Las Vegas, Nevada Church
Affiliated with the Intercontinental Church of God and the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Subject:  Newly Revealed Knowledge    MP3

What is "newly revealed knowledge?"  How does it differ from "inspiration of the Holy Spirit?"  Has the minister, Chris Cumming EVER had newly revealed knowledge?

For the purpose of this discussion and from my 40 years in the church, "newly revealed knowledge" is information, knowledge and/or a message given to someone on earth from God.  This is knowledge or a message outside the scope and content of the Bible.  I would think that such knowledge would come in the form of a vision, the appearance of an angel, an audible voice from on high or possibly a burning bush somewhere.

I am here to record that I, Chris Cumming have NEVER received ANY newly revealed knowledge.  I have never knowingly seen an angel, never seen a burning bush that is not consumed from which a voice comes forth and I have never had a vision nor heard a voice from on high or any other manifestation one could suggest.  I firmly believe that if such an event were to take place in the church, that it would involve the leadership of the church or Work as we see exampled in the Bible.

Ironic footnote:  I am not about to say that an angel ever appeared to any church leader, though it has always been clear to me that God directs His Work.  But just for a moment consider:  If an angel did appear to a leader of the Work...WHO COULD HE TELL?  Even the biblical accounts of these types of events are written usually long after the fact. Clearly our personal salvation is not predicated on the means by which God might direct the Work.

I mention this subject, for in the past and, no doubt, the present, some ministers have been blamed for proclaiming newly revealed knowledge.  It is usually a damnable lie inspired by Satan to bring down the church and the ministry. 

Fact is, there is no knowledge needed for Salvation that does not already exist within the scripture of your own Bible.  Beware of anyone claiming newly revealed knowledge and especially "new truth" or "new doctrine" which you cannot prove with your Bible.

Now some in the past have put the blame on a minister of proclaiming newly revealed knowledge where, in truth, the minister was receiving inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  What's the difference?  Our doctrine is replete with what exactly is meant by the "inspiration of the Holy Spirit".   Notice a number of excerpts:

The Church of God Doctrinal Statement

"The Church of God is administratively organized in accordance with general biblical guidelines and in a manner viable in this 20th century society.  The head of the Church is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23), who leads and inspires the Church and its leadership through His Holy Spirit.  Under Christ in authority are the ministers, theologians, and Church executives who fulfill religious and administrative responsibilities respectively in accord with such scriptures as 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 and Ephesians 4:11-13."

Jesus inspires the Church and its leadership through His Holy Spirit.  God, through Jesus Christ inspires the ministry in sermon production, Bible studies and in the understanding of the Word of God.  The key here is that inspiration, wisdom, understanding and those sermons are grounded in and referring to the Word of God.  The sermon expounds the Word of God.  The understanding given is understanding of the Word.

Notice another doctrine excerpt:

The Church of God Doctrinal Statement

"Local Church services also provide the community, as well as the membership, with an open meeting to hear the truths of God that the minister expounds from the Bible."

Our doctrine is clear.  The minister expounds truths from the Bible.  The inspiration of the Holy Spirit guides the minister in doing that.  Conversely, the same Holy Spirit inspires the listening member to take in and understand what the minister is saying out of the Word of God.
 

The Ministry of the Church Doctrinal Statement
 

"God indicates whom He desires to become His spiritual servant by causing the person's life to express the fruits associated with the ministry."

Clearly these "fruits associated with the ministry" include the inspired sermons, Bible studies and counseling out of that Word of God.

The Word of God is Spirit.  It takes the Holy Spirit to expound it.  It takes that same Holy Spirit to understand it.  Since the Word of God is without limits in depth, width, and meaning, we can spend a lifetime gleaning greater and greater understanding and wisdom of that scripture.  Nothing in this process is "newly revealed" as in special messages from God outside the scope of His established Word.

Now does all this inspiration of the Holy Spirit mean that all sermons are perfect or the minister infallible?  Hardly.  In fact, as you are going to see God is presently working in and through fallible humans, both ministry and congregation.  More about this in our my next Notebook subject.
 

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Las Vegas, Nevada Church of God - part of The Intercontinental Church of God and The Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association - Tyler, Texas