THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16
2 Peter 1:19-21
2 Timothy 3:16

“Seven times a day
do I praise thee…”

A WORD FROM THE LORD

To the Apostles of old God gave unique gifts of understanding and revelation, enabling them to make infallible utterances, whether in prophecy or in tongues. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet 1:21). These revelatory gifts were an “interim measure” until the perfected gift of the completed Scripture from God was given. With the passing of the Apostles and the closing of the canon of Scripture, the revelatory gifts ceased.

Today, there is a profusion of claims to revelatory gifts among Charismatic circles and tongues speakers. When these claims come from seemingly balanced and rational persons, it is not surprising that many are thoroughly taken in. Some of the utterances or “word from the Lord” may sound convincingly scriptural, but these claims of divine inspiration are neither insignificant nor harmless.

God has given us His infallible Word, the Holy Scriptures, which is complete and need no further additions and revelations. It is therefore a great error and mischief for any to claim access to divine inspiration or direct revelation from God.

We reject these claims and practices as contrary to the Word of God. By such devious means, the devil has a great door opened for him. If this unscriptural principle is accepted and established in the Church, Satan would set himself up as the authority in the Church through the utterance of false prophets (men like Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker). In a short time, Satan’s words will be received as infallible and the Bible brought into contempt.

Let God’s people abide by that infallible rule: SOLA SCRIPTURA. Only the Word, and nothing but the Word.

THOUGHT: How well do I know the Word, and abide by it?
PRAYER: “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”