Revelation and Scripture. The term special revelation may be used in more than one sense.
It may denote the direct self-communications of God in verbal messages and in miraculous facts.
The prophets and the apostles often received messages from God long before they committed them to writing.
These are now contained in Scripture, but do not constitute the whole of the Bible.
Revelation and Proof of Scripture
There is much in it that was not revealed in a supernatural way, but is the result of study and of previous reflection. However, the term may also be used to denote the Bible as a whole, that whole complex of redemptive truths and facts, with the proper historical setting, that is found in Scripture and has the divine guarantee of its truth in the fact that it is infallibly inspired by the Holy Spirit.
In view of this fact it may be said that the whole Bible, and the Bible only, is for us God's special revelation. It is in the Bible that God's special revelation lives on and brings even now life, light, and holiness.
The whole Bible is given by inspiration of God, and is as such the infallible rule of faith and practice for all mankind. Since the doctrine of inspiration is often denied, it calls for special consideration.
This doctrine, like every other, is based on Scripture, and is not an invention of man. While it is founded on a great number of passages, only a few of these can be indicated here.
The Old Testament writers are repeatedly instructed to write what the Lord commands them,
See Ex. 17:14; 34:27; Num 33:2; Isa. 8:1; 30:8; Jer. 25:13; 30:2; Ezek. 24:1; Dan. 12:4; Hab. 2:2.
The prophets were conscious of bringing the word of the Lord, and therefore introduced their messages with some such formula as, "Thus saith the Lord," or, "The word of the Lord came unto me," Jer. 36:27, 32; Ezek., chapters 26, 27, 31, 32, 39.
Paul speaks of his words as Spirit-taught words, I Cor. 2:13, claims that Christ is speaking in him, II Cor. 13:3, and describes his message to the Thessalonians as the word of God, I Thess. 2:13.
The Epistle to the Hebrews often quotes passages of the Old Testament as words of God or of the Holy Spirit, Heb. 1:5; 3:7; 4:3; 5:6; 7:21.
The most important passage to prove the inspiration of Scripture is II Tim. 3:16, which reads as follows in the Authorized Version: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Next in the Series >> Nature of Inspiration in O.T
The Inspiration of Scripture - Part One
Revelation and Proof of Scripture
It is in the Bible that God's special revelation lives on and brings even now life, light, and holiness.
The whole Bible is given by inspiration of God, and is as such the infallible rule of faith and practice for all mankind.
Subjects covered
Revelation and Proof of Scripture Part One
The Extent of Inspiration in O.T Part two
