Opposing Views: Did the manifestations of the Holy Spirit end with the apostles' death?

John MacArthur Takes on Charismatic Movement With 'Strange Fire' Conference

John MacArthur, influential author, pastor and seminary president, has organized what has already proven to be a controversial conference, as he and several other evangelical Christian ministers will gather in October at his Sun Valley, Calif., church to take a corrective stance against what he describes as "strange fire" practices in the charismatic movement.

"There is a dramatic account of God's judgment in Leviticus 9 and 10. The people had been ready to worship. They now had priests. They had standards by which they were to come before God and offer Him their worship," explains MacArthur in one of many promotional videos highlighting areas the conference will touch on. "In the ninth chapter, they came according to God's law, a sacrifice was offered, and God sent down miraculous fire and consumed the sacrifice. In chapter 10 (verses 1-3), however, another sacrifice was offered, and God consumed the offerers because they violated His standard and offered strange fire."

MacArthur adds, "But it's in the context of Leviticus 9 and 10 that I want to direct your attention toward strange fire that's being offered to God today, and it could well bring His judgment. Read more

'Cessationists Are Wrong' About Speaking in Tongues, Says Pastor Mark Driscoll

Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Wash., recently spoke on the gift of tongues as described in the New Testament as part of his "Acts: Empowered for Jesus' Mission" sermon series. The conservative Reformed, or New Calvinist, Christian minister laid out his arguments as to why he believes the gift of speaking in tongues did not end with Jesus' apostles in the first century.

Cessationists, such as influential pastor and traditional Calvinist John MacArthur, believe that 1 Corinthians 13:8 and other Biblical passages indicate that the divine ability to speak in other languages or an unknown tongue (glossolalia) ended with the apostles' deaths, as did prophetic revelations and faith-healings through individuals. Some Christians, however, believe that these Holy Spirit-inspired gifts will continue until Christ's return. Read more