Theology Proper Grace Bible Institute 2015 Grace Bible Institute 2015

Lesson 4 – General & Special Revelation Theology Proper Grace Bible Institute 2015 Lesson 4 – General & Special Revelation

Revelation Because man is finite and God is infinite, if man is to know God it must come about by God's revelation of himself to man.

Revelation Defined… General Special Mt Sinai

General Revelation provides evidences for the existence of God at all times to all mankind.

General Revelation Gives light to all and makes all accountable to God. Brings condemnation when rejected.

is not provided for all of mankind and is not available at all times. Special Revelation is not provided for all of mankind and is not available at all times.

Special Revelation is… exclusive. partial. accurate purposeful progressive

General & Special Revelation General revelation includes all that God has revealed in the world around us, including man, while special revelation includes various means He used to communicate His message in what was codified in the Bible.

General & Special Revelation General revelation is sometimes called natural theology and special revelation is called revealed theology. But, of course, what is revealed in nature is also revealed in theology. Some writers use the labels prelapsarian for general revelation and postlapsarian or soteric for special revelation. However, both general and special revelation are (a) from God and (b) about God. (Lewis Sperry Chafer)

REVEALS HIS PLAN FOR REDEMPTION Revelation Defined… General Special REVEALS GOD’S GLORY REVEALS HIS PLAN FOR REDEMPTION

3 ways God has revealed Himself in His creation. General Revelation 3 ways God has revealed Himself in His creation. Nature Providence Conscience

General Revelation General revelation speaks of the fact that God has revealed Himself through the created world in a way that is "generally" perceivable to all people on the earth. General revelation would include the ways God has revealed Himself through the physical universe, or through the flow of history, or even through human nature and human conscience. (Greg Allen, Bethany Bible Church)

General Revelation – in nature Reveals God exists Reveals God’s glory

General Revelation – in nature Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. Reveals God exists Reveals God’s glory

General Revelation – in nature Reveals God is omnipotent Reveals God will judge

General Revelation – in nature Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. His divine attributes - OMNIPOTENT His sovereign authority & power – JUDGE His divine nature – DEITY – He is other than us

General Revelation – in nature Reveals God is benevolent to all people

General Revelation – in providence  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous Matthew 5:45 God is benevolent to all people

General Revelation – in nature Reveals God provides food for all people

General Revelation – in providence We …preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;  and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:15-17 Reveals God provides food for all people

General Revelation – in providence Reveals God raises up and removes rulers

General Revelation – in Providence Daniel 2:21 “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding. Reveals God raises up and removes rulers

General Revelation – in conscience Reveals God has placed His law within the hearts of all people Law

General Revelation – in Conscience Romans 2:14-15 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves,  in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, Reveals God has placed His law within the hearts of all people God has given conscience & God consciousness in chapter 1

2 ways God has specially revealed Himself in… Special Revelation 2 ways God has specially revealed Himself in… Christ Scripture

Special Revelation – in Christ Reveals what the Father is like

Special Revelation – in Christ John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. Reveals what the Father is like

Special Revelation – in Christ Reveals the Father’s compassion

Special Revelation – in Christ John 5:36-37 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. Reveals the Father’s compassion

Special Revelation – in Christ Reveals that the Father gives life to those who believe in the Son

Special Revelation – in Christ John 6:63; John 14:10  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. John 6:63 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. John 14:10 Reveals that the Father gives life to those who believe in the Son

Special Revelation – in Scripture Reveals all the doctrine, rebuke, correction & guidance that the Christian needs for good living

Special Revelation – in Scripture 2 Timothy 3:16-17  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Reveals all the doctrine, rebuke, correction & guidance that the Christian needs for good living

Special Revelation – in Scripture Reveals all that God has chosen to disclose through human authors directed by the Holy Spirit

Special Revelation – in Scripture 2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God Reveals all that God has chosen to disclose through human authors directed by the Holy Spirit

What is God like? What is God like? What kind of God is He? How may we expect Him to act toward us and toward all created things? ….To our questions God has provide answers; not all the answers, certainly enough to satisfy our intellects and ravish our hearts. These answers He provided in nature, in the Scriptures, and in the person of His Son. – Tozer Knowledge of the Holy, p. 13

What is God like? Though God in this threefold revelation has provided answers to our questions concerning Him, the answers by no means lie on the surface. They must be sought by prayer, by long mediation on the written Word, and by earnest and well-disciplined labor. However brightly  the light may shine, it can be seen only by those who are spiritually prepared to receive it. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall seek God.” P. 14