The Prophecy of Scripture: The Truthfulness and Reliability of God's Word
Text: 2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16
Introduction: The character of the prophecy of scripture is that it was not manufactured by men but that God inspired the Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16). In 2 Timothy 3:16 by which the apostle Paul says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness." The character of God's Word is that it was divinely inspired by God by which there were 40+ authors who was under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit to who wrote what God intended them to write in order to give to the church today (e.g. Rom. 10:1-2ff). These were "holy" men of God who were instrumental in writing was God intended for them to write but that they were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:21).
The problem with many of the world religions today is to claim that many of their writings are "inspired" by God but that it is unequivocally not on par with that of God's written revelation of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16). The difference between that of inspired Word of God and those writings that claim such "divine" inspiration is to know who is its Author. The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture by which the character of the Spirit is Divine Truth (Jn. 14:26). Since God is the Author of scripture than God's Word is without any human error. Why? Because such "holy" men of God was under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit by which God did not take away there style and vocabulary by which they were able to demonstrate their feelings (e.g. Rom. 10:1-2ff). When it comes to the writings of "mere" men who claim that there writings are "inspired" by God are to be in question simply because they were not under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit by which there writings are in subjection to human errors. What they wrote is manufactured by men; not by God who character is that of Divine Truth (Jn. 14:26).
Whenever the church "substitute" God's Word for such personal prophecies, revelations, and "inward" voice of the spirit have in fact crossed over the threshold of theological mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19). Throughout the history of the church today is to witness that of the Great Apostasy by which there is a falling away from the true faith by which the Church is paying attention to deceiving spirits taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Throughout this article I will begin to address that of the (1) character of scripture in light of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21). (2) Therefore the nature of the character of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19 with 2 Tim. 3:16). And also (3) The false claim of those who claim that there writings and teachings are "inspired" by God (2 Pet. 1:20). Also therefore (4) The necessity of evaluating the claims of those within the professing church today who claim that there writings and teachings are based upon such "divine" inspiration (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
First before I begin to address many of the issues that are within this article is to know how important it is for the Church today to understand that the word "prophecy" according to 2 Peter 1:21 refers God's written Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21 with 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). There is no where in scripture based upon the context of 2 Peter 1:21 as the the apostle Peter mentioned that of the word "prophecy" that gives indication of personal prophecies, and spiritual revelations. Many Charismatics makes the mistake of pouring "new" meanings into biblical words without defining such biblical terminology based upon the standard definition of the Bible (2 Pet. 3:16). The apostle Peter call such men as, "unstable and ignorant" as they distort the truth of God's Word as they do also the other scripture unto their own destruction." Whenever professing "Christian" teachers pervert the truth of God's Word then in turn it will adversely affect those who are under their leadership (2 Pet. 2:2). I found it quite chilling that when people are greatly influence by false spiritual leaders they readily will defend what is untrue when it comes to God's Word but also be in denial whether what they are being taught is truth in and of itself. When it comes to the issue of recognizing what is biblical truth is that many professing believers are without truth by which they are spiritually blinded by Satan (2 Cor. 4:1-4).
When it comes to the character of the prophecy of scripture according to 2 Peter 1:19 is that God's Word is sure. The church can bank on the fact that everything that God's Word says is true and reliable. We talk about the character of the prophecy of scripture. Quite unfortunately there are many "new" evangelicals and emerging church leaders who do not believe the truthfulness and reliability of scripture: that of the prophecy of scripture being "incomplete" by which there is a necessity for further revelations to affirm that of its authenticity and truthfulness as to its own character. Scripture is complete without any additional revelation nor revelation of the spirit (Heb. 1:1-2a). If in fact God's Word is not complete and sufficient than there is no sufficiency whatsoever. What the church possess is that of God's complete written revelation of His Word. For professing "Christian" teachers to deny that of the character of God's Word: that of scripture truthfulness and reliability is to deny that of its authority and inspiration (2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
The nature of the character of the prophecy of scripture is according to 2 Timothy 3:16 by which it is profitable for doctrine ("teaching") for reproof ("rebuking") for instruction in righteousness ("morality"). Everything that the church needs to know pertaining to life and godliness is within that of God's written Word. There are many professing believers who question the nature of the prophecy of scripture as if it does not have any bearing upon the ethical teaching and moral life of the Church today. I personally have witness this firsthand when it comes to how the church are to be govern based upon 1 Timothy 3:1-7 when it comes to the qualification of biblical elders. The rise of feminism have in fact usurp authority of what is mandated in God's Word. There is a reverse of roles within that of the church where we have woman who claim to be called into the pastorate but reject the biblical concept of male leadership within the church today as to its pulpit teaching ministry. Feminism, liberalism, and neo-orthodoxy have in fact destroyed that of the ethical moral teaching of the church today by which they are in opposition to the patriarchal God of the Bible. These are feminist and liberals who deny that of Christ's lordship as to be under God's divine authority. If and when God's Word is not the Church's source of authority have in fact denied the true faith by which the remedy for spiritual apostasy is God's divine judgment (1 Tim. 4:1; Jude 8-10).
The false claim of many professing "Christian" teachers who claim that there teachings and writings are "inspired" by God goes contrary to God's Word (2 Pet. 1:20). The apostle Peter declares, "There is no prophecy of scripture that is given by prophet's own interpretation of things." When it comes to the prophecy of scripture is that it is not manufactured by men but that it is inspired by God (2 Pet. 1:21). There are self-proclaimed modern-day prophets and prophetess who claim that there writings and teachings are inspired by God as if they have a corner on the truth at the exclusion of the Church as a whole. The truth of God's Word is accessible to the Church as a whole; not those who claim to have some kind of "direct" pipeline from God as to give them such "special" revelation (v. 20). Personal prophecies, revelations, and "inward" voice of the spirit is the "Christian" mystic source of authority; not what is the objective truth of God's Word. Such pseudo-teachers claim to see into the future, unravel that of God's divine mysteries, and to give a "personal" word to the church as to how it is to be govern but it is based upon their self imposed theology. In so many words the "prophecy" or the revelation they claim to receive "directly" from God is something they made up. It does not bear witness to the truth of God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1 with Acts 17:11). It is very unfortunate that people in the church today rely on the "personal" prophecies or revelations of these pseudo-teachers as their source of authority; not God's written Word. They have become so spiritually "addicted" by which they look for the next spiritual "high" in order to affirm their "relationship" with God. Salvation is based upon the Person of Jesus Christ; not what is within a person's spirit or them getting a revelation to affirm they are saved (Jn. 3:36; Titus 3:5). The Church can have God's written Word but also denies that of the authority of scripture so as to what it ought to believe and "how" they are to live their lives. For the Church to "substitute" God's Word for such "personal" prophecies, revelations, or "inward" voice of the spirit is to cross over the threshold of theological mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19).
There is a necessity for the Church today to evaluate the claims of pseudo-teachers in the professing church today who claim that their writings are "inspired" by God (Acts 17:11 with 1 Jn. 4:1). The problem with the Church today is that many of evangelical churches are not concerned about judging whether the speaker are telling the truth or not. Many professing believers are selective of false teachers who are going to tell them what their itching ears want to hear by which they reject sound biblical truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The church has in fact become so spiritually "different" towards what is biblical truth that they allow these pseudo-teachers to promote their novelty of teachings by which many within the church today are so gullible to believe anything that may appear to be the truth. The "inexperienced" of believers and the naive are very much so gullible to believing what may appears to be the truth but are prime candidates of cult recruitment and proseylization (Matt. 23). There are many of believers who do not know "what" they believe and "why" they believe what the Bible teach (1 Pet. 3:15). The Church have in fact "failed" when it comes to discipleship and evangelism: that of preparing God's people as to the foundation of the Christian faith and pre-cult evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20). Whenever spiritual "charlatans" come on the scene by sprouting off about some supposedly personal prophecies and spiritual "revelation" as to come "straight" from God then by all means it is necessary to judge what they teach based upon God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1). The church cannot afford to throw away their rational rudder in being able to judge truth from error but that every believer have an "unction" from the Holy One by which they know all things pertaining to the truth of God's Word. According to 1 John 2:24 where the apostle John says, "...you need not that any man teach you ("Gnostics") but that you have an "anointing" that teacheth you by which the Spirit of God indwells each of you." Never should the church pay attention to Gnostics in the professing church today who seek to lead God's people astray by believing what is not true as oppose to believing the truth of God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1, 2-3). The church must model that of the Bereans in that "they searched the scripture daily to see if those things were so." (Acts 17:11).
In conclusion when it comes to the character of the prophecy of scripture is that God's Word is sure and reliable as oppose to pseudo-teachers in the professing church today who claim that there writings are "inspired" by God. The Church have that of God's written Word as oppose to Gnostics who claim such "secret" knowledge or spiritual insight that does not bear witness to the truth of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:20). Also the Church possess such true spiritual knowledge by which it is made accessible to every believer but that many professing "Christian" teachers possess such "fleshly" knowledge and wisdom (Col. 1:9-10; 2:18-19). The fount of the wisdom and knowledge of God is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not the so-called spiritually "enlightened" who claim such "secret" knowledge or spiritual "insight" so as to unravel God's divine mysteries. Most Christian mystics based upon their "new found" faith so as to "read into" the mind of God as to the unsearchable wisdom and knowledge of God. God is unlimited in His knowledge; Man is "limited" in his knowledge of Who God Is. Through the "special" revelation of God's Word is that God disclosed Himself based upon the written revelation of His Word and through the Incarnate Son of God revealed in human flesh (Jn. 1:14; Jn. 18:37; 2 Tim. 3:16). The nature and character of the prophecy of scripture is that of its truthfulness and reliability of the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). It is the responsibility of the Church today to test any private interpretation, personal prophecies, and revelations based upon what God's Word says; not the other way around. For any particular sect, cult, group, or organization to pervert that of God's Word is to envision God's divine judgment (Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Pet. 2:1).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? @ www.Amazon.com. He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons.com. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
Whenever the church "substitute" God's Word for such personal prophecies, revelations, and "inward" voice of the spirit have in fact crossed over the threshold of theological mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19). Throughout the history of the church today is to witness that of the Great Apostasy by which there is a falling away from the true faith by which the Church is paying attention to deceiving spirits taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Throughout this article I will begin to address that of the (1) character of scripture in light of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21). (2) Therefore the nature of the character of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19 with 2 Tim. 3:16). And also (3) The false claim of those who claim that there writings and teachings are "inspired" by God (2 Pet. 1:20). Also therefore (4) The necessity of evaluating the claims of those within the professing church today who claim that there writings and teachings are based upon such "divine" inspiration (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
First before I begin to address many of the issues that are within this article is to know how important it is for the Church today to understand that the word "prophecy" according to 2 Peter 1:21 refers God's written Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21 with 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). There is no where in scripture based upon the context of 2 Peter 1:21 as the the apostle Peter mentioned that of the word "prophecy" that gives indication of personal prophecies, and spiritual revelations. Many Charismatics makes the mistake of pouring "new" meanings into biblical words without defining such biblical terminology based upon the standard definition of the Bible (2 Pet. 3:16). The apostle Peter call such men as, "unstable and ignorant" as they distort the truth of God's Word as they do also the other scripture unto their own destruction." Whenever professing "Christian" teachers pervert the truth of God's Word then in turn it will adversely affect those who are under their leadership (2 Pet. 2:2). I found it quite chilling that when people are greatly influence by false spiritual leaders they readily will defend what is untrue when it comes to God's Word but also be in denial whether what they are being taught is truth in and of itself. When it comes to the issue of recognizing what is biblical truth is that many professing believers are without truth by which they are spiritually blinded by Satan (2 Cor. 4:1-4).
When it comes to the character of the prophecy of scripture according to 2 Peter 1:19 is that God's Word is sure. The church can bank on the fact that everything that God's Word says is true and reliable. We talk about the character of the prophecy of scripture. Quite unfortunately there are many "new" evangelicals and emerging church leaders who do not believe the truthfulness and reliability of scripture: that of the prophecy of scripture being "incomplete" by which there is a necessity for further revelations to affirm that of its authenticity and truthfulness as to its own character. Scripture is complete without any additional revelation nor revelation of the spirit (Heb. 1:1-2a). If in fact God's Word is not complete and sufficient than there is no sufficiency whatsoever. What the church possess is that of God's complete written revelation of His Word. For professing "Christian" teachers to deny that of the character of God's Word: that of scripture truthfulness and reliability is to deny that of its authority and inspiration (2 Tim. 3:15, 16).
The nature of the character of the prophecy of scripture is according to 2 Timothy 3:16 by which it is profitable for doctrine ("teaching") for reproof ("rebuking") for instruction in righteousness ("morality"). Everything that the church needs to know pertaining to life and godliness is within that of God's written Word. There are many professing believers who question the nature of the prophecy of scripture as if it does not have any bearing upon the ethical teaching and moral life of the Church today. I personally have witness this firsthand when it comes to how the church are to be govern based upon 1 Timothy 3:1-7 when it comes to the qualification of biblical elders. The rise of feminism have in fact usurp authority of what is mandated in God's Word. There is a reverse of roles within that of the church where we have woman who claim to be called into the pastorate but reject the biblical concept of male leadership within the church today as to its pulpit teaching ministry. Feminism, liberalism, and neo-orthodoxy have in fact destroyed that of the ethical moral teaching of the church today by which they are in opposition to the patriarchal God of the Bible. These are feminist and liberals who deny that of Christ's lordship as to be under God's divine authority. If and when God's Word is not the Church's source of authority have in fact denied the true faith by which the remedy for spiritual apostasy is God's divine judgment (1 Tim. 4:1; Jude 8-10).
The false claim of many professing "Christian" teachers who claim that there teachings and writings are "inspired" by God goes contrary to God's Word (2 Pet. 1:20). The apostle Peter declares, "There is no prophecy of scripture that is given by prophet's own interpretation of things." When it comes to the prophecy of scripture is that it is not manufactured by men but that it is inspired by God (2 Pet. 1:21). There are self-proclaimed modern-day prophets and prophetess who claim that there writings and teachings are inspired by God as if they have a corner on the truth at the exclusion of the Church as a whole. The truth of God's Word is accessible to the Church as a whole; not those who claim to have some kind of "direct" pipeline from God as to give them such "special" revelation (v. 20). Personal prophecies, revelations, and "inward" voice of the spirit is the "Christian" mystic source of authority; not what is the objective truth of God's Word. Such pseudo-teachers claim to see into the future, unravel that of God's divine mysteries, and to give a "personal" word to the church as to how it is to be govern but it is based upon their self imposed theology. In so many words the "prophecy" or the revelation they claim to receive "directly" from God is something they made up. It does not bear witness to the truth of God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1 with Acts 17:11). It is very unfortunate that people in the church today rely on the "personal" prophecies or revelations of these pseudo-teachers as their source of authority; not God's written Word. They have become so spiritually "addicted" by which they look for the next spiritual "high" in order to affirm their "relationship" with God. Salvation is based upon the Person of Jesus Christ; not what is within a person's spirit or them getting a revelation to affirm they are saved (Jn. 3:36; Titus 3:5). The Church can have God's written Word but also denies that of the authority of scripture so as to what it ought to believe and "how" they are to live their lives. For the Church to "substitute" God's Word for such "personal" prophecies, revelations, or "inward" voice of the spirit is to cross over the threshold of theological mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19).
There is a necessity for the Church today to evaluate the claims of pseudo-teachers in the professing church today who claim that their writings are "inspired" by God (Acts 17:11 with 1 Jn. 4:1). The problem with the Church today is that many of evangelical churches are not concerned about judging whether the speaker are telling the truth or not. Many professing believers are selective of false teachers who are going to tell them what their itching ears want to hear by which they reject sound biblical truth (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The church has in fact become so spiritually "different" towards what is biblical truth that they allow these pseudo-teachers to promote their novelty of teachings by which many within the church today are so gullible to believe anything that may appear to be the truth. The "inexperienced" of believers and the naive are very much so gullible to believing what may appears to be the truth but are prime candidates of cult recruitment and proseylization (Matt. 23). There are many of believers who do not know "what" they believe and "why" they believe what the Bible teach (1 Pet. 3:15). The Church have in fact "failed" when it comes to discipleship and evangelism: that of preparing God's people as to the foundation of the Christian faith and pre-cult evangelism (Matt. 28:19-20). Whenever spiritual "charlatans" come on the scene by sprouting off about some supposedly personal prophecies and spiritual "revelation" as to come "straight" from God then by all means it is necessary to judge what they teach based upon God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1). The church cannot afford to throw away their rational rudder in being able to judge truth from error but that every believer have an "unction" from the Holy One by which they know all things pertaining to the truth of God's Word. According to 1 John 2:24 where the apostle John says, "...you need not that any man teach you ("Gnostics") but that you have an "anointing" that teacheth you by which the Spirit of God indwells each of you." Never should the church pay attention to Gnostics in the professing church today who seek to lead God's people astray by believing what is not true as oppose to believing the truth of God's Word (1 Jn. 4:1, 2-3). The church must model that of the Bereans in that "they searched the scripture daily to see if those things were so." (Acts 17:11).
In conclusion when it comes to the character of the prophecy of scripture is that God's Word is sure and reliable as oppose to pseudo-teachers in the professing church today who claim that there writings are "inspired" by God. The Church have that of God's written Word as oppose to Gnostics who claim such "secret" knowledge or spiritual insight that does not bear witness to the truth of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:20). Also the Church possess such true spiritual knowledge by which it is made accessible to every believer but that many professing "Christian" teachers possess such "fleshly" knowledge and wisdom (Col. 1:9-10; 2:18-19). The fount of the wisdom and knowledge of God is in the Person of Jesus Christ; not the so-called spiritually "enlightened" who claim such "secret" knowledge or spiritual "insight" so as to unravel God's divine mysteries. Most Christian mystics based upon their "new found" faith so as to "read into" the mind of God as to the unsearchable wisdom and knowledge of God. God is unlimited in His knowledge; Man is "limited" in his knowledge of Who God Is. Through the "special" revelation of God's Word is that God disclosed Himself based upon the written revelation of His Word and through the Incarnate Son of God revealed in human flesh (Jn. 1:14; Jn. 18:37; 2 Tim. 3:16). The nature and character of the prophecy of scripture is that of its truthfulness and reliability of the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). It is the responsibility of the Church today to test any private interpretation, personal prophecies, and revelations based upon what God's Word says; not the other way around. For any particular sect, cult, group, or organization to pervert that of God's Word is to envision God's divine judgment (Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Pet. 2:1).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? @ www.Amazon.com. He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons.com. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
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