OCTOBER 31st 1517: LESSONS FROM REFORMATION HISTORY Pt.18

The reformed tradition of Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin became prominent in Europe during the reformation. Countries like Switzerland, Netherland, France and other European countries were greatly influenced by the reformers.

Their influence also gave room for their theology to spread. Just as there is Lutheran theology, there is reformed theology that emerged from reformed tradition of John Calvin & Huldrych Zwingli. There are several reformed tradition theology. I'll pick some of them and discuss them from a biblical standpoint.

i.*CESSATIONISM- WHAT IS IT?*

Cessationism is the theological view that spiritual gifts (like prophecy, tongues, miracles and healing) ceased with the death of the apostles because those gifts had served their purposes. John Calvin and his men popularized this idea to knockout the Roman Catholic belief about ongoing miracles in contemporary times.

John Calvin was not the originator of cessationism. In church history, John Chrysostom and Augustine laid the foundation for cessationist thoughts. John Calvin only systematized it and made it popular during the 16th century reformation.

There are three types of cessationists. We have:

*Full cessationists*:- who believe that all miracles and spiritual gifts have ceased and can no longer happen. They are anti miracles.

*Concentric cessationists*:- They believe spiritual gifts and miracles may still occur only in unevangelized areas to aid in missionary work but not among those that are saved.

*Classical cessationists:- who assert that the miraculous gifts, such as prophecy and healing, ceased with the completion of the biblical canon.

Now, let's check the bible If all these are true. For me, the bible is the final authority on matters of life and doctrine. Is miracles still happening today?

Hebrews 13:8 *Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever* (NLT).

The text above is clear that Jesus is the same throughout all ages. If he performed miracles in His days on earth, he can still do same today through us. I have seen miracles happen in my ministry and I can never doubt miracles. In fact, every child of God is meant to operate in the miraculous.

As a missionary evangelist traveling from place to place preaching the Gospel of Christ, I have seen miracles happen through simple prayer several times. If it had happened once, we could have attributed it to fluke of nature but it is now a normal occurence. That couldn't have been me, it can only be God. If he had ceased performing miracles, why is it happening today?

Salvation itself is a miracle. Why? No human being in his right senses will believe that Jesus saves without the miraculous work of the Spirit in his heart. That is why we say during crusades that salvation is the greatest miracle. God is still performing that miracle and others today.

In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus says, *"These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. [18] They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed*" ( NLT).

Do you believe in Jesus? If yes, operating in the miraculous should be your normal experience. As a believer, If you are not operating in the miraculous, you are living below your full potential. Don't allow anyone use baseless knowledge to talk you out of the miraculous. Miracles still happens today.

The moment you buy into cessationism, you may not experience the miraculous power of God as you should. That is why I deliberately refused to read or listen to some authors. I don't want to read what will put doubts in my heart about the miraculous power of God.

*Those who doubt miracles today will need one tomorrow. I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES*