Continuationism is the belief that all spiritual gifts are still operational today, just as they were in the early church. A person that believes that these gifts continue today is theologically classified as a continuationist.
Continuationism can cover a wide spectrum of beliefs, including conservative believers such as Martyn Lloyd Jones and John Piper, all the way to more liberal interpretations such as Benny Hinn and Paula White.
Arguments for continuationism
Spiritual gifts are listed in scripture at three main sources (Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28). Amidst these passages it is made clear that gifts are given by the Holy Spirit according to his will:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Evidence to support continuationism is that no passage in the Bible suggests these gifts have come to an end. Outside of scripture many testify to being witness to various miracles and signs of God. The main three witnessed are speaking in tongues, prophecy and gifts of healing.
Arguments against continuationism
The contrasting view to continuationism is cessationism. It is the belief that these spiritual gifts were limited for a time and ceased. The main arguments levelled against continuationism are:
Reports of these gifts do not reflect scriptural examples or standards
Historically the gifts have been accepted as ceased
A silence in the use of these gifts between the 1st century and 20th century
Old Testament excluded any mention of gifts ceasing but they did
You can find out more about cessationism in my article what is cessationism? Furthermore, if you want to compare the two viewpoints I have an article titled continuationism vs cessationism.
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