Q. In your numerous publications, the New Covenant Church stresses conceptual revelation. Are there any examples of verbal, plenary revelation, and if so, how do they compare with conceptual revelation?

We have the authentic words of Jesus in the Gospels and the John's testimony that He is the Eternal Logos or Word (John 1:1). We also have Jesus's own testimony that He only ever said what His Father told Him to say (John 12:50). Every single Word spoken by Jesus is therefore the Word of the Father and is therefore verbal, plenary revelation.

There is, however, another kind of verbal, plenary revelation. Although, as far as we know, Jesus Himself never wrote anything down, His Father certainly did. The Ten Commandments were written on stone by the very "finger of God" (Ex.31:17-18, AV). Paul says that "all scripture is inspired by God" (2 Tim.3:16, RSV) but this portion of Scripture was given by direct inscription! Not only did God speak to Moses audibly (Deut.9:10) but He also wrote the most important part of Scripture down Himself: "He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant -- the Ten Commandments" (Ex.34:28, NIV). Therefore there is no question that the Ten Commandments -- the smmary of the Law (Torah) -- should be taken quite literally.

So next time you read the Ten Commandments, remember that God considered them to be so important that He wrote them Himself. They are the foundation of both the Old as well as the New Covenant, and were all upheld by Jesus. So must we.

This page was created on 18 April 1998 Last updated on 18 April 1998

Copyright © 1987-2008 NCCG - All Rights Reserved