Sermon Notes
Are spiritual gifts still active today?
Pacific Point Church believes the Bible supports continuationism: the view that gifts of the Holy Spirit—including prophecy, healing, tongues, discernment, faith, teaching, service, and leadership—continue to operate in the church today. Pastor John Blue compares cessationism and continuationism, explains PPC’s biblical position, and shows how spiritual gifts are meant to build the local church and help people encounter Jesus.
Series: Holy Spirit, Week Two
Speaker: Pastor John Blue
Date: July 26, 2026
Quick answer
- What are spiritual gifts? Abilities and expressions of the Holy Spirit given to believers for serving others and building the church.
- Did miraculous gifts end with the apostles? Cessationists say they did; continuationists say Scripture never clearly announces their end.
- What does PPC believe? PPC believes the continuationist case is stronger and remains open to all the gifts of the Spirit today.
- Why does God give spiritual gifts? To build His church, strengthen believers, and reach people with the hope of Jesus.
Why should Christians test teaching about spiritual gifts?
Paul tells believers not to be uninformed about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans because they received teaching eagerly and examined the Scriptures to determine whether it was true. Every believer is responsible for testing teaching against God’s Word.
What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The New Testament describes miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, words of wisdom and knowledge, discernment of spirits, and faith. It also describes ministry gifts such as service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, mercy, administration, helps, evangelism, celibacy, and shepherding.
What is the difference between cessationism and continuationism?
Cessationism teaches that miraculous gifts primarily authenticated the apostles and established the early church, and were no longer necessary after the apostolic age. Continuationism teaches that Scripture never clearly says those gifts ended with the apostles or the completion of the Bible, and that believers should continue pursuing spiritual gifts until Christ returns.
Why does Pacific Point Church believe spiritual gifts continue today?
PPC believes the continuationist case is stronger because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), Scripture never clearly says the gifts ended with the apostles, and Paul tells believers to pursue spiritual gifts until Christ returns.
Pastor John also shared personal experiences of praying in the Spirit, witnessing healing, and receiving or giving prophetic words. He acknowledged that spiritual gifts can be abused, but said misuse does not erase what he believes Scripture teaches or what he has experienced.
How do spiritual gifts serve the local church?
First Corinthians 12:18 says God arranges the members of the body as He chooses. God places people in a local church for a purpose: each person has a role, each gift is needed, and following Jesus is not meant to be done alone.
The progression is simple: God gives a gift, brings a person into relationship with Jesus, places that person in a local church, and uses the gift to change lives and build His church.
How can Christians disagree about spiritual gifts and remain united?
Pastor John described three categories: essential Christian non-negotiables, a church’s shared house rules, and personal convictions. Biblical essentials supersede every other category. A person can hold a personal conviction while submitting to the church God has called them to, but personal convictions should not be turned into house rules or essential doctrine.
PPC intends to honor people whose convictions differ from its house rules while preserving unity around the Gospel: in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.
Why does God give spiritual gifts?
Spiritual gifts are given for service, not status. God gives them to build His church, strengthen believers, and reach people who need the hope of Jesus. Second Peter 3:9 reveals the Father’s heart: He does not want anyone to perish but wants people to come to repentance.
Frequently asked questions
Are the gifts of the Holy Spirit for today?
Pacific Point Church believes they are. PPC’s continuationist position is based on the unchanging character of Jesus, the absence of a clear biblical statement that the gifts ended, and Paul’s instructions to pursue spiritual gifts.
What is cessationism?
Cessationism is the view that miraculous gifts such as prophecy, healing, miracles, and tongues primarily authenticated the apostles and ceased after the apostolic age or the completion of the New Testament.
What is continuationism?
Continuationism is the view that the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to operate in the church and should be pursued and practiced under the authority and order of Scripture.
What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
Spiritual gifts help believers build up the local church, care for one another, and share the Gospel with people who need the hope of Jesus.
Main takeaway
Earnestly desire the gifts, test every teaching against Scripture, use what God has placed in you, and keep love for God and love for people first.