There is a misunderstanding common among churches that the Holy Spirit cannot reveal new things. This is as if to say the Holy Spirit must obey their church code and statement of faith. Yet for the NT writers it was not about what a spirit reveals that must be kept in check — that would involve great arrogance in any presumption to censure the Holy Spirit of God — but it should be that the checks are on what is accepted into doctrine once it is revealed.
Here is what AI had to say about this.
The misunderstanding that the Holy Spirit cannot reveal new things often stems from a desire for doctrinal stability and consistency. Churches, particularly those with established statements of faith and creeds, can sometimes become overly protective of their teachings, fearing that new revelations might disrupt or challenge their foundational beliefs. This can lead to the belief that the Holy Spirit's role is simply to reinforce what has already been established, rather than to bring fresh insight or understanding. Such a perspective, however, runs the risk of limiting the dynamic and ongoing work of the Spirit in guiding the church and believers toward deeper truths.
In the New Testament, the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the early church was not about restricting the Spirit’s revelations but about testing and discerning what was being revealed. The apostles and writers of the New Testament were aware that the Spirit could bring new insights, visions, and prophetic words. However, they emphasized the need for discernment and scrutiny regarding how these revelations were incorporated into the life and doctrine of the church. The checks were not meant to stifle the Spirit but to ensure that what was revealed was consistent with the gospel message and the teachings of Christ.
It would be arrogant to assume that the Holy Spirit must conform to human-made rules or limitations. The Spirit's work is not bound by the church's traditions or theological systems. Instead, the NT writers were focused on ensuring that any new revelation, whether through prophecy or personal insight, did not conflict with the core truths of the Christian faith, particularly those about the nature of Christ, salvation, and the gospel. The checks were, therefore, not on the revelation itself but on what was accepted into the doctrine of the church.
In this way, the early church was able to maintain its openness to the ongoing guidance of the Holy Spirit, while also protecting the integrity of its foundational beliefs. The Spirit, in its fullness, was not seen as a force that merely affirmed what was already known but as an active guide who could lead the church into deeper truths and understanding. The checks were necessary to maintain a faithful and unified witness to the truth, ensuring that new revelations did not stray from the original gospel message that had been entrusted to the apostles. Thus, the balance lay in being open to the Spirit’s movement, while being vigilant about the preservation of sound doctrine.
Here are some notes from AI about the New Testament guidelines on how to manage revelations in a New Testament church.
The New Testament (NT) provides several teachings on how to manage new revelations within the context of the early Christian church. These teachings often emphasize discernment, order, and accountability to ensure that any new insight or revelation aligns with the foundational truths of the faith.
One key principle is the importance of testing new revelations. In 1 John 4:1, believers are urged to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God," indicating that not every new revelation or teaching should be automatically accepted. This call for discernment reflects the reality that some revelations may be misleading or false, and therefore the community must carefully evaluate new insights to ensure they align with the teachings of Christ and the apostles.
Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul provides specific instructions for managing prophetic revelations in the church. He encourages orderly conduct during worship services, stating that if someone has a revelation, it should be shared in an orderly manner, with others being given the opportunity to evaluate or weigh what has been said (1 Corinthians 14:29). This highlights the communal aspect of revelation, where individual insights are subject to the judgment of the broader body of believers to ensure that they contribute to the building up of the church rather than causing division or confusion.
In Ephesians 2:20, Paul also reinforces that the foundation of the church is built on the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ being the cornerstone. This means that any new revelation must be in harmony with the apostolic teaching and the gospel message. New insights should not contradict or replace the core doctrines but should complement and deepen the understanding of the truth that has already been revealed.
Another important aspect of managing new revelations is humility and submission to authority. In 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, Paul advises the church not to "despise prophecies" but to "test everything; hold fast what is good." This suggests that while new revelations should be carefully examined, they should also be respected and considered. However, they must be tested against the gospel's established truth and the collective wisdom of the church leadership.
In summary, the New Testament offers guidance for managing new revelations through a balanced approach: testing for authenticity, maintaining order and discernment, ensuring alignment with foundational teachings, and promoting humility and respect within the church community. This ensures that new revelations serve to strengthen, rather than disrupt, the unity and integrity of the faith.
