The New Cessationism – Part 1

Cessation is a fancy word for ceasing. It’s usually used to describe why some in the church don’t believe the gifts of the Spirit are for today. The argument I often hear is from what Paul said in 1 Corinthian 13:9-10 (NIV):

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

The argument continues that when the Bible was formalized, the gifts seemed to cease from history. This is of course is a distorted understanding of history. I often laugh about the Church teaching the gifts no longer existed, but if someone was proven to operate in them, they would be called a saint… or burned at the stake, then later canonized.

But today I’m more concerned about a new cessationism. This comes from believers who are afraid to teach on Angels. They get nervous when anyone talks about angelic experiences. They discount such experiences with a superiority of disdain. These are good, godly people who are looking often are looking out for the church.

The problem is they are denying scripture.

Before we get into what scripture says about angels, let’s look at the warnings it gives. These are not to be taken lightly.

Angels don’t fully understand salvation

1 Peter 1:10-12 (New Living Translation)
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

Angels are Inferior to Jesus

Hebrews 1:5-13 (New Living Translation)
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.”
God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”
And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds,
his servants like flames of fire.”
But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.?You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.? They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.? You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.? But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”
And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.

They Are Not To Be Worshiped

Revelation 22:8-9 (New Living Translation)
I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!”

Matthew 4:9-10 (New Living Translation)
“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”

They Aren’t to Be Listened To If They Contradict Scripture

Colossians 2:8 (New Living Translation)
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

Galatians 1:8 (New Living Translation)
Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you

If we look only at these Scriptures, then look at Church History we have ample cause to shy away from teaching about angels. But there is such a rich revelation of the angelic in scripture, we do ourselves a disservice to not tune in to the reality of their existence. In the next post we’ll start examining what Scripture tells us about angels. Feel free to share your stories with me…

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