Cessationism – from the root word “cease” – is a theory that the gifts of the Spirit went away after the first century and the death of the last original apostle, John. Before examining the theory that the spiritual gifts have ceased, a few things ought to be said up front. In this century, this has grown into a debate and at its worst, both proponents and opponents may contentiously call foul, accusing one another of twisting scriptures, and questioning whether one or the other are “real” Christians truly following Christ. The answer however may be not an either/or proposition. Rather, the whole truth is likely somewhere between opposite extremes…