In Christian theology, a continuationist is someone who believes that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, healing, and other miraculous signs, continue to be active and accessible to believers today. This view asserts that these charismatic gifts did not cease with the apostolic age or the completion of the New Testament canon but are intended for the edification, encouragement, and expansion of the Church throughout all ages.
Continuationism stands in contrast to cessationism, which holds that certain spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic era. Continuationists argue that the Bible does not explicitly state that these gifts would end before Christ’s return, citing passages like Acts 2:17-18, where the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the accompanying gifts are described as being for “all flesh” and for the “last days,” implying an ongoing relevance. Moreover, they point to 1 Corinthians 14:1, which encourages believers to “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”
This theological stance affects various aspects of church practice, including worship, prayer, and ministry, encouraging an openness to experiencing and observing the Holy Spirit’s work in dynamic and supernatural ways within contemporary Christian communities.
