Internet Theologian
Well-Known Member
Matt 5:22
My thoughts as well.
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Matt 5:22
I would like to add:
Romans 12:18
This is a great question, and one which I have discussed with more than one pastor.
How does a pastor "know" that they are to deliver His message, if they don't "hear directly from God?"
Peter (writing before the cannon of Scriptures were established) states:
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, or no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1).
Peter instructed the people to listen, "to pay attention," in a sense imitate or follow until when?
Good passage yet he is speaking of the written Word as being even more sure than revelations, and even his revelation was valid as is recorded in Scripture to which he compares the two.
That would leave subjective means on an even lower level of dependability. So along these lines it always goes back to the written Word. I cannot see how the above passage even remotely supports extra-biblical revelation but I do thank you for the time you spent responding.
Not certain why you would suggest that I was not reporting the statement of Peter accurately. What you may have missed was the emphasis upon what was going to take place as the believer matured, which is the phrase that I dwelt upon, not what the folks read of the Scriptures or was reported by Peter (and others) as having been fulfilled of Prophecy concerning the Messiah which you seemed caught upon.
"Extra Biblical" has become an ugly wording because of the backlash toward the charismatic show boaters who desire to deceive. At no time in the post I made did I ever indicate that the work of God speaking to a believer would depart from consistency with the Word of God.
However, I know of no believers who will not admit that in some way God has lead and guided them in an "extra biblical" sense. Do you not consider that as "hearing" from God?
It would be difficult to sit under a pastor who has not walked intimately with God and heard directly from God, seeks out the wisdom and direction of God, and is given direct insight by God.
http://www.alfredplacechurch.org.uk...s/115-17-the-crucial-importance-of-knowledge/Now these Ephesians had some understanding of the Christian way to heaven; they had the basic knowledge necessary for faith, they had done a simple introductory course of study we might say, but Paul is persuaded that this is not enough, and he prays for them to seek more and increase in the knowledge of God. It is the problem in so many Christian lives, that there is initial progress in the process of evangelism so that we secure the necessary knowledge and believe that Christ is the Son of God, and we become members of the church. We enjoy assurance, and we call ourselves the Lord’s people, and of course we are, but it’s apparent that often there is stagnation. There is no growth in knowledge. I am not speaking of mystical knowledge or esoteric knowledge. I am speaking simply of knowledge, church-goers ceasing to grow in theological understanding. They have the elementary knowledge; they have done something like the Alpha course, but they do not marvel at the glory of Christ. They were no longer exploring great truths. They had stopped searching the scriptures. They had no taste for preaching. That was Paul’s concern with them all.
Such a mentality is a contradiction of the whole New Testament concern with growth. These Ephesians were Christians who could read and grasp this letter of Paul, but the apostle is not content. He wants them to comprehend this tremendous truth of the love of God, before which we stand and only say, “the height . . . the depth . . . the length . . . the breadth . . .” and Paul is asking, “Is this your desire, to comprehend God in his glorious love?” Or as Paul says again, to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge or understanding. Is our concern that we grow into the maturity of Christian grace? Do we love to meditate upon the word of God? Do we know today what we did not know twelve months ago? Do we know the doctrine of the person of Christ more thoroughly? Do we know the Bible’s teaching of the work of Christ more clearly? Do we know more of the divine revelation about God the Holy Spirit? Have we grown in knowledge? Is there increase? I am not talking in terms of emotional maturity or moral steadfastness. That is essential, of course, but all that is going to be in proportion to growth in knowledge of the truth: “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” That is where the apostle begins, God giving us a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we know God better and better, and the eyes of our hearts are enlightened.
If that then is the case then I believe you have missed Peter's point entirely. 'More sure word of Prophecy...' even above personal revelation it stands.
You've also stated this, which is what I intended to look at when I asked you to elaborate:
That is what I was getting at. When a pastor preaches the Word, in which he believes to be the very Word of God, then he has accomplished the above. To bring this to another subjective level of some other 'hearing' as some proof of validity or as a test is unfortunate, and, in my honest opinion, starts a downgrade on the authority of the Scriptures. Nothing in Scripture makes such a requirement brother.
I can't hear good and I usually have ask someone to repeat themselves when they address me but from now on I will know it's the Lord if I don't have to ask them the second time.
Not certain how the intent if this passage is put in the past tense.25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
I believe He speaks by His completed word and work.ThumbsupThumbsupThumbsupThumbsupThumbsup
Not certain how the intent if this passage is put in the past tense.
Can you please show from history how according to verse 27 all that remains cannot be shaken?
Just experienced a small earth quake and as Elvis sang, "All shook up".
OkSome understand the shaking to be the inauguration of the Eternal Kingdom......the Jewish theocracy that was was vanishing away.....and vs 28 speaks of the New Kingdom beginning in Christ.....small but growing like in the parable of the mustard seed.
The language used in verse 28 he says we receiving a kingdom in other words it was already there to be received. He says the kingdom which cannot be moved.
Does that help a little bit?
In other words the main portion of the kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom redemptive Kingdom so it's not as dependent on the outward circumstances of this present world as it is that we secure a place in Christ and look forward to going into the eternal state New Heaven and New Earth.
Compare the language of Luke 17 :20 - 21 the kingdom of God is within you
I no longer look for a physical earthquake....Ok
I consider the passage a bit differently. Seems as though verse 25 is indicating that the refusal to hear him speak is a warning to believers who turn deaf in hearing the Holy Spirit.
The following verses would then be the future shaking (verse 26) that awaits both the heaven and earth based upon the previous shaking that was only on this earth.
When then was that first shaking?
Perhaps it was that great earthquake when the Lord Jesus Christ said, "it is finished."
That would place a second shaking of both heaven and earth upon His return. The results making the Mount of Olives split in two, the navigable river forming making Jerusalem a sea port. I know some don't have that view of some prophecies.
However, because there is the statement of a place that cannot be shaken, then that last shaking could also be the final melt down of both the current earth and heaven with the establishment of that final permanent estate for both believers and unbelievers. (That is what I am more inclined to hold).
Heaven and earth began to shake, in order to a dissolution, according to the prophecy of Haggai, before Christ came, that so only those things that cannot be shaken may remain, i.e. that those things that are come to an end may come to an end, and that only those things may remain which are to remain to all eternity. So, in the first place, the carnal ordinances of the Jewish worship came to an end, to make way for the establishment of that spiritual worship, the worship of the hearts, which is to endure to all eternity. This is one instance of the temporary world's coming to an end, and the eternal world's beginning. And then, after that, the outward temple, and the outward city of Jerusalem, came to an end, to give place to the setting up of the spiritual temple and the spiritual city, which are to last to eternity ; which is another instance of removing those things which are ready to vanish away, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain." (History of Redemption, p.216)
"The whole success of Christ's redemption is comprehended in one word, viz,. his setting up his kingdom... Christ's appearing in those wonderful dispensations of providence in the apostle's days, in setting up his kingdom and destroying the enemies of his kingdom, which ended in the destruction of Jerusalem. This is called Christ's coming in his kingdom, Matt. xvi, 28. "Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." And so it is represented in Matt. xxiv." (History of Redemption, p. 219)
"That coming of Christ which ended in the destruction of Jerusalem, was preceded by a glorious spiritual resurrection of souls in the calling of the Gentiles, and bringing home multitudes of souls to Christ by the preaching of the gospel." (History of Redemption, p. 220)
"I. The abolishing of the Jewish Dispensation. This indeed was gradually done, but it began from the time of Christ's resurrection, in which the abolition of it is founded. This was the first thing done towards bringing the former state of the world to an end. This is to be looked upon as the great means of the success of Christ's redemption. For the Jewish dispensation was not fitted for more than one nation." (History of Redemption, p. 229)
"In showing how the success of Christ's redemption is carried on, during this time of the church's tribulation, I would: Show how it was carried on until the destruction of Jerusalem, with which ended the first great dispensation of Providence which is called Christ's coming in his kingdom." (History of Redemption, p. 237)
"This destruction of Jerusalem was in all respects agreeable to what Christ had foretold of it, Matt. xxiv. by the account which Josephus gives of it, who was then present, and was one of the Jews, who had a share in their calamity, and wrote the history of their destruction. Their city and temple were burnt, and rased to the ground, and the ground on which the city stood, was ploughed ; and so one stone was not left upon another, Matt. xxiv. 2." (History of Redemption, p. 246)
from bible study tools;
or, (1.) He now speaks from a higher and more glorious seat and throne, not from mount Sinai, which was on this earth, but from heaven. (2.) He speaks now more immediately by his inspired word and by his Spirit, which are his witnesses. He speaks not now any new thing to men, but by his Spirit speaks the same word home to the conscience. (3.) He speaks now more powerfully and effectually. Then indeed his voice shook the earth, but now, by introducing the gospel state, he hath shaken not only the earth, but the heavens,—not only shaken the hills and mountains, or the spirits of men, or the civil state of the land of Canaan, to make room for his people,—not only shaken the world, as he then did, but he hath shaken the church, that is, the Jewish nation, and shaken them in their church-state, which was in Old-Testament times a heaven upon earth; this their heavenly spiritual state he hath now shaken. It is by the gospel from heaven that God shook to pieces the civil and ecclesiastical state of the Jewish nation, and introduced a new state of the church, that cannot be removed, shall never be changed for any other on earth, but shall remain till it be made perfect in heaven.2. When God speaks to men in the most excellent manner, the guilt of those who refuse him is the greater, and their punishment will be more unavoidable and intolerable; there is no escaping, no bearing it, v. 25. The different manner of God’s dealing with men under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us that he will deal with the despisers of the gospel after a different manner than he does with other men, in a way of judgment. The glory of the gospel, which should greatly recommend it to our regard, appears in these three things:—
(1.) It was by the sound of the gospel trumpet that the former dispensation and state of the church of God were shaken and removed; and shall we despise that voice of God that pulled down a church and state of so long standing and of God’s own building? (2.) It was by the sound of the gospel trumpet that a new kingdom was erected for God in the world, which can never be so shaken as to be removed. This was a change made once for all; no other change shall take place till time shall be no more. We have now received a kingdom that cannot be moved, shall never be removed, never give way to any new dispensation. The canon of scripture is now perfected, the Spirit of prophecy has ceased, the mystery of God is finished, he has put his last hand to it. The gospel church may be made more large, more prosperous more purified from contracted pollution, but it shall never be altered for another dispensation; those who perish under the gospel perish without remedy. And hence the apostle justly concludes,
[1.] How necessary it is for us to obtain grace from God, to serve him acceptably: if we be not accepted of God under this dispensation, we shall never be accepted at all; and we lose all our labour in religion if we be not accepted of God.
[2.] We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with godly reverence and fear. As faith, so holy fear, is necessary to acceptable worship.
[3.] It is only the grace of God that enables us to worship God in a right manner: nature cannot come up to it; it can produce neither that precious faith nor that holy fear that is necessary to acceptable worship.
4.] God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel that he appeared to be under the law. Though he be our God in Christ, and now deals with us in a more kind and gracious way, yet he is in himself a consuming fire; that is, a God of strict justice, who will avenge himself on all the despisers of his grace, and upon all apostates. Under the gospel, the justice of God is displayed in a more awful manner, though not in so sensible a manner as under the law; for here we behold divine justice seizing upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and making him a propitiatory sacrifice, his soul and body an offering for sin, which is a display of justice far beyond what was seen and heard on mount Sinai when the law was given.