Spirit-Filled Biblical Illiterate

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#1
How can someone call themselves a spirit-filled Christian when they have never read the Bible?
 

SomeDisciple

Well-known member
Jul 4, 2021
2,252
1,045
113
#2
I suppose you could listen to the bible on audiobook or some good ol' fashioned preaching. The Bible comes from the Spirit, not the other way around.
 
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#3
Thank you for your comment and I agree with you. I’m thinking of one who might claim to have a personal relationship with God, yet they live a hedonistic lifestyle, and at the same time consider themselves spirit-filled and judge others based on whether or not they can speak in tongues. I guess they are saved, that is none of my business, though.
 

SonJudgment

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2024
668
350
63
#4
One could be a Christian without reading the Bible in theory, but indeed reading the Bible and studying it is wiser and more likely to indicate that someone is actually serious about their religion as well as more likely to remain a Christian by having a grounding in their faith. I guess you could liken it to exercise, like sure you might be fit without exercise, but if you exercise and train you will be more grounded and understanding and more likely to remain fit, and this will show you are more serious.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,935
29,303
113
#6

Romans 10:13-15 ~ Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in
Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except
they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
:)
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,109
3,686
113
#7
How can someone call themselves a spirit-filled Christian when they have never read the Bible?
There are many Christians around the world who have zero or very little access to the word of God.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,571
17,039
113
69
Tennessee
#8
How can someone call themselves a spirit-filled Christian when they have never read the Bible?
Got me. Seems that reading the bible and applying it, by God's guidance, in your life is a prerequisite to being a spirit-filled Christian.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,788
13,546
113
#9
i can't imagine someone actually having the Holy Spirit and zero interest in reading the scripture.

remaining Biblically illiterate when you have all kinds of easy access and claim to believe is a red flag for me.

imagine you are in love with someone, and they send you letters, but you don't even open them. huh??
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,409
13,750
113
#11
Thank you for your comment and I agree with you. I’m thinking of one who might claim to have a personal relationship with God, yet they live a hedonistic lifestyle, and at the same time consider themselves spirit-filled and judge others based on whether or not they can speak in tongues. I guess they are saved, that is none of my business, though.
Ignore them. Their opinion is worthless.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,773
113
#12
How can someone call themselves a spirit-filled Christian when they have never read the Bible?
They can't. It is a false claim. The Bible is God's Word, it is a living Word, and it generates faith in Christ.

And unless one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, one cannot be saved.
And unless one is saved, one cannot receive the Holy Spirit.
And unless one receives the Holy Spirit one cannot be Spirit-filled.

As you can see, it is all connected. But who it that made that claim?
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,541
1,142
113
#13
How can someone call themselves a spirit-filled Christian when they have never read the Bible?
when they just became a b.a. Christian, say within seconds or minutes ago. (in a lesser way). the only way to get more of the Spirit is by the Spirit getting more of us. & that's thru OBEDIENCE.
 
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#14
One could be a Christian without reading the Bible in theory, but indeed reading the Bible and studying it is wiser and more likely to indicate that someone is actually serious about their religion as well as more likely to remain a Christian by having a grounding in their faith. I guess you could liken it to exercise, like sure you might be fit without exercise, but if you exercise and train you will be more grounded and understanding and more likely to remain fit, and this will show you are more serious.
I love your reply because it seems like the answer is “yes” and “yes.” Yes, that someone can be saved without reading the Bible, and Yes, that perhaps the quality of their relationship may suffer because there is no effort to get to know Christ. I am certain there are other ways to get to know Christ. I’ve heard of Muslims being immediately converted due to dreams they had. And of course, spending time with Him in prayer. I just have a hard time thinking it is likely if the Bible is not part of it.
 
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#15
when they just became a b.a. Christian, say within seconds or minutes ago. (in a lesser way). the only way to get more of the Spirit is by the Spirit getting more of us. & that's thru OBEDIENCE.
Yes, obedience! Many churches focus on God’s love only and leave out the obedience part.
 
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#16
i can't imagine someone actually having the Holy Spirit and zero interest in reading the scripture.

remaining Biblically illiterate when you have all kinds of easy access and claim to believe is a red flag for me.

imagine you are in love with someone, and they send you letters, but you don't even open them. huh??
It’s a red flag for me too, that’s why I wanted to hear what others thought. It doesn’t make sense; in fact, I think the desire to get to know Him better should be a natural byproduct of the relationship, unless I’m missing something.
 
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#17
They can't. It is a false claim. The Bible is God's Word, it is a living Word, and it generates faith in Christ.

And unless one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, one cannot be saved.
And unless one is saved, one cannot receive the Holy Spirit.
And unless one receives the Holy Spirit one cannot be Spirit-filled.

As you can see, it is all connected. But who it that made that claim?
Nobody in particular. I listen to podcasts and videos, and I get the impression that some people believe this. It just makes me wonder.
 

Squigglylines

Active member
Jul 10, 2024
202
33
28
#18
Thank you for your comment and I agree with you. I’m thinking of one who might claim to have a personal relationship with God, yet they live a hedonistic lifestyle, and at the same time consider themselves spirit-filled and judge others based on whether or not they can speak in tongues. I guess they are saved, that is none of my business, though.

I got a friend from school sort of like that. I read the Bible and also listen to it on audio but when me and him are talking I end up asking him where he came up with the things he says. He always tells me that the Holy Spirit is putting it in him and so he's suppose to say it. I told him I thought he was picking up things from a coworker or something because most of it don't match whats in the Bible.
 
Jul 15, 2024
7
3
3
#19
I got a friend from school sort of like that. I read the Bible and also listen to it on audio but when me and him are talking I end up asking him where he came up with the things he says. He always tells me that the Holy Spirit is putting it in him and so he's suppose to say it. I told him I thought he was picking up things from a coworker or something because most of it don't match whats in the Bible.
We can’t go wrong if we check everything out against what the Bible says. That gives me confidence in so many areas. The Bible is my authority. Good for you for weighing out what your friend said.
 

Squigglylines

Active member
Jul 10, 2024
202
33
28
#20
We can’t go wrong if we check everything out against what the Bible says. That gives me confidence in so many areas. The Bible is my authority. Good for you for weighing out what your friend said.
What caught my eye was that he would say this or that was going to happen but Scripture said the opposite.