Definition
Continuationism is the theological position that the gifts of the Holy Spirit — including tongues, prophecy, and healing — remain active throughout the entire church age, until the return of Christ. Continuationism stands opposed to cessationism. All five authors in the corpus presuppose a continuing operation of the Spirit; they differ, however, in the emphasis they place on the nature, purpose, and hierarchy of the gifts relative to the fruit of the Spirit.
Usage in the Corpus
George Warnock
Warnock defends a continuationist position that distinguishes him from the classical Pentecostal model: gifts are real and continuously active, but subordinate to the eschatological ripening of the fruit of the Spirit. “In this realm even the gifts of the Spirit lose their significance, just as the moon loses its brightness in the dawning of the morn. The part gives way to the whole, the seed breaks forth into the blade, the ear, and the full corn. Faith proceeds unto hope, and hope buds forth in Love.” The law of the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2) operates without interruption in the generation of Christ. Warnock sees the latter rain as eschatological confirmation that the gifts have not ceased but are growing toward a climax. [Warnock, Evening and Morning, Chs. 2 and 3]
Stephen Jones
Jones’ pneumatology is eschatologically progressive and structurally continuationist: the Pentecost program subsists as an earnest in anticipation of the fullness at the Feast of Tabernacles. The moadim — God’s appointed times — remain undiminished in their operation. The outpouring of Pentecost is the beginning, not the endpoint: “This will unleash the last great revival and outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will not cease.” The definitive outpouring occurs on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles — an eschatological fulfillment that surpasses the present Pentecostal experience. [Jones, The Laws of the Second Coming, Chs. 7 and 10]
Watchman Nee & Witness Lee
Nee/Lee are implicitly continuationist: gifts are active but serving the indwelling of Christ as the true goal of God’s economy. Both aspects of the Spirit are available and necessary in the present age: “We need the Holy Spirit of Resurrection Day as life in us and the Holy Spirit of Pentecost Day as power upon us. The filling of the Holy Spirit is inwardly necessary; the clothing of the Holy Spirit is also outwardly necessary.” [Nee/Lee, The Economy of God, Ch. 2]