Revelation, Inspiration, Illumination. The word of God has come to us through those vehicles. God has revealed Himself to the world. He has inspired men to record truths and actions that define the Biblical record. Our task is to allow Him to illuminate us so that the light of truth is clear.
Peter identifies revelation and inspiration within his discussion in 2Peter 1:16-18."When we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we have not followed cunningly devised fables, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. ... And this voice [of the Father] which came from heaven, we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount." The revelation that Jesus was Christ came as a voice from heaven which Peter, James, and John heard audibly. It was an obvious sign to those disciples. Peter continues, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto you do well that you take heed, ... Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke moved by the Holy Spirit" [2Peter 1:19-21]. Peter states that the written word, because it was inspired by God, is a more sure word.
Why is it the “more sure word”of prophecy? Because God caused it to be written, and through it He both codifies truth and directs His children. The “sure word” in this context is the Father speaking audibly. Therefore two main avenues of communication should exist between God and believers, His Word and His Voice. Reading John 16:13, we find that Holy Spirit speaks for the Godhead in the still small voice because “when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide [believers] into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [initiative or authority], but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Through such leading, believers grow from grace to grace until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that we are no longer are children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but, speaking the truth in love, we grow up in all things into Him who is the Head (Eph 4:13-15).The truth we speak and the things we do are to complement (not compliment) the Kingdom and bring glory to God.
Regarding faith and works, believers are supposed to be the visible extension of Christ in the world. Whatever the Father needs done, the Body of Christ is available to perform it. Scriptures like those below make it clear that in spite of what we may have been taught or what we have experienced, Christians have the authority to act like Jesus did while He was on the earth.
John 14:10-14 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Mark 16:16-18 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Upon this revelation, the “faith movement of the 70’s” began to revolutionizing the norms of Christianity. God began using believers to do awesome acts: some similar to those in Bible. But a divide occurred partly because people began using faith for personal gain (see 1Tim 6:5) and partly because many were making God the servant of the believer. The truth of faith and works WITHOUT A GOVERNOR was leading to wrong conclusions about the authority of the believer. The words of some began to be tainted, and even the world could see the fallacy.
The written word was not wrong. The works Christ should be done by believers when they have learned how to operate like Jesus did while He was in the flesh body. The key is understanding how all the scriptures create defining parameters. Verses discuss limited aspects of complex issues. In so many topics one wanders LEFT or RIGHT, requiring Biblical correction from either or from both directions. The truth lies in the middle where you are not contradicting either set. (continued)
