The eighth section of the doctrinal survey for Advent Christian pastors revealed a diversity of views on issues related to the miraculous gifts of the Spirit.
The first question in this section asked, “Do you believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit (e.g., speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy) ceased after the apostolic age?” Seventy-three (68.2%) of respondents answered, “No, I believe the gifts are still in operation today.” Thirty-four (32.1%) of pastors selected “Yes, I believe the miraculous gifts ceased,” and 12 (11.2%) were unsure.
The majority, 82 (77.4%) of pastors, answered no to the question, “Do you believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?” Sixteen (15.1%) affirmed the question and eight (5.7%) were unsure.
Seventy-nine (73.8%) of pastors affirmed that “miracles and healings continue as part of the regular, normative life of the church today.” Eighteen (16.8%) answered no and 10 (9.3%) were unsure.
In response to the question, “How do you view the practice of prophecy in the church today?” 43 (40.6%) of respondents selected “Prophecy is still a valid and essential part of the church today.” Thirty-three (31.1%) selected “I have another view,” 18 (17%) selected “Prophecy ceased after the apostolic age” and 12 (11.3%) were unsure.
3 Responses
I find it somewhat distressing that 32% of the respondents feel that the ‘miraculous gifts of the Spirit (e.g., speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy) ceased after the apostolic age’. This is only one question out of the many I have followed that makes me wonder about the training and beliefs the leaders in our denomination are teaching from the pulpit.
Steven: I was trained as a cessationist; now, I believe in healing and miracles. I grew up Autistic. The Lord healed me. I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Lord healed me. I have had Lyme disease and Babesiosis. I was on antibiotics for 8 years. Twice i was bedridden. I was so sick that at one time I lost the ability to read English for about 5 years. I am substantially healed. I have a very pronounced healing ministry.
I have a tremendous compassion on cessationists. I am thankful that only 32% hold to cessationism. I understand that cessationism is a function of culture that is anti-supernational. Cessationism is a by product of Enlightenment culture. Cessationists and Continuationsist need to love and respect each other.
What a wonderfully gracious reply, my brother! I am not a cessationist either, but it always perturbs me to hear more “charismatically” (I despise how we have come to use such terms in a blatantly unbiblical manner) oriented brothers and sisters speak of them as if they “don’t want to let the Spirit move” (since when did the Spirit of God ever need my permission?) or should be regarded as “the frozen chosen.” There certainly are others in the Body of Christ with whom I disgree rather strongly about the interpretation of certain scriptures in this regard, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love Jesus with all their hearts and want to glorify God with all that is in them.
All men certainly won’t know that we are Jesus’ disciples by how frequently we are “slain in the Spirit” or other manifestations. Let’s speak of one another with honor and love as Jesus directed, even when we disagree. As one of my parishioners long ago so profoundly put it, “We may not always see eye to eye, but we can see heart to heart!”