Here is John MacArthur’s latest article relating to Charismatic doctrine. This time it is focusing on extra-biblical revelation. Enjoy!
Prophecy and the Closed Canon, Part 1
Selected Scriptures
Code: A231John MacArthur
There is no fresher or more intimate revelation than Scripture. God doesn’t need to give us private revelation to help us in our walk with Him. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16 – 17; emphasis added). Scripture is sufficient. It offers all we need for every good work.
Christians on both sides of the charismatic fence must realize a vital truth: God’s revelation is complete for now. The canon of Scripture is closed. As the apostle John penned the final words of the last book of the New Testament, he recorded this warning: “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19). Then, the Holy Spirit added a doxology and closed the canon. (Read more…)
A very good article, Chrystal. I think that the Charismatics can only continue in their ‘faith’ by ignoring Biblical truths which invalidate their doctrines. If the canon is closed, no new prophesies, no new Word can be accepted. Joel chapter 2 has been abused, ripped apart and used as ‘cover’ for every ridiculous idea to pop into carnal human heads.
The pentecostals who prophesied in services I attended years ago would say, “I have a prophetic word from God: “God is Good!”
That was prophesy? Or simply stating fact?
Now a days you get the idea that if your prophesy from God doesn’t include angel feathers, gold dust from the Street of Gold, a visitation from Michael the Archangel and/or Mary…you can’t compete on the prophetic street.
Sarcasm aside, foolish men and women will continue in foolishness until they are corrected, until they see how they have been deceived and repent. Chrystal, I trust that God will prune and cut off such branches as He sees fit. All we can do is warn our Christians brothers and sisters to trust only God’s Word. NOT their favorite prophet’s/teacher’s interpretation-we need only to ask of God and He will teach us.
Truth is not a matter of opinion.
OK, I am a little confused here. I am NOT of a charismatic background. I have believed there were two “Words of God” if you will. The Logos, written Word, which is everything I read in this article by J. M. AND, the Rhema, Word of God, spoken in the ear. . I KNOW that word, RHEMA, is GROSSLY misused. I always believed the Rhema was discerned by the scripture, and by ” testing the spirits.” It was never EQUAL to scri[pture and never LIFTED ABOVE scripture, and would NEVER CONTRADICT scripture. Nevertheless it was a word spoken through the Holy spirit to the Christian, not necessarily contained in the written Word. There is nothing mentioned in this article about that at all……….????
Scripture is not for individual pleasure, convenience, or profit. The Rhema of the bible is not what we see in the Chrismatic, ecstatic, pentacostal, WOF and other such activites. These folks use ‘God’s messages’ for their own profit. It is funny how God’s message to these people always results in them getting what they want ala “God told me that you need to send me seed money so I can buy a lakehouse…” It never seems that God speaks directly to them and convicts them of their misuse of the scripture and what it really teaches. Maybe it is not god who is speaking to them?
I do not believe God speaks directly any longer by voice to people. How could you convince anyone that God spoke? And what would God say that He hasn’t already said? I can guarantee you that He would not say anything that contradicts His word.
Avoid charlatans and stick with those who have a high view of God and scripture.
Peace.
T.
I am not involved with any charletans, I would call them False teachers, preachers and prphets. I do agree with the many reports on here about these people. BUT….If J. M. only teaches the Logos Word and there is a Rhema Word, has he not left something out??? Do we discount all Rhema word just because it has been so heinously abused? Is this not discounting a work of the Holy Spirit which is ALSO included as a warning in the scripture for these “perilous times”??? To say it in another way; If there is a Rhema Word taught in the scripture, and we do not uphold it. Are we “taking away from the Word” out of a reaction against the false Rhema???
Hi Stella,
When we say that Scripture is our first and final authority, that’s what we mean. Should anyone ever come to you and say, “I have a word from the Lord,” get away from them immediately. God revealed Himself through His Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 says that God spoke in times past through the prophets, but He now speaks to us through His Son. The command is given in Scripture to hear Him. That was given by God Himself. There is no further revelation outside of Jesus Christ. The canon of Scripture is sealed. If word is given outside of that, it is to be rejected completely because it undermines the authority of Scripture.
Just to support what Chrystal is saying, one also needs to look at the historic aspect of Christianity and the fact that Cessationism was the default position of the Church until that unfortunate incident at 1906 Azusa. Today’s Charismatic/Pentecostal Movement think that they have the monopoly on God and are ignorant to church history or throw it out all together even when they know the facts.
For instance the Creeds and Confessions of the Christian faith (e.g. Nicene, Chalcedon, Augsburg, Westminster etc.) do not support the idea of a continuing canon of Scripture and the faulty concept of the Rhema/Logos word that the Charismatics are famous four. Of a truth we can trust centuries of Church history rather than a new “revival” or “prophet” that undermines what has been historically established.
We need to get back to Sola Scriptura if we intend not to be deceived by the seducing spirits and doctrines of demons that are in existence today.
SO……since “the Canon is closed”…..”Cessationsim is the historical standard for the church” which refers to “gifts of the Spirit” ceasing with the apostles, ( am I understanding this correctly?) AND
‘scripture is not for individual, pleasure, convenience, or profit.” Does that also apply to my personally seeking guidance through and from, scripture, the Holy spirit, and prayer for contemporary or personal issues. Or to ask in another way…..Can I seek, read, and pray for a word from the Lord for guidance in life decisions, relationships, finances, physical needs, ect?? Or is this considered “extra-biblical revelation??”
In asking this I want to clarify something. I have watched several “revivals” come and go, ( IHOP seems to be the latest) been aware of their false leaders and manifesttations. I know about the corruptness of Azusa Street. I know about Kenneth Hagin, Paul Crouch, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Paula White. I know about Rick Warren, Brian Mcclaren, Emergent Church Movement, Todd Bentley, and this is not an exhaustive list by any means. I have not been fooled by these……. I believe the Doctines of Grace. I am asking for clarification on a fine point, I realize, but I am still wondering……
I was lurking, and decided to chime in.
Stella, I think it comes down to… Are you a cessationist or a continiust? I don’t think all continuists are of the charismania ilk–but since it’s heavily abused by that group, most ‘rhema’ [as you put it] can be demonized by some who believe God only speaks through scripture. I found this link here:
http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/images/Parchment%20and%20Pen/sola-scriptura/Sola-Scriptura-Chart-2.jpg to be very interesting. It gives a visual depiction of the authority positions different groups take on the bible.
Using the “God told me” is a sure fire way for me to run from someone, lol..but I can’t discount the various times in my life where God has used someone via exhortation, preaching, teaching, revelation or a word of knowledge that spoke right to my situation, and was highly accurate. I have found the accuracy of those who have used, ‘I am a prophet, or ‘I got a word for you’ to be very poor.
I don’t have a problem w/ sola scriptura or any of other man made distinctions. It is what it is. I think its important to know the history of why/what you believe and I think its of note that no one is 100% accurate in their man made delinations, doctrine or dogmas. It is, man-made.
As a last point, I wonder, do we elevate a book above our God, when we say He can only speak within those 66 books? [lets not even get into the other various books floating around or into the discussion about canonization] Is that making our unlimited God, limited. Its a ‘neat’ way of communing with God, but surely, it can’t be the only way.
Hi Regina. Thank you for posting.
You have done a couple of things with your above post:
1.) You say that you will run from someone who says “God told me” yet you admit that there are times in your life where “revelation” and “word of knowledge” spoke to you. This is a contradiction. In doing these things, you have left the door wide open for extra-biblical revelation, which devalues the sufficiency of Scripture. It can’t be both sufficient and insufficient. Jesus said, “Sanctify them in truth; Thy Word is truth.” (John 17:17) Either God’s Word is able to truly sanctify or it’s not. It doesn’t go both ways.
2.) You say you don’t have a problem with sola scriptura, but dub it a man-made distinction, which fits right in with the “Emerging theological” reasoning that is taught at “Reclaiming the Mind.” Either God speaks through His Word or He doesn’t. Either God sealed the canon of Scripture or He didn’t. Once again, we can’t have it both ways.