Introduction: Hearing God's Voice
There are books on the Christian marketplace who promote hearing God's voice. The consensus is in favor of hearing God's voice within a person [human] spirit as opposed to what is revealed already within the written revelation of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). In order that a person can receive salvation is through personal faith in Jesus Christ; not what is experiential theology (Col. 2:18, 19). The problem with Christian mystics in the professing church today is to claim that God has given them such personal revelation, prophecy, or prophetic utterance whereby such "revelation" of the spirit is their source of authority; not the objective truth of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21).
Throughout this article I will begin to lay the foundation as to the content of the nature of the Bible as it relates to the authority and inspiration of scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). Scripture is inspired by God by which the Holy Spirit (God) is the Author of scripture. As a ministry we believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible without any human error. Even though the Bible was written by "holy" men of God, but they were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration. Such "holy" men of God came from different culture, religious, and ethnic background they nevertheless were under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The God of the Bible did not take away their own style and vocabulary nor were they stenographers but they under the Spirit's guidance (2 Pet. 1:20). For example the apostle Paul expressed his heart felt desire and prayer for Israel's salvation (Rom. 10:1).
There are many professing believers who will contend that God speak "through" the Bible but are not God's Word. In so many words as God speak "through" the Bible is that the Bible is an open end book by which God gives such spiritual insight that are beyond the "mere" words of scripture. If in fact God speaks "through" the Bible so as to look beyond the "mere" words than what is the basis of the Church's authority? Is it the "revelation" that jumps out the page of scripture so as to gain spiritual insight as the basis of the authority of the Bible? or Is it God's Word that are the basis of authority as to pertaining to life and godliness? Postmodernism, postmodernity, and relativism lies at the heart of apostasy in regards to those professing believers which clearly deny the authority and inspiration of the Bible (1 Tim. 4:1).
The content of the nature of the Bible is that of the authority of scripture (Matt. 5:18). Jesus says according to Matthew 5:17: "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Throughout this particular passage of scripture refers to the authority of the Bible. Even before heaven and earth pass not one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law until all have been fulfilled. The authority of the Bible is every letter and word of scripture by which the law hath to be fulfilled. Jesus Christ fulfill the law of righteousness to those who believe in the gospel. The law is our school master as to reveal sin, but it does not produce the righteousness of God through personal faith in Jesus Christ. There are legalist in the professing church today who believe that apart of having God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ is based upon such works/righteousness (Eph. 2:8-9).
The nature of the authority of the Bible are every letter and word of scripture that are the basis of the Church's teaching (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Anything that is outside the perimeter of God's Word whether it is "spiritual" revelation or revelation of the spirit are in fact contrary to the clear teaching of scripture.
Secondly, the content of the nature of the Bible is that of the divine inspiration of scripture (2 Tim. 3:16). The apostle Paul declares according to 2 Timothy 3:16 where it says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." First, all scripture is God breathed. In so many words the Author of scripture supernaturally inspired scripture that are infallible in all its writings. In order to establish whether God's Word is true or not is to establish the basis of its Author. The Holy Spirit is Divine Truth by the Spirit is consistent with its very own nature (Jn. 14:26). In so many words the Holy Spirit will not contradict the truth of God's Word. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is Divine Truth (Jn. 14:26). There are many cults and isms that claim their writings are inspired by God, but are manufactured by men (2 Pet. 1:20) whether it is by via Revelation Knowledge or such "spiritual" revelation.
There are several characteristics of the Bible that give proof of its inspiration. That scripture are (1) profitable for doctrine (teaching). (2) For reproof (rebuke). (3) For correction (error). And (4) For instruction in righteousness (morality). So the proof of the divine authority and inspiration of the Bible is the basis of the Church's teaching and practice and the Author (God the Holy Spirit) of scripture.
Even though there are Christian mystics in the professing church who will have the Church to believe that even though the Bible is what it is but along with the Bible is to gain spiritual insight beyond the "mere" words of scripture so as to receive such "spiritual" revelation (Col. 2:8, 18, 19). Theological mysticism or mystics in the church today have in fact sap the spiritual lifeblood out of the Church as to its skeletal remains. Instead of the Church belief in the sufficiency of scripture as the basis of its teaching and practice that many have abandon the true faith by paying attention to deceiving spirits and doctrine taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1).
The Church today are in need of spiritual discernment in spiritually deceptive times. The reason for the proliferation of cults and heresies is due to the ignorance of church history, and biblical theology.
Rev. Darryl L. Miller, is the founder & Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Church (International) of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the president and Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and the continents. Darryl is bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? He is also the Radio Host, "Answer In Focus" Ministries that is aired weekly throughout metro Atlanta and beyond. As a apologist, pastor-teacher, senior researcher/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta, Georgia with their puppy "Little Baby."
Comments
Post a Comment