How has God revealed Himself to mankind?
On February 7, 2024 by Jacob Jones
God has revealed Himself to all mankind in two distinctly different ways, yet both are equally given by His Divine Authority.
First, God has generally revealed Himself by His creation, (Psalms 19) by a visual perception of His Power and Godhead, (Romans 1:18-21) and by His governing care over His Creation. (Acts 14:15-17) God’s general revelation undoubtedly declares to the whole world that an intelligent Creator designed everything around them. God’s general revelation of Himself leaves all men without excuse for their sin and without a legitimate excuse for not trusting in Him. (Romans 1:20) No person will be able to rightly stand before God and argue that they didn’t have any indication of His power and presence. Even in the most remote areas of the world where there is no report of any Biblical teaching, God’s general revelation is declaring His Glory and Authority to those people. In every area of the earth, as a person looks around at God’s general revelation in nature, they can clearly perceive that there is an intelligent Creator and that His power is on display everywhere. The evidence of God’s existence is innumerable. God’s general revelation points toward Himself as the Ultimate Authority and therefore each person will be held responsible for how they respond to His revelation of power and Authority.
Secondly, God has revealed Himself in an equally authoritative, but special way through the life and words of His Son Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 1:1-2, 1 Thes 2:13) Jesus is described in the Bible as the very Word of God. (John 1:14) He came and revealed God’s eternal plan of salvation through His perfect life, sacrifice on the cross, glorious resurrection, and victory over death. (John 1:12-13) This special revelation of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ was predetermined by the Godhead before the earth was even made. (1 Peter 1:18-21) God’s special revelation is available and declared to us in the Bible so that all may know Him personally. (2 Peter 1:3-4) God’s special revelation through Jesus Christ is the only way of receiving salvation and becoming a part of God’s family. (John 1:12)
God has revealed Himself in these two ways and therefore both are equally important and authoritative. His general revelation shows us about the grandeur, might and majesty of Himself, and at the same time shows us our smallness and weakness without His provision. (Psalms 8) God’s special revelation teaches us how to understand His general revelation and how each person can live in a way that is pleasing to God. (Ephesians 2:18-19) No one can or will be saved, simply by acknowledging God as the Creator of the World or even acknowledging His power and provision over His Creation. As a person submits to God’s general revelation of His grandeur, God can and will lead them to His special revelation about Jesus Christ that is found in His Word. God’s special revelation gives us specifics on how to be right with God and how to live for Him. (2 Peter 1:3-4) God’s special revelation is direct and specific by instructing us that a relationship with God can only begin through a relationship with Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)