What Is Special Revelation — Meaning Explained

Special revelation refers to God's particular self-disclosure for the purpose of redemption. Where general revelation tells us that God is, special revelation tells us who God is, what He has done in history to save sinners, and how we may be reconciled to Him. Hebrews 1:1-2 captures the progression of special revelation: 'God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.' In Old Testament times, God revealed Himself through theophanies (the burning bush, the pillar of fire), dreams and visions, audible voice, angelic messengers, and the prophets to whom His Word came. He gave the law at Sinai, the historical records of His mighty acts, the wisdom literature, and the prophetic oracles. All of this was committed to writing in the Hebrew Scriptures. The supreme act of special revelation is the incarnation of the Son. John 1:18 declares, 'No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.' Colossians 2:9 says, 'In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.' Jesus told Philip, 'He that hath seen me hath seen the Father' (John 14:9). The New Testament — the apostolic eyewitness account and Spirit-inspired interpretation of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ongoing work — completes the canon of special revelation. Special revelation is found today only in the inscripturated Word. We do not expect new revelations or additions to Scripture. Through the Bible the Holy Spirit illumines our hearts to know God savingly. Special revelation is the only source of saving knowledge of Christ.