https://www.gotquestions.org/cessationism.html
LOL... then what by entity are the miraculous signs of the Holy Spirit performed, if not by individual humans??
After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus declared that signs would follow those who believed in Him.
MARK 16:17-18 NKJ
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Scripture never says these signs would ever stop following believers. If you believe -- they will follow you!
And since "signs and wonders" are not to be sought, but organically follow in the lives of believers...
(Jesus replied, "A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.")
... what exactly does MacArthur believe will follow believers, if not the signs and wonders promised by Christ?
Therein lies the "doublemindedness" inbred in John MacArthur's teachings.
Cessationism = 2 Timothy 3:5
KJV: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
NASB: “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
NLT: “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
No need to mock. We can dialogue without being snarky. The "sign" gifts were given for a specific purpose - to back up the authority of the Apostles and the gospel they preached. Miraculous signs like tongues/languages, prophecy and healings did the same thing. But there are other gifts of the Holy Spirit that should be deemed every bit as edifying as these. It's the same Holy Spirit.
After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus declared that signs would follow those who believed in Him.
And they did - miraculously! In 2 Corinthians 12.12 we learn: "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.". God used these gifts to prove the authority of the Apostles.
Does what bills itself today as the gift of "tongues" match that of the first century? Do you know of very many people who can speak a foreign language to share the gospel with others that they didn't already learn first? I know of Charismatic Evangelists who hire "interpreters" when they hold services in other countries. Why aren't they capable of using their "gift of tongues"? How many of those who claim to have the gift of "healing" really do as the Apostles and lay hands on the sick and dying and God heals them totally? Benny Hinn? Hardly! Why have a huge multi million dollar building and collect outlandish "tithes" and selectively choose the ones who can make their way to the front for their healing, instead of going to the sick and clearing out hospitals of dying children? God STILL heals - sometimes in miraculous ways - but not by the hands of a "healer" anymore. The Bible is the complete revelation given to us by God. He isn't still having prophets write down new revelation. The purpose for these particular gifts is complete.
Sorry, but what bills itself as being filled with the Holy Spirit only IF the person speaks in "tongues" is decidedly un-Biblical. Not all speak in tongues, Paul told the church at Corinth. Some gifts would "cease" he also said.
Listen, this isn't the thread to get into a long dragged out discussion about gifts of the Holy Spirit. Whether or not you agree with all of John MacArthur's doctrines isn't the point. The point is he shouldn't be standing alone in this battle. We are ALL affected by what happens and just because your state may not be imposing the same restrictions, all Christians must defend our Constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion. Because depending on how this election goes, we may not have another chance.
The Thomas More Society is legally representing MacArthur in this fight. Send them some money and help that way if you can. Encourage your church members to write to their Congress critters, to newspapers, on Facebook, get friends, family and neighbors involved. The battle is the Lord's but we need to show that we are on His side.