Continuationism is the belief that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, did not cease after the time of the apostles but continue to this day. The continuationist position stands in contrast to cessationism, which argues that some or all of the charismatic gifts ceased with the end of the apostolic age.
The continuationist position has several key biblical arguments:
1. There is no definitive biblical statement of when the gifts would cease.
Nowhere does the New Testament state that the gifts of the Spirit were only for the apostolic age. Proponents argue that if the gifts were meant to cease early in church history, the Bible would have clearly indicated this. The absence of any definitive timing regarding their cessation leads continuationists to believe the gifts were meant to continue.
2. Passages imply the gifts will continue until Christ returns.
Several New Testament passages indicate the gifts will continue until the return of Christ. For example:
– 1 Corinthians 1:7 states that spiritual gifts will confirm believers “to the end.” This implies an ongoing duration.
– 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 indicates that prophecy and tongues will cease “when completeness comes” and we see Christ face-to-face at his return.
– Ephesians 4:11-13 teaches that the various leadership gifts were given to equip the church “until we all reach unity in the faith” which implies ongoing duration until Christ returns.
3. There are examples of the gifts throughout church history.
Continuationists argue that evidence of the gifts can be found sporadically throughout church history. Figures like Augustine, Francis of Assisi, the Jansenists, the Camisards, the early Quakers, and the Shakers have been cited as evidence that miracles continued after the apostolic age. While not without controversy, contemporary charismatic movements are also cited as evidence for the continuation of the gifts.
4. The Holy Spirit continues His supernatural ministry today.
At Pentecost, Peter declared the dawn of the “last days” and prophesied that the Spirit would be poured out on all believers, sons, daughters, men and women alike (Acts 2:17-18). If we are still living in the last days awaiting Christ’s return, continuationists argue we should expect the supernatural ministry of the Spirit described in Acts to continue as well.
5. The gifts are still needed in the church today.
Continuationists believe the body of Christ still benefits from the wisdom, guidance and confirmation brought by prophetic gifts. The sick are still healed and delivered from demons through gifts of healing. Unknown tongues can still be a blessing to individual believers. Accordingly, continuationists believe the church should desire spiritual gifts and not quench their operation.
Common continuationist beliefs
While continuationists agree the gifts continue today, there is diversity on exactly how they operate. But some common continuationist beliefs include:
– The gifts can be sought through prayer, faith and desire.
– All spiritual gifts described in the New Testament are still distributed today. This includes prophecy, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, words of wisdom and knowledge, discerning spirits, miracles, and the word of faith.
– The office of apostleship ceased with the first century. But the function of pioneering church plants and missions continues.
– Prophecy today does not carry scriptural authority but is fallible and must be tested. It brings edification, encouragement and comfort to believers.
– Tongues can be either earthly foreign languages or heavenly prayer languages. Both are valid with interpretation encouraged for public use.
– Physical healing is provided in Christ’s atonement and is available today, however, complete healing is not guaranteed in this life.
– The gifts are not given as signs of a believer’s maturity or spirituality. They are sovereignly distributed by the Spirit to benefit the church.
Key theologians and developments
While belief in the continuation of the gifts has always characterized minor movements in church history, several key figures helped reestablish continuationism as a major theological position:
– John Wesley, the 18th century founder of Methodism, advocated for the validity of charismatic gifts long after the apostles.
– In the 19th century, the Irvingites emphasized gifts like healing before eventually ceasing as a movement.
– In the early 20th century, pentecostalism emerged out of various holiness movements to champion the restoration of tongues, prophecy and healing to the modern church. Key pioneers included Charles Parham and William Seymour.
– Later in the 20th century, charismatic renewal brought acceptance of the gifts to mainline protestant and Catholic churches through figures like Dennis Bennett and Larry Christenson.
– More recently, the Third Wave movement has advocated for the validity of the miraculous gifts while downplaying the ecstatic manifestations that marked earlier continuationist movements. Wayne Grudem is a key Third Wave theologian.
Continuationist approaches to church ministry
Continuationist churches approach ministry in ways that reflect their openness to the supernatural gifts of the Spirit:
– Praise and worship typically includes extended times focused on calling on the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues, interpretation, and prophecy may occur.
– Healing prayer is regularly practiced with church elders and prayer teams available to lay hands on the sick.
– Dreams, visions, impressions may be shared in church under the discretion of church leadership. Members are encouraged to develop their ability to hear the Spirit.
– Room is made in worship gatherings for Spirit-led exhortations from various members of the congregation. However, authoritative teaching is still reserved for those meeting biblical qualifications of elder.
– Members are equipped on how to operate in their spiritual gifts through prayer, discipleship, and activation in ministry. Seminars on gifts like prophecy are common.
– A strong emphasis is placed on missions, church planting, and acts of mercy and compassion in the community. Continuationists believe the Spirit desires to demonstrate the gospel through supernatural works.
Theological debates and discussions
While all continuationists agree the gifts have continued beyond the apostolic age, there are theological differences on issues like:
– The role of prophecy – Whether prophecy is infallible like scripture or mixed with human wisdom requiring testing.
– Power evangelism – Whether signs and wonders should be pursued as a major part of evangelism or used more sparingly to accompany the preaching of the gospel.
– Experience emphasis – Some continuationists accuse others of overemphasizing experience of gifts at the expense of sound doctrine.
– Sufficiency of Scripture – Cessationists sometimes accuse continuationists of undermining the sufficiency of scripture by adding new revelation. Continuationists deny this charge.
– Holy laughter – Some continuationists reject the Spirit manifestations in the 1990s Toronto Blessing revival as unbiblical. Others see it as consistent with documented cases of falling under the Spirit’s power.
– Spirit baptism – Continuationists differ on whether baptism in the Holy Spirit happens at conversion or is a subsequent experience that empowers ministry.
Prominent continuationist denominations
Today, continuationist groups make up a sizeable portion of global Christianity. Some denominations that hold continuationist beliefs include:
– Assemblies of God – The world’s largest Pentecostal denomination emphasizes baptism in the Spirit and the ongoing miraculous gifts of the Spirit.
– The Vineyard – Third Wave churches advocating for contemporary use of healing, prophecy, and other spiritual gifts.
– Global Awakening – Promotes training Christians to move in gifts of healing, prophecy and deliverance. Affiliated with Randy Clark.
– International House of Prayer – Charismatic missions organization that strongly emphasizes continuationism in its teaching and ministry expressions.
– Bethel Church – Influential charismatic megachurch passionate about seeing the supernatural gifts restored to the church today.
– Hillsong – Global worship ministry birthed in Australian Pentecostalism with a continuationist ethos.
– Many independent charismatic churches and networks.
Objections to continuationism answered
Some common objections to the continuationist position include:
Objection: The miraculous gifts were given only to authenticate the apostles and establish the early church.
Answer: However, this is not explicitly taught in scripture. Their purpose also included edifying the church (1 Cor 14:26) which is an ongoing need.
Objection: With scripture complete, the gifts are no longer needed.
Answer: However, this assumes prophecy’s only purpose was Scripture. But prophecy is also linked with encouragement, conviction, edification, and evangelism – ongoing needs.
Objection: The gifts were only active in biblical times because the canon was not yet complete.
Answer: However, this assumes cessationism without definitive biblical evidence. Continuationism argues the gifts continue as long as we are in the last days awaiting Christ’s return.
Objection: Miracles would lead to a proliferation of false teachings and apostasy in the church.
Answer: However, this has not been the case historically. Continuationists affirm the centrality of Scripture and test prophetic words and teachings to guard against deception.
Objection: If the gifts existed, we would see verified miracles as in the times of Christ and the apostles.
Answer: In fact, continuationists do claim God still works miracles today. However, caution is needed in verifying miracles, and God’s sovereign purposes may allow sickness despite prayer.
Conclusion
In summary, continuationism teaches that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit did not cease after the time of the apostles. While the office of apostle ended, supernatural gifts like prophecy, tongues, and healing continue to operate throughout church history. Continuationists argue this reflects the ongoing work of the Spirit during the entire church age before Christ’s return. The gifts described in the New Testament are still accessible and vital for the strengthening of the church today.