Are There Still Apostles and Prophets Today? Cessationism vs. Continuationism Explained
Dial In with Jonny ArdavanisShow Notes
Are there apostles and prophets today? In this episode, we break down the difference between cessationism, continuationism, and charismatic theology — and answer the question so many Christians are asking as self-proclaimed "apostles" and "prophets" (like Katherine Krick and leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation/NAR movement) gain massive followings online. We define the key terms — cessationist, continuationist, and charismatic — then walk through: 🔹 The 3 biblical criteria for a prophet in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 18, Deuteronomy 13, Jeremiah 28) 🔹 The 3 biblical criteria for an apostle in the New Testament (Acts 1, Ephesians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 12:12) 🔹 How to think about Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 14, and 1 Thessalonians 5:20 on prophecy 🔹 The difference between "thus says the Lord" and "I feel like God is putting this on my heart" 🔹 What church history (Chrysostom, Augustine, Calvin, Edwards, Spurgeon) says about the miraculous gifts 🔹 Why the sufficiency of Scripture matters in this conversation 🔹 A fair, respectful look at continuationist scholars like John Piper, Wayne Grudem, and Sam Storms — and how they differ from figures like Kenneth Copeland, Bill Johnson, and Bethel Church This isn't a hit piece — it's a biblical, historically grounded framework for thinking through spiritual gifts, prophecy, apostleship, and the Holy Spirit's work in the church today. 📖 Key Scriptures Referenced: Deuteronomy 13, Deuteronomy 18, Jeremiah 28, Acts 1, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 14, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:20, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2 🎓 This episode is brought to you by The Master's University — 150+ fields of study built on a biblical worldview. Learn more: masters.edu/dialin (use code DIALIN to waive your application fee) ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Are apostles and prophets still active today? 02:03 Defining Cessationism, Continuationism & Charismatic 09:32 Old Testament criteria for a prophet 21:06 New Testament criteria for an apostle 26:44 Apostles & prophets as the foundation of the church 35:04 Why this generation is asking different questions 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on theology, church history, and living out the Christian faith with clarity and conviction.
More from Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis
“How do you know if your repentance is genuine? In this episode, Jonny sits down with pastor and hymn writer Matt Boswell to walk through Psalm 51, David’s prayer of confession after his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. You’ll learn: The four movements of Psalm 51: repentance, inner restoration, renewal, and response Why David appeals to God’s mercy, not his own résumé Why “against you, you only have I sinned” is the key to true brokenness The difference between godly sorrow and beating yourself up What it means to ask God to “create” a clean heart (the same word used in Genesis 1) How to move through repentance into restored joy, not stay stuck in shame Why God uses broken people after they repent
“Why did God build rest into creation before he ever gave a single command to work? In this episode, Jonny and Hank trace the Sabbath from Genesis through the Ten Commandments to Jesus, and ask what it means for our rhythm of work and rest today. 📖 Pre-order Jonny Ardavanis's new book Get to Work: Seeing Your Daily Grind as God’s Good Gift here: https://a.co/d/0aFMdjNp You’ll learn: • Why God rested on the seventh day — not from exhaustion, but completion • How the Sabbath pointed forward to Christ, and why it’s no longer binding law • The difference between biblical rest and mere relaxation • Why busyness (not just laziness) can be a spiritual danger • How Jesus modeled withdrawing to be alone with the Father • Practical questions to evaluate your own rhythm of restIf you’ve ever felt guilty resting, or like you can’t stop producing or distracting yourself long enough to be still, this conversation will reframe rest as a gift from God, not an obstacle to productivity. This episode is part 5 in an ongoing series tied to Jonny’s book, “Get to Work.” 📱 This episode is also sponsored by Accountable2You. Stay accountable in a digital world: check out Accountable2You at accountable2you.com/dialin — use code DIALIN for 25% off your first year.
Are you accidentally raising a lazy adult? In this episode, Jonny sits down with Joel and Mary Beeke (author of "Teach Them to Work") to talk about why — and how — parents should train their children to work from an early age, not wait until adulthood. 📖 Pre-order Jonny Ardavanis's new book Get to Work: Seeing Your Daily Grind as God’s Good Gift here: https://a.co/d/0aFMdjNp You'll learn: • Why waiting until your kids are grown to teach them to work sets them up to fail • Practical ways to teach work to toddlers, young kids, and teens • The "5 E's" of raising a hard worker: entreaty, example, expectation, equipping, enjoyment • How to respond to the myth that "they have their whole life to work" • Why screens and overindulgence are quietly harming your kids • How moms play a uniquely powerful role in shaping a child's work ethic Whether you have toddlers, elementary-age kids, or teenagers, this conversation offers practical, biblical wisdom for raising children who see work as a gift from God — not a curse. Featuring Mary Beeke, author of "Teach Them to Work": https://a.co/d/00gl2kNs We're excited to announce a new partnership with Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, which equips leaders for the church through programs from undergraduate to master's and doctoral degrees. To celebrate, Midwestern is giving away $10,000 to one pastor this October for Pastor Appreciation Month ($5,000 for a family vacation and $5,000 for a church need), so nominate your pastor today at mbts.edu/dialin This episode is also sponsored by Accountable2You. Stay accountable in a digital world: check out Accountable2You at accountable2you.com/dialin — use code DIALIN for 25% off your first year.
"Is laziness just a bad habit, or is it a sin? In this episode, Jonny Ardavanis and Hank Bowen dig into the Book of Proverbs to unpack what the Bible really says about the sluggard — and why laziness is a character issue, not just a productivity issue. 📖 Pre-order Jonny Ardavanis's new book Get to Work: Seeing Your Daily Grind as God’s Good Gift here: https://a.co/d/0aFMdjNp You'll learn: • The 4 types of laziness: physical, mental, spiritual, and vocational • 5 traits of the "sluggard" from Proverbs 26 • Why laziness and godliness are total opposites • The real cost of laziness: poverty, disgrace, fractured relationships, and lost spiritual usefulness • Practical steps to repent of and fight off laziness Whether you're a student, parent, pastor, or professional, this conversation will challenge you to examine areas of your life where comfort has replaced diligence — and point you back to Christ's power to change.
What does the Bible actually say about your 9-to-5? In this episode, Jonny Ardavanis and Hank Bowen dig into the theology of work—why the curse of Genesis 3 made labor hard, and how believers are called to work with enthusiasm, enjoyment, excellence, integrity, and gratitude, no matter the job. 📖 Pre-order Jonny Ardavanis's new book Get to Work: Seeing Your Daily Grind as God’s Good Gift here: https://a.co/d/0aFMdjNp You'll learn: • Why work was designed to be an act of worship (not just a paycheck) • The three consequences of the Fall on our relationship to work • How to find joy in a job that feels mundane or difficult • Why grumbling and complaining undermines your gospel witness • What it means to "work as unto the Lord" — even for a bad boss Whether you're a stay-at-home mom, a CEO, a mechanic, or a student working part-time, this conversation will reshape how you think about vocation, calling, and Christian work ethic. 🙏 This episode is brought to you by The Master's University — committed to Jesus Christ and the authority and sufficiency of His Word. Learn more at masters.edu Stay accountable in a digital world: check out Accountable2You at accountable2you.com/dialin — use code DIALIN for 25% off your first year. #ChristianWorkEthic #TheologyOfWork #FaithAndWork #ChristianLiving #BiblicalWorldview #WorkAsWorship #DialInMinistries"