Growing up in the spiritual environment that I did, although I believed that miracles were possible if God wanted to do them, most miracles weren’t all that important in the grand scheme of things.
The most important miracle (as I still believe to this day) occurs when somebody enters into a personal relationship with God such that their eternal destiny is secured and they become a completely new person.
Any other miracle, such as the healing of an incurable disease, is unnecessary or insignificant by comparison. For what use is it if somebody were to be healed of an incurable disease, but later died without knowing God personally?
In the eternal scheme of things, such a miraculous healing does the person no good for the next trillion years. Having been born with congenital hypothyroidism, I took “incurable” disease for granted as a reality that is only fleeting and insignificant in the light of eternity.
Are various manifestations of the Holy Spirit (such as the gifts of healing and miracles described in 1 Corinthians 12) by-and-large obsolete in today’s day and age? I saw such a belief system as a reasonable conclusion for most of my life as a believer in Jesus.
My worldview carried some degree of doubt and skepticism concerning the modern operation of miracles, physical healing, and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s power that were recorded in the book of Acts.
Would it be accurate to identify such skepticism or doubt as what the Bible calls “unbelief?” Or is such a theological perspective the true way that God thinks about the Holy Spirit and His work (or apparent lack thereof) in the earth today?
Can doubt or skepticism ever be a good thing? On the one hand, Jesus does tell his followers to be “wise” or “shrewd” when it comes to matters of discernment (see Matthew 10:16). A healthy degree of “doubt” (in terms of demanding evidence) may be helpful at times when it comes to testing matters (see Acts 17:11; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). Then a person can gain more accurate information and avoid falling into a snare of deception.
On the other hand, Jesus Himself seemed sternly militant against an attitude that He called “unbelief.” (see Matthew 17:20 KJV; Mark 6:6; 9:14-24; 16:14). The first time that the word “unbelief” appears in the Bible (ESV), it talks about how unbelief prevented some miracles from taking place when Jesus Himself was available for ministry.
“And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.”
–Matthew 13:58 ESV
Is it possible that just as unbelief prevented miracles from taking place when God Himself was on the earth in the form of Jesus Christ, unbelief can also short-circuit healings and miracles despite the Holy Spirit’s presence on the earth today?
If we were to create a “scale of unbelief,” at the far left might be “atheists” who do not believe that God even exists. To their right may be the “agnostics,” who are more open-minded to the possibility that God might exist but remain uncertain.
Further to the right, we might label “deists” who believe that God exists and created everything, but believes that God has “taken a step back” and remains largely uninvolved in the world’s affairs today. A little further we might label “theists” who believe that God exists and can supernaturally intervene in the world today.
According to the Bible, despite the accuracy of their beliefs, theists may not necessarily be on good terms with God or have a personal relationship with Him. Even demons have a theistic worldview, yet they live in a state of fear and rebellion against God, completely separated from love and friendship with Him (see James 2:19).
In order to establish a personal relationship with God, one must make peace with God so that they are no longer His enemies (1). This friendship or reconciliation with God happens through a complete pardon of all one’s rebellion against God. This pardon is a free gift to whoever will submit their loyalty to Jesus Christ (2).
Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for all our rebellion against God, and He rose from the dead to prove it. When a person believes in God by receiving His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, God gives them a new heart, a new identity, and empowers them to overcome life’s obstacles.
This power comes from the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we receive Jesus as our God and King who has the full right to command us what to do with our lives. (3)
The Bible uses the term “unbeliever” to refer to somebody who doesn’t have a relationship with God. Just as the word “unbelief” appears in the ESV Bible twelve times, the word “unbeliever” also appears twelve times.
Some “unbelievers” may believe that God exists yet other “unbelievers” do not. Even if such an “unbeliever” believes that God exists, that person still does not trust God or care about Him enough to agree with what He says or to do whatever Jesus commands, instructs, or teaches.
Yet unbelievers aren’t the only people who have “unbelief.” In Hebrews 3:12, believers in Jesus are warned that “an evil, unbelieving heart” can lead them to fall away from God.
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”
–Hebrews 3:12 ESV
When it comes to believers in Jesus, is it fair to say that some believers may have more unbelief than other believers? According to Hebrews 3:12, unbelief still poses a threat to the believer in Jesus, for believers are warned not to not cultivate “an evil heart of unbelief” (NKJV).
After “theists” on the line graph is a cross, which represents the point where a person trusts in Jesus and begins a relationship with God. Any points on the line graph after the cross represent “believers” in Jesus, whereas any person to the left of the cross on the chart would be biblically considered an “unbeliever.”
A “cessationist” can be described as a person who believes that healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, and/or other gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased to operate and/or are no longer necessary in today’s day and age.
By contrast, a “continuationist” could be described as a believer in Jesus who believes that the gifts of the Holy Spirit (including healing, miracles, etc.) are still applicable, relevant, practical, and in operation today.
Both “cessationists” and “continuationists” to the right of the cross on the line chart are believers in Jesus. Therefore, whether a believer is a “cessationist” or a “continuationist,” both can be friends with each other (or “have fellowship” with each other, to use the biblical terminology).
Whether somebody is a “cessationist” or a “continuationist,” such theological disagreement in perspective shouldn’t be any cause for offense, bitterness, or hostile division between believers.
Both “continuationists” and “cessationists” trust in Jesus, enjoy a personal relationship with God, are reconciled with God the Father, and are therefore “brothers and sisters in Christ.”
“Cessationists” and “continuationists have both received the Holy Spirit when they believed the the gospel and received eternal life–a personal relationship with God (see Ephesians 1:13; John 20:22; Acts 2:38; 5:32; Romans 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Galatians 3:2,5; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:4-6; etc.). Therefore “cessationists” and “continuationists” can disagree with each other but still go to heaven and still be friends on the earth as well.
Whether or not a believer is yet convinced that miracles, healings, etc. are still possible isn’t what determines their salvation from their sins and entrance into God’s kingdom. A person is saved by trusting in Jesus to reconcile them to God. Anyone on the line chart to the right of the cross will still get into heaven.
However, is it possible that unbelief might short-circuit a believer from living out their full potential in God?
I remember an old roommate of mine was fascinated by the life of Brother Yun, a believer from China who lived so devoted and connected with God that the title of his autobiography is called The Heavenly Man. Rather than being suspicious that a believer could walk in great power and closeness with God, my roommate was inspired and encouraged by Brother Yun’s faith.
A few years later, in college I met some believers who experienced God in some ways that I had not known was possible before. A friend of mine and her dad were mentored by an African lady who lived a life of miracles. Hundreds of people were healed of incurable diseases and set free from demonic oppression through her ministry during her lifetime.
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
–Hebrews 13:6-7 NASB1995
The further to the left one goes on the “scale of unbelief” the more prone that person is to doubt, criticize, or scoff at the idea of healing, miracles, or the power of God to change one’s situation. However, Hebrews 13:6-7 provides some key applications for moving further to the right (in the direction of faith) on the unbelief scale.
First, identify godly people who live deeply connected with God’s heart, walk in God’s power, and display the fruits (results) of a life set apart for God. Second, imitate their faith. What is it that they are doing to enjoy such intimacy with God and obedience to Jesus’ commands? (See 1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 6:11-12).
Why does this line graph have “continuationist” further along the line than “cessationist?” Does a “cessationist” have a higher degree of “unbelief” than a “continuationist?” If so, then why would that be the case?
An atheist may have more unbelief than an agnostic or theist because the atheist has the most skepticism about the existence of God. He may be more stubborn and entrenched in his view that God does not exist than the more open-minded agnostic. In the same way, the cessationist is more convinced that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are obsolete, expired, or irrelevant than the continuationist believes.
In a sense, a “cessationist” may be like a “practical deist,” because although he believes that God exists, the Holy Spirit is no longer in the miracle or the healing business as He used to be. However, the “continuationist” is more open to the possibility that God’s position on miracles is the same now as it was at the beginning of the early church.
The continuationist has more confidence (faith) or less skepticism (unbelief) that God in His sovereignty is willing and able to stretch out His hand to heal and to perform miracles. Such a person trusts God to work through the church as believers submit to Jesus’ leadership by the power of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 4:24-31).
How does a person move along the line chart? A person can move along the line chart in either direction. An atheist may become an agnostic, deist, theist, and believer in Jesus over time or even instantly.
Likewise, as a result of more time studying God’s word or involvement in ministry over time, a cessationist may change the way he thinks and become a continuationist. It is also possible for a continuationist to become a cessationist for various reasons.
Some ministers or professing Christians have even become agnostics or atheists over time.
How does that happen? What causes a person to lose faith or confidence in God? What will cause a person to move to the left of the “scale of unbelief?”
Usually it is because they experience some form of disappointment. They were really hoping that God would come through for them in a situation, but that didn’t happen. Maybe they had a loved one who died in their arms.
Some tragedy, trauma, loss, or disappointment happened. They might have become the victim of church gossip, accusation, or betrayal, and it broke their spirits, wounding them deeply.
What happens next? To use the language of Hebrews 3:12, a wounded, hurting heart may become an offended, “evil, unbelieving heart,” which causes them to “fall away from the living God.” When it comes to experiencing the death of a loved one despite their fervent prayers for healing, many may feel that God let them down.
In light of such disillusionment, a person may shift left along the line chart of unbelief. They may cultivate a higher degree of doubt or skepticism when it comes to what God is able or willing to do.
They try to make sense of that experience. “Why didn’t God heal my loved one? Maybe it must not have been God’s will or desire to heal them. Although healing and miracles happened in the early church, maybe that’s no longer for today. After all, I’ve never seen that happen very often.”
This raises an important question that millions of people ask. Christian apologists report that the most commonly raised objection or question that people ask when it comes to defending the Christian faith is “the problem of evil,” pain, and suffering. That is, “How can an all-loving, all-powerful God allow suffering and evil in the world?”
When it comes to this question, believers in Jesus–both cessationists and continuationists who have a biblical worldview–may respond in the following ways:
- They still choose to believe that God is good and powerful despite the evil, pain, or suffering that they see in the world and have experienced.
- They understand that there is no incompatibility between the existence of evil, pain, and suffering, and the existence of an all-good and all-powerful God.
- They understand that there is no reason to abandon faith in Jesus despite any pain, evil, or suffering that they go through.
- They believe that Jesus experienced the weight of the world’s evil, pain, and suffering when He died on the cross.
- They acknowledge that the evil in the world is not God’s fault, but man’s fault for rebelling against God (see Genesis 3).
- They acknowledge that God provided Jesus as a solution to defeat and to ultimately end the world’s evil, pain, and suffering.
- Even though he might expect evil, pain, and suffering until he dies, the believer ultimately has the hope of freedom from all evil, pain, and suffering after death when he finally gets to heaven.
- Believers know that God will put an end to all evil, pain, and suffering after Jesus returns to judge and to punish all evildoers one Day in the future (see Revelation 19-22).
- Believers know that they can overcome sin by learning to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. By overcoming sin, they may experience more of God’s blessings and avoid many problems that arise from sinful habits and mindsets (see Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 6:4-14; 8:9-15).
How does a person move to the right (in the direction of faith) on the line chart? Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
- The longer a person spends time hearing what the word of God says about God’s existence, power, nature, abilities, love, compassion, etc., the more accurate his worldview will become.
- The more we properly understand God’s boundaries, the better we will understand where God will get involved in a situation and where He will not because of the unchanging principles and laws by which He runs His government (kingdom).
- The more we get to know God through hearing and doing His Word, the greater our confidence (or faith) in Him becomes over time.
- See Romans 5:1,8-11
- See John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
- For more information on having a personal relationship with God, see “Knowing the God who Fights for You.”