Explaining Common Text Used Against Post-Biblical Revelation
1. Heb. 1:1
"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds." (Heb. 1:1-2) NRSV
From the Sola-Solo scriptura and non-prophet camp ng churches, they interpret Heb. 1:1-2 that it shows finality ng divine revelation kay Jesus Christ at hindi na nage-exist ang divine revelation in our days and that we don't need modern prophets. as the Bible teaches on the other hand that divine revelation is something important to us (Amos 3:7; Mt. 4:4) and that prophets existed after Jesus Christ (Acts 11:27; 13:1; 15:32; 21:10; 1 Cor. 12:28-29; 14:29, 32, 37; Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11-14). to interpret this as saying that divine revelation existed after God sent Jesus Christ, it is merely eisegetical for the text says no such thing. Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ here on earth to reveal him and to teach us the Gospel (Jn. 1:18; Mt. 11:27). Jesus Christ is the divine Word (λόγος - logos) to us (Jn. 1:1; 1 Jn. 1:1). as for Heb. 1:1-2, hindi nito sinasabi ang anumang cessation ng divine revelation, when the text says that God spoke to prophets in the past and at the Meridian of times, God spoke through His Son, Jesus Christ. Si Jesus Christ ang ultimate revelation of God to us.
2. Jude 1:3
"Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once [απαξ - apax] for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 1:3) NRSV
This is a passage sa General Epistles that are similarly used against the reality of the great Apostasy and the need for Restoration. in this verse, critics interpret ito bilang "final na" with the word "once" and understanding it as denoting finality; but however, the Greek word dito ay απαξ (apax) at ito itself does not denote finality at all. ang Greek word na ito ay used throughout the New Testament as the following :
" Thrice was I beaten with rods, once [απαξ] was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck a night and day I have been in the deep. (2 Cor. 11:25) KJV" For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again [απαξ] unto my necessity. (Phil. 4:16) KJV" Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again [απαξ]; but Satan hindered us. (1 Ths. 2:18) KJV" Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more [απαξ] I shake not the earth only, but also the heaven. (Heb. 12:26) KJV
If the author wants to denote finality, ang Greek word na εφαπαξ (ephapax) must be used na kung saan ay ginagamit sa New Testament para sa nature ng Atonement as "once as for all" in the sense na ito ay final na at wala nang iba (Rom 6:10; 1 Cor 15:6; Heb 7:27; 9:12; 10:10). if finality was in view sa Jude 1:3 na ang gospel (specifically faith) ay once lang na binigay sa tao, bakit ba sinabi ni Paul sa Gal. 3:8 na ang gospel ay nareveal na din kay Abraham, who lived before Christ? this is not a meaningful proof text against sa restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his church and against divine revelation. God continues to reveal divine truths to mankind!
3. Lk. 16:16
"“The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force." (Lk. 16:16) NRSV
Critics would interpret this as "wala na palang prophets pagkatapos ni Juan Bautista" pero it refers not to human prophets but the Neviim (נביאים), the prophetic writings in the Tanakh! Acts 13:15 reads both the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Neviim) which reads :
"And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”" (Acts 13:15) NKJV
Furthermore, other parts of the Bible also says :
"Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets: ‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?" (Acts 7:42) NKJV"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets." (Acts 24:14) NKJV"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”" (Gal. 3:10) NKJV
John and other Jewish leaders adhere to the Torah at Nevim. it means na ito ang "framework" of what they preach. building the kingdom of God ay ang nasa context. we see here that the Kingdom of God can't be built upon the framework of the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Nevim) but through Jesus Christ. The proclamation of the Kingdom of God ay hindi nagsimula kay John the Baptist but from Jesus Christ (Mk. 1:15; Lk. 4:43; 8:1; 11:20; 17:21; Acts 1:6; Rev. 19:16). the effect of these writings in the Tanakh are the only ones that came to past but not the office of the Prophet that serves as the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints (1 Cor. 12:12-31; Eph. 2:19-20; 4:11-14). that's not what the text says and prophets are still in the Church.
These are the things that these verses want to tell and it can't be used to go around the fact na ang Church ni Jesus Christ must receive revelation and must have prophets and apostles. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the church that receives divine revelation from God and have living prophets and apostles.
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