God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

The Scriptures are the pinnacle of the Spirit’s prophetic work. The canon of Scripture (the Bible) is a unique prophetic witness to God and his purposes that is meant for all people at all times and places. [Prophecy] was given unquestioned authority only after it was vetted (cf. 1 Thess. 5.19-21). Even when it was recognized to be a divine word, it did not necessarily become a canonical word. Prophecy had (and has) important uses for its immediate recipients but it was given canonical status only when it was recognized also to be normative revelation for future generations and a touchstone by which future prophecies might be tested.

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~ E. E. Ellis. “Prophecy, Theology of.” New Dictionary of Theology . Sinclair Ferguson, David F. Wright, and J. I. Packer, eds. Downers Grove, IL/Leicester, England: InterVarsity Press, 1988. p. 538.

The Spirit’s inspiration of the Scriptures is the most important way in which the Spirit “spoke by the prophets.” And it is the only prophetic word that can be used to authoritatively judge the claims of those who purport to speak a word from the Spirit to the Church today.

Generally speaking, illumination refers to the inner working of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and heart of a person who hears the Scriptures. Many commentators would add that the Spirit not only illuminates directly by speaking to the heart and mind of the hearer but that he also gives the gift of teaching to leaders in the Church. The preaching and teaching ministry illumines the meaning of the Scriptures to those who hear it. So, for example, when Philip explained the Scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch, the Spirit illuminated the Scriptures through the teaching gifts he had given to Philip. Acts 8.29-31 - And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

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