The term "heresy" is a form of the Greek term hairesis which means "sect". It was first used in scripture to describe the Pharisees and Saducees as a religious sect of Judaism. It is later used to describe various destructive factions and heresies of Christianity. Today we define it as "a belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine." I'll be using it to describe any teaching that I believe to be contradictory to the Holy Scriptures.

My first real encounter with this type of teaching within the church was almost twenty years ago. I had been invited to move to Temecula, Ca. with 3 other Pastors to start a new church. It was so exciting! All of us were former Youth Pastors who had moved our families from as far away as Idaho and Oaklahoma to embark on this new endeavor.

As all great theologians do, we often discussed our plans from the comfort of a modern day hot tub! One fateful evening we were discussing what type of church we would plant. What would the people be like? What kind of music would we have? Who would preach? Where would we meet and how big would the projector screen be? Who would lead the worship, the college group, or the youth group? At one point, as is true in every hot tub conversation, the conversation turned to theology. And while the three of them were all seminary educated, I was not. As you can imagine, it was at that moment that my confidence began to fade and their Hot Tub Heresies began to fly.

I didn't grow up in the church. I got saved in 1994 at the age of 20. It was in the wake of the Calvary Chapel movement of the 60s & 70s that I found Jesus. The church where I attended and eventually began doing ministry was big on studying the Bible, and so was I! I think that's part of what drew me to Horizon Christian Fellowship. I used to take notes feverishly as Pastor Mike Macintosh would preach. I would analyze his every word and compare it to the scriptures. After all, that was what he had taught us to do. I kept my sermon notes neatly organized in a special notebook, reviewing them every chance I had. I attended Home Fellowships, Church Services, and Choir Rehearsals at every opportunity. Sometimes I would sit through four or five services in a weekend and two to three Bible studies during the week. I would fall to sleep at night listening to “Chuck Tracks” (tapes of Chuck Smith teaching through the Bible verse by verse).

I spent the first 6 years of my Christian life studying the Bible under some of the greatest Bible teachers of that era. Chuck Smith, Raul Reís, Skip Heitzig, Greg Laurie, Mike Macintosh... the list goes on. Not to mention the amazing Bible teachers that I sat under at the numerous Home Fellowships I attended. I may not have attended an official seminary, but I was well-versed in the scriptures, and before long, I was leading and teaching various Bible studies of my own. I soon realized that there’s no better way to devour the scriptures than to be responsible for teaching them to someone else; and my appetite was insatiable.

After almost ten years of this type of learning and dedication, I felt pretty sure of myself. I had secured the title of "Pastor" and was confident enough to embark on one of the greatest adventures of my life... Church Planting. It was this confidence and call to ministry that brought me to this "Hot Tube Heresies" conversation.

As we sat discussing what the perfect church looked like, my new, seminary educated "Pastor" friends began throwing around theological terms I had never heard before. Words like "soteriology", "eschatology", and "cessationism". As their conversation deepened, my confidence weakened. I was in over my head! I had thought I was prepared for this, but maybe I was wrong.

Too often in life, our judgment is clouded by our insecurities. We allow our qualifications to dictate our calling. Could it be that this insecurity comes from a lack of intimacy with God? For me, in this moment, I was letting the words of men cloud the calling of God. While we rely on the affirmation of Godly men and women to confirm the time and place of our calling, we can't allow the words of men to cloud the calling of God.

We can't let the words of men cloud the calling of God.

After a few minutes of insecurity, I mustered up the courage to ask what I thought would be the most embarrassing question,

“What does CESSATIONISM mean?”

To my surprise, without skipping a beat, one of my newfound pastor friends happily explained that cessationism refers to the idea that the gifts of the spirit, in particular the sign gifts, no longer function. And with that one simple question, I was pulled from the depths of my insecurities and thrust into a deep and meaningful theological discussion.

Never be afraid to ask questions! Asking the right question could be the key to experiencing the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for!

Great questions are the key to greater confidence.

As we continued our discussion, I learned that not only did I have an opinion about cessationism, but unlike my new friends, I could actually support that opinion with scripture. I’d like to share with you today what I’ve learned through studying both the words of men, some well-respected men I might add, and the Word Of God. Let me begin by stating that we must always filter the words of men through the Word Of God.

We must always filter the words of men through the Word of God.

The concept of cessationism began with John Calvin and the Protestant Reformation in the mid to late 1500s. It was in fact his rebuttal to the Catholic Church’s claim that the Reformation was not of God because the gifts were not as prevalent in Protestant Churches.

John’s original argument was based upon the premise that spiritual gifts could only be passed on by 1st century Apostles through a process known as “the laying on of hands”. Therefore, the reason the gifts were not as prevalent amongst the Reformers is that they had "ceased" when the last Apostles passed away. The primary scripture used to support this claim came out of 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter! Which we’ll look at in just a moment.

As a response to the cessationist movement within the Reformed tradition, a movement known as continuationism sprang up. This movement is most prominently seen in what is known today as Pentecostalism. The continuationists seek to experience the spiritual gifts identified in scripture as an expression of their faith. Unfortunately, in some extreme continuationist sects, a heretical teaching also arose that the sign gifts, in particular speaking in tongues, is the initial sign of the Holy Spirt. That teaching eventually grew into a heretical doctrine of salvation.

It's interesting to note that both Calvin's doctrine of cessationism and this view of salvation through gifts arise out of an attempt to explain the unexplainable apart from scripture. They are indeed, completely unbiblical and borderline heresy.

But don’t trust me on that one. Remember that questions are the key to confidence and God's Word is always the answer.

So let’s look at the basis upon which some great Bible teachers like Calvin & MacArthur attempt to base this cessationist theory.

First off, let’s be clear. First and Second Corinthians we’re some of Paul’s first letters. They were written before the majority of the NT, including some of his other letters like Romans and Ephesians where he encourages Christians to use various sign gifts like prophecy. But here in 1 Corinthians 13, after spending a whole chapter on unity; after elevating the mandate to love over spiritual gifts themselves, Paul implies that at some point in time, these gifts will indeed “cease”. And thus, the cessationist dilemma is born. The question, however, is when is that time? When does Paul say that these gifts will cease? What is he referring to when he says, "When that which is perfect has come."?

In verse 8 he says that “prophecies, they will pass away”

He uses the Greek word katargeo which means "to have no further efficiency, to deprive of influence, or to terminate all intercourse with."

In that same verse he says that “tongues, they will cease”, which is where we get the term cessationism. The Greek word used here is pauo which means "to make to cease or desist, to restrain, to no longer be stirred by".

He continues to state that even knowledge itself "will be done away with”. Here he uses the term katargeo again to imply complete termination. Have we experienced the complete termination of knowledge in our day and age? I think not.

In verse 9 Paul goes on to explain that currently, “we know in part”. He uses the Greek word meros which actually implies "a part due or assigned, our lot, our destiny". He goes on to contrast that partial knowledge with perfect knowledge. He says in verse 10, “but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.”

He says, "When the teleios comes, the meros will have no further efficiency."

He uses the Greek term teleios to describe that which is coming. Teleios is defined as "wanting nothing necessary to completeness, full-grown, adult, of full age, mature."

He continues with this concept of maturity by contrasting young and old. IN verse 11 he states, “when I became a man, I gave up childish ways”. And here he uses the term kartargeo again to signify the inefficiency of childish ways.

He implies in verse 12 that currently we “see in a mirror dimly” using the Greek word ainigma to imply "obscure sayings, enigmas, and riddles". He contrasts that with a time when we will not only know completely but also be completely known. He uses the term epiginosko to imply the very knowledge that he's referring to. In the Greek it means, "to become thoroughly, intimately, and personally known, to recognize by sight, hearing, and overall perception".

It's here that we understand completely Paul's point, and it's here that we find the answer to our original question, "When will the perfect come?" Using scripture to interpret scripture we are made privy to the completion and perfection of God's plan. It is indeed, that day when all things are made know to us by the Creator, and we are made known to the Creator of all things. It is in fact that day when we enter into eternity with Jesus Christ.

It's interesting to note that even John Calvin believed that this complete cessation of the gifts was at death. If we take the passage of scripture here, for what it is, there are really only three different ways to interpret it.

1. "That which is perfect" means when Jesus returns.
2. "That which is perfect" means when we reach complete spiritual maturity.
3. "That which is perfect" means physical death.

Nowhere, and in no interpretation does this passage imply “That which is perfect” is the canonization of scripture, which is the interpretation of mainline Cessationists. That is a great leap in the interpretation process and one that I am not willing to take.

But what about you?

After working through a variety of conclusions in that hot tub so many years ago, my pastor friends and I eventually came to our own on this matter, along with many other heretical theories. And in so doing, our confidence in the Word of God and in each other grew. So, rather than leave you with my answer to the question of cessationism and the proper interpretation of this passage, I’d like to leave you with a question. A question that I hope will be the key to greater confidence in your spiritual journey.

What are you willing to question in this life?

Whatever it is, let me give you some guidelines for doing so.

1. Don’t let the words of men cloud the call of God!

Be bold. Put your confidence in the will and the Word of God!

2. Filter the words of men with the Word of God!

3. Remember that His ways are not our ways.

And here are His thoughts toward you.

God loves you. He has a plan and a purpose for you. The scriptures tell us that He’s given you gifts that are to be used in the fulfillment of His plan. I’ve found over the years that there’s no greater joy in life than to be in the passionate pursuit of God's plan for my life.

Will you surrender to His plan for your life today? It begins by accepting the incredible gift of salvation that He’s provided to us through His Son Jesus Christ who came, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins, and rose again showing He had power of sin and death itself. After showing Himself to hundreds of people, He ascended into heaven where He awaits His people. But He didn't leave us helpless, He sent The Comforter known as the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to fulfill His plan. It’s through this process of redemption and restoration that He bestows and activates these gifts within us. Will you surrender your life to His plan today?