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Cessationism

Cessationism is the belief that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit—tongues, prophecy, healing, miracles, words of knowledge—ceased after the apostolic age.

A Doctrine Straight from Hell​

The Way of Fire teaching is direct: Cessationism is a doctrine straight from hell.

This is one of the most destructive lies the enemy has planted in the church.

What Cessationism Claims​

Cessationists believe:

  • God worked powerfully in the early church but doesn't work that way anymore
  • The supernatural gifts were only for establishing the church
  • Miracles ended with the apostles
  • Speaking in tongues is not for today
  • Healing through faith is no longer available

What Cessationism Actually Says​

Think about what this doctrine implies:

  • God loved the early church more than He loves you
  • The promises Jesus made only applied to people 2,000 years ago
  • The same Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is somehow limited today
  • The supernatural is no longer available to believers

Scripture Demolishes This Lie​

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." — Hebrews 13:8

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." — Acts 2:39

The promise extends to "your children" (future generations), to "all that are afar off" (distant in time and geography), to "as many as the Lord our God shall call" (throughout the entire church age).

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." — John 14:12

Jesus promised believers would do His works—and even greater works.

"What Makes You Think They Are All Dead?"​

On a Southwest Airlines flight, a man insisted to Apostle Delmar that miracles died with the apostles.

Apostle's response: "What makes you think they are all dead?"

Then he told the man: "If you ever get a bad report from the doctors, like cancer, don't go to your church—you're going to die. Come to Encounter Church. We will pray for you and our God will heal you. Yes, you'll receive a miracle at my church. All the apostles are not dead."

Why Cessationism Persists​

Ignorance​

Some have been taught wrong theology and never questioned it.

Fear​

Some fear the chaos that comes when the Holy Spirit has freedom to move. They prefer control over power.

Pride​

Some have built entire ministries on intellectual knowledge and theological degrees. The idea that an uneducated, Spirit-filled believer might operate in more power threatens their identity.

Lack of Experience​

Some have simply never witnessed the supernatural and assume it doesn't happen.

The Fruits of Cessationism​

Churches that embrace cessationism produce:

  • Powerless Christianity
  • Lukewarm religion
  • No healing, no deliverance, no miracles
  • Congregations left in bondage
  • Spiritually malnourished believers
  • Form of godliness without power

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." — 2 Timothy 3:5

Paul said to turn away from those who deny the power.

The Alternative​

The alternative to cessationism is the Way of Fire—believing that:

  • God still heals today
  • The Holy Spirit still moves supernaturally
  • Believers can walk in the same power as the early church
  • The Book of Acts is still being written