One of the biggest attacks upon “the faith” for which we must contend is that it is incomplete.  While I have never heard someone directly say that “the faith” is incomplete, that is what is being taught by anyone who claims they are receiving new revelations from God.

There are far too many modern-day preachers fooling people into thinking they are speaking for God by claiming to receive new revelation from Him.  The truth is there are no inspired men living today.  God is not giving anyone new revelation.  Remember the words of Jude which are the basis of our theme this week.

Jude 3 (ESV)
³ Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

The Greek word for “once” is “hapax” and means, “once for all,” of what is of perpetual validity, not requiring repetition, Heb. 6:4; 9:28; 10:2; 1 Pet. 3:18; Jude 3, RV, “once for all” (W. E. Vine, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).  This tells us that we do not need any more revelation.  God’s will has already been given to us.  John affirmed this truth in John 16.

John 16:13 (ESV)
¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

If the apostles were guided into all truth, how much new truth do people need to be guided into today?  The answer is none.  If any preacher is receiving revelation that the apostles did not receive, then the apostles were guided into some truth but not all truth.  So, either Jesus was lying when He said the apostles would be guided into all truth, or the modern-day preacher who claims he has new revelation from God is lying.  Who do you think is lying?  I can tell you for certain that it was not Jesus.

We have God’s complete will for us in written form today.  We find it in the New Testament of our Bible.  How God wants us to live, work, and worship Him has all been revealed.  Paul spoke of this to Titus.

Titus 2:11–12 (ESV)
¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

When it comes to revelation, always remember the old saying — “if it is new, it is not true; if it is true, it is not new.”  Be thankful that we have “the faith” today. Our job is to read, study, and meditate upon it so that we can live by it and teach it to others.  If a preacher tells you he has received something new from God, do not believe him.  He is trying to sell you something that he does not really have, and the cost is usually steep.

Foy E. Wallace put it best in one of his books.  I am quoting from memory so it may not be exact, but it went something like this— “When the last apostle laid down his pen and stilled his tongue, revelation was complete.”  This is exactly right.  Do not let anyone lead you astray by claiming to speak for God today.  That person is either lying or delusional, but one thing he is not doing is telling you the truth.  The truth has already been once delivered.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.