In parts one and two of this series, we examined some of the popular (but incorrect) assumptions continuationists often make on cessationism, particularly as they were preached in the recent Desiring God conference session, “Sovereign Grace, Spiritual Gifts, and the Pastor: How Should a Reformed Pastor Be Charismatic?”

In that sermon, Pastor Tope Koleoso gave a hearty exhortation for pastors to go charismatic, equating it to pastoral faithfulness. The grounds for why Reformed pastors “should” and “must” go charismatic were unhelpful, and, upon examination, actually give more credence to cessationism and reaffirm the necessity of separating “charismatic” from “Reformed.”

Beyond the misconceptions discussed in parts one and two, there are deeper problems with the call to go charismatic. Today’s concluding post will briefly look at them.

Continue Reading…

In yesterday’s post, I introduced some of the popular misconceptions about cessationism from the recent Desiring God conference session, “Sovereign Grace, Spiritual Gifts, and the Pastor: How Should a Reformed Pastor Be Charismatic?”

In it, Pastor Tope Koleoso asserted that Reformed pastors “should” and “must” also be charismatic. The bulk of his message implied that cessationism is an insufficient position for pastors to hold because it: fears the work of the Holy Spirit; preaches a deficient gospel; is pragmatic; does not rely on or believe in the Holy Spirit; and cannot rightly do battle against Satan and demonic forces (among other things). The first three misconceptions were addressed yesterday. Here are the remaining two:

Misconception #4: Cessationists do not rely on, believe in, or think they need the Holy Spirit.    Continue Reading…

The recent Desiring God pastor’s conference was Piper’s first since stepping down from Bethlehem Baptist. It was a helpful event, but it had one note of concern running through it.

My concern was most succinctly captured by one particular session with an ominously titled, “Sovereign Grace, Spiritual Gifts, and the Pastor: How Should a Reformed Pastor Be Charismatic?” The preacher was Tope Koleoso, pastor of Jubilee Church in London.

It was also a curious title as the sermon had little to do with sovereign grace or being reformed. Perhaps a more accurate title would have been, “Why Faithful Pastors Must be Charismatic and Not Cessationist.”

At the outset, I will say that I do not doubt Koleoso’s love for the Lord. That seemed apparent in the sermon. And he had some helpful and convicting words for the pastor and prayer. However, equating pastoral “musts” with the ongoing practice of the miraculous gifts goes too far.

Koleoso opened his message by saying that being a reformed charismatic pastor “can be done… It should be done… In fact, it must be done… If we’re going to talk about the gospel in its full-orbed beauty and power, then these [gifts] are not optional. These are necessary and vital.”

Continue Reading…