Excited - Andy Spurlin Ministries

Intimacy with Father God: Moving From Knowledge to Experiential Knowledge

2 Peter 1:3, His [Jesus's] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. In the original Greek language of the Bible, that word "knowledge" reads like this: through the experiential knowledge [which the believer has] of the One who called us into salvation by means of His own glory and virtue [or power].

Experiential knowledge, referred to as "epignosis" in Greek, carries a deeper and more profound meaning compared to the simpler term "gnosis," which denotes knowledge. The addition of "epi" in "epignosis" amplifies the word's strength, signifying a fuller and more complete comprehension of something. It represents knowing something in a more profound and comprehensive way than before, akin to gaining a more precise and exact view of a subject as one draws closer to it.

The Bible demonstrates this fuller knowledge of Christ through our faith experiences.

• In the original Greek, the term "experiential knowledge" appears 15 times in Paul's epistles.

• In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Paul emphasizes the importance of gentleness and correction in the pursuit of this experiential knowledge of the truth, granted by God's grace.

In Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, "epignosis" is defined as "exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition." It is considered a heightened form of "gnosis," indicating a more powerful and influential knowledge that deeply impacts the one who knows. The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon specifies that "epignosis" pertains specifically to Christ, denoting the genuine knowledge of Christ's nature, dignity, and benefits.

God's desire is for us to come to know Him through a process of personal encounters and experiences.

These encounters lead to new revelations from the Holy Spirit about the mind and character of both Jesus Christ and the Father. This knowledge is acquired through a journey of experiences over time, fostering our growth and maturity in an intimate relationship with the Father. It goes beyond mere intellectual understanding; it involves experiencing Jesus in the fullest sense. It's about heart knowledge developed through a process of personal experiences, not just head knowledge.

John 8:47, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says (Rhema).”

Ephesians 6:17, “Take ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (Rhema) of God.” God’s inspired thoughts give voice to God's word. This is our spiritual sword.

Andy Spurlin Ministries

P. O. Box 129 Park Rapids, MN 56470

Andy@AndySpurlin.Org

AndySpurlin.Org

Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he

talked with us on the road and explained the

Scriptures to us?

(Luke 24:32).

“It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”

(Matt. 4:4 Message, Jesus)