Yes it does, and it includes you too, counselor.
In this case you have more than Spurgeon and Edwards put together, huh?
I made no such claim.
So if God uses Revelation 3:20 as a salvation verse (like he did with me) and people are convicted by the Holy Spirit after they hear it, then You're not going to complain, right? And if Spurgeon and Edwards use it to convince people to receive Jesus, then you are not going to call them on the carpet because of the horribile hermenutics, right?
It's God's Word, and He will use it as He wills. I have my doubts that it was that verse, and that verse alone, that opened your heart. It was one of several, or possibly many. That verse speaks nothing to your fallen conditiuon, to your need of a Savior. You would not have desired Jesus unless you were first convicted that you needed Him. This verse did not do that.
Spurgeon and Edwards were only messengers. It wasn't their eloquence or charisma that caused people to come to Jesus. It was the Word, and the Holy Spirit. If God so chose, He could have the rocks in the road preach the Gospel. Or the trees in the forest. Or the clouds in the sky. Spurgeon and Edwards would be the first to tell you it didn't have anything to do with them.
That being said, what is your problem with Revelation 3:20? Its like you are repelled by anyone, including good solid dyed in the wool Calvinists using it to call people to repentance.
That doesn't change the context the verse is written in, and who it was originally written to. Why do you refuse to acknowledge that? It's evident to anyone who reads it. God may allow it to be used as it has been, but that does not diminish it's primary message, which is a message to the church, to not forget Whom it is they serve. You would set aside the primary meaning for that which it has been used for.
Taking verses out of context is a dangerous thing to do. It can lead to error. The verses are not each stand-alone little nuggets of Truth. Too many people think that they can just string together scriptures and arrive at Truth. Doesn't work that way.
Its a call to Jesus verse nobody. God uses it for that purpose. Maybe you should too.
Sure it is! And it's primary meaning is for those in the church to renew their fellowship with the One who saved them! God will honor the use of it, because it's His Word, but maybe you should consider its primary meaning, and be sure you're availing yourself of that!
So, you're contending God isn't strong enough to convict marlowe by that verse alone? - every word is God given, the power of Him - inside of each and every bit
.......even the demon spirits recognized Scripture
Taking verses out of context is a dangerous thing to do. It can lead to error. The verses are not each stand-alone little nuggets of Truth. Too many people think that they can just string together scriptures and arrive at Truth. Doesn't work that way.
so the Catholic magisterium now comes into play?
I certainly agree. Have you ever taken a look at the footnote sections of the Heidelberg Catechism? Many of the Q&As are exactly that. I am not saying this is the case with all Q&As; but certainly more than a few.