Continuists

Continuists are a group of theological adherents who believe that certain spiritual gifts, particularly those associated with the apostolic era such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, continue to be active and operational in the church today. This stands in contrast to cessationism, the belief that these specific gifts ceased with the death of the apostles or the completion of the New Testament canon.

Theological positions vary within continuism. Some continuists interpret the biblical accounts of these gifts as normative for all believers throughout church history, while others see them as primarily, but not exclusively, associated with the early church and the establishment of its foundational teachings. They often point to passages in the New Testament, such as 1 Corinthians 12-14, as evidence for the ongoing validity of these spiritual manifestations.

Churches and denominations that identify with continuism often incorporate practices that reflect their belief in the active presence of spiritual gifts. This can include prayer for healing, public declarations of prophecy, and the exercise of speaking in tongues within worship services. This perspective is prevalent in Pentecostal and Charismatic branches of Christianity.

The debate between continuism and cessationism is a significant one within Protestant theology, influencing understandings of worship, church practice, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the contemporary world.