Marbaniang, Domenic

The term "cessationism" comes with different shades of meaning. For instance, Classical Cessationism denies the continuation of the prophetic and revelatory gifts while Full Cessationism denies every charismatic gift. However, all these imply one thing in common "cessation" of something. In that case, both Pentecostals and Charismatics who believe in the Final Authority of the Canon and the cessation of Special Canonical Revelation after the Apostles or the completion of the New Testament would be cessationists in that sense of the term; though they would fully disagree that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had ceased since then. Obviously, those who contend that canonical revelation is not closed but continuing are erring; for, all present prophesying even in modern times is called to be evaluated on the basis of the Written Word. The Scripture is Final Authority indeed. Also, teachers on the revelatory gifts would agree that these ministerial revelations are partial a

I love you (John 3:16) I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Isaiah 43:1) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee. (Jeremiah 1:5) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16) Since thou wast precious in my sight, and I have loved thee. (Isaiah 43:4) Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3) How shall I give thee up? how shall I deliver thee? (Hosea 11:8) Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16) For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand (Isaiah 41:13) Fear not: for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 43:1) for I am with thee (Isaiah 43:5) I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20) Let n

God didn't use the words "better" and "best" in Genesis 1. He only used the word "good", for He never creates anything less good than any other. It is only SIN that brings feelings of comparison, competition, rivalry, envy, and pride. Therefore, God resists the proud, or those who have a higher opinion of themselves. But, He exalts the humble and lowly.

There is an increasing trend towards becoming trendy at church, which is not always bad. We must make a distinction between faith and culture; culture is dynamic and flexible; faith has to be absolute. The problem rises when faith attempts to claim elements of culture in order to sacralize them and render them inflexible. When faith tries to do that, then the result is a legalistic religious system that is very fundamentalistic. These issues were earlier discussed here. However, grace is not lawless either. The New Testaments cautions us against those who attempt to turn the grace of God into license for evil (Jude 1:4, NET). Take the Example of Clothing Let's begin at the pulpit and one immediately notes at least 5 variants: 1. Those who stick to orthodox robes and cassocks or sacralized color definitions (e.g. white) 2. Those who stress on wearing business suits or traditional suits 3. Those who like to wear designer and more trendy clothes 4. Those who like to wear casuals. 5.