Hi tom,
Do you have any scriptural backup to confirm your idea that:
'The work of the Spirit in imparting this understanding is called
"illumination", or enlightning. It is not giving of new revelation, but a
work with in us to grasp and to affrim the revelation of the Bible, as it is
read, preached, and taught.'? In acts for example the Spirit is strongly
portrayed as 'the spirit of prophecy' as promised by Joel. Joel promises
that your sons and daughters would prophecy, to Joel this must have meant
fresh revelation and not merely illumination of the word. This is proved by
the rest of Acts. In order to explian this some have invoked the idea that
after the canon of Scripture was closed then this type of prophecy stopped.
But Peter refers to the latter days that are characterised by prophecy. Are
we to assume a second eschatological event called 'the closing of the canon
of scripture' which somehow stopped the prophecy poured out at pentecost?
Are we living in the latter latter days?
Brian
>From: tom mitchell <repentant_reformer@...>
>Reply-To: reformeddoctrineforum@...
>To: reformeddoctrineforum@...
>Subject: [Reformed Doctrine Forum] Illumination and conviction
>Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 21:48:00 -0700 (PDT)
>
>
>Christians' knowledge of divine things is more then knowledge of biblical
>words and theological ideas. It is the understanding of the reality and
>relevance of the works of God testified to by Scripture.
>
>The "natural man" (1 Cor. 2:14) who does not have the Spirit, even though
>familiar with Christian ideas, still lacks this deeper understanding,
>because it is an understanding given by they Holy Spirit (Col. 1:9; cf.
>Luke 24:25; 1 John 5:20) Those who along with correct instruction from
>scriptures, "have an anointing from the Holy One. . .know all things" (1
>John 2:20)
>
>The work of the Spirit in imparting this understanding is called
>"illumination", or enlightning. It is not giving of new revelation, but a
>work with in us to grasp and to affrim the revelation of the Bible, as it
>is read, preached, and taught. Sin clouds our minds and wills so that we
>miss and resist the force of Scripture. The Spirit however, opens and
>unveils and attunes our hearts so that we underrstand what God has revealed
>(2 Cor. 3:14-16; 4:6; Eph.1:17,18; 3:18,19). Illumination is the
>application of God's reavealed truth to our hearts, so that we grasp as
>reality for ourselves what the sacred text says.
>
>Protestant theologians shortly after the Reformation spoke of illumniation
>as an act of grace that proceeds in two stages. The first stage of
>illumination takes place when one encounters the ministry of the Word. This
>external illumination prepares the person for the second stage, the
>internal ministry of the Holy Spirit that leads to Salvation.
>
>The Spirit speaks through the law, that convicts a person of sin, and the
>gospel, that conveys knowledge of God's grace and forgiveness (cf. Luke
>1:79). It is through this illumination of the Spirit that the ministry of
>the Word conveys the effectual calling to Salvation.
>
>Although illumination by the Spirit begins the process, or order, of
>Salvation (Heb. 6:4; 10;32), it continues throughout the life of the
>believer. The Holy Spirit leads us to deeper understanding of God (John
>16:13), prompting both repentance for the sins we commit and assurance of
>God's grace and the certanity of our election. We recieve this illumination
>through the ministry of the Word and through prayer, meditation on God and
>His revelation, and the struggle to live our lives in a manner consistent
>with revelation.
>
>
>
>Reformation Study Bible. Pg 1801
>
>
>
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