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11-5-2025 - Acts 2 and Cessationism - WOW Bible Study – Peter Goeman – Based on Sam Waldron’s Notes

I. The Foundation of the Argument
No Apostles -> No Prophets -> No Tongues-Speakers -> No Miracle-Workers

II. Apostles (two kinds): apostles (Phil 2:25; 2 Cor 8:23), and Apostles.
Definition of Apostle (having each of these was necessary):
1. An Eye-witness of the Resurrected Christ (Acts 1:22; 10:39-41; 1 Cor 9:1; 1 John 1:1-3)
a. Paul – Untimely born (1 Cor 15:8), Heard and Saw Christ (Acts 9:1-8)
b. Moses was distinguished from the prophets because God emphasizes his face-to-face contact (Num 12:1-8)
2. Directly Appointed by Jesus Christ (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13; Acts 1:2; 10:41; Gal 1:1)
a. Matthias appointed on basis of Christ’s choice (Acts 1:24-26)
3. The Ability to Confirm His Mission By Miraculous Signs (Acts 2:43; 4:33; 5:12; 8:14; 2 Cor 12:12)
a. 2 Cor 12:12, the signs of a true apostle: signs, wonders and miracles.
Note:
The Apostles spoke authoritatively for Christ: 1 Cor 14:37-38; 2 Cor 13:3; 1 John 4:4-6
The Apostles represented Christ: Matt 10:40; John 13:20

Arguments for An Historically Limited Apostolate
1. The Apostles occupied a foundational role for building the church (Matt 16:18; Eph 2:20; Rev 21:14)
2. The Apostle Paul explicitly states that he was the last eyewitness of Christ’s resurrection and the last Apostle of Christ to be appointed (1 Cor 15:5-9).
3. The Apostle Paul clearly implies that the gift of being an Apostle of Christ is no longer to be sought by Christians (1 Cor 12:31; 14:1).
4. No modern apostle is capable of receiving the commendation of the original twelve apostles, as Paul did in his day for his apostolate (Gal 2:7-9).
5. The final witness to the closed character of the apostolate is the closed character of the canon.
Implication: If the gift of being an Apostle is done away with, there could be other gifts that have been done away with.

III. The Gift of Prophecy
Regulation of the Prophetic Office:
1. Even if supported by a miraculous sign, the prophet’s message was not to be believed if it contradicted or led people away from previous revelation that God had already given (Deut 13:1-5). Death was the punishment for this crime.
2. What the prophet prophesies must come to pass (Deut 18:15-22)
Authority of the Prophet: The authority of the prophet was as if it was God speaking. Death was for anyone who did not listen.
1. Simply because Moses was superior to the prophets does not imply the inferiority of their message. Similarly, just because the NT is superior to the OT (2 Cor 3:1-18; Heb 1:1-2a) does not mean that it is more inspired, infallible, or inerrant.
2. Speaking specifically of the OT, 2 Peter 1:19-21 states that men delivered God’s Word being continually moved by the Holy Spirit.

3. The Canonicity of OT Writings were composed by Moses and OT Prophets
Key Question: Is NT prophecy significantly different from OT prophecy?
Conclusion: There is no reason to see a difference between NT and OT prophecy. All prophecy should be held to the standard of Deut 18:15-22. Prophecy is not “spirit-anointed” preaching.
Arguments for the Cessation of Prophets:
1. The NT prophets were foundational (Eph 2:20)
2. The NT prophets were infallible
3. The NT prophets were canonical

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