Sometimes, scripture verses hit me square between the eyes, as if the Holy Spirit said, "pay attention to this, it's meant for you."
Sometimes those verses convict me, sometimes they point me in a certain direction.
I'm sure many folks here have prayed for God's direction in some matter, and believe they received it.
By what means did God communicate his will?
For you preachers, how'd you know God was calling you to preach?
How sure are you that Jesus no
longer needs to speak verbally to people today? Why was it that throughout the whole biblical time, God was speaking to people, why would now God change HIs dealings to people if we have to listen to you?
I think I got a call from God, but my phone was turned down and my mailbox was full.
On a more serious note...
(John 18:37)
Pilate then said to Him, Are you a king then? Jesus answered, You say [it] that I am a king. To this [end] I was born, and for this cause I came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.
(John 10:16)
And I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also lead those, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.
(John 10:23)
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's Porch.
24
Then the Jews encircled Him and said to Him, How long do you make us doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.
25
Jesus answered them, I told you and you did not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.
26
But you did not believe because you are not of My sheep. As I said to you,
27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
(Heb 1:1
God, who at many times and in many ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,
2
has in these last days spoken to us by His] Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds
Yes God still speaks directly today, but He doesn't contradict himself.
We need to be still, and listen (prayer and fasting).
We need to compare what we hear with the written word.
By that, I don't
mean we should strive to find a verse of scripture to support what we have heard.
We could all probably find individual verses to support almost any position.
No.
We need to look behind the words to the nature of God.
If we take the New Testament as a whole we find a loving, caring, compassionate God who is prepared to pay the price for others.
If your word from God results in you loving, caring, or being compassionate to others, or paying the price for them, then it could well be from God.
If the word results in hatred, non-caring, un-compassionate behavior, or tells you that others should pay the price for you, then it certainly is not from God.
>If we take the New Testament as a whole we find a loving, caring, compassionate God who is prepared to pay the price for others.
Can this be found in the OT if the OT is taken as a whole? Many Reformed people believe the OT teaches the Gospel. Jesus stated (inferred) that the "Law and the Prophets" was sufficient for salvation.
What exactly do you mean by your " but He doesn't contradict himself?"
Did Paul consult the scripture to support what he had heard from the voice who said to Him "I am Jesus?" If not, why do advise us to consult the written word for the things we hear from God today? Did Jesus teach that to the apostles or to the prophets then?
Let us clarify these statements from the Lord Jesus. In verse 39, do we have eternal life in the scriptures? What actually are scriptures if we are to take the context in verse 39? And where can we find eternal life if we will consider those 2 verses above?
Not necessarily the same way ( through voice and a light) that Jesus did to Paul, the mode is the important one - two-way communication. Jesus talked to Paul and Paul talked to Jesus.
Most common in our time today is that people read the scriptures and since they believe the scriptures are God-breathed, people come to think that God talks to them whenever they read passages from the scriptures, including from the letters of men found in it.
What do you mean by "people" and "they" believe? Do you understand that the scriptures are God's Word?
"All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2Ti3:16)
So, are you saying you do not believe that Jesus still talks to people with his voice, and that humans cannot talk back?
Jesus does still talk to humans, and they can answer him.
It probably is rare though.
Jesus talks with his voice to humans, and humans can have a conversation with him.
Again, I do think it is rare though.
How do you get that that puts a limitation to God?
God speaks to us in His written Word.
I also believe that God can cause us to think and feel things.
But do you believe it is possible that you yourself can have the same conversation with God today? The good point is here that you believe Jesus talks to people today. You are not far from the gate of heaven.
Ahh, this is so if you will just say that God only speaks to us today through the bible/written word, but if not, ignore my statement.
Did God say this to you or are you just making your conclusion of the things you read in the bible?