Kevin Baird – Page 9 – True Disciples

Are Prophets Really Still Around? (Part 1)

Posted on October 31, 2025Leave a comment

“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

– Luke 7:39 NKJV

Misconceptions abound when it comes to prophetic ministry and prophets. The reference above illustrates this perfectly. Jesus is interacting with a woman and a religious leader has a preconceived idea as to what a “real” prophet would be doing or saying. It becomes even more interesting as the religious leader is a supposed expert in what we would call “biblical knowledge” and the accusation is made towards Jesus who would epitomize the ultimate prophetic expression. I also think this story opens up the very real consideration that Old Testament prophetic activity may not exactly be replicated under a new covenant. In other words, an Old Testament prophet may not transition through the Cross in exactly the same way to be a New Testament prophet. (We will open that can in an upcoming post.)

Happy Reformation Day! (Or All Saints Eve)

Posted on October 31, 2025Leave a comment

Why is Reformation Day Important?

Today is the day 508 years ago that Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Chapel. Most people think of the restoration of the doctrine of Justification by Faith (Alone), and that would indeed be one of the big ones…

But I want to point out in our current day of incredible government overreach and attempts of god-like power, that Martin Luther rightly pointed out (for the first time in centuries), that there was no higher allegiance than first loyalty to the Word of God. Our allegiance was not to the whims of Kings, Popes, or Councils, but bound to the Scriptures. In modern application that would include political parties, politicians, and our civic government. One could make a case that Reformation Day is as vital to the Church and nation as the Fourth of July…perhaps even more so. There would have been no Fourth of July had there been no Reformation Day.

Continuationism and Prophets (Introduction)

Posted on October 29, 2025Leave a comment

“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (I Corinthians 14:1)

The last series of posts that I shared with you I mentioned that I sense a call to advocate for the theological position of continuationism. There is a spectrum of beliefs and convictions within this “lane” with various nuances and differences. As a whole, however, we believe that the “gifts” are still in operation which includes the revelatory gifts (tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy) rightly understood. I dealt with the differences in understanding revelation in the previous posts, but will continue to touch on points through this set of posts as well.

Cessationism vs. Continuationism: “I don’t want to fight, but I won’t be silent” (Part 3)

Posted on October 22, 2025Leave a comment

This will be my last post, for now, concerning the animus which revolves around cessationism and continuationism. I want to explore and offer some suggestions as to how the vitriol can get dialed down and preserve some semblance of Christian unity for the sake of the Gospel and our witness to the world (John 17:20-23, 13:34-35). Years ago, while pastoring a church in Charleston, SC., John MacArthur hosted the first Strange Fire Conference which solicited thousands of pastors to attend. The Strange Fire book and conference were basically an updated and expanded version of his 1978 original book entitled, “The Charismatics”, which attempted to address a relatively new phenomenon at the time best represented in the Renewal Movement. It was updated in 1980 and then retitled in 1992 to “Charismatic Chaos”. So, MacArthur was hot on the trail of Charismatics for many years. The Strange Fire Conference obviously solicited great attention which was a part of the reason it was held. MacArthur felt it was time to escalate his concerns and the challenges he perceived it represented. Hey, it’s America and everybody gets to declare their views and theology. But in an age of social media and incredible public influence, religious views get scrutiny too. I decided I could not let some of the accusations which originated from that conference go unchallenged. So, I posted vigorous rebuttals.

Cessationism vs. Continuationism: “I don’t want to fight, but I won’t be silent” (Part 2)

Posted on October 21, 2025Leave a comment

Hopefully you read part 1 of these posts and get the sense of why I am addressing this theological kerfuffle. I will say it again, I have no expectation of changing anyone’s mind or position. The divide between cessationists and continuationists is significant and passionate in many ways. Highly influential cessationist’s believe, as one notable pastor often put it, “that charismatics are a cancer in the body of Christ.” I will never forget years ago, attending a conference for pastors hosted and underwritten by a well-known activist organization that platformed a well respected Reformed/Cessationist pastor. It was the very first session and he was the lead-off speaker. He was tasked with giving the devotional to this group of highly diverse, orthodox evangelical pastors from various Bible-believing denominations and nondenominational churches. There were some notable ministries represented in the congregation of pastors. This gentleman chose to open his devotional by firing generalized condescension at Charismatics and Pentecostals. There were a lot of continuationists in that room. The remarks made a few chuckle, but you could sense the tension in the room immediately. As I sat there, battling no small sense of theological offense myself, I simply mused, “Why?” Why would someone go out of their way to alienate over half the crowd by declaring their theological elitism and superiority? Sadly, several workshops had similar moments of imprecision and generalization aimed directly at the Pentecostals and Charismatics in attendance. By the middle of the conference, over half the attendees had ceased attending. Why not? No one attending wants to endure having their doctrine assailed continually. Especially when that doctrine is scripturally, historically, and theologically sound.