Much of the confusion in the religious world today has resulted from the fact that many (if not most) religious groups and their leaders claim direct present-day revelation from God. In contradiction and contrast to this claim, the New Testament of Christ claims to be God’s full, complete, authoritative, and final revelation from God.
God gave His Word to Christ: John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Christ gave this Word to the apostles: “I have given them thy word” (John 17:8, 14, 17, 20, 21).
The apostles could, through their hands, impart miraculous powers and spiritual gifts, one of which was the gift of prophecy. This gift enabled the one possessing it to speak and write by inspiration of God (Acts 8:14-18; Romans 1:11; 1Corinthians 12:8-10).
The New Testament, the Gospel of Christ, was revealed through the apostles and prophets: Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
In addition, please note the following verses and the important affirmations found therein: John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
These irrefutable conclusions follow:
If Jesus was right about “all truth” being given to His first-century apostles, then any claim for present-day revelation from God is a delusion or a bold untruth. (Paul warned of such claims in 2Thessalonians 2:10-12).
If Jesus was wrong, then He is not the Son of God and is unworthy of our worship and service. Of course, it is our Lord who is right and not some so-called “television evangelist” who every five minutes claims that the Holy Spirit is revealing something to him.
If “the faith” (the Gospel) was “once and for all delivered” in the first century, then there is nothing to be delivered today.
Paul pronounces a “double curse” upon anyone who would preach something other than the first-century New Testament gospel that he preached. False prophets beware! -By Randy Kea.
