Bibliology

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Go Back to Identity of God's Word

I.                     INTRODUCTION 

A.       Definition

1.     Dictionary – to remove the veil

2.     Doctrinal – the act of God by which He imparts knowledge to man which man could otherwise never know (Deuteronomy 29:29; Amos 3:7)

B.       Divisions

1.     Divine Revelation – all the methods by which God makes Himself and His truth known to man

2.     General Revelation

a.       A division of divine revelation

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

c.       Reveals only general information

(1)     The existence of God

(2)     The guilt of man

(3)     The judgment of God

(4)     NOTE:  does not reveal God’s plan of salvation and is therefore not sufficient for salvation

3.     Special Revelation

a.       A division of divine revelation

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

c.       The only way to truly know God’s truth (John 17:17)

(1)     The identity of God

(2)     How things began

(3)     How things will end

(4)     The heart of man

(5)     The way of salvation

C.       Relationship to Other Doctrines

1.     Salvation and Service depend on the Interpretation and Illumination of the
Bible

2.     Interpretation and Illumination depend on the Preservation of the Bible

3.     Preservation depends on Inspiration

4.     Inspiration depends on Revelation

5.     Revelation depends on the existence and interest of God 

II.                   DOCTRINAL OUTLINE OF REVELATION

A.       Revelation Consists of Secrets made Known (Deuteronomy 29:29; Daniel 2:19-23,27-30,47; 10:1)

B.       Revelation Comes in Special Seasons (1Samuel 3:1,7,21)

C.       Revelation Comes to Selected Groups and Individuals (Amos 3:7; Matthew 11:25)

D.       Revelation Comes From a Supernatural Source (Matthew 16:17; Galatians 1:11-12)

E.       Revelation Comes By the Work of the Spirit (Luke 2:25-26; 1Corinthians 2:6-16) 

III.                  GENERAL REVELATION 

A.       Circumstances; or, Providence (Rom.1:18)

1.     In the rise and fall of nations (Deuteronomy 32:29-43; Psalm 75:6-7; Isaiah 12-13; Jeremiah 50:9-13)

2.     In the preservation of Israel (2Samuel 7:12-18; Jeremiah 31:35-37)

3.     In His goodness to all men (Psalm 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17)

4.     Knowledge that there is more (John 1:9; Titus 2:11; Acts 17:27; Jeremiah 29:13)

B.       Conscience

1.     Something in man telling him that there is a God (Romans 1:19)

2.     Reveals the existence of right and wrong: convicting of sin and rewarding righteousness (Romans 2:14-15)

3.     In different men may be weak (1Corinthians 8:7), defiled (Titus 1:15) or seared (1Timothy 4:2)

4.     When kept pure, our conscience can be a helpful guide for living (Acts 23:1; 24:16)

C.       Creation

1.     The glory of God (Psalm 19:1-3)

2.     The eternal power (Romans 1:20)

3.     The Godhead (Romans 1:20; see Acts 17:29; Colossians 2:9)

IV.                SPECIAL REVELATION

A.       Miracles

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

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

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

B.       Incarnation (Matthew 11:27; John 1:18; 14:9-10)

C.   Direct Communication

1.    Dreams (Daniel 2:28) –when asleep

2.    Visions (Ezekiel 1:1) –when awake

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

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

Go Forward to Inspiration of God's Word

 

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