A Response to the Cessationist Argument

Taken from a Facebook post

     Tongues aren't gibberish. I agree. They are a holy language between a person and God. It is a way to speak to God, when we do not know what to pray (Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 14). Prophecy - as vague impressions, can allow for someone to have a word of knowledge to explain what is on God's heart. Prophecy is not a "Christian form of fortune telling". Moreover, when I have seen prophetic words given, mostly, it isn't in a vague impression. The way that God gives me a word is often a Scripture, and then I ask God what He is wanting to say. Sometimes we want more specific words; my experience has shown me that a prophetic word has been just a step of direction, but not a complete blueprint of God's plan. And it is also meant to be coupled with confirming words (to back the 2-3 witnesses needed). Prophetic words are not scriptural, so yes, they need to be weighed and prayed through/for. Prophecy is hearing what is on God's heart to speak to people.
     As for healing...this is a tough one, because I think so many people have been hurt. I can't tell you how many times I went up to be prayed for to be healed, and my hand is the same. It is very easy to say that healing must happen automatically. Or, to spare ourselves from disappointment, we simply pray, "God, if it is Your will," and create a safe prayer. I think God honors bold prayers. This isn't to say we should do what some charismatics have done which is "name it and claim it". Rather, I can see what God has done, and I say, "God, I ask..." knowing that His timeline for healing is broader than my own. But I still am hopeful and expectant. God does heal in progress, in heaven, but I have seen Him immediately. I have seen shoulders healed, a student come out of a car accident alive when they should have died immediately, rheumatoid arthritis disappear, and even my own leg grew.
     I think - and I may be incorrect about this - that many who side on that the charismatic gifts being unbiblical, or dead are 1) from a Western perspective and/or 2) have been hurt in some way by people who have used those gifts immaturely or incorrectly. On the Western perspective- we have grown so reliant on our technology and intellectualism - especially with the matter of enlightenment and atheism abounding, why else would we need God to move in great ways? We can just think about "what should be said". But those in nonWestern cultures, I don't know...hey understand there is a spiritual realm, and therefore, need spiritual intervening. I know we, in America, do still have need of Jesus - and we find ourselves in great distress, which leads to my second point.
     We often have been hurt when the gifts have been used incorrectly or immaturely. Incorrect, meaning there is intention to harm, immature due to people really wanting to share God's love and heart, but may have misspoke, misheard, or misunderstood. God is perfect, and there is no error in Him. But, we still being human, still can fail. We have been saved by grace, and we work through grace. But we see and know in part (see end of 1 Corinthians 13). That is why prophetic words are to be weighed. I have often felt prophetic words are supposed to be used to confirm what God is already saying, not necessarily supposed to be the starting point. When we use the prophetic as the start, then we decide to make it into a fortune telling. Words of knowledge are a means to pray for someone, and if led to share, do so that will bring Christ's love and grace into the conversation. And ALWAYS, when sharing, I don't say, "God said", but rather, "I feel God is saying....does this make sense". This allows people to give room for the Holy Spirit to check and weigh the word. I was in Mexico last February, and received prophetic words and words of knowledge that were ON POINT. And these people spoke a different language, and never met me. There is NO WAY they could have known my heart for missions, other than that God - because HE knows me - revealed that. And the thing about prophetic words...like healings, their fruits are not always immediate.
     I think that is where we often make the mistake. And I do understand that in the Bible, Jesus healed and it was immediate. But what of the man who was blind, and the first time that he was prayed for, he saw people as if they were trees? What of the man who was healed when Peter and John prayed for him (Acts 4); he waited 38 YEARS for healing- and I bet you, he prayed. It doesn't mean that God didn't want to heal, but God's glory - in the healing - was for a set appointed time. And God's glory is still revealed even in the waiting (see Hebrews 11). We want God to work so much NOW and in certain ways, that if God speaks or moves, we either cynically say, "FINALLY, God did something [scoffing attitude]," or we can miss it altogether.
     God still moves. I know it, scripturally (are we going to deny 1 Corinthians 12-16?), as well as through experience. People have walked in those gifts wrong; and yes, I have been hurt too, but I have seen it done right, with care and compassion and wisdom. Now, this is the purpose of those gifts: I believe they are needed, because God still remains the God He was, and He desires to show His love and grace even in tangible ways. I believe He remains a relational God who still speaks (and note: prophetic words are NOT to counter Scripture, and if they are specific, then carry with a soft hand) and wants to communicate with His people. Most of all, they are to glorify Him and introduce Him to people. And walking with Him, the Holy Spirit continues to speak (it's not just to get people saved).
     I have learned to be dependent on God, and I have grown to trust Him, and ask Him for bold things. But I also trust that my Daddy is sovereign and will take care of things, even if it's not exactly how I had asked for. This includes timing, specific places, people, and ways. But I can say that I know that the gifts are needed in that they help share the Gospel. This isn't to promise that if people believe in Jesus, all there problems will be resolved, but God speaking and continuing to heal reveal God's heart for us.