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Mark 5 of the True Church
The True Church Is Guided by Continuing Revelation
The principle: God still speaks. The true Church is guided by revelation from God to His prophets and apostles, and every sincere seeker may receive personal revelation too.
The God of the Bible is a God who speaks. Amos taught that the Lord does nothing without revealing it to His prophets. Jesus told Peter that his testimony came not from men but from “my Father which is in heaven,” and called that revelation the rock on which He would build. The early Church was led by fresh revelation, and James promises that anyone who lacks wisdom can ask God.
What does the Bible say?
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
God reveals His purposes to His servants the prophets before He acts.
15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Peter’s testimony was revealed by the Father, not by ‘flesh and blood.’ Jesus builds His Church upon this rock.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Through a vision, God showed Peter that the gospel was for all people. The Church received new direction by revelation.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Where there is no vision, the people perish.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Anyone who lacks wisdom may ask God, who gives liberally and does not scold.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. The God who spoke then still speaks now.
A God who speaks
From Adam to Abraham, Moses, Samuel, and Isaiah, the Bible is a record of God speaking to His children through prophets. Amos summed it up: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
The rock of revelation
When Peter declared that Jesus is the Christ, Jesus said, “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Then He said He would build His Church “upon this rock.” A Church built on Christ is also a Church that receives revelation from heaven.
The early Church needed new revelation
After Jesus ascended, the apostles faced questions the Lord had not yet answered, such as whether the gospel should go to the Gentiles. God answered through a vision to Peter (Acts 10). The Church grew by revelation, not by debate alone.
Revelation for you
God’s voice is not only for prophets. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” Every reader can ask Him whether these things are true.
A question to ponder
Does any church today teach that God still calls prophets and guides His Church by revelation, as He did in the Bible?
These scriptures at a glance
| Scripture (KJV) | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Amos 3:7 | God reveals His purposes to His servants the prophets before He acts. |
| Matthew 16:15–18 | Peter’s testimony was revealed by the Father, not by ‘flesh and blood.’ Jesus builds His Church upon this rock. |
| Acts 10:28 | Through a vision, God showed Peter that the gospel was for all people. The Church received new direction by revelation. |
| Proverbs 29:18 | Where there is no vision, the people perish. |
| James 1:5 | Anyone who lacks wisdom may ask God, who gives liberally and does not scold. |
| Hebrews 13:8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. The God who spoke then still speaks now. |
Common questions
Didn’t revelation end with the Bible?
The Bible never says God would stop speaking. Its pattern is a God who calls prophets in every age (Amos 3:7) and a Church guided by revelation (Acts 10). Because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8), it is reasonable to expect Him to guide His Church today.
Can I receive revelation for myself?
Yes. James 1:5 invites anyone who lacks wisdom to ask God in faith. Personal revelation helps each of us know the truth for ourselves, while revelation to prophets guides the whole Church.
Read it for yourself
The best way to know these things is to read the verses in context and ask God about them (James 1:5). Open any reference above in our free King James Bible reader, then see how this principle fits with the other marks of the true Church.