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NASB | Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 2015 |
Hebrews 1:1 God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways, |
Subject: A Fundamental Question |
Bible Note: "The greatest movement of God's Spirit in the last 1000 years was the Reformation. It was not started by a voice from God or by an assignment. It was started by a verse of Scripture: "The just shall live by faith." Martin Luther was simply listening to the only Word of God we are ever enjoined to hear, know, and obey-the Bible." ____________________ IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, AMPLIFIED Hebrews 1:1 'A Fundamental Question 'Most people teaching error do not do so maliciously. Usually they have the best intentions, but having a good heart is not enough. Even someone who has a loyalty to truth can still undermine truth. 'Many of Henry Blackaby's ideas in Experiencing God are like that. I have addressed only a few of the serious problems with this work. There are more. 'I'll close with a fundamental question. Must I hear the voice of God and receive personalized direction–special assignments for my life–in order to experience an authentic love relationship with God? Blackaby answers "yes" (132, 137). The Bible answers "no." 'Experiencing God involves only three steps. First, it requires accurate information about God (true knowledge). Second, we must live according to that truth (active faith). Third, we experience the effects of truth as God transforms our lives and the lives of others we touch (sanctification and ministry). 'Contrary to what is taught in Experiencing God, you are not substandard if you do not "hear God's voice." The Bible does not teach that receiving personal revelations from God is necessary, ordinary, or to be expected for optimal Christian living. Godly Christians can go their entire life without such and experience. There are dozens of verses about pursuing truth and sound doctrine, but none supporting hearing the voice of God in that sense. 'It is perilous to construct doctrine from historical material alone. However, this is largely Blackaby's approach. It is more sound to first develop one's theology from the less ambiguous material in the Epistles. Then one can look for applications of those principles in the historical texts like Acts, the Gospels, or the Old Testament. 'Blackaby can find no support for his doctrine of hearing the voice of God in the place where all essential disciplines of Christian living must appear: the Epistles. Search for verification in the writings of any disciple. You will find nothing but silence. Why are the Apostles unanimously reticent on a capability that is allegedly at the core of the Christian life? 'The Bible never teaches us to wait for an assignment before making decisions, nor did the disciples model this concept. Instead, the Scripture gives page after page of assignments. 'Yes, God gave special directions under certain circumstances, and He still can today. However, in the Bible such things are rare and generally happen with key leaders of God's people. Even then it is not through an internal "sense" of God's "leading," but by an unmistakable, supernatural revelation. 'The greatest movement of God's Spirit in the last 1000 years was the Reformation. It was not started by a voice from God or by an assignment. It was started by a verse of Scripture: "The just shall live by faith." Martin Luther was simply listening to the only Word of God we are ever enjoined to hear, know, and obey–the Bible.' ____________________ http://www.str.org/free/solid_ground/SG9901.htm * * * * * * * * * * * * * revelationcommentary.org www.solagroup.org In addition to commentary on the entire book of Revelation, this site includes a glossary of terms related to the biblical end times, plus answers to common questions about the false prophet and second coming. |