God’s special revelation of Himself to mankind

Basic truth: God has revealed truth about Himself specifically. The Bible is the only means of special revelation today.

Special revelation is that revelation of God that speaks directly to who He is, His will, and His ways. That revelation comes by way of the Lord Jesus Christ and His word: the Scriptures. This revelation is a potentially saving revelation of God. The Holy Spirit uses the word of God in the lives of some to effect the new birth. That’s why Paul said in Rom. 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation…” (from Worldviews: God Explains it All - Part II, by Dr. Paul J. Dean)

The means of special revelation

A. In the past, God revealed specific information about Himself in different ways (Hebrews 1:1)

[1] Dreams (Genesis 20:3, 6 and 31:10 13).

[2] Visions (Isaiah 1:1 and 6:1).

[3] Angels (Luke 2:8 14).

[4] Direct address (Exodus 3:4ff).

[5] Prophets (Habakkuk 2:2 3).

B. God's special revelation culminated with Christ.

[1] Christ is God's final revelation to man. Christ is superior to all other means of special revelation (Hebrews 1:1-2)

[2] The Old Testament pointed to Christ (Luke 24:27) There are numerous Old Testament prophecies about Christ:

His birth (Gen 3:15; Gal 4:4); his lineage (Gen 49:10; Luke 3:33); his place of birth (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7); his Galilean ministry of compassion and judgment (Isa 9:1-2; Matt 4:14-16); that he was the prophet to come (Deut 18:15, 18-19; Acts 3:20, 22); that he would function as a priest (Psalm 110:4; Heb 5:5-6); his betrayal (Psalm 41:9; Luke 22:47-48); his being sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zech 11:11-12; Matt 26:15; 27:1-10); his violent death (Zech 12:10; John 20:27); his resurrection (Psalm 16:10; Luke 24:7; Acts 2:25-28); his exaltation to God’s right hand (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:33-34), his eternal reign in fulfillment of Davidic promise (2 Sam 7:12-16; Psalm 110:1; Isa 55:3; Acts 2:33-34; 13:22-23, 32-34). (from “Christology: Jesus Christ” by Greg Herrick Th.M., Ph.D.)

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] How the Bible Came From God to You, by David Weidlich

[2] The Old Testament in the New Testament (from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)

[3] Theology of Hebrews (from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology)

[4] The names of Christ:

And He shall be called...Advocate (1 John 2:1); Lamb of God (John 1:29); The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25); Shepherd and Bishop of Souls (1 Peter 2:25); Judge (Acts 10:42); Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15); Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3); Head of the Church (Ephesians 5:23); Master (Matthew 8:19); Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14); Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4); High Priest (Hebrews 6:20); The Door (John 10:9); Living Water (John 4:10); Bread of Life (John 6:35); Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1); Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13); True Vine (John 15:1); Messiah (Daniel 9:25); Teacher (John 3:2); Holy One (Mark 1:24) Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5); The Beloved (Ephesians 1:6); Branch (Isaiah 11:1); Carpenter (Mark 6:3); Good Shepherd (John 10:11); Light of the World (John 8:12); Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15); The Word (John 1:1); Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20); Savior (John 4:42); Servant (Matthew 12:18); Author and Finisher of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2); The Almighty (Revelation 1:8); Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6); Shiloh (Genesis 49:10); Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5); I Am (John 8:58; King of Kings (1 Timothy 6:15); Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6); Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15); Only Begotten Son (John 3:16); Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6); Immanuel (Matthew 1:23); Son of Man (Matthew 20:28); Dayspring (Luke 1:78); The Amen (Revelation 3:14); King of the Jews (Mark 15:26); Prophet (Matthew 21:11); Redeemer (Job 19:25); Anchor (Hebrews 6:19); Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)

Sermons (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] God Has Spoken, by Kenneth W. Burton

[2] Introduction to Hebrews, by Tad Wychopen

[3] For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This blog uses RefTagger. Simply mouse over any verse reference and a popup box will appear with the KJV citation; (2) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (3) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.