Both contemporary dispensationalists and preterists alike teach what has become known as the cessation theory, implying that the gifts promised in 1 Corinthians 12-14 have ceased. Dispensationalists argue that the gifts were to cease because that which was 'perfect' had come -- the completion of the full canon (of the Bible). Many preterists, on the other hand, argue that 'the perfect' was Christ in His 70AD return. Is it possible that 'the perfect' is neither of these? This is where I stand: I believe the drive behind the cessation theory is largely ecumenical. Apologists, (myself included), struggle to practically explain unexplainable spiritual manifestations. After all, how could something so mysterious and ineffable reach any level of understanding to the lost? In spite of this, we find that Pentecostal/Charismatic explosion has become the world's fastest growing religious movement, as spiritual gifts and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are not only understood, but longed for worldwide. This, to such a large extent that we have to wonder; are we the first century to experience these things?

The Testimony of History

Let's look at what history has to say: Augustine was probably the first to theorize cessation -- that until an outbreak of the miraculous in his church led him to a change his thinking. These miracles included healings of blindness, cancer, and raising the dead. Not bad for a skeptic.

Justin Martyr, in his 'Dialogue with Trypho' wrote, "For the prophetic gifts remain with us even to the present time...it is possible to see among us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God."

Tertullian likewise challenges Marcion on the merits of the gifts.

Irenaeus, in 'Against Heresies' writes, "Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions and utter prophetic expressions. Others heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years."

Origen testifies, "For by these means we too have seen many persons freed from grievous calamities, and from other distractions of mind, and from madness, and countless other ills, which could not be cured neither by men nor devils."

Cyprian writes, "For beside the visions of the night, even in the daytime, innocent children among us are filled with the Holy Spirit, seeing in an ecstasy with their eyes, and hearing and speaking those things whereby the Lord consents to warn and instruct us."

Gregory the Great wrote of raising the dead, healings and a person saving a drowning youth by walking on water!

I won't drag on, but you will also find the charismatic gifts functioning in the monks, Francis of Assisi, Bernard of Clairvaux, Hildegard of Bingen, the Waldenses, Martin Luther (who healed the sick and cast out devils), the Anabaptists, Wesley and countless others.

That Which is Perfect

The five-fold gifts: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Teacher and Pastor were never intended or implied to pass away. Neither were the spiritual gifts, nor was the filling of the Holy Spirit. Cessational Scripture: "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away" (1Cor 13:10). How could our spiritual ancestors have missed this scripture? And more importantly, how do we interpret it? 'The perfect', or teleio is translated to mean 'maturity' in every other reference but our verse. Examples of this word are found in Matt 19:21, 1 Cor 2:6, 1 Cor 14:20. More importantly, it is never once used as a name for Jesus or God. Only God the Father is referred to as 'being' perfect, but He didn't return in 70AD -- Jesus did. Hebrews 5:14 says, "But solid food is for the mature (teleio, or perfect). Similarly, Paul begins his letter by admonishing the Corinthians saying, "I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it." The key to understanding 1 Cor 13:10 is that Paul was laboriously attempting to lead the church into maturity that their immature and abusive use of the gifts would cease.

Establishing Maturity, not the Canon or the Second Coming

The word for 'come', or 'ercomai' (1 Cor 13:10) describes something being established. Paul is talking about establishing maturity, not the canon and definitely not the second coming of Christ. We have to understand that the Corinthian church was a mess! At the time Paul was writing that he considered them quarrelsome (1 Cor 1:11), babes in Christ (1 Cor 3:1), fleshy, jealous and filled with strife, (3:3), arrogant (4:19), grossly immoral (5:1), fools (6:5), defeated (6:7), defrauding (6:8), lacking self control (7:5) and divisive (11:18). He likewise exposed that their meetings were not for the better but for the worse (11:17), they were getting drunk in church (11:21) and were impatient (11:33). It's clear that Paul was dealing with an incredibly immature church for the first 11 chapters of the letter. To the Ephesians he speaks of the same goal of maturity, "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; --until-- we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a --mature-- man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." (Eph 4:11-13 emphasis mine.) Notice our words 'until' and 'mature'. Does this sound like 1Cor 13:10? Applying both the 'scripture interprets scripture' and 'audience relevance' hermeneutical principles, we can plainly see that cessation does not relate to a covenant or dispensation, but to complete maturity in the church.

"Eite propheteiai...Eite glossai...Eite gnosis..."

Next we need to look at 1 Cor 13:8 , which says, "Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away." (RSV) Here Paul is comparing spiritual gifts, to the fruit of love. The admonition is that gifts of prophecy and knowledge come and go, but that love perpetually consistent. I think that, again, translators are using presuppositional bias to compromise this passage. It literally reads, "[Love] [never] [fail] [but, or even] [IF] [prophecy] [pass away] [IF] [tongues] [cease, (or refrain)] [IF] [knowledge] [pass away]" Therefore if we tossed out the bias we would read, "Even if prophecies pass away, if tongues refrain, if knowledge passes away, love never fails." As you can see, those are big IFs. The word, 'eite', leaves room for the event not coming to pass. Later in 14:27 we read, "IF any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three..." IF here is describing something that may or may not happen.

I have never met a person who can prophesy on demand. I have never met a person who can hear a word of knowledge on demand. What Paul is saying here is that these gifts are sovereignly released and cannot be relied upon to 'prove' our spirituality. Yet if we love, the world will discern our relationship with Christ. He says that tongues will cease.

Actually in my church the gift of (glossa) tongues is rare, and only happens occasionally. Like prophecy and words of knowledge, tongues cannot be relied upon, and compared to love are quite inferior. Am I saying that the gifts are weak? Not at all. When used correctly, the gifts are a powerful and exciting aspect of Christianity and are useful to both train us in hearing God's voice and teach us how to build our faith. Paul is showing concern for appropriate use of the gifts in public, as indiscretion was an issue with the Corinthians. He used the words 'noisy gong' and 'clanging cymbal' to describe a person's life without this temperance (verse 1). His admonishment to them taught the reality that unlike love, spiritual gifts don't operate like a vending machine. They are sovereignly given by God ,not manufactured by us, and should be treated with sobriety.

Final Thought: on the Kingdom of God and Greater Works

Preterists do not consider the Bible 'sealed'. Were that the case, we couldn't experience salvation today, or believe that God has a specific destiny for our generation. What's important is that though the prophecy of Christ is fulfilled, the teachings of Christ are perpetual. Preterists alone have the consistent belief that we are living in the Kingdom of God today. Do we not think that supernatural gifts would be an asset for establishing that Kingdom? We know that Jesus' life on earth was steeped in supernatural activity, exercising all the gifts. He then commissioned us and spoke of dominion. He promised that we would do greater works.

Consider this: my hometown, Spokane Washington, was once nationally recognized as the healthiest city in the United States, if not the world. How did this happen? A man named John G. Lake had developed a tremendous burden for the sick and began to pray. When people began to be healed under his ministry, he had them return to their doctors for documentation of their healing. Countless testimonies and newspaper articles later, he recorded over 100,000 documented healings. Was he a charlatan? Not according to those who testified. In fact he had once been a millionaire, but gave it to the poor to live a humble lifestyle, and quite possibly that his ministry would not come under accusation. How do I know this? Well, my sister married his great, great grandson and my pastor just finished renovating his home. I have studied his life well. Study his life and find out for yourself! Do you believe in healing? If you ever pray for sick friends and family you do. Do you believe in prophecy? If you have ever claimed to hear God's voice you do. These things are not spooky, but immensely practical. Lily Tomlin once asked, "How is it that when you talk to God, you are said to be praying, but when God talks to you, you are schizophrenic?!" How indeed!

Finally, I think there is an unfortunate perspective that by opening up to the Spirit, we will lose control of our physical and mental faculties and will have to wear 'spiritual Depends' because of it. I understand this concern. Let me just say that I, and countless others like me, have a solid sense of reason, and are very careful when it comes to discerning spirits. The Holy Spirit has no desire to take that away from us. Jesus assures us that God will not give us a snake if we ask for a fish. Therefore we can go before Him boldly, and ask Him to baptize us into the Holy Spirit. There is no shame in that, and the worst thing that can happen is for nothing to happen. I have never once spoken in tongues without choosing to. Yet when I do, I sense the Holy Spirit leading me in what to say. I feel His approval of it, and that He understands what I am saying -- as sometimes I just don't know what to pray. Some friends argue that they have never seen a miracle or gift in their church. The reason is that faith opens the door to these things -- God does not force them on us. The things I've seen would absolutely blow your mind, and the reason is that my pastors have worked hard to cultivate and environment of faith in the church. As humbling as it may be, trust in God's sovereignty and cultivate in yourself an environment of faith. These are gifts, not a law. It's totally scriptural, and He wants you to have it.