1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.[Hebrews 1]
Noah, Abraham, Enoch, Isaac, Jacob, et al did not have a bible and that is true. But they had God conversing with them. Yes, the bible wasn't written until centuries after they had died. I agree with that, and neither will any Calvinist/Reformed person. However, God does not speak to us that way now, by audible voice. He speaks to us via His word now. What God told them, they told the ppl and they had a audible bible of sorts, if you will. What God told them, they told the ppl. Now we have the full canon of scripture and we don't have God talking to us audibly now, but through His word, the bible.
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.[1 Cor. 1:21]
How does God save ppl according to this verse? Through preaching, not through mystical means. God does not speak to us audibly today. I know there are some who claim some sort of apostolic authority and God speaks to them, but I call that utter foolishness. If ppl want God to speak to them, they need to pick their bibles up and read. That is God speaking to us through the pages of scriptures He has given us to learn more of Him.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.[Ephesians 1]
Again, another time where the word of God is necessary to bring one to saving faith. There is no other way to come to saving faith than through His word my Friend.
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”[1 Corinthians]
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.[Romans 8]
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.[2 Peter 1]
Now, I brought these passages up because they all deal with God calling ppl. How are ppl called? Via the word of the God, the bible. There is no other way that He calls us than via His word.
Noah, Abraham, Enoch, Isaac, Jacob, et al did not have a bible and that is true. But they had God conversing with them. Yes, the bible wasn't written until centuries after they had died. I agree with that, and neither will any Calvinist/Reformed person. However, God does not speak to us that way now, by audible voice. He speaks to us via His word now. What God told them, they told the ppl and they had a audible bible of sorts, if you will. What God told them, they told the ppl. Now we have the full canon of scripture and we don't have God talking to us audibly now, but through His word, the bible.
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.[1 Cor. 1:21]
How does God save ppl according to this verse? Through preaching, not through mystical means. God does not speak to us audibly today. I know there are some who claim some sort of apostolic authority and God speaks to them, but I call that utter foolishness. If ppl want God to speak to them, they need to pick their bibles up and read. That is God speaking to us through the pages of scriptures He has given us to learn more of Him.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.[Ephesians 1]
Again, another time where the word of God is necessary to bring one to saving faith. There is no other way to come to saving faith than through His word my Friend.
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”[1 Corinthians]
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.[Romans 8]
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.[2 Peter 1]
Now, I brought these passages up because they all deal with God calling ppl. How are ppl called? Via the word of the God, the bible. There is no other way that He calls us than via His word.
Example: The Bible will not tell you "Hey, John, go witness to that man" "Hey, John, I have called you to be a missionary in Pago pago".
The Bible tells you the general principle which is: Preach the gospel to every creature, but it does not tell you specifically which country or place God has called you to do it.
This is why leading of the Holy Spirit is important in our daily life. If I wouldn't of listened to the Holy Spirit's leading me I would be dead right now.
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