How Continuationism Affects Our Lives: Book 3: the Practical Perspective

By Nathan J. Page

“How Continuationism Affects Our Lives” is a simple, clear, and comparatively concise book on the doctrine of Cessationism, which holds to the concept that certain gifts of the Spirit (such as tongues and healing) are not for today. This book focuses on the opposite view and how it relates to known Biblical and spiritual principles and truths, showing how it benefits the individual believer and the Church. Includes a Biblical analysis of the criticisms against the Charismatic Movement. Book 3 of 3.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664222069

Nathan J. Page

Nathan J. Page is a passionate evangelist whose goal is to draw people, including himself, into a deeper relationship with God. As an evangelist, he wants to see the Church operate in the effective way God intended. He does not have any sophisticated theological education, except through the Scriptures and various shepherds in his life, and believes that each individual can know the truth through the study of God's Word and can minister effectively through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-2205-2 (sc)

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-2206-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021902096

WestBow Press rev. date:  02/04/2021

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1   Entering the Spiritual Realm

Chapter 2   Deeper Prayer Life

Chapter 3   Clearer Vision

Chapter 4   Stronger Conviction

Chapter 5   Fiercer Passion

Chapter 6   Bolder Faith

Chapter 7   Greater Evangelism

Chapter 8   More Miracles

Chapter 9   Concerning the Criticisms

Conclusion

Introduction

This is the third book in the Cessationism Series. The first book, Why Cessationism Can’t Be True, discussed the theological perspective on how it is not possible for Cessationism to be biblical. The second book, What Cessationism Has Done to the Church, discussed the physical perspective on the disadvantages and threats of Cessationism. Now we are on the final book of this series.

In this book, I will discuss the practical perspective on the advantages of being a Charismatic. I intend to show that this is what God has intended for us as we look at various biblical passages and consider the facts. Many people are scared to enter the Charismatic Movement, but I want to reveal its positive nature and expose the rumors and criticisms that it receives.

If you have read the previous two books, I want to ask you this: What did you think of the evidences I provided? Please evaluate carefully the evidences I provided and the evidences you have for Cessationism. Is one side lacking? Is one side tending to be unbiblical? If so, which one is it? I hope that you are being open and unbiased in this.

Now, I realize the challenge of changing one’s beliefs, especially when it involves a big change in lifestyle. If you are the main spiritual leader in your church, then I understand that it would be even more challenging to adopt a new style of church activity and a new structure of church life. Please pray earnestly about this.

If you are the main spiritual leader and decide to make the change, it would be recommended that you make that change in the church slow and gradual. If you are not the main spiritual leader and have changed your view on this subject, I would recommend that you talk about it to the spiritual leader(s) in your church, but don’t be divisive or disrespectful.

If you have already decided to convert to Continuationism, that’s awesome! But it’s more likely that you still have some lingering hesitations. You may be unsure of any consequences that might arise if you become Charismatic. Or, you might have heard of quite a few objections and seen some controversial stuff. Well, I will deal with those concerns and expose the reality and truth.

I’ll admit though, Charismatic churches aren’t problem-free, as is true of any church. Furthermore, the Charismatic Movement does include counterfeits which you must avoid and unwarranted practices which you don’t have to accept. You don’t have to be an all-out Pentecostal to be considered a Charismatic or Continuationist. Seek what is godly, right, and true.

1

Entering the

Spiritual Realm

I would like to open this chapter up with a familiar passage.

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. ‘Rabbi,’ he said, ‘we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.’ Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ ‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?’ Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:1—8, NLT)

Once you have put your faith in Christ, you have been born again into His family and transferred into His kingdom. This is not a physical family or a physical kingdom. Our new birth and citizenship is spiritual. We have been filled with the Holy Spirit, and it is through Him that we have been connected to the spiritual realm.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:13—22)

As a Christian, you are no longer merely a human. You are a child of God. You now have spiritual DNA. You share some characteristics of the Father. You have access to His throne and to His spiritual domain.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4)

You are one with the triune God (John 17:21). He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). Galatians 3:26—29 says,

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If we are born of the Spirit and filled with the Spirit, should it come as a surprise that we have access to what the Spirit has access to?

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, ‘Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?’ But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:9—16, NLT)

According