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In the OT, to be circumcised was shown by cutting flesh, Christ took away the physical of circumcision. In the OT the laws were given to man in stone, they were to be obeyed by the letter of the law. In the OT, man heard from God in a fleshly way--he heard audible words.
Through Christ we now hear from God through the heart. It is the same message, the same laws, but through the holy spirit and we are not to communicate with God through the flesh any longer but in spirit and truth.
Through Christ we now hear from God through the heart. It is the same message, the same laws, but through the holy spirit and we are not to communicate with God through the flesh any longer but in spirit and truth.
That was one question I failed to ask.
@KrisWampler:
Were you asking the difference between God speaking (clearly and full sentences) inside the person VS. outside (to where the person has to hear it with physical ears)? ...
Or were you suggesting that God doesn't speak except through the reading of the word (meaning it MUST be only the word of God that is by chapter and verse contained in the pages of the Bible) VS. in the OT (and NT) where God spoke in full sentences things that were not yet written (and some that were)?
Thanks in advance for the clarification.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
@KrisWampler:
Were you asking the difference between God speaking (clearly and full sentences) inside the person VS. outside (to where the person has to hear it with physical ears)? ...
Or were you suggesting that God doesn't speak except through the reading of the word (meaning it MUST be only the word of God that is by chapter and verse contained in the pages of the Bible) VS. in the OT (and NT) where God spoke in full sentences things that were not yet written (and some that were)?
Thanks in advance for the clarification.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
Post-crucifixion example of the disembodied voice of God speaking to man is Paul on the road to Damascus, in the New Testament, where he was blinded as Jesus Christ spoke to him audibly and literally. The people around Him heard it.
Acts 9:3-4, 7
3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Acts 9:3-4, 7
3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
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K
I also said this:
“And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience.”
I sure hope people are watching how dishonest and deceitful you are. Thanks for affirming my point.
“And let me clarify: I know that many of us have heard the voice of God in a way that’s not audible. God has spoken to us in our lives and led us, and most of us have truly and really had that experience.”
I sure hope people are watching how dishonest and deceitful you are. Thanks for affirming my point.
K
God of the OT spoke to where people could hear in a way that is similar to you and I talking. I’m trying to understand why that, specifically, doesn’t occur anymore.
God speaks privately to people and I acknowledge that. I also realize there are legitimately insane people who claim to “hear the voice of God” but do not actually. I’m not referring to these two groups. I was simply interested in why God doesn’t speak audibly anymore.
God speaks privately to people and I acknowledge that. I also realize there are legitimately insane people who claim to “hear the voice of God” but do not actually. I’m not referring to these two groups. I was simply interested in why God doesn’t speak audibly anymore.
Kris, I had a high opinion of you at first but you’ve been nothing but nasty to me since I’ve engaged you with a contrary perspective. As you can see, many people here have testimony where they believe God audibly and literally spoke to them.
What I see is you’re accusing many, possibly a dozen or more, good Christian people on this website of being “legitimately insane” and there’s nothing more discouraging than that. As far as I can see, you’re an enemy of the faith.
What I see is you’re accusing many, possibly a dozen or more, good Christian people on this website of being “legitimately insane” and there’s nothing more discouraging than that. As far as I can see, you’re an enemy of the faith.
No, he said he wasn't referring to the literally insane people who claim to hear the voice of God. It's a seemingly minor distinction, but very important! 
I don't think he was saying - or at least I didn't infer it - that in those cases it was the hearing alone that means they are insane. They are legitimately insane... and they ALSO hear God speaking to them. Which almost certainly is a real thing. Actually it is... there was a guy here on CC who claimed that God was telling him some pretty unbiblical things.
I've heard a voice speaking to me a couple times. Audibly, or in my mind? I don't know. The one time, I was asleep and I heard my name spoken softly. I instantly was completely awake. It felt like I was hearing it with my chest. That's the only way I can really describe it. I didn't know what to do or think, but it was not a normal thing. Afterwards I would remember the account of young Samuel in the Scriptures, but I don't remember having a repeat of that moment again like Samuel did.
I do have a vague recollection of a voice in association with something I was told to do. It's fuzzy in my mind so I'm not going to talk about it in detail. I was told to go into the downtown area of Baltimore and share the gospel. I wasn't particularly excited about that and put it off for a long time. It got to the point where it was always in my head, though. I couldn't shake the thought that I needed to go there for some reason. Finally I went for my sanity's sake.
I passed out gospel tracts for a couple of hours to mostly disinterested people around lunchtime. But then I wandered into a more depressed neighborhood, and in an alley between two apartment buildings I saw a young guy and felt like I needed to talk to him. We ended up talking for about an hour about his life and the gospel. Turns out he was a drug dealer but for a while he had felt like he needed to make a change in his life for the sake of his kid. He didn't become a Christian on the spot or anything like that, but I was astounded to see him crying when I shared the gospel with him.
After I spoke with him, I felt like I was "off the hook" so to speak. I knew I was done with what I needed to do so I went home. One of the stranger experiences of my life.
I don't think he was saying - or at least I didn't infer it - that in those cases it was the hearing alone that means they are insane. They are legitimately insane... and they ALSO hear God speaking to them. Which almost certainly is a real thing. Actually it is... there was a guy here on CC who claimed that God was telling him some pretty unbiblical things.I've heard a voice speaking to me a couple times. Audibly, or in my mind? I don't know. The one time, I was asleep and I heard my name spoken softly. I instantly was completely awake. It felt like I was hearing it with my chest. That's the only way I can really describe it. I didn't know what to do or think, but it was not a normal thing. Afterwards I would remember the account of young Samuel in the Scriptures, but I don't remember having a repeat of that moment again like Samuel did.
I do have a vague recollection of a voice in association with something I was told to do. It's fuzzy in my mind so I'm not going to talk about it in detail. I was told to go into the downtown area of Baltimore and share the gospel. I wasn't particularly excited about that and put it off for a long time. It got to the point where it was always in my head, though. I couldn't shake the thought that I needed to go there for some reason. Finally I went for my sanity's sake.
I passed out gospel tracts for a couple of hours to mostly disinterested people around lunchtime. But then I wandered into a more depressed neighborhood, and in an alley between two apartment buildings I saw a young guy and felt like I needed to talk to him. We ended up talking for about an hour about his life and the gospel. Turns out he was a drug dealer but for a while he had felt like he needed to make a change in his life for the sake of his kid. He didn't become a Christian on the spot or anything like that, but I was astounded to see him crying when I shared the gospel with him.
After I spoke with him, I felt like I was "off the hook" so to speak. I knew I was done with what I needed to do so I went home. One of the stranger experiences of my life.
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The answer is found in the main Lesson in the "parable" of the rich man and Lazarus.
29But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
From that Lesson we could say: They have the scriptures. If they don't believe them they will not believe even if one spoke audibly from the sky.
29But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
From that Lesson we could say: They have the scriptures. If they don't believe them they will not believe even if one spoke audibly from the sky.
No, he said he wasn't referring to the literally insane people who claim to hear the voice of God. It's a seemingly minor distinction, but very important! I don't think he was saying - or at least I didn't infer it - that in those cases it was the hearing alone that means they are insane. They are legitimately insane... and they ALSO hear God speaking to them. Which almost certainly is a real thing. Actually it is... there was a guy here on CC who claimed that God was telling him some pretty unbiblical things.
I don't think he was saying - or at least I didn't infer it - that in those cases it was the hearing alone that means they are insane. They are legitimately insane... and they ALSO hear God speaking to them. Which almost certainly is a real thing. Actually it is... there was a guy here on CC who claimed that God was telling him some pretty unbiblical things.
I believe you. I had a similar experience, but I never ended up following through with it. My window of opportunity was much narrower and specific than yours was. I was supposed to reach a specific individual but never did. Since that time I have responded to the literal and audible call of God on more than one occasion.
One of the better testimonies I have is that my oldest brother was literally hostile towards Christianity and Christians. When we were teenagers we got into an argument and the first thing he did was destroy my Bible and damage my Strong's concordance. I didn't share my faith with him for a long time, then recently as adults I mentioned I am a Christian again and he literally tried to round house me in the head three times.
I began hearing an audible and literal voice come to me, who I believe was God, telling me to pray for him, visit him, and just keep a presence with him. Well, I started doing that then suddenly my brother told me he agrees with the Bible and goes to church now. That's a miracle. God has a way of turning His enemies into His servants.
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That's a real encouragement to hear. I have a younger brother who is about twelve years younger than I am. We get along great, but he has pretty much rejected all things related to faith and Jesus Christ. His wife is a nominal Christian and so he's a sort of cultural Christian as well, but not a born again believer.
I think there's a lot of wisdom to that approach. You don't want to cut family off completely just because they don't believe as you do. Just stay connected and let God work on them instead. Once they know what you stand for, you don't have to beat them over the head with it. Lord willing my brother and his wife will come to know Christ in their spiritual journey also.
I think there's a lot of wisdom to that approach. You don't want to cut family off completely just because they don't believe as you do. Just stay connected and let God work on them instead. Once they know what you stand for, you don't have to beat them over the head with it.
Lord willing my brother and his wife will come to know Christ in their spiritual journey also.-
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No, he said he wasn't referring to the literally insane people who claim to hear the voice of God. It's a seemingly minor distinction, but very important! I don't think he was saying - or at least I didn't infer it - that in those cases it was the hearing alone that means they are insane. They are legitimately insane... and they ALSO hear God speaking to them. Which almost certainly is a real thing. Actually it is... there was a guy here on CC who claimed that God was telling him some pretty unbiblical things.
I've heard a voice speaking to me a couple times. Audibly, or in my mind? I don't know. The one time, I was asleep and I heard my name spoken softly. I instantly was completely awake. It felt like I was hearing it with my chest. That's the only way I can really describe it. I didn't know what to do or think, but it was not a normal thing. Afterwards I would remember the account of young Samuel in the Scriptures, but I don't remember having a repeat of that moment again like Samuel did.
I do have a vague recollection of a voice in association with something I was told to do. It's fuzzy in my mind so I'm not going to talk about it in detail. I was told to go into the downtown area of Baltimore and share the gospel. I wasn't particularly excited about that and put it off for a long time. It got to the point where it was always in my head, though. I couldn't shake the thought that I needed to go there for some reason. Finally I went for my sanity's sake.
I passed out gospel tracts for a couple of hours to mostly disinterested people around lunchtime. But then I wandered into a more depressed neighborhood, and in an alley between two apartment buildings I saw a young guy and felt like I needed to talk to him. We ended up talking for about an hour about his life and the gospel. Turns out he was a drug dealer but for a while he had felt like he needed to make a change in his life for the sake of his kid. He didn't become a Christian on the spot or anything like that, but I was astounded to see him crying when I shared the gospel with him.
After I spoke with him, I felt like I was "off the hook" so to speak. I knew I was done with what I needed to do so I went home. One of the stranger experiences of my life.
I don't think he was saying - or at least I didn't infer it - that in those cases it was the hearing alone that means they are insane. They are legitimately insane... and they ALSO hear God speaking to them. Which almost certainly is a real thing. Actually it is... there was a guy here on CC who claimed that God was telling him some pretty unbiblical things.I've heard a voice speaking to me a couple times. Audibly, or in my mind? I don't know. The one time, I was asleep and I heard my name spoken softly. I instantly was completely awake. It felt like I was hearing it with my chest. That's the only way I can really describe it. I didn't know what to do or think, but it was not a normal thing. Afterwards I would remember the account of young Samuel in the Scriptures, but I don't remember having a repeat of that moment again like Samuel did.
I do have a vague recollection of a voice in association with something I was told to do. It's fuzzy in my mind so I'm not going to talk about it in detail. I was told to go into the downtown area of Baltimore and share the gospel. I wasn't particularly excited about that and put it off for a long time. It got to the point where it was always in my head, though. I couldn't shake the thought that I needed to go there for some reason. Finally I went for my sanity's sake.
I passed out gospel tracts for a couple of hours to mostly disinterested people around lunchtime. But then I wandered into a more depressed neighborhood, and in an alley between two apartment buildings I saw a young guy and felt like I needed to talk to him. We ended up talking for about an hour about his life and the gospel. Turns out he was a drug dealer but for a while he had felt like he needed to make a change in his life for the sake of his kid. He didn't become a Christian on the spot or anything like that, but I was astounded to see him crying when I shared the gospel with him.
After I spoke with him, I felt like I was "off the hook" so to speak. I knew I was done with what I needed to do so I went home. One of the stranger experiences of my life.
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You want to speak of the Lord's ways in the way of the flesh. To the Lord he is speaking to us in the OT in ways we can understand and the most effective way, through using the flesh to explain. Christ used the heart, the holy spirit.
The holy spirit helps us sense what is of God and what is not, but it does not collect knowledge for us out of thin air. It uses what we gather from hearing and reading. We are to gather information about the Lord through hearing and reading the word of God. The holy spirit helps us see truth and put it in our spirit. That is speaking clearly to us without the verbal of God's voice. We have the holy spirit to help us.
The holy spirit helps us sense what is of God and what is not, but it does not collect knowledge for us out of thin air. It uses what we gather from hearing and reading. We are to gather information about the Lord through hearing and reading the word of God. The holy spirit helps us see truth and put it in our spirit. That is speaking clearly to us without the verbal of God's voice. We have the holy spirit to help us.
Yes, there are the things we infer that were not meant, and then some people have a way with words to begin with that makes their meaning very clear and gets the message across to others effectively, and some people do not. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt whenever I can since there are those difficulties involved with conversing over the internet. But I do get snarky sometimes too... since it's the internet and since I AM human after all! Something I'm trying to work on...
And let me say that I've seen your posts around and I appreciate your positive, upbeat spirit of encouragement. You seem like a very gracious person, something we need more of.
And let me say that I've seen your posts around and I appreciate your positive, upbeat spirit of encouragement. You seem like a very gracious person, something we need more of.
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You have to expect that people who hear God Speak might get a little touchy when they are accused of being mentally unstable or crazy.
I don't. But other people maybe do.
If you don't hear God audibly speak, why not? Do you expect Him to speak? Or do you think it is impossible?
Your answer is probably why you do or do not hear Him.
And then the BIG QUESTION; Do you REALLY think God doesn't speak or do you think it more likely that you just don't hear Him?
Matthew 13:15-17
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
I don't. But other people maybe do.
If you don't hear God audibly speak, why not? Do you expect Him to speak? Or do you think it is impossible?
Your answer is probably why you do or do not hear Him.
And then the BIG QUESTION; Do you REALLY think God doesn't speak or do you think it more likely that you just don't hear Him?
Matthew 13:15-17
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
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