A. INTRODUCTION
“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” (Rom. 1:19-20, NASB).
1. Since God is who He is: infinity, loving and merciful; expect a loving, wise God to renew Himself with plans to save people. “The heavens reveal the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1, ELT).
2. Because people are who they are: limited, rebellious and sinful, they need a message to meet their needs and save them.
3. Therefore, expect a message of redemption from God that is authoritative, and reliable.
4. Is the Bible the word of God? A question of revelation (content) Revelation is an act whereby God gives knowledge about Himself which could not otherwise be known.
a. God has secrets. “The Lord our God has secrets . . . we are accountable . . . for all that He has revealed to us” (Deut. 29:29).
b. God’s secrets are known. “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one . . . He has revealed to us, so that we may obey” (Deut. 29:29).
c. God reveals to the unsaved by conviction. “He will convict (make to see) the world of sin, righteousness and coming judgment” (John 16:8).
d. God reveals to us, “Hath revealed them to us by His Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:10).
5. The Bible is a revelation of God’s nature and His plan.
a. God is the core of revelation.
b. We don’t seek it and wouldn’t know God without revelation.
c. The ultimate revelation is Jesus. “Long ago and spoken many times in many ways . . . through the prophets . . . in those final days . . . through His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2).
d. Revelation must be written to give an accurate perpetuity and continuity to future generations. “Scripture . . . comes from the prophets . . . moved by the Holy Spirit . . . spoken (or written) from God” (1 Peter 1:20-21).
6. Revelation never tells all about God. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29, NKJV).
7. Even in its completed form is a partial revelation of God. All you need to know to be saved and grow is revealed in scripture.
B. METHODS OF SELF-REVELATION
1. Vision – Isa. 6
2. Dreams – Dan. 2
3. Poetry – Psa. 139
4. Biography – gospels
5. Sermons – Matt. 5
6. Spoke face to face – Deut. 5:4
7. Wrote on stone – Deut. 10:4
8. Miracles – John 6
9. Parables – Luke 15
10. Inner compulsion – Acts 21:10-13
11. History – 1 and 2 Chronicles
12. Angels – Luke 1:26
13. Historical research – Luke 1:1-4
14. Jesus Christ – John 1:14
15. Divine revelation is progressive. “God spoke in times past . . . later on the last days spoken unto us by the Son” (Heb. 1:1-2).
C. HOW GOD REVEALS HIMSELF
1. General Revelation
a. Nature – Psa. 19:1-6, Rom. 1:18-21
b. Conscience – Rom. 2:14-16
c. History – 1 Cor. 10:1-6
2. Special revelation
a. Bible – Deut. 29:29; 2 Peter 1:20-21
b. Christ – John 1:14, 18
D. WHAT DO WE HAVE
1. We prove the Bible is revelation by demonstrating the content is from God. “God has spoken.”
2. Next lesson we prove the Bible is inspired. The Holy Spirit supernaturally guided the writers of scripture to write the words of God accurately.
3. Then we prove the Bible is inerrant. Inerrancy recognizes what God has spoken in revelation, and written by inspiration, is accurate, reliable, and authoritative.
4. Then we examine the illumination of scripture. The Holy Spirit will use the life-inspired words of God to take away spiritual blindness, cause the reader to understand God’s mercy, and apply them to his/her life.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Video presentations of the PBC are available online at trbc.org/pbc
Television Airing Times for the PBC
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