REVELATION-SPECIAL

 

 


 

General Revelation                         Specific Revelation

Given to all                                        Given to few

Intended for all                                 Intended for all

Sufficient for condemnation          Sufficient for salvation

Declares God's greatness              Declares God's grace

 

Author Unknown

 


 

Theologians regularly speak of general revelation and special revelation. By the former is meant that non-redemptive knowledge of God to be found in creation and conscience, a knowledge that is universally accessible (hence, “general”). By the latter is meant that redemptive knowledge of God as revealed in the person of Christ, the living Word of God, and in the Bible, the written Word of God, a knowledge that is restricted to the recipients of saving grace (hence, “special”).

 

Sam Storms
General Revelation, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com.

 


 

General revelation is the essential prerequisite to special revelation. And special revelation is that which redemptively supplements and interprets general revelation. Therefore, if by God's gracious and sovereign enablement and enlightenment, any unbeliever responds positively to the revelation of God in nature (and conscience), God will take the necessary steps to reach him or her with the good news of Christ whereby they may be saved.

 

Sam Storms
General Revelation, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com. Used by Permission.

 


 

God does not reveal information by communication: He reveals Himself by communion. Revelation is a personal meeting of God with man. It is a meeting of mind with mind or person with person

 

Sam Storms
Special Revelation II, November 8, 2006, www.enjoyinggodministries.com. Used by Permission.

 


 

The one is addressed generally to all intelligent creatures, and is therefore accessible to all men; the other is addressed to a special class of sinners, to whom God would make known His salvation. The one has in view to meet and supply the natural need of creatures for knowledge of their God; the other to rescue broken and deformed sinners from their sin and its consequences.

 

B.B Warfield
Revelation and Inspiration.