Can we "hear" God today as the Apostles did?

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:51 pm

While listening to a radio show today of a person Steve has debated in the past, a caller called in and preceded to ask the host about the subject of God speaking today. I had no clue what was about to take place. First the host(who will remain un-named for now)vehemently denied that God speaks to people today. The caller then asked if the covanant we have today is better than what the OT speaks of. Ofcourse the host agreed. But went on to explain that it is "dangerous" to assume that God speaks to people because many people may get misled ETC... The caller had a great understanding of scripture and quoted cases where the Holy Spirit directly spoke to Paul and others. Here is the sad part....

The Caller then explained a real life situation where he was told by God to do something that resulted in the healing of his wife..... The host then became very aggitated and cut the call and went on to bash this guy and compare him with Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland ETC..

Do you see anything wrong here?.... BTW, The host is very well known. Share your thoughts..

Post by **_SamIam** » Thu May 18, 2006 4:45 pm

Brody,

Not that this makes a difference one way or another, but the Mormans have fully embraced the concept. Each Morman man is potentially a prophet who may recieve revelations from God. I believe the only limit is that the revelation only applies to those under the person who receives the revelation.

To be a Morman in good standing, one must affirm that Gordon B. Hinkley is a prophet of God. I don't know if Gordon has heard from God lately.

Again, I don't know if it matters one way or another, but cult leaders often (always?) claim to hear from God.

Post by **_brody_in_ga** » Thu May 18, 2006 5:33 pm

SamIam wrote:Brody,

Not that this makes a difference one way or another, but the Mormans have fully embraced the concept. Each Morman man is potentially a prophet who may recieve revelations from God. I believe the only limit is that the revelation only applies to those under the person who receives the revelation.

To be a Morman in good standing, one must affirm that Gordon B. Hinkley is a prophet of God. I don't know if Gordon has heard from God lately.

Again, I don't know if it matters one way or another, but cult leaders often (always?) claim to hear from God.

Your quite right Sam

But why "throw the baby out with the bath water"? There is no scriptural support whatsoever to prove that God deosn't speak today. In fact, there is plenty of evidence suggesting that he does speak today. Ofcourse, I dont claim to hear from God in the audible sence, but I am quite sure that the Lord has pressed things in my spirit at one time or another.

I think that if someone claims to hear something from God that isn't in accord with the written word, I would reject them alltogether. As for the Mormons, it is clear from scripture that they are far away from truth. But I wouldn't suggest doing away with all testimonies because the LDS folks have given it a bad name.

God bless Brother.

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Thu May 18, 2006 5:43 pm

Of course God still speaks to us. We are His children, we've been given power to be called the sons of God. What kind of relationship would it be if He never spoke to us. Sometimes we get the message mixed up, but God still speaks to His children.

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Thu May 18, 2006 7:09 pm

I agree God does speak to us, without a doubt. My friend a believing doctor gave up a lucrative practice and moved to Pittsburgh to start as a fellow in a new field because God told her to. This was two years ago and she wondered if she made a mistake until the two years were up and a group of bible believing doctors who do mission work besides their regular practice asked her to join their team. She will end up doing medical missionary trips and may end up doing heart surgery on the most evil dictator in the world. God definetely talks to us if we want to hear from Him.

Post by **_djeaton** » Thu May 18, 2006 7:42 pm

Since we now have His written Word, I'm real leary when someone claims to have a "new" word for God's people that they are privy to. I have the Holy Spirit in me as well. He can and has spoken to me. But He directs me, not others through me.
D.

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:26 am

I also think that if God reveals something to us it better line up and not contradict scripture. The Word of God is the framework in which all other things must fit. That's how we try the spirits to see if they are of God.

But I have to say that I do believe that the Lord will sometimes give someone something to tell you. Just to confirm it's from Him. For instance if you are going through a particular discouraging time concerning finances for example ......and God wants you to know how He wants you to handle the situation. He may say so to you but you could talk yourself into thinking you were imaging it. Then he tells someone else to give you the same message (who has no insight to your situation), that confirms the direction of God to you and increases your faith to go forward in it.

That very thing has happened to me before.

Post by **_john b** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:20 pm

I also agree that God still speaks today. These posts are some good points. However, I have heard some take this issue a little farther.

Some would say that hearing from God (or having an experience w/ Him) is equivallent to God's Word - both are God speaking and so the Bible is all good but that is what God has spoken in the past and we should be in on what God is saying today and now as long as nothing is contradictory. So our experiences are really what matter in the long run and where our focus should be beacause He speaks today. After all, Jesus said He had much more to tell the disciples that they were not ready to hear (can't find that verse right now) so there is more Truth out there than just what is written in our Bible.

What would you guy's/ gals say to someone that held that view?

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Fri May 19, 2006 2:29 pm

I would say that whatever God says is just as powerfully true as anything He's ever said. But His revealed Word is the framework by which He speaks and He will never go beyond that, or give us more information pertinent to the entire universal Church, but will speak directly to us as to the direction He wishes us to go.
However, we sometimes run the words He speaks to us through the filter of the human mind and certain things stick to His words that He never said and certain things are missing from what He's told us.

He could say "Aaron, go over to Jeff and tell Him that I love Hima and want Him to come to me and I'll forgive his sin"

I could hear "Aaron, go over to Jeff and tell Him I love him but he needs to stop his sinful ways or I can't forgive him."

I've changed a clear message by letting my own feelings rub off into it. It's not always easy to get everything out of the way and really listen to His clear speaking to us.

Post by **_Homer** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:06 pm

John b,

Quote:

Some would say that hearing from God (or having an experience w/ Him) is equivallent to God's Word - both are God speaking and so the Bible is all good but that is what God has spoken in the past and we should be in on what God is saying today and now as long as nothing is contradictory. So our experiences are really what matter in the long run and where our focus should be beacause He speaks today. After all, Jesus said He had much more to tell the disciples that they were not ready to hear (can't find that verse right now) so there is more Truth out there than just what is written in our Bible.

For what its worth, Mormons claim to know what is truth by a "burning in the bosom experience".