An Inconvenient Verse: Line Item Cessationism

This article, "An Inconvenient Verse," explores the selective acceptance of spiritual gifts within modern Charismatic and Pentecostal communities. The erroneous concept of cessationism, which holds that certain spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic age, contrasts sharply with continuationism, the biblical belief that all spiritual gifts have persisted through to the present. Interestingly, there seems to be a 'line item' approach within many Charismatic circles—selectively embracing some gifts while neglecting others. This article delves into why all spiritual gifts, especially those like prophecy, are vital for the church’s unity and growth. Line-item cessationism is much like the concept of line-item veto.  As believers and especially leaders, we must encourage the full operation of spiritual gifts rather than limit the work of the Holy Spirit by practicing line-item cessationism.  By avoiding line-item cessationism, we reject practices that place us in the role of distributing and controlling the availability of spiritual gifts in the church, a function reserved only for God.  

Scriptural Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14:1, urges believers to "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." This directive sets a clear biblical mandate for Christians to seek not just any spiritual gifts but specifically prophecy, which plays a crucial role in edifying and strengthening the church. Unlike speaking in tongues, which primarily benefits the speaker unless interpreted, prophecy directly builds up the entire community. Understanding the context of Paul's words reveals his intent to guide the Corinthians towards practices that enhance church life and foster spiritual maturity among its members.

The Selective Embrace of Spiritual Gifts

In many modern congregations, especially within Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, there is a noticeable emphasis on speaking in tongues. This focus often overshadows equally important gifts like prophecy, message of knowledge, or miraculous powers. See 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. The Book of Acts and Paul's letters to the early churches frequently demonstrate diverse spiritual gifts in action. For instance, Acts 2 describes the outpouring of tongues at Pentecost as a sign to unbelievers, whereas 1 Corinthians 12-14 outlines how various gifts should operate harmoniously within the church. This biblical blueprint showcases the necessity for a balanced approach to spiritual gifts, emphasizing their collective purpose in edifying the church.

Theological Implications of Line Item Cessationism

The selective practice of spiritual gifts has stirred considerable debate among theologians. Some argue that cessationism misinterprets the discontinuation of apostolic-age gifts, leading to a spiritually impoverished church. Others contend that modern manifestations of certain gifts differ from those described in the New Testament, thus justifying their cessation. However, the Bible teaches that a vibrant, active body of Christ requires the integration of all gifts. Neglecting any single gift, such as prophecy, can lead to an imbalance, affecting the church's ability to mature and unite as Paul envisioned.

Encouraging a Fuller Embrace

As modern believers, how can we foster a more inclusive approach to spiritual gifts? Firstly, church leaders should teach about the variety and purpose of gifts as presented in the Scriptures. Workshops, seminars, and preaching series on spiritual gifts can help enlighten congregants about their biblical importance and practical applications. Additionally, creating environments that encourage practicing and evaluating these gifts can lead to a more vibrant community life. Emphasizing prophecy, for example, requires providing platforms for prophetic voices within the church and encouraging the congregation to weigh and discern these utterances in light of Scripture.

Inconvenient Verses and Church Tradition

Verses about spiritual gifts that are not practiced by a church can pose an "inconvenient truth" when they stand in stark contrast to entrenched church traditions. For many congregations, traditional practices and interpretations of scripture form the backbone of their worship and community life. When specific biblical passages, such as those encouraging the pursuit and use of a variety of spiritual gifts, are overlooked or minimized, it can create tension between the clear scriptural mandates and the established norms of a church community. This dissonance can be particularly challenging when the text calls for incorporating gifts that might disrupt the status quo, challenge existing power structures, or introduce unfamiliar modes of worship and ministry. As a result, these "inconvenient" verses can sometimes be subtly—or even overtly—ignored, leaving the church potentially deprived of the full richness and functionality intended by the diverse spiritual gifts outlined in the scriptures. This avoidance can hinder spiritual growth and limit the church’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mission, as it may prevent the congregation from fully experiencing and demonstrating the varied workings of the Holy Spirit within the body of Christ.

Conclusion

Spiritual gifts are not just ancient relics of the church’s past but are critical components of its present and future. As we reflect on our practices and beliefs regarding these gifts, let us strive to align with the biblical mandate that values the diversity and power of all gifts. This approach will strengthen individual believers and unify and mature the entire body of Christ.