Ephesians 4 also talks about ministry gifts being used until Paul and company all come to a 'knowledge of the unity of the faith'... 'a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ'.....
The completed Word of God fits this VERY well.. it is even something that allows people to no longer be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine... so it is about a standard.. a measure .. that gives unity of THE faith.. of Jesus Christ..
If this ain't the bible.. I don't know what it is!
Then you turn over to 1st Corithians 13
There is something perfect that causes tongues prophecy and gift of knowledge to cease..
Note--- this thing is related to prophecy tongues and gift of knowledge.. and prophecy and tongues and gift of knowledge were in part in Paul's day..
'we know in part and we prophecy in part'
When you look at the Greek word for perfect-- this is
telios-- something complete or mature..
Also when you look at that which is perfect-- or the perfect thing.. it is an
inanimate object..
So when you put something that is complete as the which renders the partial prophecy tongues and gift of knowledge as ceasing..
it becomes obvious - that which is in part.. is also the same thing that is complete later.
So this rules out the second coming of Jesus.. because He was never in part! What is in part in Paul's time is completed with 'that which is perfect'
SO
What was prophecy, tongues and gift of knowledge.. revealing? God's revelation
Prophecy-- speaking forth God's Word.. whether in reference to the future or in reference to already revealed scripture- revelation.
Tongues-- revealing God's revelation through earthly languages unknown to the speaker of them.. but known to the listener (Acts chapter 2)
Gift of knowledge-- knowledge of God's revelation
What is the bible? A record of God's revelation to His people! Complete.. mature.. lacking nothing necessary for completeness.
So.. Ephesians 4.. unity of the faith.. measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.. that allows stable reference point.. the bible is these things!
Corinthians 13.. something that is complete.. that renders the tools used to share God's revealed Word to be put away.. the bible is this this!
NOW
This does not mean God does not talk to people now! He does as has been posted before.. by applying scripture to your life.. learning from the examples set by the people in scripture. Try applying the scripture to your life and see what happens! You will definitely start to experience God directly relating to ya! Not through some audible voice.. but through a strong, quiet,noticeable guiding hand in your life!
Heed these words.. all who wish to add to the bible:
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall
add unto these things, God shall add unto him the
plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall
take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
2Pe 1:21 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.
Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Isa 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
So there you go
