1. The Nature of Divine Revelation

2. Revelation “laying bear, making naked…a disclosure of truth, instruction…concerning things before unknown” (Thayer), Rev. 1:1 “laying bear, making naked…a disclosure of truth, instruction…concerning things before unknown” (Thayer), Rev. 1:1 – Unknown without God telling us, Eph. 3:3 Necessary to know the mind of God, 1 Cor. 2:7-12 Necessary to know the mind of God, 1 Cor. 2:7-12 – Nature of revelation assures our faith in God’s word is sound, 1 Ths. 2:13 2

3. THE NATURE OF GOD’S REVELATION 3

4. Revelation is Truth (John 16:13) Power to sanctify sinners, Jno. 17:17 Power to sanctify sinners, Jno. 17:17 – “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God” (Thayer) Not “cunningly devised fables”, 2 Pet. 1:16 Not “cunningly devised fables”, 2 Pet. 1:16 Not the wisdom/will of men, Gal. 1:11-12 Not the wisdom/will of men, Gal. 1:11-12 The word of the truth of the gospel teaches heaven’s hope, Col. 1:5 4

5. Revelation is Verbally Inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21) Holy Spirit gave the apostles words to speak, Matt. 10:16-20 Holy Spirit gave the apostles words to speak, Matt. 10:16-20 Scripture given by inspiration, 2 Tim. 3:16 Scripture given by inspiration, 2 Tim. 3:16 – God-breathed – Breathed out by God Holy Spirit combined spiritual things with spiritual words, 1 Cor. 2:12-13 Holy Spirit combined spiritual things with spiritual words, 1 Cor. 2:12-13 5

6. Revelation is Miraculously Confirmed (1 Cor. 2:4-5; Heb. 2:3-4; Mk. 16:17-20) Validated, certified genuine, Gal. 1:11-12 Validated, certified genuine, Gal. 1:11-12 – Example of this confirmation, Acts 14:3 Assures our faith, giving us confidence that our faith is in a word that came from God and not man Assures our faith, giving us confidence that our faith is in a word that came from God and not man 6

7. Revelation is Adequate (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Sufficient, fully meets our needs Sufficient, fully meets our needs All things concerning life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1:3-4 All things concerning life and godliness, 2 Pet. 1:3-4 All truth, Jno. 16:13-15 All truth, Jno. 16:13-15 7

8. Revelation is Incorruptible (Matthew 24:35) Always reliable and relevant, 1 Pet. 1:22-25 Always reliable and relevant, 1 Pet. 1:22-25 Truth abides with us forever, 2 Jno. 2 Truth abides with us forever, 2 Jno. 2 Truth continues on, even though some have/will depart from it, 1 Tim. 4:1 Truth continues on, even though some have/will depart from it, 1 Tim. 4:1 8

9. Revelation was Delivered Once (Jude 3) “Once for all” (hapax), Heb. 7:27; 9:27; 10:10 “Once for all” (hapax), Heb. 7:27; 9:27; 10:10 That which is perfect has come, 1 Cor. 13:8-10 That which is perfect has come, 1 Cor. 13:8-10 – Completely revealed, competently confirmed to be genuine and inspired in its communication to the world (Jas. 1:25) No new, ongoing, as yet undiscovered revelation No new, ongoing, as yet undiscovered revelation 9

10. Revelation is Authoritative (Matthew 28:18) Apostolic teaching is heaven’s authority, Jno. 13:20 (Matt. 18:18) Apostolic teaching is heaven’s authority, Jno. 13:20 (Matt. 18:18) Scripture has binding authority, Jno. 10:35 Scripture has binding authority, Jno. 10:35 The apostles’ teaching must never be minimized, 1 Cor. 14:37 The apostles’ teaching must never be minimized, 1 Cor. 14:37 – Paul had the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 7:40 10

11. Revelation is Understandable (Hebrews 1:1-2) God has communicated to us, Eph. 3:3-4 God has communicated to us, Eph. 3:3-4 Christ expects us to know and abide in His word, Jno. 8:31-32 Christ expects us to know and abide in His word, Jno. 8:31-32 Full assurance of understanding… knowledge…in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2:1-4 Full assurance of understanding… knowledge…in Christ are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col. 2:1-4 11

12. OUR FAITH IS SECURE WHEN IT IS BUILT UPON GOD’S REVELATION 12 R OM. 10:17; 1 T HESS. 2:13

13. Revelation is Powerful to Accomplish God’s Purposes (Isa. 55:11; Heb. 4:12) Power to convict of sin, Jno. 16:8; Acts 2:37 Power to convict of sin, Jno. 16:8; Acts 2:37 Power to convert the heart, Rom. 6:17-18 Power to convert the heart, Rom. 6:17-18 Power to save the soul, Rom. 1:16 Power to save the soul, Rom. 1:16 13

14. God’s Revelation of Truth Restrains us from sin, Prov. 29:18 Restrains us from sin, Prov. 29:18 Strengthens us in our obedience to the faith, Rom. 16:25-26 Strengthens us in our obedience to the faith, Rom. 16:25-26 14