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The Nature of Divine Revelation. Galatians 1:11-12. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation.
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Galatians 1:11-12 • 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. • 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation • “laying bear, making naked…a disclosure of truth, instruction…concerning things before unknown” (Thayer) - Rev. 1:1 • Unknown withoutGodtellingus - Eph. 3:3 • Necessary to know the mind of God • 1 Cor. 2:7-12 • Nature of revelationassuresourfaith in God’s wordissound - 1 Thes. 2:13
Revelation is TruthJohn 16:13 • Power to sanctify sinners - Jno. 17:17 • “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God” (Thayer) • Not “cunningly devised fables” - 2 Pet. 1:16 • Not the wisdom/will of men - Gal. 1:11-12 “The word of the truth of the gospel”teaches heaven’s hope - Col. 1:5
Revelation is Verbally Inspired2 Peter 1:20-21 • Holy Spirit gave the apostles the words to speak - Matt. 10:16-20 • Scripture given by inspiration - 2 Tim. 3:16 • God-breathed – Breathed out by God • Holy Spirit combined spiritual things with spiritual words - 1 Cor. 2:12-13
Revelation is Miraculously Confirmed1 Cor. 2:4-5; Heb. 2:3-4; Mk. 16:17-20 • Validated, certified genuine - Gal. 1:11-12 • Example of this confirmation - Acts 14:3 • Assures our faith, giving us confidence that our faith is in a word that came from God and not man
Revelation is Adequate2 Timothy 3:16-17 • Sufficient, fully meets our needs • For every good work • All things concerning life and godliness - 2 Pet. 1:3-4 • All truth - Jno. 16:13-15
Revelation is IncorruptibleMatthew 24:35 • Always reliable & relevant • 1 Peter 1:22-25 • Truth abides with us forever - 2 Jno. 2 • Truth continues on, even though some have/will depart from it - 1 Tim. 4:1
Revelation was Delivered OnceJude 3 • “Once for all” (hapax) - Heb. 7:27; 9:27; 10:10 • That which is perfect has come - 1 Cor. 13:8-10 • Completely revealed, competently confirmed to be genuine and inspired in its communication to the world (Jas. 1:25) • No new, ongoing, as yet undiscovered revelation
Revelation is AuthoritativeMatthew 28:18 • Apostolic teaching is heaven’s authority • Jno. 13:20 (Matt. 18:18; 16:19) • Scripture has binding authority - Jno. 10:35 • The apostles’ teaching must never be minimized- 1 Cor. 14:37 • Paul had the Spirit of God - 1 Cor. 7:40
Revelation is UnderstandableHebrews 1:1-2 • God has communicated to us - Eph. 3:3-4 • Christ expects us to know and abide in His word - Jno. 8:31-32 • Full assurance of understanding… knowledge…in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Col. 2:1-4
Rom. 10:17; 1 Thess. 2:13 Our Faith is Secure When it is Built Upon God’s Revelation
Revelation is Powerful to Accomplish God’s PurposesIsa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12 • Power to convict of sin - Jno. 16:8; Acts 2:37 • Power to convert the heart - Rom. 6:17-18 • Power to save the soul - Rom. 1:16
God’s Revelation of Truth • Restrains us from sin - Prov. 29:18 • Strengthens us in our obedience to the faith - Rom. 16:25-26