420 likes | 459 Views
Theology Proper. Grace Bible Institute 2015. Grace Bible Institute 2015. Theology Proper. Lesson 4 – General & Special Revelation. Grace Bible Institute 2015. Revelation.
E N D
Theology Proper Grace Bible Institute 2015 Grace Bible Institute 2015
Theology Proper Lesson 4 – General & Special Revelation Grace Bible Institute 2015
Revelation Because man is finite and God is infinite, if man is to know God it must come about by God's revelation of himself to man.
Revelation Defined… General Special Mt Sinai
General Revelation provides evidences for the existence of God at all times to all mankind.
General Revelation • Gives light to all and makes all accountable to God. • Brings condemnation when rejected.
Special Revelation is not provided for all of mankind and is not available at all times.
Special Revelation is… • exclusive. • partial. • accurate • purposeful • progressive
General & Special Revelation General revelation includes all that God has revealed in the world around us, including man, while special revelation includes various means He used to communicate His message in what was codified in the Bible.
General & Special Revelation General revelation is sometimes called natural theology and special revelation is called revealed theology. But, of course, what is revealed in nature is also revealed in theology. Some writers use the labels prelapsarian for general revelation and postlapsarian or soteric for special revelation. However, both general and special revelation are (a) from God and (b) about God. (Lewis Sperry Chafer)
Revelation Defined… General Special REVEALS HIS PLAN FOR REDEMPTION REVEALS GOD’S GLORY
General Revelation 3 ways God has revealed Himself in His creation. • Nature • Providence • Conscience
General Revelation General revelation speaks of the fact that God has revealed Himself through the created world in a way that is "generally" perceivable to all people on the earth. General revelation would include the ways God has revealed Himself through the physical universe, or through the flow of history, or even through human nature and human conscience. (Greg Allen, Bethany Bible Church)
General Revelation – in nature • Reveals God exists • Reveals God’s glory
General Revelation – in nature Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
General Revelation – in nature • Reveals God is omnipotent • Reveals God will judge
General Revelation – in nature Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
General Revelation – in nature • Reveals God is benevolent to all people
General Revelation – in providence so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous Matthew 5:45
General Revelation – in nature • Reveals God provides food for all people
General Revelation – in providence We …preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:15-17
General Revelation – in providence • Reveals God raises up and removes rulers
General Revelation – in Providence Daniel 2:21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.
General Revelation – in conscience • Reveals God has placed His law within the hearts of all people Law
General Revelation – in Conscience Romans 2:14-15 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
Special Revelation 2 ways God has specially revealed Himself in… • Christ • Scripture
Special Revelation – in Christ • Reveals what the Father is like
Special Revelation – in Christ John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Special Revelation – in Christ • Reveals the Father’s compassion
Special Revelation – in Christ John 5:36-37 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.
Special Revelation – in Christ • Reveals that the Father gives life to those who believe in the Son
Special Revelation – in Christ John 6:63; John 14:10 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. John 14:10
Special Revelation – in Scripture • Reveals all the doctrine, rebuke, correction & guidance that the Christian needs for good living
Special Revelation – in Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitablefor teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
Special Revelation – in Scripture • Reveals all that God has chosen to disclose through human authors directed by the Holy Spirit
Special Revelation – in Scripture 2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God
What is God like? • What is God like? What kind of God is He? How may we expect Him to act toward us and toward all created things? ….To our questions God has provide answers; not all the answers, certainly enough to satisfy our intellects and ravish our hearts. These answers He provided in nature, in the Scriptures, and in the person of His Son. – Tozer Knowledge of the Holy, p. 13
What is God like? • Though God in this threefold revelation has provided answers to our questions concerning Him, the answers by no means lie on the surface. They must be sought by prayer, by long mediation on the written Word, and by earnest and well-disciplined labor. However brightly the light may shine, it can be seen only by those who are spiritually prepared to receive it. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall seek God.” P. 14