General Discussion Is God giving new revelations, or is His word from the bible His only revelation?

[William D'Andrea]

Getting advice from the Bible can be very difficult, especially when it comes to dealing with things that is doesn't actually mention.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told his Disciples "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:31-33)
Jesus spoke of eating, drinking and clothing. He did not mention shelter. When I was in need of a place to live, I got help from a Christian friend, who is very knowledgeable about how to deal with this very complex situation. He helped me find a very good apartment, in Government subsidized housing, established by Catholic Charities of Long Island. I consider this a true blessing from the Lord.
Jesus also did not say anything about computers and the internet, with which I'm having a lot of problems. I've been praying for help and guidance with this, from both the Lord and fellow members of christianwriters.com. I also thank you for your prayers, that I receive a dental implant, as quickly as possible. I truly thank those of you who've been giving me good advice, and request that you keep praying. In Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[D-Clemens]

@William D'Andrea This is where context helps. The Bible is full of examples of God caring for needs that exceed that of food, water, and clothing. Also, remember that in that culture, it was common to welcome people in need to stay with you. Jesus mentions being welcomed in the parable of the sheep and goats in the latter part of Matthew 25. 1 Peter 4:8-10 tells us to show hospitality and care for each other.

The Bible doesn't mention cars specifically, but when a widow in our church needed one, we prayed, and God answered, and she received one for free from someone the Holy Spirit directed us to from outside the church.

In James, we learn that we are often shortchanging ourselves because we either don't ask or ask with the wrong motivations. James 4:1-3

None of this is to say that Prosperity Gospel is right. God loves us and wants to equip us for His service and His glory.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

Scripture being the car and the new revelation as simply a place to drive it

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Maybe more like a mail slot. God sends us verses to read daily. They pile up on the floor if not opened.
Every time we open the Word - God sends us messages: some old, some new.

The car image sounds like we drive the Word where we want to go.

My favorite passage: John 21:
18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

God's messages often take us where we do not want to go. We are not driving it. He is.

 

[D-Clemens]

Maybe more like a mail slot. God sends us verses to read daily. They pile up on the floor if not opened.
Every time we open the Word - God sends us messages: some old, some new.

The car image sounds like we drive the Word where we want to go.

My favorite passage: John 21:
18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."
19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

God's messages often take us where we do not want to go. We are not driving it. He is.

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I am not sure you understood. Christians go. Christians do. We are supposed to be very active people. What we bring when we go and do is Scripture. Matt 28:19-20,, James 1:22 Gal 6:9, 1 Cor 15:58

The Holy Spirit sends people as preachers, evangelists, teachers, missionaries, workplace missionaries, and more. In addition, the Holy Spirit will point out people in need, opportunities for blessings, to give or receive instruction, and more. Everyone has a job or jobs. Everyone has gifts to build up the Body of Christ. If you are told, aka called to do something, that is new information being revealed to you. Acts 1:8, Acts 8:29 Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12 1 Cor 12:12-27, Rom 1:1, Eph 2:10

I am not sure anyone wants to go and be crucified, which is what Jesus is talking about in John 21:18. That is a horrific death. As far as anyone knows, Peter still put himself in the position to be crucified and may have asked to be upside down.

We are still flesh and so there are still times we resist but there are also times when God has brought us far enough along that we obey the first time He asks for something.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

B

Christians go. Christians do. We are supposed to be very active people.

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We are "called out" and "sent" - but no. We have no power within ourselves to go correctly.
We dare not trust in our own power or strength. Instead, we surrender completely. He then moves in us.
His Robe fills our Temple. His power moves, like the Valley of Dry Bones - He alone puts us together and moves us.
Anyone who rushes off to go and do - misses everything.

Too many Martha's preaching "Go. Do." very popular.
Mary sat at Jesus feet. She was rewarded.
We teach "wait on the Lord." Mary was proven right.
Martha missed the Son of God sitting in her living room. Busy busy.
Matthew 7:22 "Many will say on that day, Lord I did this and this and this in your name."
I will tell them plainly, "I don't KNOW you. Away from Me go-er do-er."

 

[C.W. Pettit]

Crucifixion is the only way. Jesus taught take up your cross and follow Me.
Even the thief next to Jesus - who never went to Sunday School, a church, never baptized, etc. died on a cross.
Crucifixion to this old world and its sin is the only way to heaven.
All the disciples and apostles martyred in various ways - were crucified first - dead to the world long before.
Crucifixion is being Christ-like.

 

[D-Clemens]

B

We are "called out" and "sent" - but no. We have no power within ourselves to go correctly.
We dare not trust in our own power or strength. Instead, we surrender completely. He then moves in us.
His Robe fills our Temple. His power moves, like the Valley of Dry Bones - He alone puts us together and moves us.
Anyone who rushes off to go and do - misses everything.

Too many Martha's preaching "Go. Do." very popular.
Mary sat at Jesus feet. She was rewarded.
We teach "wait on the Lord." Mary was proven right.
Martha missed the Son of God sitting in her living room. Busy busy.
Matthew 7:22 "Many will say on that day, Lord I did this and this and this in your name."
I will tell them plainly, "I don't KNOW you. Away from Me go-er do-er."

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I am trying to keep this discussion about revelation as it relates to us today. I am not debating that we need the power of the Holy Spirit when we go and do. Jesus says that without our connection to the Vine we can do nothing.

When I put the story of Mary and Martha in context with all the Scriptually calls for us to be active and serving (fishers of men, feed My sheep, go and make disciples, the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few, He them out two by two, I am sending you as Lambs in the midst of wolves) I see that Martha's problem was that she allowed her busyness to distract her from a closer relationship with Jesus.

All you need to do is look at Jesus. He had quiet time off by Himself in prayer and at other times He was busy teaching and ministering. We spend our time at the Feet of Jesus so we can be filled enough to go and do.

None of this, unfortunately, is on topic.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

None of this, unfortunately, is on topic.

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Actually, the topic is revelation in Scripture - which we have stuck to in our discussion.
If it is revealed intimately or only in the canon is the topic. The answer is revealed in Scripture.
The model comes from discussing the Word. "Going" or "waiting" based upon which model we build upon is part of this conversation.

You are right to rein us back in but we are still talking about pragmatics of the answer to the posted question.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

Rhetorically, we can just ask the question: Is God giving new revelations or is His Word the only revelation.
All creatures in earth and heaven know that there is also General revelation of God in His handy-work.
The bible is considered "Special revelation". That being the case, the sun, moon and stars reveal God generally and daily.
He makes it new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. Thus, according to His Word, we read God has left man without excuse by His portrait in Creation. In General revelation - it is new daily.

Minus atheists in denial - all other cultures even who have never heard the gospel preached believe that there is a god.

How did they know that without a bible? God has revealed Himself in His Creation. We all experience this daily.

Now, let's investigate what to do with both revelations since we have received both general and special. Believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved, you and your household.

Now why the question has been asked by people in history: to give weight to the Church. The question was originally asked because the Church canonized the bible. The Eastern Church thus believed it has more authority than Scripture. The Western Church believed that God's Word stood on its own long before it was canonized by men - thus the bible's authority is above the Church.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

We spend our time at the Feet of Jesus so we can be filled enough to go and do.

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Still, not quite how it works. The great preacher of the sermon "Ten Shekels and a Shirt" Paris Reidhead said this, "I tell ya what you have to do for God to bless your ministry. Hand him the keys, get in the trunk, shut the lid and whisper through the keyhole. 'Fill it up with whatever you want Jesus. You drive my life from now on.'"

 

[D-Clemens]

Still, not quite how it works. The great preacher of the sermon "Ten Shekels and a Shirt" Paris Reidhead said this, "I tell ya what you have to do for God to bless your ministry. Hand him the keys, get in the trunk, shut the lid and whisper through the keyhole. 'Fill it up with whatever you want Jesus. You drive my life from now on.'"

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You seem to want to keep picking at what I say for not being detailed enough; why is that?

The passage that the sermon would have been based on actually says the opposite of what you are trying to get across. Jesus gave instructions to each of the disciples He sent on what to take with them and how to react whether or not they were received. They took His instructions with them, but He did not go with them. However, that is why Jesus had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could take His place as the Paraclete and be with all of us at the same time.

There was nothing wrong with my car analogy within the discussion of revelation. The major point was that the Bible doesn't need new revelation. It needs to be taken to people who need it. In some cases, the Holy Spirit reveals a specific person or area to take it. It might be wrong if the discussion was about surrender unless it was clarified further.

 

[C.W. Pettit]

They took His instructions with them, but He did not go with them. However, that is why Jesus had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could take His place as the Paraclete and be with all of us at the same time.

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Please forgive me. I do not wish to pick.
We are revealing the method God uses to speak to people. (The main topic)
Yes, Jesus sent the disciples. No, they were not yet surrendered. Acts 2 Pentecost had not happened yet. They were learning faith.
The Paraclete was there working with Jesus. He was hovering over the waters at Creation. He was not ever gone. He did not replace.
Ezekiel 36:26 gives us the best explanation - a heart transplant and filling with the Holy Spirit - that took place at Pentecost, Acts 2.
Until then, they were going and doing. From the Day of Pentecost onward, the Spirit spoke through them, made the most of every opportunity.
They were still Peter, James and John, etc. The total transformation of heart and the infilling of the Holy Spirit made them walk and talk differently.

Thank you for trying to understand me.