Word of Knowledge & Word of Wisdom: A comprehensive, in depth, complete, all inclusive, and unabridged Biblical study.

Today, we shall look at every scripture that mentions these two spiritual gift manifestations.

1 Corinthians 12:7-9
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;

The End. Any questions?

Grace and Strength

Talk to any professional or amateur fighter and they will agree that the most important aspect of their sport is training. Whether it is boxing, wrestling, or martial arts, proper training is the key to success. One vital element of any training regiment is strength conditioning. Athletes build their muscles and strength through weight lifting, plyometrics, cardio, nutrition and supplements.

Similarly, strength is essential in the believer’s fight of faith. As Christians we are to “act like men, firm in the faith, [and] be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:12-14). We are also exhorted to “be strong in the Lord and in all the strength of His might” (Eph. 6:10).

So how do we build our strength? Just as physical strength begins with proper nutrition, grace is the building block of spiritual strength.

“Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.” – Hebrews 13:9

Food strengthen the outer man, but God’s grace strengthens the inner man. Our spiritual nourishment comes from eating at the alter of grace, not from eating our Wheaties. John Piper puts it like this, “If you want to be strong in your heart, when your heart is groaning with a sense of sin and failure, before you go to the kitchen to eat food, go to the altar to eat the blood-bought grace of forgiveness and hope.”

Our strength is also received directly from the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:16). Paul stated that when his physical (outer) self was weak, his spiritual self was strong with the power of Christ because “My [God’s] grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

Therefore, our spiritual weight lifting consists of being “content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties” (2 Cor. 12:9-10). We are to boast in our weakness and wholly depend on the strength of the Lord. Our spiritual body building is the continual realization (and subsequent action) that God’s wonderful, merciful grace is sufficient, and that we cannot add one jot or tittle to the redemptive work of Christ. As the psalmist said, “The Lord is my strength and my shield, I will trust Him…” (Psalm 28:7).

The fight of faith requires great strength. That strength is realized through our whole-hearted dependence and trust in the grace of out Lord Jesus Christ.

for His glory,

DJ

Quote of the day

God has no grandchildren - Dan Phillips

The Purpose of Prophecy

Like all spiritual gifts, prophecy is intended “for the common good” of the church (1 Cor. 12:7) and should be used in “serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Unfortunately, the gift of prophecy is one of the most misused and often abused spiritual gifts. Sometimes, proclaimed prophecy is used to veil hidden motives or to seek selfish gain. Christ warned “beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (matt 7:15). More often, however, I believe the misuse of the gift of prophecy is a product of good intentions and poor theology.

It is my opinion that the Bible clearly outlines the purposes for New Testament prophecy. First Corinthians chapter fourteen is the most chief discourse on NT prophecy. Verse three says “But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.”

The first purpose of prophesy is to edify, or build up, the church. In verse four Paul says that “one who prophesies edifies the church.” And again in verse twelve he instructs that “since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.”

Prophecy is to be used to build up the body of Christ in love (Eph. 4:16). Love is the key ingredient. All Christians should speak the truth in love ( Eph. 4:15). In fact, Paul says “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge… but do not have love, I am nothing.”

The second purpose of prophecy is exhortation and consolation. Prophecy should encourage, uplift, comfort, calm, and console. “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted” (1 Cor. 14:31). Prophecy should have a positive result for the hearer. It should not be harsh and unloving, but peaceful and full of love.

Thirdly, prophecy is for a sign intended to convict sin and bring Godly repentance.

“prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe… But if all prophesy, and

an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” (1 Cor. 14:22-25)

Notice that all of these purposes are all constructive. Nowhere does the Bible teach that prophecy should be used for rebuking or correcting. In fact, Paul teaches Timothy that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Tim. 3:16, see also 4:2). Also, in Colocians, Paul syas “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another…” (Col. 3:16). Clearly, God’s word (Scripture) should be used to teach, correct, admonish, ect. These are not the purposes of prophecy.

The purpose of prophecy is also not to institute new doctrines. Paul warned the Corinthian church not to recognize any prophesy that goes against what he himself has taught (1 Cor. 14:38, see also 1 Thess. 5:21 & 2 Thess 2:1-3). Prophesy is not a replacement (or substitute) for Scripture.

The Bible also has no reference to prophecy being the medium for God revealing His will to

NT believers. God’s will is clearly outlined in Scripture ( see 1 Peter 2:9, 2:13-15, 3:17; 1 Thess 4:3-7, 5:18; Eph 5:17-18). “Your word is a ^(A)lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

In conclusion, God’s purpose for NT prophesy is to edify, exhort, and comfort fellow believers. Prophecy should be conducted for, through, and in accordance with selfless love. It is imperative that we do not confuse these

purposes with the purposes of Scripture. Teaching doctrine, correcting, reproof, training in righteousness, and disclosing God’s will are all some of the roles of God’s written word. When used correctly, the NT gift of prophecy is a powerful means by which God edifies His church.

Quote of the day

The Word of God is like a lion, you don't defend it, you let it loose. - John MacArthur

The Naked Truth About Divine Revelation

One of the major conflict points in the spiritual gift debate is definitions. Words have meanings. Some words have multiple meanings, and some words have implicit meanings or implied connotations. Some words mean different things to different people. I believe that poor diction and lack of well-defined terminology is the primary cause of confusion in this debate.

For example, next time you find yourself in a Sunday school class or Bible study with a group of predominantly reformed Protestants, mention a new personal “revelation” that the Lord has given you. Immediately, their minds will be consumed with warning sirens and red flashing lights. You have breached their theological protective defense grid. They become like swarming fire ants, ready to protect the sanctity and sufficiency of Sola Scriptura at all costs. How do I know this? I’m just another soldier ant.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact this defense of scripture is necessary. The New Testament is chocked full of warnings to be on guard for wolves in sheep’s clothing. I feel it is our duty to fight false gospels and rebuke false teachers (in love). And the word “revelation” is one of those fightin’ words. This is why it is important, for both sides, to properly define this term.

Revelation Defined

Strong’s Concordance – 602 (Ref. Luke 2:32, Romans 16:25, 1 Cor. 14:25 )

ἀποκάλυψις - 1) laying bare, making naked

2) a disclosure of truth, instruction

a) concerning things before unknown

b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all

American Heritage Dictionary

a. The act of revealing or disclosing.

b. Something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized.

• Theology A manifestation of divine will or truth.

The Greek word translated revelation in the NT literally means to “make naked” or to unveil. My (online) hermeneutics class defined revelation as God’s self-disclosure of Himself. This specific revelation is manifested in the person of Christ (John 1:18, 14:10) and in Scripture (2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:13-21). This is how God has chosen to reveal Himself, His character, and His will.

Therefore, the term revelation has become theologically synonymous with the inspiration, sufficiency, and infallibility of God’s word. Revelation is the content of the Bible. Each word, phrase, poem, song, story, parable, prophecy and letter is divine revelation.

On the other hand, the term revelation can have a (secular) technical usage. For example, “the concrete slab had several structural cracks which revealed the areas of high stress concentrations. Due to this revelation, the proper repair procedures were designed.” In this sense, the revelation was a manifestation of previously unknown conditions. This was not divine truth. This was not a direct word from God. It was simply a discovery (uncovering). The same word and the same general definition, but totally different connotations.

So this is where it gets sticky. Does the New Testament gift of prophesy give new revelation?

Yes and no. It depends on your definition of revelation. This is the fuel for the fire. If you see revelation as being synonymous with God’s specific, perfect and direct self-disclosure, then the answer would be an emphatic “NO!” (Rev. 22:18) If you see revelation as God generally teaching you something new (new to you I mean), then the answer is “yes” or at least “maybe.”

Theologically, revelation refers to inspired (lit. breathed) words of God. There is no new inspired revelation from God. The Bible is the only avenue through which God has revealed his redemptive plan. As John MacArthur wrote, “The orthodox teaching of Christianity has always affirmed that God’s special, saving revelation to mankind is restricted to the teachings of the Scriptures.”

God does still communicate, and the Holy Spirit still teaches. The Spirit may reveal a truth to us that we may not have previously known. This new truth, however, is guaranteed to be in accord with the doctrines of the Bible. A more correct term for this is illumination. Illumination occurs when the Spirit shines light upon a truth, giving insight and understanding. He does not reveal additional truth to us, but He does enable us to understand the truth already revealed and recorded.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 30, Paul is instructing prophets to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion. In this discourse he refers to these prophesies as revelations. What were these revelations? Where they the same as the revelations given to Moses, Elijah, and Paul? In my opinion they were not. In the context, this revelation could be about the sin in the hearts of an unbeliever (vs 24-25) or it could simply be preaching and exhortation (vs 31). Paul makes it clear in verse 37 that his doctrine is the doctrine of the Lord and is therefore paramount to this revelation. Therefore there is no reason to insist that these revelations had the same weight and authority as the revelations of Scripture.

I also believe that the Spirit leads, guides, and prompts. However, these are not on par with divine revelation. It lacks the intrinsic authority and verbal divine inspiration associated with divine revelation. I often times feel led to pray, or help, or give, ect. I do not feel that I can accurately say that “God gave me a revelation to…” I feel this language is much too strong and will immediately set off the warning sirens.

So in conclusion, we must accept that the term revelation can have specific connotations. We must clearly define this term if we are to discuss the miraculous spiritual gifts on a level plane. I feel it is imperative for both camps to come to a mutual understanding of God’s divine revelation. God has unveiled His specific revelation of Himself, His will and His plan for salvation in the Scriptures.

for His glory,

DJ

What this blog will not be about:

Me. I am boring, Aside from spending time with my wife and son, writing this blog will probably be the most interesting thing I do today. So to avoid blogging about my blogging (is that what I’m doing now?), I will refrain from biography.

My friends. Only because I have none. If I did I wouldn’t be writing this post.

Politics. No soapbox. I promise.

Complaining. No complaining about wife/kid/parents/boss ect. No whining, no grumbling, no wallowing in self-pity.

Engineering. Though I could probably fill half of cyberspace with infinitely interesting facts about dirt and concrete, I will try and refrain from this temptation.

Why I Blog

My new endeavor into the blogshere is fueled by my desire to share God’s truth (and sometimes my opinion). I am not filled with delusions of grandeur. I realize that the only two people who will read this blog are probably my wife and my mom. I simply want to journal what the Lord has taught me. I want to put into words what He has put in my mind and heart. This blog will be my outlet where I can share my ideas, theology, struggles and (dry, somewhat humorous) wit.

Discipline is the goal. Forcing myself to study and meditate on the Word will be greatly beneficial to me. It will be good practice for teaching, witnessing, and defending the gospel. It will also give me a written record of my studies, which should prove very valuable in the future. Plus, it should fill those slow hours of the day when I should be working but for lack of motivation am not. For all these reasons and more I have initiated this blog. Enjoy.

-DJ