Hearing God speak

[AcousticJS]

Hi guys,

I'm just curious, is there any scripture that actually says that God now only speaks through the Bible? I've come across a guy on another forum who says that this is the only way God talks nowadays and was wondering if he's right.

Blessings in Christ
Jon

[Gavin]

Hi guys,

I'm just curious, is there any scripture that actually says that God now only speaks through the Bible? I've come across a guy on another forum who says that this is the only way God talks nowadays and was wondering if he's right.

Blessings in Christ
Jon

Hey Jon,

No, there is no biblical text that teaches that God only speaks through the Bible, despite the dogmatic assertions of some. In fact, within the Bible God speaks to his children through many means.

There are many examples, but I will just cite a few instances in the Bible where God speaks to people through dreams and visions.

Numbers 12:6
he said, "Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.

Job 33
14 For God does speak-now one way, now another-
though man may not perceive it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men
as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak in their ears
and terrify them with warnings

Acts 2
16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17" 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.

Matthew 1
20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 2
12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Acts 10
10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

There are many other examples.

Jesus actually rebuked the Pharisees for studying the Scriptures without ever coming to him.

John 5
37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study[3] the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Note that Jesus actually says that they have never heard God's voice even though they were experts in the Old Testament!

[Carl Smuda]

02-24-2003 @ 05:03 AM
AcousticJS:

Hi guys,

I'm just curious, is there any scripture that actually says that God now only speaks through the Bible? I've come across a guy on another forum who says that this is the only way God talks nowadays and was wondering if he's right.

Blessings in Christ
Jon Thank God for Gavin! AcousticJS, that sort of belief, although they are many, makes me very sad. Maybe God only speaks through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And HE is Alive. I think 'walking by the spirit' includes revelation and God working in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Doesn't God speak to us through the fruit of the spirit? Doesn't God speak to us by working on the hearts of those who love us? It is a false conflict to try and trick us into choosing between the Gift of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God. :frown:

[Gavin]

It is a false conflict to try and trick us into choosing between the Gift of the Holy Spirit and the written Word of God.
:thumb:

[AcousticJS]

Amen! That was pretty much my position anyway, but the other board was fairly charismatic in nature, so wasn't sure I'd have got an answer if there was a verse that says it. However, I know there are some here who believe in the sign-gift sort of distinction, so was wanting to know if they can point to any verse that says it.

Thanks Gavin - it's always good to be reconvinced from scripture about what you believe! :smile:

Blessings in Christ
Jon

[Carl Smuda]

Jon,
God Bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Best that I can tell, from :argh: with the cessationists is, that, they simply believe that it all died out with the Apostles. And sooner or later the :bonk: comes down to the "When that which is perfect is come then that which is in part will be done away." verse in 1 Corinthians 13. And it seems we can :argue: about the meaning of that passage until the cows come home. I maintain that the promised Holy Spirit is a ongoing promise. That there are millions and millions of charismatic/pentecostal Christians who cannot be discounted. I also think it not unreasonable to compare the experience of charismatic/pentecostal believers with examples in the Word of God. I don't wish to simplifie the :huh: because there is much for both sides to learn. Very exciting and lots of fun. Basic Christianity without the workings of the spirit from the Lord's Christ is only ethics. Basic Christianity is all-of-us dying and rising with Christ, and sealed with the Holy Spirit until that last day. The Day of Christ. If we cannot expect and walk out on the fruit of the spirit and the manifestation of the spirit, then, that Gift from Christ is a noble gas. Inert, and therefore of questionable value to us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I don't want merely ethics. I want the kingdom of God to come upon us all by the finger of God! :yipee:
sincerely,
Carl

[AcousticJS]

02-25-2003 @ 03:29 PM
Carl Smuda:
I don't want merely ethics. I want the kingdom of God to come upon us all by the finger of God! :yipee:


Amen! :thumb:

Jon