of proof is on you to prove why we should not believe what Acts 2 says about the promise and evidence (gifts) of the Holy Spirit being for all generations following Pentecost.
@@gt_n1722 hello, The chapter and verse given by Ps Dave to support his idea has nothing to do with spiritual gifts as stated in 1Corinthians 12. The gift of the Holy Spirit cited in Acts in undisputed because that is the Gift given to all as believers. The gift from G-d is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a seal of Salvation. This gift has nothing to do with obtaining the gift of healing, prophecy, miracle and the remaining 6. Once you have the Gift of The Holy Spirit, then follows the spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit on whom the spirit chooses, known as spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, Ps Dave used a verse in scripture that has no relation to the topic because even Cessationist believe that we all receive the gift of the Holy Spirit upon conversion as stated in Act 2. The first century Apostles and prominent figures had the power of Holy Spirit manifested thru them for all eyes to see and confirm. Unlike today, and after the first century, not one person has manifested that power of the Holy Spirit to confirm it. - not today nor yesterday. People confuse healing from G-d and healing from someone having the gift of healing…G-d can heal today we believe but someone having that healing gift continually for all to see is none existing.
I understand your reservation I am the same way. But scripture is very clear on this issue I have not heard one good argument from a cessationist biblically speaking why the gifts have ceased. So yes the burden of proof is on cessationists on why something so clear in the Bible is not for today. We are sola scriptura people after all.
@@gt_n1722 you have the burden of proof concept backwards… ok, I’ll believe if you show me! The burden of proof on is you, not Cessationist As for G-d healing today, all believe that to be true, to include Cessationist. I can pray for you and you get heal… that is no surprise for Cessationist.
@@andrewsantillan6020 you have the burden of proof concept backwards also…ok, I’ll believe if you show me! The burden of proof on is you, not Cessationist. of proof on is you, not Cessationist As for G-d healing today, all believe that to be true, to include Cessationist. I can pray for you and you get heal… that is no surprise for Cessationist.
Amen brother it saddens me when people make fun of our beliefs and have times even called us demon possessed or that’s at least my experience I pray that the church begins to understand that the gifts are still moving in the church
This is going to be a great series. I am looking forward it. I get questions from time to time about this and it will be helpful David's to have understanding and experience in this area as a resource. I have followed David for years and found his teaching to be accurate and easy to understand. Thank you David and Enduring Word Ministries for all you do
Personally, I do believe that miracles still occur today but they tend to be rare because people either do not ask for them (Matt 7:7) or the ones who do ask "ask amiss" (James 4:3). If you put your complete faith and trust in the Lord, giving Him your whole heart, you will be able to align your will to His will, and you will not be disappointed (Prov 3:5). With so many "solutions" offered by the world today, it is very easy to set up strongholds around ourselves, thinking we don't need the Lord (even if it is just for a small thing), but that takes away from our faith. But if we do ask "in faith" but our hearts are elsewhere, God also knows (Heb 4:12) and would withhold such things from us lest we trod down the wrong path. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:12)!
I'm a Pentecostal Cessationist. The gift of the Holy Spirit is not questioned by Cessationist for we all believe in receiving the the gift of that Holy Spirit the seals our salvation. As a Cessationist, we still believe in healing , and the miraculous power of G-d manifesting on Christian lives today as well and no Cessationist would deny that. What we do not believe is that the no one person today, carries the gift of Healing or prophecy or any other gift that was clearly seen on the Apostles. Why? because as a Pentecostal, I have heard the claim of healing and prophecies but all were fake. Till this very day, I have never seen any one person who claims to have the gift of healing, do nothing cloe to what the apostles did during the first century. I have not hear any one true prophet who prophecies and always gets it correct. They make excuses for their failed prophecies or provide such vague prophecy, you need a special dictionary to understand what was said. Instead of trying to test who has the true gifts and who has a fake gift, I, as a Pentecostal, find it much safer to be a cessationist over believing in the gifts and falling into a false circle. The day I see a person with a continous gift og healing over those whom he prays, then I will stop being a cessationist. The day I hear a ture prophect that is accurate continually on all his prophecies, along with all the other gifts many people claim that is actually false, then I will stop being a cessationist....unfortunately, too many Pentecostals are followers of emotionalsim and the false emotionalism being confussed as the power of G-d.
@@BouncySlim1 Yes, the speaker interchanged receiving the Holy Spirit, that is a seal to our salvation, as a free gift from G-d and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the ability to heal...two totally distinct topics and ideas. The first is the gift of the Holy Spirit from G-d and the second is A GIFT from the Holy Spirit that comes from the Holy Spirit itself to perform certain task. I think I will past this comment above as well....lol seems like people don't see the distinction.
@@BouncySlim1 How will I prove that to you from a RUclips thread come on now. 😒 I know ppl have prayed for me and I've been healed. But I'm really saying you can't say the gifts are not around, until you've examined all the examples
I've been running across people who we used to call, back in the day, "red letter Christians." They have a problem with various things Paul stated in scripture and basically think that if Jesus didn't say it it doesn't count. You could probably do an entire video on this issue. 😁
❤Thank you! I believe as well everything you've shared. God's blessings on HIS church and to those shepherding in this generation, I pray for eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church bride.
Love that you are making this series. Could you at some point expand on how believing that God can choose to give supernatural revelation through the gifts isn't at odds with trusting the sufficiency of scripture?
Even though I have never seen anyone speak in tongues like in Acts 2:11b "we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God," I'm not a cessationist.
seem like being a cessationist is the safer route since falling for a false teacher with signs and wonders is much more difficult for a cessationist to fall into. However, if G-d wants to reach a cessationist thru a prophecy that is true, it will occur regardless of the stand- cessationist or not. Untill that day occurs, I rather be a cessationist with all these false teacher and prophets filling the churches today. If G-d speaks, what theology would stop anyone from hearing G-d directly? none. I know so many Christians that believe in these prophets today that are already exposed as false prophets....so what's the point? SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CALL US TO BELIEVE IN SPIRITUAL GIFTS ANYWAY,,,
@@trevino37 We can test spirits, and we don't need to be cessationists. I've witnessed numerous fake demonic possessions, but I've also encountered one-only one-that seemed genuine. Jesus said that with faith, we can move mountains, even though he himself never did it as a human. My stance is neutral; I don't feel the need to take a specific position. I don't speak in tongues, nor have I ever witnessed it. I find it impractical to speak languages others can't understand or to heal when there's no illness. I believe God's actions have purpose; for example, parting the Red Sea wasn't just a display of power but served a specific function. You don't need to be a cessationist to avoid false prophets. You need the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. That's all.
Agree with slim. The “Gift” of the Holy Spirit is for all generations. To say this is the speaking of languages is simply not true. Its not totally clear imo that it ended other than the signs of the apostles ending with the apostles, but I simply do not see it, only unintelligible rubbish, certainly not Holy and frankly quite embarrassing and off putting to those seeking. I know many unsaved Christian’s who have false assurance because of this deception. It’s sad that people interpret scripture through their experiences, experiences that are also common in false religions and occult circles. It’s interesting that there are no “freaks” on the side of so called cessationists. The fact the whole denomination is named after one particular aspect of Gods Word (Pentecost) shows the obsession with only that. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!
Yep, the gift of the Holy Spirit is the promise, not the exact events of that day. The tongues being part of the gift, not a chance from the text or from the continued teachings of the apostles (remainder of the NT).
Thank you for addressing this topic. I am a Southern Baptist, and not all Southern Baptists are cessationists. I am looking forward to you next nine episodes. I also love your commentary and use it a lot when I am preparing for my small group ladies Bible study. And in January we are going to begin to go through 1 & 2 Corinthians verse by verse, so you speaking on this topic is very helpful. Now, when are you going to speak about women's head coverings?
you may want to reconsider, since the Gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts is not the same as the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians, which he confused. The gift of the Holy Spirit is for all ,as a seal unto salvation given by G-d the father. The spiritual Gifts are the Gift imparted to believers as the spirit decides, given by the Holy Spirit. These are two totally different Gifts, although they use the same words. Gift of the Holy Spirit is a promise since Pentecost for all. The spiritual Gift is not for all...However, to end the topic of cessationist, all one needs to do is to show any one individual that posseses the gift of healing, prophecy or miracles continuously on an individual as in the days of the Apostles. since no one can be identified to have any one of these gifts, then using scripture to disprove it is pointless because these gifts are external for all to see, unlike salvation, which you can't physically see or prove other then thru faith. Spiritual Gifts are not based on faith to see.
@@trevino37it sounded to me as if he clarified that at 15:00 minutes in. What I get from what he’s saying is the gift of receiving the Holy Spirit and the gift from the Holy Spirit are different but are both part of the promise for all generations. That doesn’t mean that all who are believers and receive the Holy Spirit will be given the gifts. He goes on to say that Paul clarifies this in Corinthians. He’s just saying that as part of that promise, there’s no expiration date on either.
@@janeecejjf2001 unfortunately, I will not go with what he meant but what was said… he is a good teacher but the way he expressed it is wrong. I understand what you said and thank you but I did not heard what you heard. We all receive the Holy Spirit on conversion as a seal to. Eternal life with no time limit. As to the gifts, that is a separate fruit as the Holy Spirit will. As for the gifts as manifested by NT bible characters, I simply choose not to believe anyone have those gifts today. But wether we believe it for today or not, does not change anything in us as Christians. With all the false prophets and healers, many are deceived because they believe…. While not believing seems to be the better option from falling into deception. If something was actually real and from G-d, I have no doubt that will be confirmed with scripture and my conviction from the spirit. So il”d rather be a Cessationist or a. Reliever and high a higher probability of falling into deception. Hope you understand what I mean. I do r totally disbelieve in prophecy but most most who claim to have it, I let his words prove itself if it aligns with scripture. Unfortunately most do not. Thank you for sharing with me. Ps - to be frank, I think this teacher and I have the same belief, which he called being a partial cessationist, If that term exist. I do t believe it’s for today but it’s possible that there may be a true prophecy some where. Why? Because my friend stood at the trade station of the World Trade Center while I worked there. For a few months he preached repentance, claiming the world trade will physically fall. That was in 1992. I have not seen him since but it did occur in 9/11…. But he never claimed to be a prophet nor gained any church attendance. In fact he did it without our church support. Wish I could see him one day again . But the prophecy was not dependent on my beliefs nor required anything from me. G-d moved me from there in 1993, after the first bomb occurred. Interesting times
@@trevino37 I agree that whether you agree that the gifts are still at this time or in the past, it doesn’t interfere with your salvation. I do see that you’re not completely closed to the idea due to your friend. God used ordinary people in biblical times as well. Just look at Amos. He said he was neither a prophet or the son of a prophet but a herdman and gatherer of sycamore fruit. It is true unfortunately that there are far too many fakes out there deceiving people. We are most definitely to use discernment and judge them by their fruits. I won’t try to convince you to believe as I do because as we both agree, it doesn’t interfere with salvation.
Irrespective of where one lands on this issue, i believe your chopping and interpretation of the Acts 2 passage is misleading. Sir, respectfully, the gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit referenced in Acts 2:38 is not the "gifts (plural) of the Spirit", but the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13--- "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" Acts 2: 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. The promise= the Holy Spirit. There is no mention in the text that the 3,000 that were saved even spoke in tongues. To extend tongues to this text (2:38-39) is, as i stated earlier, misleading.
Thanks for this - my reply would be, don't miss what Peter said in verse 33: "that which you see and hear..." The outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2 was associated with the gifts of the Spirit that they could see and hear, and this is also confirmed by the reference to the Joel prophecy. Yes, the gift of the Holy Spirit speaks of the giving of the Spirit, but in the definite context of the gifts that people could "see and hear" and reference in the Joel prophecy. More to come as the series continues....
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord if we are to use your line of thinking, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is tied to tongues (as they saw the Spirit as a rushing wind, and heard the languages being spoken), then how come every believer isn't given the gift of tongues? Every believer is given the Holy Spirit of promise (Acts 2:38, Ephesians 1:13), but not every believer is given the gift of tongues according to 1 Corinthians 12..... “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) Thanks for your reply.
@@BouncySlim1 You are correct that every believer is given different gifts., Not all speak in tongues, not all have the gift of evangelism, etc. Gifts are simply different manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and all the gifts are exercised to glorify Jesus.
Thank you so much for this! I had never before considered Acts 2:39. I know without a doubt that the gifts continue. Others I know, not so much. As a previous cessationist, the question that comes to mind is where is the verse that says that spiritual gifts are part of this promise?
Dear brother David. I do appreciate your loving approach to subject matter. I have discussed this with those of cessationist teaching churches but I can never get a biblically demonstrated answer. When I read the scriptures I can't find where it says the gifts ended. 1 Corinthians 13:10 is never adequately explained. The usual answer seems to be coming from that that's just what they believe and have been taught. Which doesn't seem to be an explanation. I plan to listen to the rest. May the Lord bless you!
Brother, I thoroughly enjoy your video's and study tools, I use them often and I refer many people to them... I even have you linked on my RUclips channel! I am a cessationist... Baptist, basically Dispensational... a Pastor for over 35 years. I would love to sit down and discuss this subject with you as brother to brother,... I think there is a key point you are missing in this passage or at least another very viable explanation of this passage.
If I'm hearing you correctly part one of your argument is a complete straw man because no cessationist argues that "the"gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit is no longer given to believers. And your description of the day of Pentecost being a "one off" rather than a unique event appears to indicate a context problem because you don't give any reason why it is a one off? Isn't it at least partly true that when we read these events in context we are reading about events that were unique to the Jews who lived during what some scholars call the intervening period?, i.e., the last days of the Mosaic system (age) Paul makes reference to tongues being a witness to unbelievers, which is likely a reference to Isaiah 28:11 and how God would deal with leaders of israel who could not understand the plain purpose of God? One of the problems with John MacArthur's approach to cessationism is he and his associates tend to argue in circles where they cannot properly explain why many of these kinds of events were unique to the intervening period. They seem correct where they argue that the sign gifts were meant to authenticate the authority of the Apostles, whose writings were canonized etc., but then fail to indicate some of the other reasons why the sign gifts were temporary. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe they argue against miracles except only the so called sign gifts as being normative? They don't ever seem to indicate that all of the gifts have ceased and I don't believe they deny that God continues to heal people do they? I'll be looking to see how you argue the other points against cessationism but my guess is you will argue only against the way MacArthur and his associates make their case which they don't argue entirely correctly in the first place. As you do I will try to point out where they fail and where your arguments may also fail as a result. I love most of what you teach so even if we may disagree on this issue I'll always be eager to watch your teaching videos.
Thanks for your reply - I welcome your thoughts on the rest of the series. I deal with several of the issues you bring up in this response. And just to be clear - *apsects* of Pentecost in Acts 2 were a "one-off," such as the tongues of fire over each head and the sound of the rushing mighty wind. But the giving of the Spirit and the gifts associated with the Spirit was not a one-off. Thanks and blessings
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord Sorry I didn't mean to suggest that you viewed the entire episode as a one off only the "tongues of fire over each head and the sound of the rushing mighty wind" as you pointed out.
The promise was of the Holy Spirit. As you correctly stated, not all of what was recorded was part of the promise…for example, speaking in other languages, as I agree with you that gift is not for everyone.
the problem where most get stuck here - is Lord, my WILL be done, instead of the reverse, Lord if it is your will, then as it should be THY WILL be done. We so often even w good intentions, ask amiss. So it's rather simple, either we believe Jesus then, now, and in the future, or we don't. Jesus asked Martha - do you believe? Martha, I AM ... there is nothing too great for I AM. Another problem is like Steven who wanted to buy the HS as if it was a magic gift. Yet other problems besides GREED is RECOGNITION, titles, fame, celebrity status, people w pride want to be recognized. The Right Reverend (never really seen anyone of those - have you?) Apostle, Bishop, etc. the highest label possible, Pharisee or Saducee ought to fit. Yet - ALL GLORY belongs to God.
once you have a real holyghost experience and experince Gods power in your life you know its real ive heard it said a man with a real experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument and cessationists twist and misunderstand the scriptures
Speaking in a known language was what happened then. What troubles me is when a counterfeit is accepted and it messes up your walk. Test the spirits 1Jn 4:1-4. You might be surprised at what a spirit will confess when commanded in Christ’s Jesus name. Don’t accept just any supernatural manifestation, it’s a battle, not a game. Thank you🙏🏻
Sadly a needed message, Satan what he could not do through persecution and outright intimidation he has accomplished through by watering down beliefs from within by CHRISTIAN leaders. It amazes me that The Lord demonstrates his authority and power over the kingdom of darkness with Supernatural power that is clearly chronicled in the word yet many deny and assert The Holy Spirit is on vacation and it’s the same things the Pharisees did in John 8 saying demons were cast out by Satan and it was Blasphemy of The Holy Spirit and rejection of The Messiah. As you stated David this doctrine (False) only gets legs because of false fire demonstrated so called miracles, by fake Apostles and others (All demonic deception) and the goal is attained that people do not believe that God can and will demonstrate his power when we ask in Jesus’s Name with faith extended. The Holy Spirit does these works as HE wills to help us overcome and be powerful ambassadors of God’s Name and bring people to The Lord and take authority over Satanic strongholds.
Paul states not only are “Tongues” known languages but also languages of Angels and that we speak to God and know not what we are saying nor anyone else who hears.
That's what I have always been taught. I don't travel much and pretty much live in an English speaking area. I definitely know my tongue is not speaking Spanish, so its some other language altogether. I guess I will find out once I enter the Kingdom 😊
The only example we have in the Bible of people speaking in tongues is Acts 2. The only one! So, it’s what we need to use to interpret the unclear verses. Tongues were languages and were a sign to Israel that God through Jesus was grafting in the gentiles.
Spiritual Gifts and the gift of the Holy Spirit are two different things. We all receive the Holy Spirit upon true conversion as a seal unto salvation and as promised from G-d and seen in Acts. However, the gifts (Plural) of the Holy Spirit better known as spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 is not for all and decided by the Holy Spirit on who gets what gift. Since there has never been any one individual, after the first Apostolic century, to have the gift of healing, prophecy nor miracles that needs to be continous to be considered a true Gift, cessationist claim is correct until someone can prove those gifts exist today by naming someone who has it. Since no one individual has ever been named in over 2000 yrs and these gifts are not seen today as in the first century with the apostles, it is safe to say they no longer exist. This is an easy reasoning process. They were needed in the first century to establish the church and scripture, That has been completed and no longer required to establish what was already done.
Dear brother, not all Christians are given the gift of tongues, but all Christians are given gifts to edify the Body of Christ. pray to understand what gifts God has given you, and then use them with all your might!
Pastor,…at 9:35 in this video, you say “there’s no evidence the crowd….could hear the mighty rushing wind”. Just a point of clarification ,…Acts chapter 2, verses 2 and 6 say.. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting….” 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together,…” It appears the crowd did hear the sound,…and that it caused them to gather outside the place where the disciples were experiencing this presentation of the Holy Spirit.
Don, you're right - I misspoke there. I meant to only say that there was no evidence that the crowd could see the tongues of fire. As you pointed out, the crowd certainly heard something - some commentators say it was the rushing mighty wind, others the sound of them praising God in unknown tongues. God bless you for your sharp ears on that one.
yeah, the sound was evidence to the crowd and the tongues as of fire were the evidence to the apostles fun fact: only the 12 apostles spoke in tongues 😉
Proving the wrong theology of Cessationism is easy. All you need to show is one person that has that gift continually, each time they pray over another. Show one person that has 100% accuracy on all their prophecies that is clear to understand and not no vague prophecy that is unclear as most do today. Show only one person that has the gift of miracles continually as in the days of the apostles of the first century. Dont give us ten reasons why cessationist are wront thru scripture. Just show us one person of each gift and the cessationist era will be over with once and for all....But since none can, how then can you prove that is still exist today and that we are wrong? show me proof is all we ask for,
Thanks for this - and please hang around for reason #8! In the eighth of my ten reasons why I believe cessationism is wrong I speak to the idea that the apostles or other believers in the first century could perform the miraculous "at will." I think that is a misunderstanding of what the Bible says, and a mistake that I believe both some cessationists and some Pentecostals make - believing or acting as if the Spirit gives the ability to anyone to do miracles "on demand."
"All you need to show is one person that has that gift continually..." "Don't give us 10 reasons why cessationists are wrong through scripture..." I thought cessationists are all about 'sola scriptura' and not 'experience'?
the church I go to, they ❤MacArthur, pastoral staff has many graduates of the Master's College - Redeemer Bible Church, formerly Desert View Baptist prior to 2015; I grew up Catholic, but was not saved until 1975 (4 Square Church); Jack Hayford down the road from JM was my pastor for many years, and dean at LIFE Bible College, then LA (not San Dimas) - the same school Chuck Smith graduated from 8 yrs before Hayford, and Hyde - my 1st pastor, college roommate of Pastor Jack. Phil Hyde was then in Albuquerque, prior to Burbank. RBC is definitely cessationist, I am not. It really is very simple - one Scripture verse - It is on the wall of every 4 Square church to be seen upon entry, Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, today, and forever He said He would give us the HS to live within us, so we would never be left or forsaken without the Good Shepherd who cares and watches over his sheep/flock. So if it ended, do we call God a liar, and the work the HS does within us and around us, a liar or a lie? The dean who succeeded Hayford was Ak Eastland, who married Milton Ellithorpe's daughter - Alona - He was 6'7 in ministry in Colorado now 50+ yrs, good call. I remember Milton when I was a young man in Albuquerque nut 16 maybe 17 years old, and he shared his "Death Unto Life" story. No way he should have survived being hit by a trolley car circa 1940, thrown 150 ft. in the air, crushed lungs, and broken bones, doctors gave him but maybe the night to live through. When he made 2 days, he said to bring me by ambulance to Angelus Temple. The doctors said if you can walk into my office well in 6 months (telling him he'd never live or walk again) - me and my whole staff will come to convert at Angelus Temple. That night he was encouraged by the Psalmist - I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord; and you know what, that is exactly what he did - until his natural death. That day, I knew God's still working and healing in a miraculous way today. Sure there are a lot of fakers and charlatans, but from what I have seen and studied - there is a lot of undeniable proof - He still works today. Good topic
Of course God is still at work today. He is convicting people of sin and bringing them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That is the biggest miracle of all. The fact that God heals and does miracles is not being contested here. The discussion is regarding the ability of Christians to heal and perform miracles. We can certainly pray and ask God to heal us or perform a miracle (I’ve witnessed it a few times myself) but are the sign gifts still in operation today? There is a big difference here.
yes the greatest daily miracle is salvation, but we like the Pharisees or Sadducees of the day cannot deny an inexplicable miracle when it happens. Sure doesn't happen at will, or all the time, but it didn't then either. The HS is either at work or He isn't. It is something that is "dangerous" to deny. @@alstroemeria227again4
There is no mention of the giving of the miraculous gifts in Acts 2:38-39. The promise is that you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Cessassionists still believe that believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It's true that cessationists believe that Christian receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. My point is that when Peter said what he did on Pentecost in Acts 2, it was in the context of the display of apparently miraculous gifts. In addition, the passages from Joel that Peter quoted as being fulfilled also mentioned the display of apparently miraculous gifts. I think it is the duty of cessationists to demonstrate that the promise that "is to you and your children" has none of the apparently miraculous gifts connected with it, since the promise was made in that context. I understand that we may not agree on this, but I hope at least you understand my thinking better. Blessings to you
Thanks for the reply to my comment. As you mentioned, I’ll have to disagree with you on the promise including the gifts. Thank you for helping to clarify why you reached that conclusion though. It means a lot that you’re willing to engage with a different perspective. God bless.
Cessationists claim to be all about 'sola scriptura', 'biblical authority' etc. except when it comes to this issue, suddenly they want personal experience ie extrabiblical proof. Clear double standards.
John M has changed salvation. Salvation is only for the elect or predestined. I don't personally trust one word out of RC mouth. Anyone who pushes Calvinisim can not be trusted. They love Calvinisim more than Jesus. They can't explain why. God bless you, David.
Pastor Lance replies - There are a multitude of people TODAY who have the gifts and manifestations (1 Cor 12) of the Spirit. But of course, cessationists dismiss them AS gifts because they begin by assuming the gifts are no longer in operation. It's difficult to prove something to someone who already has a ready answer that it can't be. Unbelievers do this all the time with the evidence for the existence of God.
Hello again, you appear to have 2 errors in your presentation: First is the distinction of the Gift from G-d the father giving all believer the Holy Spirit as a seal to our salvation. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit from G-d to us, in making us a part of his Kingdom. Then there is the Gifts of the Holy Spirit given by the Holy Spirit which is called GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT or spiritual gifts, as read in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. The spiritual gifts of the spirit are 9 as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. The spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit which can not be confused and is not the same as the Gift OF the Holy Spirit which comes from G-d the father as a seal to our salvation and as mentioned in Acts 1:15, 2:38 and so forth. Both are gifts but totally distinct from one another. The first comes from G-d the father as a seal to salvation and the second from the Holy Spirit as he decided to give it, which are the 9 spiritual gifts. Second error is that the burden of proof does not fall on the Cessationist but on any charismatic member that feels the spiritual gift of healing and miracles are still in effect for today. Now I do believe that the spiritual gift of wisdom, knowledge, faith, and discernment of the spirit can be here today because these are less exhibited as a show-piece in churches today while the spiritual gift of healing and prophecy are the main events of entertainment in churches that most have been proven to be totally false events. However, there has never been any one person known to have the gift of healing and prophecy or miracles continually as in the first century. Is it possible? maybe, but no one has seen it, and answering the question with a "NO"; And maybe this is a good thing because those having this gift are prone to be made as gods in our church age. or maybe it is well hidden by G-d to prevent such corruption of that gift.....But these are just a guess. I rather be a cessationist and not fall for false teachers/preachers in the church today....so being a Cessationist is not a bad thing but a wall of protection. If G-d wants to reach anyone thru one of these Gift, Cessationist are still reachable as Paul was in his days, unlike charismatics who follow after many false signs and wonders today.
A miracle is an event that supersedes natural or spiritual law. Turning water into wine supersedes natural law and so is miraculous. Praying does not supersede any spiritual law so it is not miraculous to say a prayer, whereas a person exercising authority over a fallen angelic being, for example in an exorcism, would supesede spiritual law. Sections of the Bible differ in how commonly they record miracles. But there is one thread that runs consistently throughout: God’s desire is to produce faith, but miracles foster unbelief. Paul, Trophimus, Timothy, etc., were never healed. God's great miracles through Moses filled Egypt with undeniable evidence for the God of Israel (Ex. 9:27). Yet neither the Bible nor history records Egyptian repentance, only good riddance (Ps. 105:38; Ex. 12:35-36; 14:25). Further and more dramatic, consider the effect of those tremendous miracles on Israel. God followed the 10 plagues (Ex. 7:14-12:30) done on behalf of Israel with the parting of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:21-22) and the drowning of the Egyptian army (Ex. 14:26-28). Then daily for 40 years God appeared to the entire nation as a column of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21-22; Num. 14:14; Neh. 9:12; Ps. 105:39). The Lord kept their clothes from wearing out (Deut. 8:4), produced water out of the Rock (Ex. 17:2-6), fed the people with angels food from heaven (Ex. 16:4-7) and brought meat on demand, literally filling their camp with quail (Num. 11:31-32; Ps. 105:40). Yet with all this, virtually the entire nation rejected God: For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? ... Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? Heb. 3:16-17 ...and in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation... was gone. Num. 32:13 Jesus did great miracles and crowds followed Him, but mostly out of selfishness. Of thousands who received His miracles, few worshiped Him. Of 10 lepers healed, only one even said thanks (Luke 17:17). Generally, Christ's miracles did not win over the crowds (Mat. 8:34; 11:20; 13:58; Mark 15:8-15; Luke 4:23-28; 8:37; 17:17; John 5:8-10; 10:25-39; 12:29-30). The Lord explained it this way: "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:31 Why not? With one's eyes one may see a dead body resurrected, but faith does not come by sight. Rather, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). So even Jesus' own city rejected its miracle-working Messiah (Mark 6:4-6).
As Christ said: "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. Matt 16:4
So many Christians today are eager to appease the world and shield themselves from scorn or ridicule over what they perceive as the "embarrassing" part of true faith. As stated, cessationists rightly call out frauds and scammers who make a mockery of the Holy Spirit, but it is simply unbiblical to then go so far as to proclaim miracles have ceased all together. It is precisely this worldly, hyper-rationalist position that impacts the mutual-effectiveness of God's miraculous intervention: Matthew 13:58 "And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWordwith all love and respect Pastor, cessationists don't "proclaim miracles ceased altogether". That would be an extreme viewpoint of which I cannot think of one notable person claiming. Simply put - Cessationist believe God can and will continue to do miracles... we just believe the miraculous gifts aren't bestowed on the individual to exercise on demand like an Apostle.
Tim, no I haven't seen the film - and I don't make any claim to have seen it. These videos were not made to respond to the film as such, but simply to present why I believe cessationist arguments are in error. This is a topic that gets a lot of attention apart from whatever current film or book that may come out. I am familiar with the often-used cessationist arguments and I address many (not all) of these in the series. Have you seen the film? Does it present any cessationist arguments that are brand new?
This is terrible exegesis. The promise Peter is referring to is in the preceeding verse...whoever repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus will have their sins forgiven and receive the indwelling Spirit. That is the promise to all generations.
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Dear Pastor Guzik, thank you for this video message. Up until I was 24 yrs old I was raised and attended churches that were in the cessationist camp. Then I attended a Bible Study with my sister-in-law who was raised in the Reformed theology. There were a few women there that were Pentecostal in their interpretation of the scriptures.
None of in the group were dogmatic or aggressive but let their lives speak to the truths that they knew and experienced in their daily lives.
One day, while I was pregnant with my first child, I was doing dishes at my sink, meditating on the scriptures pertaining to the gifts of the Holy Spirit I suddenly broke forth spontaneously with a language I did not know. I am an English speaker and this language was definitely not English. I neither forced or contemplated speaking in tongues as I was vehemently opposed to such expression of emotion as I had been taught in my earlier years.
That change in me through the Holy Spirit has remained in me for the past 51 years. It has been a source of comfort, strength and refuge throughout my life. I pray that those watching seek to know the Holy Spirit and not close themselves off to this wonderful promise of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Do you know what you said???
@@BouncySlim1 truthfully I can't say I understood but I do know the peace and the sense of confirmation from the Holy Spirit. I have never doubted the validity of tongues these 51 years ever since.
I use the gift in my own private prayer time I have never felt lead to speak it in public.
When spoken I noticed that it doesn't sound like the same words being repeated but definitely like sentence breaks.
The gift of tongues I don't believe is necessary for salvation or even evidence of such, as some teach. It has, however, provided me with great personal edification and comfort. Much needed while raising 6 children.
That’s beautiful. Maybe I’m in a certain head space at the moment, but for some reason, reading your testimony just made my eyes well up with tears. Seeking Him and His heart in the mundane activities of our day and He chooses to reveal Himself in such a beautiful, tender way.
Thanks - that's a beautiful testimony. Blessings to you
@@Kathleen253 "I use the gift in my own private prayer time I have never felt lead to speak it in public. "
yeah, that's a red flag
the gifts are given to edify the church, 1 Cor 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10
doesn't it make you wonder why the Spirit gives a gift that never edifies the church?
Hi Dave, I appreciate how you demonstrate humility and grace while explaining the difference in your view from theirs, something popular bible teachers need to also demonstrate without throwing them under the bus.
Thanks for this! Blessings
I consider myself a practical cessationist only bc I have never seen the gifts (similar to Paul Washer). This is despite there being no scripture to indicate that the gifts have ceased. However, I would never consider you an enemy but a brother in Christ. I also love your enduring word commentary.
@@nessessary6792 At least you don’t consider yourself a practical atheist because you’ve never seen Jesus Christ in person.
@westonmeckes hello sir, I can see where you might think that comment connects but Im not stating disbelief. Our faith is not blind, the amount of evidence for Christ is overwhelming. The amount of sign gifts being active today is not. I believe all of the sign gifts from the Scripture, I just haven't seen any today. Just like I believe Jesus walked the earth bodily but now He is on His throne so I wouldn't expect to see Him until His 2nd coming. I've only seen "Christians" make a mockery of the faith by giving false prophecies, fake healing, and false tongues. I do hope to see the gifts as Scripture teaches but I don't need to see them to believe in Jesus and trust in His righteousness for a sinner like me. I also believe miracles still happen today but from my own experience, majority of them are from prayer and the others are almost always showing God's complete sovereignty over all. I pray all is well with you my friend. Peace in Christ.
It is so refreshing to hear from a brother who is a true scholar of the Bible explain in simple terms the things of the Spirit.
Thanks for this!
Thank you Pastor David for your clear exposition of God's word. Satan is doing such a good job of deceiving many in the church today - some all word and no Spirit others all Spirit no word. Jesus wants us all in the middle using ALL of Fathers word.
God Bless you Pastor from Scotland.
Nigel, thanks for this - and may God pour out His Spirit on Scotland!
How can you say that? That’s a shame. Where there is the faithful preaching of the Word of God, the Holy Spirit is there for He is the Spirit of Truth. Where people are being converted and born again under the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Spirt of God is there. Only the Holy Spirit can convict of sin. Please rethink what you wrote.
@alstroemeria227again4 I think you are slightly stretching my point. What you say is right of course and maybe if you read it for what it is I'm saying you wouldn't jump to such a conclusion. In fact the sentiment came from a sermon preached by Spurgeon in London.
Please in future think twice about jumping to such conclusions- there's way too much of that in today's church.
@@nigeljohnston1802 You literally wrote “all word, no spirit”. If the Word is there, the Spirit is always there. Take responsibility for what you wrote. I’m not a mind reader. I just look at your words.
@alstroemeria227again4 I'm not going to get into some kind of spiritual tennis match with you, so ill finish with this . I'm a CEO of a Christian mission in the UK and have been teaching God's word for 30+ years. This doesn't make me a master of God's word, but I think the simplicity of what you are accusing me of is so elementary within theological understanding that it is quite sad someone feels it is worth making such a point. I suppose this is the risk of posting on social media - lesson learned.
#2 of the list of "what they get right" is why I LOVE my cessationist brothers and sisters and often find more common ground with them than with other continuationists, at least in the town where I serve / live.
I will be following this series with much interest. This video has already bought clarity and grace into my understanding of the issues raised so far. God Bless you. I also long to love the Word of God as much. May the LORD CONTINUE TO FILL YOU WITH WISDOM AND GRACE AS YOU TEACH. amen
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this video Pastor Guzik. I appreciate the spirit with which you describe brothers and sisters who have a different view. I’m also a frequent user of your online commentary.
You are very welcome - glad to hear the online commentary is of use to you.
Jesus has turned my pain into purpose. It’s been a tough three years. But I got so much closer to the Lord. As a single mother I’m struggling. Struggling to buy groceries struggling to pay rent every month is a battle. My health is also fading since having a heart attack Jesus heal me. But I trust your plan Lord. Lord please protect and provide for my boys. Both of my sons are autistic so they are challenging at times. Thanks to God my children have made so much progress now that I’m homeschooling them but my hours to work are limited. I will keep faith in you Lord Jesus no matter my struggles.❤
I have been a single mom and it is a very difficult thing. My child (who is now an adult) had lots of problems growing up and into her 20s. The only reason we made it was because God was with us every step of the way. I hope you have a church family who loves you and the boys.
”When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.“
Acts of the Apostles 2:6 NLT
I do agree that God can work through any believer who has received the Holy Spirit at the time they have been saved. This verse says they heard the apostle speaking in their own language.
This doesn’t seem to be the gibberish speak that we modernly hear as speaking in “tongues”.
It would be wonderful if God blessed us to speak in foreign languages. So we could go preach the gospel as they did in Acts 2 without studying to know that foreign countries language.
Love your teaching please keep these videos coming 😊
Praying for you child of God I’m in awe of your faith God bless you dear sister
Great points Pastor David Guzik.
So glad you’re doing this video series, Pastor David. This push by hardline Calvinists to deny the sign gifts is a terrible blight on the church. 😢
Happy to do it!
Waiting for part 2 😂🎉
Please read the passage for yourself that he pointed to in this video.
I feel that he mixed up the gift (singular) of the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) with the GIFTS (plural) of the holy Spirit.
Peter was referring to the Holy Spirit of Promise which is given to all believers throughout the generations.
Hi David. I have read all your commentary and really enjoy it. I am a Cessationist and my thoughts on Acts 2 are that YES we are promised the Holy Spirit- but that doesn’t prove that the miraculous gifts are still present for today. But all believers are promised the Holy Spirit at conversion- praise the Lord. God bless!
As a cessationist, and having just finished this first episode, I'm keen to watch the next nine. I don't really have anything to say other than I appreciate your comments and whilst I'm not necessarily convinced by this first episode for the case of continuationism, I do want to say thank you for all the work you have done for the body of Christ.
Bu the gift of the Holy Spirit is not the same as the gifts of the the Holy Spirit. Yes, today and forever, all who receive Christ will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirt as a seal but this is difference from the gifts of Healing, and sings and wonders...two different things. Acts 2;38-39 is not talking about the gifts of the spirit but instead the Gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
Exactly
I’m so glad I found this series! This is the only one I’ve watched and I’ll be watching the rest. I have been in denominations of both sides. I was raised in a denomination that taught the gifts were only for those days and I converted if you will, as an adult to a denomination that focuses on the gifts and teach that you have the gift of tongues in order to be saved.
I began to question that later in life and I’ll say, it really messed me up for a while trying to figure it all out.
But now I’ve been at peace with my belief now for years, which is exactly what you’re describing here. The gifts never ceased to exist. Paul actually explains it well when you don’t have someone else twisting scripture to interpret it for you. There is a difference in the gift of receiving the Holy Spirit and the gifts of/from The Holy Spirit.
What a wonderful comment, thank you for sharing your testimony, and I'm sure you'll appreciate the rest of the series! Blessings in Jesus' name!
I REALLY appreciate how gracious you are to those with different opinions to yourself and how you focus on searching and expounding on the Scriptures rather than trying to expose others as "heretics" which is what so many other RUclipsrs do. I use your commentary all the time so thank you for making it free. Greetings from New Zealand
This is a worthy bible study in itself. I’m taking notes! Thank You! ✝️❤️🔥
Glad to hear it! Blessings to you
I would love for someone to come forward and demonstrate they have the gift of healing, miracle or prophecy. Not pray for someone to be healed or for a miracle to occur but actually perform one. Also, where are the prophets with real prophecies where they give actual names, timing and details of what will come to be and are never wrong. I haven’t seen it at all.
That is the point of cessationist. you are correct. Not one person in history has been named nor made know to have any of the gift of healing, prophecy nor miracles with exception to false prophets and televangelist.....to believe in these gifts today, is to open your doors to false teachers/ preachers as already seen. Mega churches filled with people believing these wolves and liars....performing fake healing and false prophecies that are ambiguous and unclear....All they do is add to scripture what is not there.
Hang around for video #8 in the series! I deal with what I believe is a significant misunderstanding, one that is shared by some cessationists and some Pentecostals - that God gifts people with the power to do miracles "on demand" or "at will." I don't think that was true in apostolic times and not true today. I'll deal with that a lot in video 8.
Thank you Pastor Guzik for your response. I have tremendous respect for your ministry and I love your bible commentary. I look forward to listening to more of what you will teach on this subject. I don’t think it was on demand but it was instantaneous and no one could doubt what they witnessed. That is not what I see today. God Bless you! @@DavidGuzikEnduringWord
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord funny you mentioned that because that is exactly what I was thinking… it’s either we are misunderstanding the gifts to be continually or based on specific situations… however please address how you used act 2 in reference to the gift of the Holy Spirit but implied the spiritual gift, which are two different things being addressed.
@@trevino37 Pentecost marked the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church. Those Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit, and according to the plan of God, that group all received the gift of tongues. That group all went on the glorify Jesus via the exercise of the gift of tongues.
The giving of the Spirit and the giving of the gifts (tongues) were both separate and simultaneous. The giving of the Spirit at that moment could have included any number of different gifts being given to the Believers, but God choose at the monument to give them all tongues, which was perfect for the occasion, and prompted the attention of the roads, which led to Peter's sermon, and the conversion of thousands.
I hope that this helps. Blessings!
that is a serious stretch to read the miraculous gifts into 2:39. The plain reading is the promise of salvation and the Holy Spirit
Precisely!!!
Ty Pastor David for your in depth teachings on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As someone who grew up as the daughter of a Pentecostal preacher, it has been a struggle to come to terms with who God really is. Good, kind, forgiving and greatest of all loving. Your verse by verse teaching brings me great joy as it seems to make Gods words seem so much more real and true. God bless you and your ministry♥️
He confused the gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit of Promise with the gifts (plural) of the holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 speaks of the promised Holy Spirit, and yes, this promise is for all generations.
It doesn't matter to me where one falls on this issue, as it's not a salvation issue. That being said, please make sure he's true to the text during this series.
Watch and listen with discernment.
Peace be with you! 💞🙏🏾
@@BouncySlim1 gift(S) would include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. I imagine you believe those are for today. What are texts that disclude miraculous (the virtues are also miraculous, but you understand what I mean) gifts for today? Thx
@@Matt-Pursley
1. I never in my statement above concluded nor alluded to being a continuationist nor cessationist.
2. What you listed are the FRUIT of the Spirit, not the gifts of the Spirit
3. Please examine my critique of the mishandling of the passage albeit one's stance on the topic discussed in the video. My point was I felt he wasn't true to the text. If I'm incorrect, correct me in that, not introducing the Fruit of the spirit as a kinda rebuke.
This is from Guzik's commentary regarding this passage: " As they repented and demonstrated faith and obedience by baptism, the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to them as it was given to the original group of disciples. Peter also specifically promised that the promise of the Holy Spirit would be given to those who believe in all succeeding generations (all who are afar off).".
Here he ties in salvation with the gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit which is consistent with Ephesians 1: 13 and Paul's teachings elsewhere in the NT. Believe and Receive the Holy Spirit of Promise.
"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances".
@@BouncySlim1I think you may be reading too much into my comment. I am not accusing you of taking a side or trying to rebuke you or trying to change the subject. I apologize if my comment came through in any of those ways.
What I was attempting to demonstrate is that we shouldn't make too much of a distinction between the gift and the gifts or the fruit for that matter. They are all miraculous and all gracious and all present in the life of the believer today. I don't see any text that limits the spirit from his work or separates his work into systematized categories. I hold an all for one and one for all view of the Spirit to his works.
Peace and grace
@@Matt-Pursley Apologies not needed. We are in RUclips land. Comments can be written with one tone and read with another. No way to represent that via text. Lol 🙂
The whole reason Guzik is doing this series is to demonstrate that miraculous gifts are still relevant today, contrary to what cessationist believe. John MacArthur and crew came out (or is coming out) with a movie about cessationism and this series is to debunk the premise of the movie. The proverbial line has been drawn, so to speak, between cessationist and continuationist.
I believe a distinction between Gift of the Promised Holy Spirit and giftS of the Spirit has to be made. The GIFT is promised to ALL believers. GiftS of the Spirit are given by the Spirit according to His will and purpose. Some are given wisdom, some knowledge , some faith, some healing , some tongues, interpretation, etc. Not all believers will have the same gifts, but all believers have THE GIFT of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Fruit (singular) of the Spirit is evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
All - received the Holy Spirit
Some - receive various gifts of the Spirit
All - should show evidence of the indwelling Spirit by the Fruit.
Where do I fall: Biblical Continuationist: the gifts that look like what we see in the Bible.
Grace and Peace be unto you 😇🙏🏾💞
Find me anyone who has the gift of healing and a true gift of Prophecy then I will reconsider on being a Cessationist. The burden of Proof is on those who claim the gift for today while having no one individual they can name to be genuing in their gift, as in the days of the Apostles. The burden of proof is not on Cessaionist but on those who claim its for today and naming someone that has that gift continually..
@trevino37 that is not how burden of proof works when it comes to biblical discussion. Ps Dave has given you scripture to show you that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for all generations. You are basically discarding that scripture and asking to be shown an example. God has physically healed many people supernaturally through me but that would not be the basis for me declaring that people should believe in the gifts of the Spirit. The basis should be the word of God. It would be the basis for me to point "unbelievers" to Jesus and to study the bible.
Ps Dave asked you to give a reason why people should not believe that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. He has given you biblical evidence. The burden of proof is on you to prove why we should not believe what Acts 2 says about the promise and evidence (gifts) of the Holy Spirit being for all generations following Pentecost.
@@gt_n1722 hello, The chapter and verse given by Ps Dave to support his idea has nothing to do with spiritual gifts as stated in 1Corinthians 12. The gift of the Holy Spirit cited in Acts in undisputed because that is the Gift given to all as believers. The gift from G-d is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a seal of Salvation. This gift has nothing to do with obtaining the gift of healing, prophecy, miracle and the remaining 6. Once you have the Gift of The Holy Spirit, then follows the spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit on whom the spirit chooses, known as spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, Ps Dave used a verse in scripture that has no relation to the topic because even Cessationist believe that we all receive the gift of the Holy Spirit upon conversion as stated in Act 2.
The first century Apostles and prominent figures had the power of Holy Spirit manifested thru them for all eyes to see and confirm. Unlike today, and after the first century, not one person has manifested that power of the Holy Spirit to confirm it. - not today nor yesterday.
People confuse healing from G-d and healing from someone having the gift of healing…G-d can heal today we believe but someone having that healing gift continually for all to see is none existing.
I understand your reservation I am the same way. But scripture is very clear on this issue I have not heard one good argument from a cessationist biblically speaking why the gifts have ceased. So yes the burden of proof is on cessationists on why something so clear in the Bible is not for today. We are sola scriptura people after all.
@@gt_n1722 you have the burden of proof concept backwards… ok, I’ll believe if you show me! The burden of proof on is you, not Cessationist As for G-d healing today, all believe that to be true, to include Cessationist. I can pray for you and you get heal… that is no surprise for Cessationist.
@@andrewsantillan6020 you have the burden of proof concept backwards also…ok, I’ll believe if you show me! The burden of proof on is you, not Cessationist. of proof on is you, not Cessationist As for G-d healing today, all believe that to be true, to include Cessationist. I can pray for you and you get heal… that is no surprise for Cessationist.
Amen brother it saddens me when people make fun of our beliefs and have times even called us demon possessed or that’s at least my experience I pray that the church begins to understand that the gifts are still moving in the church
This is going to be a great series. I am looking forward it. I get questions from time to time about this and it will be helpful David's to have understanding and experience in this area as a resource. I have followed David for years and found his teaching to be accurate and easy to understand.
Thank you David and Enduring Word Ministries for all you do
Thanks very much! Blessings to you
Context is everything!
I’m grateful for your ministry! I agree with you on this subject!❤️
Personally, I do believe that miracles still occur today but they tend to be rare because people either do not ask for them (Matt 7:7) or the ones who do ask "ask amiss" (James 4:3). If you put your complete faith and trust in the Lord, giving Him your whole heart, you will be able to align your will to His will, and you will not be disappointed (Prov 3:5). With so many "solutions" offered by the world today, it is very easy to set up strongholds around ourselves, thinking we don't need the Lord (even if it is just for a small thing), but that takes away from our faith. But if we do ask "in faith" but our hearts are elsewhere, God also knows (Heb 4:12) and would withhold such things from us lest we trod down the wrong path. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:12)!
I'm a Pentecostal Cessationist. The gift of the Holy Spirit is not questioned by Cessationist for we all believe in receiving the the gift of that Holy Spirit the seals our salvation. As a Cessationist, we still believe in healing , and the miraculous power of G-d manifesting on Christian lives today as well and no Cessationist would deny that. What we do not believe is that the no one person today, carries the gift of Healing or prophecy or any other gift that was clearly seen on the Apostles. Why? because as a Pentecostal, I have heard the claim of healing and prophecies but all were fake. Till this very day, I have never seen any one person who claims to have the gift of healing, do nothing cloe to what the apostles did during the first century. I have not hear any one true prophet who prophecies and always gets it correct. They make excuses for their failed prophecies or provide such vague prophecy, you need a special dictionary to understand what was said.
Instead of trying to test who has the true gifts and who has a fake gift, I, as a Pentecostal, find it much safer to be a cessationist over believing in the gifts and falling into a false circle. The day I see a person with a continous gift og healing over those whom he prays, then I will stop being a cessationist. The day I hear a ture prophect that is accurate continually on all his prophecies, along with all the other gifts many people claim that is actually false, then I will stop being a cessationist....unfortunately, too many Pentecostals are followers of emotionalsim and the false emotionalism being confussed as the power of G-d.
So which gifts do you are continuing ❓
Are there plenty of fakes yes, but everyone isn't faking.
Thank you for also noticing how he used "the gift of the holy Spirit of promise" with the giftS of the holy Spirit to make his argument.
@@naklovesjesus3204 Who's not faking it. Give proof. That's his stance. If you can prove a genuine prophet or healer, then he will change his mind
@@BouncySlim1 Yes, the speaker interchanged receiving the Holy Spirit, that is a seal to our salvation, as a free gift from G-d and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as the ability to heal...two totally distinct topics and ideas. The first is the gift of the Holy Spirit from G-d and the second is A GIFT from the Holy Spirit that comes from the Holy Spirit itself to perform certain task. I think I will past this comment above as well....lol seems like people don't see the distinction.
@@BouncySlim1
How will I prove that to you from a RUclips thread come on now. 😒
I know ppl have prayed for me and I've been healed. But I'm really saying you can't say the gifts are not around, until you've examined all the examples
Thank you Pastor David. I agree and will be sharing.
I already shared this with 5 people!!
Please do!
Thank you!
Thank you brother!!
I've been running across people who we used to call, back in the day, "red letter Christians." They have a problem with various things Paul stated in scripture and basically think that if Jesus didn't say it it doesn't count. You could probably do an entire video on this issue. 😁
Such a great suggestion. I certainly would be interested in hearing Pastor Guzik's comments on that topic.
Thanks - I will certainly consider it!
Thankyou Pastor Dave! God bless you ☝️🙌🙏
Blessings to you, John! Nice to hear from you
David, Guzik thanks be to GOD.
You've rightly divided the text. It's well explained. Thanks so much brother for this explanation. God bless
❤Thank you! I believe as well everything you've shared. God's blessings on HIS church and to those shepherding in this generation, I pray for eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church bride.
Love that you are making this series. Could you at some point expand on how believing that God can choose to give supernatural revelation through the gifts isn't at odds with trusting the sufficiency of scripture?
That will be #7 in the series, I believe! Thanks
I’m so glad for this series!
Thanks David. Spot on. Shared it with our church.
Even though I have never seen anyone speak in tongues like in Acts 2:11b "we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God," I'm not a cessationist.
seem like being a cessationist is the safer route since falling for a false teacher with signs and wonders is much more difficult for a cessationist to fall into. However, if G-d wants to reach a cessationist thru a prophecy that is true, it will occur regardless of the stand- cessationist or not. Untill that day occurs, I rather be a cessationist with all these false teacher and prophets filling the churches today. If G-d speaks, what theology would stop anyone from hearing G-d directly? none. I know so many Christians that believe in these prophets today that are already exposed as false prophets....so what's the point? SCRIPTURE DOES NOT CALL US TO BELIEVE IN SPIRITUAL GIFTS ANYWAY,,,
@@trevino37 We can test spirits, and we don't need to be cessationists. I've witnessed numerous fake demonic possessions, but I've also encountered one-only one-that seemed genuine. Jesus said that with faith, we can move mountains, even though he himself never did it as a human. My stance is neutral; I don't feel the need to take a specific position. I don't speak in tongues, nor have I ever witnessed it. I find it impractical to speak languages others can't understand or to heal when there's no illness. I believe God's actions have purpose; for example, parting the Red Sea wasn't just a display of power but served a specific function. You don't need to be a cessationist to avoid false prophets. You need the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. That's all.
Agree with slim. The “Gift” of the Holy Spirit is for all generations. To say this is the speaking of languages is simply not true.
Its not totally clear imo that it ended other than the signs of the apostles ending with the apostles, but I simply do not see it, only unintelligible rubbish, certainly not Holy and frankly quite embarrassing and off putting to those seeking.
I know many unsaved Christian’s who have false assurance because of this deception.
It’s sad that people interpret scripture through their experiences, experiences that are also common in false religions and occult circles.
It’s interesting that there are no “freaks” on the side of so called cessationists.
The fact the whole denomination is named after one particular aspect of Gods Word (Pentecost) shows the obsession with only that.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!
Yep, the gift of the Holy Spirit is the promise, not the exact events of that day. The tongues being part of the gift, not a chance from the text or from the continued teachings of the apostles (remainder of the NT).
Thanks David for doing this. I've a considerable respect for John MacArthur, but he's mistepped on this issue.
good opening to series
Thanks so much - I sure love your input on this channel!
Thank you for this!
Many thanks.
You are welcome! God be with you!
Thank you for addressing this topic. I am a Southern Baptist, and not all Southern Baptists are cessationists. I am looking forward to you next nine episodes. I also love your commentary and use it a lot when I am preparing for my small group ladies Bible study. And in January we are going to begin to go through 1 & 2 Corinthians verse by verse, so you speaking on this topic is very helpful. Now, when are you going to speak about women's head coverings?
you may want to reconsider, since the Gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts is not the same as the spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians, which he confused. The gift of the Holy Spirit is for all ,as a seal unto salvation given by G-d the father. The spiritual Gifts are the Gift imparted to believers as the spirit decides, given by the Holy Spirit. These are two totally different Gifts, although they use the same words. Gift of the Holy Spirit is a promise since Pentecost for all. The spiritual Gift is not for all...However, to end the topic of cessationist, all one needs to do is to show any one individual that posseses the gift of healing, prophecy or miracles continuously on an individual as in the days of the Apostles. since no one can be identified to have any one of these gifts, then using scripture to disprove it is pointless because these gifts are external for all to see, unlike salvation, which you can't physically see or prove other then thru faith. Spiritual Gifts are not based on faith to see.
Yes, I know that not all Southern Baptists are cessationists - I'm happy to hear it! Thanks and blessings
@@trevino37it sounded to me as if he clarified that at 15:00 minutes in. What I get from what he’s saying is the gift of receiving the Holy Spirit and the gift from the Holy Spirit are different but are both part of the promise for all generations. That doesn’t mean that all who are believers and receive the Holy Spirit will be given the gifts. He goes on to say that Paul clarifies this in Corinthians. He’s just saying that as part of that promise, there’s no expiration date on either.
@@janeecejjf2001 unfortunately, I will not go with what he meant but what was said… he is a good teacher but the way he expressed it is wrong. I understand what you said and thank you but I did not heard what you heard. We all receive the Holy Spirit on conversion as a seal to. Eternal life with no time limit. As to the gifts, that is a separate fruit as the Holy Spirit will. As for the gifts as manifested by NT bible characters, I simply choose not to believe anyone have those gifts today. But wether we believe it for today or not, does not change anything in us as Christians. With all the false prophets and healers, many are deceived because they believe…. While not believing seems to be the better option from falling into deception. If something was actually real and from G-d, I have no doubt that will be confirmed with scripture and my conviction from the spirit. So il”d rather be a Cessationist or a. Reliever and high a higher probability of falling into deception. Hope you understand what I mean. I do r totally disbelieve in prophecy but most most who claim to have it, I let his words prove itself if it aligns with scripture. Unfortunately most do not. Thank you for sharing with me.
Ps - to be frank, I think this teacher and I have the same belief, which he called being a partial cessationist, If that term exist. I do t believe it’s for today but it’s possible that there may be a true prophecy some where. Why? Because my friend stood at the trade station of the World Trade Center while I worked there. For a few months he preached repentance, claiming the world trade will physically fall. That was in 1992. I have not seen him since but it did occur in 9/11…. But he never claimed to be a prophet nor gained any church attendance. In fact he did it without our church support. Wish I could see him one day again . But the prophecy was not dependent on my beliefs nor required anything from me. G-d moved me from there in 1993, after the first bomb occurred. Interesting times
@@trevino37 I agree that whether you agree that the gifts are still at this time or in the past, it doesn’t interfere with your salvation.
I do see that you’re not completely closed to the idea due to your friend. God used ordinary people in biblical times as well. Just look at Amos. He said he was neither a prophet or the son of a prophet but a herdman and gatherer of sycamore fruit.
It is true unfortunately that there are far too many fakes out there deceiving people. We are most definitely to use discernment and judge them by their fruits.
I won’t try to convince you to believe as I do because as we both agree, it doesn’t interfere with salvation.
Irrespective of where one lands on this issue, i believe your chopping and interpretation of the Acts 2 passage is misleading.
Sir, respectfully, the gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit referenced in Acts 2:38 is not the "gifts (plural) of the Spirit", but the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13--- "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit"
Acts 2: 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.
The promise= the Holy Spirit.
There is no mention in the text that the 3,000 that were saved even spoke in tongues. To extend tongues to this text (2:38-39) is, as i stated earlier, misleading.
Thanks for this - my reply would be, don't miss what Peter said in verse 33: "that which you see and hear..." The outpouring of the Spirit in Acts 2 was associated with the gifts of the Spirit that they could see and hear, and this is also confirmed by the reference to the Joel prophecy. Yes, the gift of the Holy Spirit speaks of the giving of the Spirit, but in the definite context of the gifts that people could "see and hear" and reference in the Joel prophecy. More to come as the series continues....
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord if we are to use your line of thinking, that the gift of the Holy Spirit is tied to tongues (as they saw the Spirit as a rushing wind, and heard the languages being spoken), then how come every believer isn't given the gift of tongues?
Every believer is given the Holy Spirit of promise (Acts 2:38, Ephesians 1:13), but not every believer is given the gift of tongues according to 1 Corinthians 12.....
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
Thanks for your reply.
@@BouncySlim1 You are correct that every believer is given different gifts., Not all speak in tongues, not all have the gift of evangelism, etc. Gifts are simply different manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and all the gifts are exercised to glorify Jesus.
Thank you so much for this! I had never before considered Acts 2:39. I know without a doubt that the gifts continue. Others I know, not so much. As a previous cessationist, the question that comes to mind is where is the verse that says that spiritual gifts are part of this promise?
Dear brother David. I do appreciate your loving approach to subject matter. I have discussed this with those of cessationist teaching churches but I can never get a biblically demonstrated answer. When I read the scriptures I can't find where it says the gifts ended. 1 Corinthians 13:10 is never adequately explained. The usual answer seems to be coming from that that's just what they believe and have been taught. Which doesn't seem to be an explanation. I plan to listen to the rest.
May the Lord bless you!
Cessationism is one of the most dangerous heresies, because it prevents people from experiencing God's healing that they need so much.
Brother, I thoroughly enjoy your video's and study tools, I use them often and I refer many people to them... I even have you linked on my RUclips channel! I am a cessationist... Baptist, basically Dispensational... a Pastor for over 35 years. I would love to sit down and discuss this subject with you as brother to brother,... I think there is a key point you are missing in this passage or at least another very viable explanation of this passage.
Thanks for this maybe sometime we would have the opportunity. Thanks for your many years of serving Jesus, His people, and a needy world.
If I'm hearing you correctly part one of your argument is a complete straw man because no cessationist argues that "the"gift (singular) of the Holy Spirit is no longer given to believers. And your description of the day of Pentecost being a "one off" rather than a unique event appears to indicate a context problem because you don't give any reason why it is a one off? Isn't it at least partly true that when we read these events in context we are reading about events that were unique to the Jews who lived during what some scholars call the intervening period?, i.e., the last days of the Mosaic system (age)
Paul makes reference to tongues being a witness to unbelievers, which is likely a reference to Isaiah 28:11 and how God would deal with leaders of israel who could not understand the plain purpose of God? One of the problems with John MacArthur's approach to cessationism is he and his associates tend to argue in circles where they cannot properly explain why many of these kinds of events were unique to the intervening period. They seem correct where they argue that the sign gifts were meant to authenticate the authority of the Apostles, whose writings were canonized etc., but then fail to indicate some of the other reasons why the sign gifts were temporary. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe they argue against miracles except only the so called sign gifts as being normative? They don't ever seem to indicate that all of the gifts have ceased and I don't believe they deny that God continues to heal people do they? I'll be looking to see how you argue the other points against cessationism but my guess is you will argue only against the way MacArthur and his associates make their case which they don't argue entirely correctly in the first place. As you do I will try to point out where they fail and where your arguments may also fail as a result. I love most of what you teach so even if we may disagree on this issue I'll always be eager to watch your teaching videos.
Ahhhhh!!! Another discerning ear. Gift (singular) vs. gifts (plural).
Looking forward to seeing your comments throughout this series 🙂
Thanks for your reply - I welcome your thoughts on the rest of the series. I deal with several of the issues you bring up in this response. And just to be clear - *apsects* of Pentecost in Acts 2 were a "one-off," such as the tongues of fire over each head and the sound of the rushing mighty wind. But the giving of the Spirit and the gifts associated with the Spirit was not a one-off. Thanks and blessings
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord Sorry I didn't mean to suggest that you viewed the entire episode as a one off only the "tongues of fire over each head and the sound of the rushing mighty wind" as you pointed out.
The promise was of the Holy Spirit. As you correctly stated, not all of what was recorded was part of the promise…for example, speaking in other languages, as I agree with you that gift is not for everyone.
the problem where most get stuck here - is Lord, my WILL be done,
instead of the reverse, Lord if it is your will, then as it should be THY WILL be done.
We so often even w good intentions, ask amiss.
So it's rather simple, either we believe Jesus then, now, and in the future,
or we don't.
Jesus asked Martha - do you believe?
Martha, I AM ... there is nothing too great for I AM.
Another problem is like Steven who wanted to buy the HS as if it was a magic gift.
Yet other problems besides GREED is RECOGNITION,
titles, fame, celebrity status,
people w pride want to be recognized.
The Right Reverend (never really seen anyone of those - have you?)
Apostle, Bishop, etc. the highest label possible,
Pharisee or Saducee ought to fit.
Yet - ALL GLORY belongs to God.
once you have a real holyghost experience and experince Gods power in your life you know its real
ive heard it said a man with a real experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument
and cessationists twist and misunderstand the scriptures
Hebrews 13:8, 1 Cor 12, Mark 16
Speaking in a known language was what happened then. What troubles me is when a counterfeit is accepted and it messes up your walk. Test the spirits 1Jn 4:1-4. You might be surprised at what a spirit will confess when commanded in Christ’s Jesus name. Don’t accept just any supernatural manifestation, it’s a battle, not a game. Thank you🙏🏻
Thanks, Sue!
Sadly a needed message, Satan what he could not do through persecution and outright intimidation he has accomplished through by watering down beliefs from within by CHRISTIAN leaders.
It amazes me that The Lord demonstrates his authority and power over the kingdom of darkness with Supernatural power that is clearly chronicled in the word yet many deny and assert The Holy Spirit is on vacation and it’s the same things the Pharisees did in John 8 saying demons were cast out by Satan and it was Blasphemy of The Holy Spirit and rejection of The Messiah.
As you stated David this doctrine (False) only gets legs because of false fire demonstrated so called miracles, by fake Apostles and others (All demonic deception) and the goal is attained that people do not believe that God can and will demonstrate his power when we ask in Jesus’s Name with faith extended.
The Holy Spirit does these works as HE wills to help us overcome and be powerful ambassadors of God’s Name and bring people to The Lord and take authority over Satanic strongholds.
Nothing wrong with being a Biblical Continuationist. Grace and Peace ✌🏾🕊️
Amen!
Speaking in tongues is a language unknown to the speaker but can be understood by someone else?
Paul states not only are “Tongues” known languages but also languages of Angels and that we speak to God and know not what we are saying nor anyone else who hears.
That's what I have always been taught. I don't travel much and pretty much live in an English speaking area. I definitely know my tongue is not speaking Spanish, so its some other language altogether.
I guess I will find out once I enter the Kingdom 😊
The only example we have in the Bible of people speaking in tongues is Acts 2. The only one! So, it’s what we need to use to interpret the unclear verses. Tongues were languages and were a sign to Israel that God through Jesus was grafting in the gentiles.
I'll deal with that a lot in video #6 in the series! Thanks
Thank you pastor...
I have been dreaming of speaking in tongues in my dream, but I never experienced it in real life.
Pls, I need answers to this....
Spiritual Gifts and the gift of the Holy Spirit are two different things. We all receive the Holy Spirit upon true conversion as a seal unto salvation and as promised from G-d and seen in Acts. However, the gifts (Plural) of the Holy Spirit better known as spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 is not for all and decided by the Holy Spirit on who gets what gift. Since there has never been any one individual, after the first Apostolic century, to have the gift of healing, prophecy nor miracles that needs to be continous to be considered a true Gift, cessationist claim is correct until someone can prove those gifts exist today by naming someone who has it. Since no one individual has ever been named in over 2000 yrs and these gifts are not seen today as in the first century with the apostles, it is safe to say they no longer exist. This is an easy reasoning process. They were needed in the first century to establish the church and scripture, That has been completed and no longer required to establish what was already done.
Dear brother, not all Christians are given the gift of tongues, but all Christians are given gifts to edify the Body of Christ. pray to understand what gifts God has given you, and then use them with all your might!
Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪. Thanks for posting.
Pastor,…at 9:35 in this video, you say “there’s no evidence the crowd….could hear the mighty rushing wind”.
Just a point of clarification ,…Acts chapter 2, verses 2 and 6 say..
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting….”
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together,…”
It appears the crowd did hear the sound,…and that it caused them to gather outside the place where the disciples were experiencing this presentation of the Holy Spirit.
Don, you're right - I misspoke there. I meant to only say that there was no evidence that the crowd could see the tongues of fire. As you pointed out, the crowd certainly heard something - some commentators say it was the rushing mighty wind, others the sound of them praising God in unknown tongues. God bless you for your sharp ears on that one.
yeah, the sound was evidence to the crowd
and the tongues as of fire were the evidence to the apostles
fun fact: only the 12 apostles spoke in tongues 😉
Proving the wrong theology of Cessationism is easy. All you need to show is one person that has that gift continually, each time they pray over another. Show one person that has 100% accuracy on all their prophecies that is clear to understand and not no vague prophecy that is unclear as most do today. Show only one person that has the gift of miracles continually as in the days of the apostles of the first century.
Dont give us ten reasons why cessationist are wront thru scripture. Just show us one person of each gift and the cessationist era will be over with once and for all....But since none can, how then can you prove that is still exist today and that we are wrong? show me proof is all we ask for,
Thanks for this - and please hang around for reason #8! In the eighth of my ten reasons why I believe cessationism is wrong I speak to the idea that the apostles or other believers in the first century could perform the miraculous "at will." I think that is a misunderstanding of what the Bible says, and a mistake that I believe both some cessationists and some Pentecostals make - believing or acting as if the Spirit gives the ability to anyone to do miracles "on demand."
"All you need to show is one person that has that gift continually..."
"Don't give us 10 reasons why cessationists are wrong through scripture..."
I thought cessationists are all about 'sola scriptura' and not 'experience'?
So did you actually watch the movie?
the church I go to, they ❤MacArthur, pastoral staff has many graduates of the Master's College - Redeemer Bible Church, formerly Desert View Baptist prior to 2015; I grew up Catholic, but was not saved until 1975 (4 Square Church); Jack Hayford down the road from JM was my pastor for many years, and dean at LIFE Bible College, then LA (not San Dimas) - the same school Chuck Smith graduated from 8 yrs before Hayford, and Hyde - my 1st pastor, college roommate of Pastor Jack. Phil Hyde was then in Albuquerque, prior to Burbank. RBC is definitely cessationist, I am not.
It really is very simple - one Scripture verse -
It is on the wall of every 4 Square church to be seen upon entry,
Heb. 13:8
Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, today, and forever
He said He would give us the HS to live within us,
so we would never be left or forsaken without the Good Shepherd
who cares and watches over his sheep/flock.
So if it ended, do we call God a liar,
and the work the HS does within us and around us,
a liar or a lie?
The dean who succeeded Hayford was Ak Eastland, who married Milton Ellithorpe's daughter - Alona - He was 6'7 in ministry in Colorado now 50+ yrs, good call.
I remember Milton when I was a young man in Albuquerque nut 16 maybe 17 years old, and he shared his "Death Unto Life" story. No way he should have survived being hit by a trolley car circa 1940, thrown 150 ft. in the air, crushed lungs, and broken bones, doctors gave him but maybe the night to live through. When he made 2 days, he said to bring me by ambulance to Angelus Temple. The doctors said if you can walk into my office well in 6 months (telling him he'd never live or walk again) - me and my whole staff will come to convert at Angelus Temple.
That night he was encouraged by the Psalmist - I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord; and you know what, that is exactly what he did - until his natural death. That day, I knew God's still working and healing in a miraculous way today.
Sure there are a lot of fakers and charlatans, but from what I have seen and studied - there is a lot of undeniable proof - He still works today. Good topic
Amen and thank you for the history lesson. God is still and forever will be the same yesterday, today and forever. Pray for the 4Square today 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Of course God is still at work today. He is convicting people of sin and bringing them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. That is the biggest miracle of all. The fact that God heals and does miracles is not being contested here. The discussion is regarding the ability of Christians to heal and perform miracles. We can certainly pray and ask God to heal us or perform a miracle (I’ve witnessed it a few times myself) but are the sign gifts still in operation today? There is a big difference here.
yes the greatest daily miracle is salvation, but we like the Pharisees or Sadducees of the day cannot deny an inexplicable miracle when it happens. Sure doesn't happen at will, or all the time, but it didn't then either. The HS is either at work or He isn't. It is something that is "dangerous" to deny. @@alstroemeria227again4
There is no mention of the giving of the miraculous gifts in Acts 2:38-39. The promise is that you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Cessassionists still believe that believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
It's true that cessationists believe that Christian receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. My point is that when Peter said what he did on Pentecost in Acts 2, it was in the context of the display of apparently miraculous gifts. In addition, the passages from Joel that Peter quoted as being fulfilled also mentioned the display of apparently miraculous gifts. I think it is the duty of cessationists to demonstrate that the promise that "is to you and your children" has none of the apparently miraculous gifts connected with it, since the promise was made in that context. I understand that we may not agree on this, but I hope at least you understand my thinking better. Blessings to you
Thanks for the reply to my comment. As you mentioned, I’ll have to disagree with you on the promise including the gifts. Thank you for helping to clarify why you reached that conclusion though. It means a lot that you’re willing to engage with a different perspective. God bless.
Cessationists claim to be all about 'sola scriptura', 'biblical authority' etc. except when it comes to this issue, suddenly they want personal experience ie extrabiblical proof. Clear double standards.
If the gifts of The Spirit had passed away I think John would have said it was going to happen in Revelation.
How does a continuationalist defend 1st Corinthians 13 v8?
John M has changed salvation. Salvation is only for the elect or predestined. I don't personally trust one word out of RC mouth. Anyone who pushes Calvinisim can not be trusted. They love Calvinisim more than Jesus.
They can't explain why.
God bless you, David.
Who is a post-Apostolic person working the signs as Paul did?
Pastor Lance replies - There are a multitude of people TODAY who have the gifts and manifestations (1 Cor 12) of the Spirit. But of course, cessationists dismiss them AS gifts because they begin by assuming the gifts are no longer in operation. It's difficult to prove something to someone who already has a ready answer that it can't be. Unbelievers do this all the time with the evidence for the existence of God.
Hello again, you appear to have 2 errors in your presentation:
First is the distinction of the Gift from G-d the father giving all believer the Holy Spirit as a seal to our salvation. This is the gift of the Holy Spirit from G-d to us, in making us a part of his Kingdom. Then there is the Gifts of the Holy Spirit given by the Holy Spirit which is called GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT or spiritual gifts, as read in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. The spiritual gifts of the spirit are 9 as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. The spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit which can not be confused and is not the same as the Gift OF the Holy Spirit which comes from G-d the father as a seal to our salvation and as mentioned in Acts 1:15, 2:38 and so forth. Both are gifts but totally distinct from one another. The first comes from G-d the father as a seal to salvation and the second from the Holy Spirit as he decided to give it, which are the 9 spiritual gifts.
Second error is that the burden of proof does not fall on the Cessationist but on any charismatic member that feels the spiritual gift of healing and miracles are still in effect for today. Now I do believe that the spiritual gift of wisdom, knowledge, faith, and discernment of the spirit can be here today because these are less exhibited as a show-piece in churches today while the spiritual gift of healing and prophecy are the main events of entertainment in churches that most have been proven to be totally false events. However, there has never been any one person known to have the gift of healing and prophecy or miracles continually as in the first century. Is it possible? maybe, but no one has seen it, and answering the question with a "NO"; And maybe this is a good thing because those having this gift are prone to be made as gods in our church age. or maybe it is well hidden by G-d to prevent such corruption of that gift.....But these are just a guess. I rather be a cessationist and not fall for false teachers/preachers in the church today....so being a Cessationist is not a bad thing but a wall of protection. If G-d wants to reach anyone thru one of these Gift, Cessationist are still reachable as Paul was in his days, unlike charismatics who follow after many false signs and wonders today.
Excellent mate
John MacArthur has caused so much damage to the body….there is not 1 verse in the bible that supports the false gospel of cessationism
A miracle is an event that supersedes natural or spiritual law. Turning water into wine supersedes natural law and so is miraculous. Praying does not supersede any spiritual law so it is not miraculous to say a prayer, whereas a person exercising authority over a fallen angelic being, for example in an exorcism, would supesede spiritual law. Sections of the Bible differ in how commonly they record miracles. But there is one thread that runs consistently throughout:
God’s desire is to produce faith, but miracles foster unbelief.
Paul, Trophimus, Timothy, etc., were never healed. God's great miracles through Moses filled Egypt with undeniable evidence for the God of Israel (Ex. 9:27). Yet neither the Bible nor history records Egyptian repentance, only good riddance (Ps. 105:38; Ex. 12:35-36; 14:25). Further and more dramatic, consider the effect of those tremendous miracles on Israel. God followed the 10 plagues (Ex. 7:14-12:30) done on behalf of Israel with the parting of the Red Sea (Ex. 14:21-22) and the drowning of the Egyptian army (Ex. 14:26-28). Then daily for 40 years God appeared to the entire nation as a column of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21-22; Num. 14:14; Neh. 9:12; Ps. 105:39). The Lord kept their clothes from wearing out (Deut. 8:4), produced water out of the Rock (Ex. 17:2-6), fed the people with angels food from heaven (Ex. 16:4-7) and brought meat on demand, literally filling their camp with quail (Num. 11:31-32; Ps. 105:40).
Yet with all this, virtually the entire nation rejected God:
For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? ... Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? Heb. 3:16-17
...and in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation... was gone. Num. 32:13
Jesus did great miracles and crowds followed Him, but mostly out of selfishness. Of thousands who received His miracles, few worshiped Him. Of 10 lepers healed, only one even said thanks (Luke 17:17). Generally, Christ's miracles did not win over the crowds (Mat. 8:34; 11:20; 13:58; Mark 15:8-15; Luke 4:23-28; 8:37; 17:17; John 5:8-10; 10:25-39; 12:29-30).
The Lord explained it this way:
"If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:31
Why not? With one's eyes one may see a dead body resurrected, but faith does not come by sight. Rather, "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). So even Jesus' own city rejected its miracle-working Messiah (Mark 6:4-6).
As Christ said:
"A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.
Matt 16:4
A movie, a book AND a conference? Hmmm. Seems like a whole lot of effort.
So many Christians today are eager to appease the world and shield themselves from scorn or ridicule over what they perceive as the "embarrassing" part of true faith.
As stated, cessationists rightly call out frauds and scammers who make a mockery of the Holy Spirit, but it is simply unbiblical to then go so far as to proclaim miracles have ceased all together. It is precisely this worldly, hyper-rationalist position that impacts the mutual-effectiveness of God's miraculous intervention:
Matthew 13:58
"And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWordwith all love and respect Pastor, cessationists don't "proclaim miracles ceased altogether". That would be an extreme viewpoint of which I cannot think of one notable person claiming.
Simply put - Cessationist believe God can and will continue to do miracles... we just believe the miraculous gifts aren't bestowed on the individual to exercise on demand like an Apostle.
Yes, you are correct - and that is something that I clarify and speak to in other videos in the series.
@@DavidGuzikEnduringWord It’s a great series. I have been sharing it around.
I’m sorry, 4 minutes in and it’s clear you didn’t see the film. So you have zero idea what it’s about or how it was handled…
Tim, no I haven't seen the film - and I don't make any claim to have seen it. These videos were not made to respond to the film as such, but simply to present why I believe cessationist arguments are in error. This is a topic that gets a lot of attention apart from whatever current film or book that may come out.
I am familiar with the often-used cessationist arguments and I address many (not all) of these in the series. Have you seen the film? Does it present any cessationist arguments that are brand new?
This is terrible exegesis. The promise Peter is referring to is in the preceeding verse...whoever repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus will have their sins forgiven and receive the indwelling Spirit. That is the promise to all generations.
@jimmyg8942 no yours is terrible exegesis. Context is everything