A Case for (My) Soteriology: Part 2: Authority by Revelation
The last time I talked about my view of soteriology, I used Ephesians and 1 John to demonstrate my point. Here I would like to look at even more scripture to demonstrate my point. I will go through some of the relevant verses and passages to make my case.
This theology is not present in Protestantism, or at least not to the same degree found in the apostolic traditions. I’m not saying the apostolic traditions have it perfectly correct either, but this is one area where they get it more right than Protestants.
I do not know how I initially thought to investigate this or what it was I first found in the Bible that made me want to dig into this deeper. Nonetheless, over time I have found the archaic idea I had at first has only been confirmed with more study. My view originally was very primitive, but I am learning to hone in on this theology that I think is in the Bible.
More or less, I aim to demonstrate that the Church of Christ functions based on authority by different degrees of revelation given to people. This is quite different from the apostolic traditions since, in their traditions, men choose who are in these positions of authority and not based on God picking them. One key text that I think shows this well is here:
John 1:12–13 NAS20
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.
This is speaking of Christ’s life on earth, so these people who “received” Christ were done by the will of God.
I will now make the point I want to convince you of.
In the Bible study we had earlier today, on 7/01/2023, I gave some details about this theology as it directly pertains to the Ephesians study book we are going through. I said, more or less, that the people who Paul is talking about in Ephesians 1:3-12 is one group, but there is also another group. In Ephesians 1:3-12 the pronouns that Paul uses are “we” and “us.” Lest someone thinks Paul is talking about himself and the Christians in Ephesus, Paul says in verse 13, “In him you also.” Along with that, Paul tells us exactly who the “we” and “us” are in Ephesians 1:3-12 when Paul says,
Ephesians 2:19–20 NAS20
So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,
Notice that Paul talks about the Church in Ephesus as “fellow citizens.” First, this can’t be a distinction between Jew and Gentile because there were a few Jews among the largely Gentile church of Ephesus at the time Paul penned this. Notice also that Paul, in the immediate context, tells us who the other group besides the church in Ephesus is when he says, “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” So that is who the “we” and “us” is in Ephesians 1:3-12 is the apostles and prophets. Also noteworthy is that Paul gives a list of sorts of a hierarchical system later in Ephesians, seen here,
Ephesians 4:11–13 CSB17
And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.
A few things with this passage. First, the role of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher continues until “we all reach the unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son.” That has not happened yet. Not even close! So we still have apostles and prophets today.
The next thing about this passage is that it is in a hierarchical structure. I say this because “apostle” (the greatest gift) is given first, and “shepherds and teachers” are given last (the least gift among this list).
Now, why do I say there is this difference in authority based on revelation given by God? There are several places I can go to for this, but here is one to start with:
1 Corinthians 2:10 NAS20
For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
Noteworthy about this is that before this verse, Paul was using the pronoun “you” speaking to the Corinthians, as seen here,
1 Cor. 1:3–15, 30; 2:1–3.
But in 1 Corinthians 2:10, Paul is speaking of another group, namely, the apostles and prophets, when it says of “we” or “us,” seen here,
1 Cor. 1:18, 23, 30; 2:6–7.
Look here to see the point from 2:10 more here,
1 Corinthians 2:7–9 NAS20
but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written:
“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
These two groups overlap here:
1 Corinthians 1:30 NAS20
But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
That’s an excellent summary of my position in general. This also captures the point,
Romans 1:5, 8 NAS20
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name... First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world.
This shows that it is primarily by those God chose explicitly who is the best at the Great Commission. And there are countless other examples. But just for the sake of argument, here are some other things to consider.
Romans 6:1, 11 NAS20
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?... So you too, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Paul is speaking of the same apostles in Romans 6:1 as he is in 1:5, contrasting with Romans 6:11 and 1:8, respectively.
Also, consider,
Galatians 5:1 NAS20
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; [you] therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
(emphasis mine)
Galatians is the most difficult book to find, but the above is an example.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 NAS20
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
1 Thessalonians 2:1, 6 NAS20
For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our reception among you was not in vain... nor did we seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though we could have asserted our authority as apostles of Christ.
This demonstrates that there were other apostles besides the 12 when the New Testament was being written because Timothy and Silvanus Paul calls apostles here.
Also, see here, it looks like to be an apostle is to be persecuted for your faith and your mission,
1 Thessalonians 3:1–3 NAS20
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we have been destined for this.
There are plenty of other verses about apostles being persecuted in the Bible. It comes with the territory.
Titus 3:15 NAS20
All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
This verse is very interesting since it shows that Paul specifically says, “all who are with me,” which I consider as Paul’s “fellow workers.” And I believe Paul only worked with other apostles as his right-hand men.
Now I want to give some passages that show abnormalities but are still consistent with my view.
Philippians 3:17 NAS20
Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Philippians are a people that Paul thinks highly of. They seem to be a very mature church. They share in some blessings reserved for those high on the hierarchy chain. But in this example, it seems to work as a trickle-down effect of following people’s example in moral behavior. That demonstrates that it’s a foundational aspect of spiritual laws in general.
Hebrews 5:11–12 NAS20
Concerning him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become poor listeners. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
Here we see that who this sermon is addressed to seems to imply that these people are not very spiritually aware since they don’t seem to have much revelation given to them and don’t know the scripture that well either. Yet the “we” with “you” is still present there.
1 Peter 1:10–13 NAS20
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Here it seems to imply that more “revelation of Jesus Christ” could still be discovered? I’m not sure, but it’s very interesting. I say this because Peter says, “which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you,” contrasted with “to be brought to you.” I don’t know the Greek, but this seems to be both a past and future thing.
2 Peter 1:1–3 NAS20
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
First, it should be noted that Peter places particular importance on the people who he is writing to. I say this because he says, “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours.” This seems to be a kind of quality of faith they have. But what could this be based on? Peter says it is based on “the true knowledge of Him who called us.” This is the same thing that was going on with Ephesus when it says, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,” where what is relevant here is “knowledge of God’s Son.” As we have seen, this is shown in “mysteries,” “revelation,” and otherwise things being “revealed.”
There is more to say, but I encourage you to look at all the verses I quoted in context and see where I am wrong. There is one problem passage I came across in Colossians 2:13-14, but to me, it means that the Colossians were saved through the apostles and prophets in the same way the apostles and prophets were saved through Christ.