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The Revelation of Scripture
Bibliology Lesson #3

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Definition

1. Dictionary: to remove the veil; to unveil

2. Doctrinal:  the act of God by which he imparts secrets to men. (Deut.29:29; Amos 3:7)

B. Divisions

1. General Revelation

a. Refers to those ways (circumstances, conscience, creation) by which God has revealed Himself to all men at all times (Rom.1:17-20)

b. Reveals only general information

(1) The existence of God

(2) The guilt of man

(3) The judgment of God

(4) Does not reveal God's salvation or the Gospel, so no one can be saved through general revelation.

2. Special Revelation

a. Refers to those ways (miracles, coming of Christ, visions, prophets, etc.) in which God has revealed Himself to special people at special times

b. The only way to truly know God's truth (John 17:17)

(1) Knowledge of God

(2) Knowledge of beginnings

(3) Knowledge of the end - prophecy

(4) Knowledge of the conscience or heart

(5) Knowledge of salvation
 

C. Relationship to Other Doctrines

1. Revelation guarantees that those secret things of God that he has planned to give to man are given properly and fully.

2. Inspiration guided men as they wrote down the scriptures and guarantees that men will receive the knowledge that God has planned for him to have.

3. Preservation guarantees the continued protection of God's revelation throughout the years of the world.

4. Preservation depends upon inspiration.

5. Inspiration depends of revelation

6. Revelation depends on the existence and interest of God

7. Illumination and Interpretation produce our faith and our service.

II. DOCTRINE OF REVELATION

A. Revelation Through Circumstances (Rom.1:18)

1. In nations (Deut.32:29-43; Ps.75:6-7; Isa.12-13; Jer.50:9-13)

2. In Israel (II Sam.7:12-18; Jer.31:35-37)

3. In all men (Ps.145:9; Matt.5:45; Acts 14:17). This is sometimes called  common grace.

B. Revelation Through Conscience

1. The  quality of man's acknowledging the existence of God (Rom.1:19)

2. Reveals the difference between right and wrong: convicting of sin and rewarding good (Rom.2:14-15; I John 3:17-23)

a. Some have a weak conscience (I Cor.8:7)

b. Some have a defiled conscience (Tit.1:15)

c. Some have a seared conscience (I Tim.4:2)

4. When guided by scripture, our conscience can be a truthful guide for living. (Acts 23:1; 24:16)

C. Revelation Through Creation

1. In General Revelation we can know the glory of God (Ps.19:1-3)

2. In General Revelation we can know God's eternal power (Rom.1:20)3. 

3. In General Revelation we can know the Godhead (Rom.1:20; see Acts 17:29; Col.2:9)

IV. SPECIAL REVELATION

A. Miracles

1. To confirm the power of God (Josh.2:9-11; 4:23-24)

2. To confirm the Son of God (Matt.11:1-6; John 5:36; 10:25; 14:11)

3. To confirm the word of God (Mark 16:17-20)

B. Incarnation (Matt.11:27; John 1:18; 14:9-10) - Incarnation has to do with Jesus Christ himself, who is the living word, as opposed to the Bible, which is the written word.

C. Direct Communication

1. Dreams (Dan.2:28)

2. Visions (Ezek.1:1)

3. Spoken words (Num.12:6-8) - Most of the Bible was spoken before it was ever written

D. Written Word of God (John 5:39; Rom.1:1-2; 16:25-26)

1. The word of God (scripture) has always been settled in heaven (Psa. 119:89).

2. The word of God was given to us progressively parts at a time.

3. The word of God was completed at the end of the book of Revelation (Rev. 22:18-19).

4. There is now no open revelation (1 Cor. 13:10-13).

a.  1 Sam. 3:1  And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; [there was] no open vision.

b.  There were times during the revelation of God's word that God was not giving any open vision, when there was no open revelation, special revelation.

c.  The time would come, then, when open revelation would end as reflected in the scripture here considered and also Rev.22:18-19.

ANTIOCH  BAPTIST  COLLEGE
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Cincinnati, OH  45215 - (513) 314-9396
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