Hello all, before I ask my question I will give a bit of background information. I come from a Charismatic background. I am a Cessationist now, but I still have lingering questions brought about by the traditions which were taught to me.
I have a question which was spurned by this thread:
https://www.puritanboard.com/thread...-faith-in-light-of-those-who-fall-away.95013/
I found this conversation fascinating and gained many insights into my understanding of assurance. However, my question is this: what is the testimony of the Spirit to our spirits described in Romans 8:16 if it is not special revelation? If it is in fact the very voice of God speaking to our spirits, how is it not revelation? I have thought through this issue a bit already and may have an answer for myself. I will present it here and you can critique/help me understand the issue better.
Here are my thoughts: When the Scriptures are opened and the unconverted hear the law and the gospel preached, along with this--if they become regenerate--the Holy Spirit is speaking to them the very words of Scripture, telling them that they must repent and believe. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit regenerates someone and persuades them, He is not speaking to them new revelation, but it applying the already written revelation in a new way, just as Christ's continual intercession for us in the heavens described in the book of Hebrews is not a new sacrifice, but is a continual application of the one sacrifice already made. Likewise, when the Holy Spirit inwardly testifies to our spirits as described in Romans 8:16, this is an inward and continual application of the written words of Scripture which say "he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will," (Eph. 1:5) etc.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I have a question which was spurned by this thread:
https://www.puritanboard.com/thread...-faith-in-light-of-those-who-fall-away.95013/
I found this conversation fascinating and gained many insights into my understanding of assurance. However, my question is this: what is the testimony of the Spirit to our spirits described in Romans 8:16 if it is not special revelation? If it is in fact the very voice of God speaking to our spirits, how is it not revelation? I have thought through this issue a bit already and may have an answer for myself. I will present it here and you can critique/help me understand the issue better.
Here are my thoughts: When the Scriptures are opened and the unconverted hear the law and the gospel preached, along with this--if they become regenerate--the Holy Spirit is speaking to them the very words of Scripture, telling them that they must repent and believe. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit regenerates someone and persuades them, He is not speaking to them new revelation, but it applying the already written revelation in a new way, just as Christ's continual intercession for us in the heavens described in the book of Hebrews is not a new sacrifice, but is a continual application of the one sacrifice already made. Likewise, when the Holy Spirit inwardly testifies to our spirits as described in Romans 8:16, this is an inward and continual application of the written words of Scripture which say "he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will," (Eph. 1:5) etc.
Thanks for your thoughts.