Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

Areas of Disagreement among Christians Concerning Spiritual Gifts (continued)

put at risk. Again and again in the history of the Church, people have come along that claimed a new, prophetic revelation which contradicted or went beyond the claims of Scripture. The scriptural testimony to Jesus as God’s final Word cannot be compromised and these theological traditions do not see a way to reconcile the possibility of new revelations with that fact. b. Second, the role of the apostles as the “foundation” of the Church seems to imply a unique place in Church history. The Gospels and the Book of Acts are seen as a pivot point of history during which God works uniquely and unrepeatably to change his revelation fromtheOldCovenant to theNewCovenant. This is accomplished by the granting of new revelations (which form the New Testament Scriptures) and signs and wonders which confirm and establish this testimony as authentic. The Church now is to exist by the testimony of that Word, guarding the deposit of faith but not adding to it or subtracting from it. (1) Jude 1.3 (ESV) - Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (2) Heb. 1.1-3 (ESV) - Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. [3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (3) Gal. 1.8-9 (ESV) - But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [9] As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.