TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26
Psalm 119:89-96
Jude 3-4

Much prayer, much power!

VISIONS AND PROPHECIES (I)

Since the Apostles’ time, men of God have believed that the Bible is complete. God’s revelation to man was completed when the last book of the New Testament was written. The Bible we now have (thirty-nine Old Testament books and twenty-seven New Testament books) is complete, sufficient, inerrant, infallible and our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. Any attempts to add to the Bible by man claiming “new revelations” from God has resulted in the appearance of heretical groups and cults.

We maintain that the Bible which has stood the test of time must continue to be our only Guide Book. To allow any person to claim extra-biblical sources of “revelations” from God is to open the door to every kind of error and confusion into the Church. Charismatics are receiving “gifts of prophecy” and “visions” and claim direct revelation from God with messages relevant for the times.

One Charismatic leader, J. Rodman Williams, explained how their new revelation occurs: “In prophecy God speaks. It is as simple and profound and startling as that! What happens in the fellowship is that the word may suddenly be spoken by anyone present, and so, variously, a ‘Thus says the Lord’ breaks forth in the fellowship. It is usually in the first person (though not always), such as ‘I am with you to bless you…’”

So here we see a “free-for-all” situation. “Anyone present” can break forth with some utterance and it is accepted on equal authority with the prophetic utterances of Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Peter, John, Paul and Jude! With hearty concurrence, the Charismatic members voice their “Thus saith the Lord” and accept whatever has been spoken as God’s voice. No wonder the present chaos and confusion in Charismatic meetings.

Let all true believers hold to the Reformers’ position: SOLA SCRIPTURA. God’s Word only is our basis for authority.

THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 119:89.)
PRAYER: Lord, help me to rest secure in Thy Holy Word alone.