Does god speak in the New Testament?

[Vivian]

Often in the Old Testament when God speaks, what is speaking is also called 'The Angel of the Lord" - thus God speaks in the Old Testament or Tanakh through messengers or angels.

The same occurs in the New Testament, with Angels of the Lord, messengers of God, speaking to Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, for example. After the incarnation of Yeshua, God spoke to us through this messenger. Yes, he was in the flesh, speaking in the flesh, but after his ascension, he spoke from the heavenly realms - to Paul and to others, Yeshua speaking as a 'messenger of God'.

I offer that God spoke in the New Testament, and speaks even now, through the same means that he spoke in the Old Testament. It is still the same, God cannot appear directly or speak directly to humanity, but does so through spiritual beings (angels) and through physical forms (prophets), ultimately through a divine incarnation.

Shalom!

Viv

[Zxcv Bnm]

Are you sure there is no verse in which the words “God said…” plainly appears in the NT?

Perhaps you will accept this as what you are looking for:

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8 NIV)

Note that some translations (such as NKJV) has "says the Lord" (omitting the word "God"), however, the speaker does identify Himself as "the Almighty".

Revelation 21:5-8

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5-8 NKJV)

Note that the speaker identifies Himself as "God" in verse 7. Additionally, "He who sat on the throne", is called "Lord God Almighty" in Revelation chapter 4 (verse 8).

[Kelp]

Oh, well color me dumb

Haven't read Revelation in a while.

[Bill the Cat]

Oh, well color me dumb

[Tanakh Keeper]

Perhaps you will accept this as what you are looking for:

Revelation 1:8

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8 NIV)

Note that some translations (such as NKJV) has "says the Lord" (omitting the word "God"), however, the speaker does identify Himself as "the Almighty".

Revelation 21:5-8

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5-8 NKJV)

Note that the speaker identifies Himself as "God" in verse 7. Additionally, "He who sat on the throne", is called "Lord God Almighty" in Revelation chapter 4 (verse 8).

This is what I was looking for. Revelation is a book in your NT and your god is explicitly identified. Thank you Zxcv.

[kappitts]

So besides every time Jesus is quoted in the Gospel's, Acts, and Revelation, 2 Timothy 3:16 states that all Scripture is God Breathed. This expression "God breathed" shows both the depth and deep nature of His word. The New Testament is the living and active words of God. This is no mere implication but a very clear statement about all the New and Old Testament, at least in the Christian perspective.

[Kelp]

I think it's Mentos.

[hedrick]

Please remember that by NT times, Jewish custom avoided using the name or even word God. You'll see many cases in the NT where God is implied but not said. Often the passive voice is used.

Hence it's not surprising to see Kelp's quotes in #2, using things like "he who sent me", "a voice from heaven", or simply "a voice."

[Tanakh Keeper]

Please remember that by NT times, Jewish custom avoided using the name or even word God. You'll see many cases in the NT where God is implied but not said. Often the passive voice is used.

Hence it's not surprising to see Kelp's quotes in #2, using things like "he who sent me", "a voice from heaven", or simply "a voice."

Wrong. G-d's name is only avoided in formats like this website, where it may be deleted. In our Holy Books, G-d's name is fully spelled out and G-d is explicitly refererred to.

[Racer X]

Hi Tanakh Keeper,

It's an interesting question you've asked, it would seem that if the God of the Old Testament were the same who inspired the NT writings, then you would see more direct revelation from Him. I think the reason we see such few verses concerning if "God speaks" is because Jesus fills that role giving direct revelation. There is no need for God to speak per se now that Jesus is incarnate.

This begs the question, "where is Jesus in the Old Testament?" of which you can find many examples. The first one being in Genesis when God walked in the Garden in the cool of the day. God incarnate in the flesh walking among His creation?, sounds familiar. Then Adam and Eve find themselves naked before the Lord (Jesus) lacking the garments of salvation, so the Lord (Jesus) sheds innocent blood and clothes them to make atonement for their sin.

Consider that it's Jesus who will also clothes believers in Revelation with spotless white robes, because it's Jesus who makes atonement for our sin. Keep in mind that in Genesis we lost access to the tree of life, but it's in Revelation were we gain access to it once more, being clothed in His righteousness. Genesis and Revelation are the same book on so many levels.

[Tanakh Keeper]

Hi Tanakh Keeper,

It's an interesting question you've asked, it would seem that if the God of the Old Testament were the same who inspired the NT writings, then you would see more direct revelation from Him. I think the reason we see such few verses concerning if "God speaks" is because Jesus fills that role giving direct revelation. There is no need for God to speak per se now that Jesus is incarnate.

This begs the question, "where is Jesus in the Old Testament?" ...

Not at all. If a person, that had never read anything before, reads the Tanakh and only the Tanakh, it wouldn't occur to them to ask about a person that is never named in the Tanakh. They would be just as likely to ask about Sherlock Holmes in the Tanakh.

[Racer X]

Good point. I should have said that "it begs the question" from a Christian perspective, it's irrelevant to those who don't adhere to the trinity. From a Christian perspective if one were to look for the Father speaking in the New Testament, than one should be able to look for the Son speaking in the Old Testament.

From a Christian perspective it's interesting that you can find Jesus and the gospel message within the book of Genesis. I'm not sure if you to what I'm referring to, it's just that your initial question gave me pause to think of all the instances where you can find Jesus in the Old Testament.

Jesus is inseparable from the Old Testament and you find that his words are a fulfillment from it's very pages. Consider what he said concerning salvation, that one must be "born again." Why would Jesus use such a strange statement, which even confused a Nicodemus a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, unless somehow it's meaning could be found in the OT.

Take a look at what's buried in the pages of the OT concerning being born again or to put it another way, second birth. First there is Cain and Abel. Cain's (firstborn) offering of the works of his hands was not acceptable to the Lord, because we cannot earn our salvation thru works. But Abel's (second birth) offering of his flock was pleasing to the Lord, which points to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. It's a free gift but you must be born again to receive it.

Then we have Abraham who's first born was Ishmael, but the promise was to be through Isaac, second birth, "God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him."

Next we have Isaac's two sons Esau and Jacob, which scripture states in Malachi "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated." The promise goes to Jacob, second birth. You must be born again to please God.

Another one being the twins of Tamar in Genesis 38, "And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, "This one came out first." But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, "What a breach you have made for yourself!" Therefore his name was called Perez. Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah." Again we see that Zerah being the second born had the scarlet thread, which in itself has great significance concerning salvation. You must be born again (second birth) to have the scarlet thread to be saved.

All this and more concerning the gospel message found in the book of Genesis.

One last example concerning second birth is not found in Genesis but Exodus. Moses represents the law and the law cannot save, only reveal your sin. The first generation (firstborn) led by Moses were not allowed into the promise land. It took Joshua, Jesus' name in Hebrew, to lead the second generation (second birth) into the promised land. Jesus had a profound understanding of the only scriptures he knew, being the Old Testament.

"Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

[gary cook]

The new testament did Not start til He rose from the dead and went to New Jerusalem ! that bought in the new testament and the new covenant ! He changed the law and the priesthood !
He now writes His laws in our heart [Spirit] Love and Faith ! the new Priesthood is Judah !
He judges us in the eternal by the law of Liberty ! that not to say our flesh cannot suffer for Sin! still even then He provided Forgiveness and healing!
Heb_9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Heb_8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Heb_12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Heb_7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Heb_7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Rev_5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
1Co_15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

1Th_5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Ti_1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti_1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Gal_5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Rom_5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

[Bill the Cat]

... He changed the law...

I don't think He changed the Law. One sign of the Messiah was that He would UPHOLD the Torah, and one sign of a false Messiah would be that he would change Torah.

[Tanakh Keeper]

From a Christian perspective if one were to look for the Father speaking in the New Testament, than one should be able to look for the Son speaking in the Old Testament.

Start your own thread then. That wasn't the question I asked.