God’s Rhema is the sold authority for out Christian belief system. The Bible is a subset of God’s Rhema
A person asked me, one day, if I believed in Sola Scriptura…meaning, “Do I believe that the Bible is the sole authority for Christian belief?” I would like offer my opinion on this subject.
There is a delicate distinction I am going to make regarding my view of Sola Scriptura. I do believe that the Bible is the sole revelation of God and there are no other books that have such authority. I believe scripture should interpret scripture. In this way I do hold fast to Sola Scriptura. However, in practice, what does Sola Scriptura really mean? Does it mean that I must accept others interpretation of the Bible based upon the opinion of a multitude? It is at this point where I find fault with those who bring up Verbal Plenary or Sola Scriptura. In my view the best we can hope for this side of heaven is varying approximations of knowing the truth. Therefore, even though we have a perfect word, everyone’s doctrine is not.
New Truth is, oddly enough, new
There was a time when even salvation by faith was a hotly contested doctrine. During the reformation those who opposed this radical interpretation of the scriptures thought that they had scriptural evidence that salvation came by works. If you would have asked them if they believed the Vulgate was inspired of God and the sole authority for their belief they would have replied in the affirmative, all the while strenuously arguing for a doctrine that was diametrically opposed to it.
It is the Spirit which wrote the Bible that is important
though I believe in Sola Scriptura does not mean that I must believe simply because say they can prove it. In fact, this idea of “just the Bible” has led to the division of the body of Christ. Many have separated into groups based upon their particular take on the scriptures contrary to the scriptures. God is obviously not fractured and therefore does have one very clear view about what He wrote. The unity of the faith doesn’t come about through men agreeing upon doctrine, but through the spiritual experience of Tabernacles. As we become one with God personally, we will naturally come into alignment with His Word and each other.
Lastly, Peter says,
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
2 Pet 1:21
Holy men spake words that had never been heard before
The word of God that was given in the old time issued forth from the Holy Spirit. When holy men spake the word it was new and had never been heard before. These revelations did not contradict the general tenor of scripture, but they did do great violence to current doctrine. God isn’t through speaking and when the time is right, holy men of God will speak as His Spirit moves them. At that time it will be scripture just as it was in old time. People often times point to the book of Revelations as an injunction against further scripture but this is erroneous.
Instead of being defenders of the faith perhaps it is time for us to be explorers of the faith. Defenders are trapped defending a position while seekers to know God are free to explore and to find out who He is. After all, if you really want to be where the blessings are, we must be with God where He is.