Some time ago a movement began in America known as the restoration and they adopted the slogan, “Where the Bible speaks we shall speak and where it is silent we shall be silent.”  Actually this was not a new idea, for Peter said the same thing in 1 Peter 4:11.  However, it was news to the people at that time; this was a new understanding of the nature of revelation.  If this principle was adopted it would change many things then practiced among religious people.  It would mean that they would confine their activities to what was authorized in the Bible.  It meant that they would give a ‘thus saith the Lord’ for all that they did or said.  No, not new, but news to most of the people.  Until this time people had pretty well done as they pleased.  They had acted without authority.  Up until this time, if the Bible did not say not to, they thought it was perfectly acceptable to do it, whatever it was. 

            For centuries, the denominations had done just anything that they desired to do.  The ‘thou shall nots’ of the New Testament are relatively few.  So, there was then, and is now, a variety of names by which denominations are called (the Bible doesn’t say ‘Thou shalt not’).  The acts of worship vary from denomination to denomination.  The means used for raising finances of these organizations are many.  The types of organization by which they are governed are diverse.  So the plea went out to confine ourselves to those things that are authorized.  Yet, some in this restoration were not long in returning to this thinking of their former days in the denominations of men.  This was especially true in the areas of music and “missions.”  However, once they relinquished the general principle they were not long in traveling the entire distance of digression.  They defended their practices with the cry, “But the Bible doesn’t say not to.”  So the age old question lingered on and it still remains; what is the nature of revelation?

            Today we are still constantly surrounded by the influences of the denominational world.  Individuals are affected by their successes in religious endeavors.  We are impressed by their buildings, suggesting that perhaps we should employ their methods and theories.  So some have begun to re-examine the old question, are we bound or free?  Do we actually need authority or is token authority enough?  Those who advocate the theory that we are free to do what is not expressly forbidden cry, “The Bible doesn’t say not to.”  Those who believe that they are limited to what is authorized cry, “Where is your authority?”  The decision made will affect the church in every area of faith and practice.

            Organization: Can we organize on a state or national level?  Can we have a regional headquarters? Can we have inter-congregational organization, sponsoring churches, world fair project?  Your answer, yes or no, depends upon what you believe to be the nature of God’s revelation.  Worship: Are we free or limited?  Work: Can the church work in the areas of recreation and education?  Are we free or limited?

            What does the Bible declare to be the nature of revelation?  Certainly the answer is contained in scriptures.  First, the nature of the revelation is such that it is complete.  I do not believe it necessary to elaborate upon this.  Just to refresh your memory you may read the following scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Peter 1:3.

            Second, the nature of revelation provides a pattern.  There is a pattern in the New Covenant as there was a pattern in the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:5).  Paul told Timothy to hold fast to the pattern of sound words (2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:16).  In the light of these scriptures we know that the New Testament presents a pattern for the people of God.  What is the nature of a pattern?  We have patterns for dressmaking.  If one follows the pattern is he free to do whatever is not expressly forbidden, or is he limited to do only what is authorized?  You know as well as I that they can only do what is authorized if following the pattern.  If a contractor builds a building according to the blue print, is he free to do whatever is not expressly forbidden or is he bound by that which is authorized?  Does a pattern express liberty or limitation?  Do we do as we please or do we follow the authority strictly?  The nature of revelation provides such a pattern!

            Third, revelation calls for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10).  Which of the two beliefs is more conducive to unity?  The one which says that we may do anything that is not expressly forbidden, or the one which says that we do only what is authorized?  If we go back to dressmaking or the building of buildings, and give out a pattern to several different people, tell them that they may do anything that is not expressly forbidden by the pattern; would the dresses turn out all alike?  Of course not, they would be as varied as the number of persons participating.  But give the pattern to the same number of people and tell them they are limited by that which is authorized in the pattern and when the product is finished, they would be all alike, if they all followed the pattern.  Which one is more conducive to unity?  Unity in the church can be maintained only if we limit our action to those things that are authorized.

            Fourth, the nature of revelation is such that man cannot direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23; Matthew 15:9).  If we do what we please then we are directing our own steps.  If we do that which is authorized in the gospel of Christ, we are following the steps of Christ.  The revelation of God, by its nature, demands that we be limited by that which is authorized!  We must be able to give a ‘thus saith the Lord.’

            This God, he said, “made the world and all things therein” (vs. 24).  Here he declares that god is the first cause.  He is the Maker of all things.  This answered all those who were saying that matter was eternal.  This answered all who were trying to attribute the world to the work of many gods.  Not only is God the first cause but examine also the power of God.  He is Lord of heaven and earth.  When you consider the powers within this universe and that God is its Maker, then you begin to understand and appreciate a little bit of the power of God.  “Ah, Lord God, behold Thou has made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee” (Jeremiah 32:17).

            God dwells not in temples made with hands.  The true God is not one to be observed solely in nature.  He is not limited to this material world.  Certainly His existence is evidenced in the things that do appear (Romans 1:20-21), but one must understand that the Creator is separate from the created.  With this argument Paul was also answering Pantheism which says God and universe are one.  God is not this material universe, not merely a man.  Man is similar to God, but they are not identical.  Man is not God, nor is God only a man.  Some had evidently made this mistake (Romans 1:23-25), for they were trying to make God in man’s image instead of man in the image of God.  God is not stationary.  He is not limited to a single given locality.  Man-made gods may be found in these temples of men but the true God is everywhere.

            The nature of God is such that he is not waited upon with gifts of men.  God needs nothing.  “For of Him and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.” (Romans 11:36).  God is not nourished by men.  He does not depend upon men for happiness.  “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.  I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.  If I were hungry, I would not tell thee for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 50:10-12).  God is the Giver of all things.  He is the Giver of life.  He is the Source of life, Sustainer of life, and the Provider of all things necessary for life.  Man depends upon God for every breath he breathes.  No, God does not depend upon man, but man does need God.

            The nature of God is such that he is to be sought.  No man is forced to recognize the God that made him.  We may, if we so choose, deny the existence of God.  But should we choose to seek after him we have the assurance that He can be found.  Men are without excuse for not finding God.  “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20-21).  God did not leave Himself without witness.  “Nevertheless, He left not himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our heart with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17).  David tells us that there is really nowhere one can go from the presence of God (Psalm 139:7-10).  He is a God both at hand and afar off (Jeremiah 23:23, 24).  He is not far from every one of us, and we may feel after Him, as if to actually touch, and handle.  Thus Paul says, this is a God that one comes to know distinctively and certainly.

            Another thing that reveals to us the nature of God is the fact that we are His offspring.  Man is more than matter, more than vegetable, and more than animal.  Man was made in the image of God.  God is not gold, silver or stone; God is not a piece of matter shaped by the hands of men.  We are like God.  You recognize the will and intelligence of man.  Then you must understand that God also possesses these attributes.

            The nature of the true God is such that He calls men to obedience.  Some people today scoff at the idea of obedience.  Paul said, I reveal unto you Jehovah God, the One who made the worlds – dwells not in temples of men – not a god of stone but living and intelligent.  This God demands obedience.  There was a time that He winked at ignorance but now commands all men to repent.  Obedience is demanded of all men.  It is no longer limited to one people of the earth.  Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:15, 16).  “Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

            This is the God that will judge the world.  He will judge the world in righteousness, according to the strict principles of justice and the law.  The judgment of God will be just.  The wicked will be punished and the righteous will be rewarded.

            This was the nature of God as Paul revealed Him to the Athenians and this is the nature of God today.