"new" revelation

[jlujan69]

I was listening to John MacArthur last night on RC Sproul's "Renewing Your Mind" program. He was talking about those who attack the Bible. When he mentioned Charismatics as being such a group, naturally alarm bells were activated in my head. He talked about these "new" revelations that Charismatics claim to have. We know that new revelations, in the sense that we must add to the Scripture, is wrong. However, what qualifies as new revelation? Anyway, it got me to thinking because of former conversations with my Ind. Fund. Baptist friend. In my church, which is Pentecostal, I've heard "messages" given in tongues with accompanying "interpretation" on many occassions. When this happens, I tend to listen carefully to what's said and mentally see if it actually lines up with the Word. So far, from what I've heard, it seems to. Usually the "message" is some form of encouragement to the congregation and references are made to Scripture, followed by "says the Lord" or something similar. I've also heard "word of knowledge" given to others and have even received one myself and, once again, what's said appears Scriptural. Well, my aforementioned Ind. Fund. Baptist friend isn't so sure that these don't qualify as "new revelations" since in his church, certain gifts fell out of use with the completion of the NT canon. These gifts being tongues, prophecy, and knowledge. I don't actually know if Mr. MacArthur feels the same way as my friend on this. Personally, I've never considered these purported messages as new because they've never contradicted Scripture or have given a completely different meaning to a particular dogma or have claimed that the conventional understanding of a concept was wrong. In short, it's lined up with Scripture. So, how would you guys define "new" revelation?

[twistedsketch]

I would define a new revelation as something in addition to Scripture and held to the same level as Scripture, if not more important. False prophets that push these do not try to Biblically balance and weigh it as you do. At best, these false prophests would try to find a proof-text verse for their revelation while ignoring others that directly contradict it. And of course, emotional highs would be the proof for the heretic's followers that persuades them that it is true.

It all makes me sick.

[Rebirth In Flames]

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev. 22:18-19

[Rebirth In Flames]

Also, I refer to my last post in the Eschatology forums; it’s near the end of the page, on the 4th page:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1468952-as-a-christian-today-do-you-believe-in-hell.html&page=4

[Shroder]

Our pastor has a little saying, "If it true it's not new, if it's new it's not true."
There seems to be those that continually want to change the Word of God by addition. "Another gospel of Christ" is a good example of this taught by the LDS church. In this the Book of Mormon is "additional scripture" even superceding the bible in their doctrines.
There's quite enough in the bible to appease anyone's hunger. That is, if that hunger truely comes from God.

[kidsminister]

I'm going to throw in my $.02 from a Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, specifically) point of view:

I believe that prophecy is for today. I also believe that if a prophecy does not line up with Scripture, it is false. Prophetic words (at least true prophetic words) are not given to "add" to the Bible, but to provide a word of warning or edification to a person or to the body of believers. As I mentioned, it MUST line up with Scripture in order to be true and valid. This is why it is important to know the Word of God so that you are not swept away by some nice-sounding words from a person who really isn't telling you the truth!

I have a huge problem with people who run from service to service looking for their own personal prophecy. Our youth pastor has been used by God to give words to her kids as God has allowed, but when they come up to her and ask, "So, do you have a word for me? What is God saying to me today?" she replies, "Read the Bible. Pray every day. There's your word."

So why have personal prophecy if we have the written Word of God and it's supposed to line up with Scripture anyway? Well, for that matter, why have church at all? Why listen to a pastor preach out of the Word when we can read it ourselves? God uses different people to communicate His message in different forms.

[Shane Roach]

I'm going to throw in my $.02 from a Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, specifically) point of view:

I believe that prophecy is for today. I also believe that if a prophecy does not line up with Scripture, it is false. Prophetic words (at least true prophetic words) are not given to "add" to the Bible, but to provide a word of warning or edification to a person or to the body of believers. As I mentioned, it MUST line up with Scripture in order to be true and valid. This is why it is important to know the Word of God so that you are not swept away by some nice-sounding words from a person who really isn't telling you the truth!

I have a huge problem with people who run from service to service looking for their own personal prophecy. Our youth pastor has been used by God to give words to her kids as God has allowed, but when they come up to her and ask, "So, do you have a word for me? What is God saying to me today?" she replies, "Read the Bible. Pray every day. There's your word."

So why have personal prophecy if we have the written Word of God and it's supposed to line up with Scripture anyway? Well, for that matter, why have church at all? Why listen to a pastor preach out of the Word when we can read it ourselves? God uses different people to communicate His message in different forms.

I have practically no experience with Pentacostal churches, but all this sounds quite reasonable to me.

[Blessed be His Name]

I was listening to John MacArthur last night on RC Sproul's "Renewing Your Mind" program. He was talking about those who attack the Bible. When he mentioned Charismatics as being such a group, naturally alarm bells were activated in my head. He talked about these "new" revelations that Charismatics claim to have. We know that new revelations, in the sense that we must add to the Scripture, is wrong. However, what qualifies as new revelation? Anyway, it got me to thinking because of former conversations with my Ind. Fund. Baptist friend. In my church, which is Pentecostal, I've heard "messages" given in tongues with accompanying "interpretation" on many occassions. When this happens, I tend to listen carefully to what's said and mentally see if it actually lines up with the Word. So far, from what I've heard, it seems to. Usually the "message" is some form of encouragement to the congregation and references are made to Scripture, followed by "says the Lord" or something similar. I've also heard "word of knowledge" given to others and have even received one myself and, once again, what's said appears Scriptural. Well, my aforementioned Ind. Fund. Baptist friend isn't so sure that these don't qualify as "new revelations" since in his church, certain gifts fell out of use with the completion of the NT canon. These gifts being tongues, prophecy, and knowledge. I don't actually know if Mr. MacArthur feels the same way as my friend on this. Personally, I've never considered these purported messages as new because they've never contradicted Scripture or have given a completely different meaning to a particular dogma or have claimed that the conventional understanding of a concept was wrong. In short, it's lined up with Scripture. So, how would you guys define "new" revelation?
I don't consider myself Charismatic, I am a Classical Pentecostal. Pentecostal teachings are new revelations only in the sense that Apotolic old-time Christianity has been revealed in these last days. But to say that they have been revealed as enitrely new is wrong.

[Blessed be His Name]

I'm going to throw in my $.02 from a Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, specifically) point of view:

I believe that prophecy is for today. I also believe that if a prophecy does not line up with Scripture, it is false. Prophetic words (at least true prophetic words) are not given to "add" to the Bible, but to provide a word of warning or edification to a person or to the body of believers. As I mentioned, it MUST line up with Scripture in order to be true and valid. This is why it is important to know the Word of God so that you are not swept away by some nice-sounding words from a person who really isn't telling you the truth!

I have a huge problem with people who run from service to service looking for their own personal prophecy. Our youth pastor has been used by God to give words to her kids as God has allowed, but when they come up to her and ask, "So, do you have a word for me? What is God saying to me today?" she replies, "Read the Bible. Pray every day. There's your word."

So why have personal prophecy if we have the written Word of God and it's supposed to line up with Scripture anyway? Well, for that matter, why have church at all? Why listen to a pastor preach out of the Word when we can read it ourselves? God uses different people to communicate His message in different forms.
Amen!