Articles
Does God speak to people individually in special messages today?
Question- I hear people say things like “God just spoke to me,” does God speak to people individually in special messages today, and if He does why doesn’t He talk to everyone since He is not supposed to be a “respecter of persons” (Rom. 2:11).
Answer- Your question is a very relevant one and shows that you read your bible. Thank you for the scripture noted. The answer to your question is plainly that God does not talk to people individually in any way other than through His Word (the Bible). The idea that God gives some people special messages and leaves others out is against what the Bible says in Romans 2 and in Acts 17. Certainly, in the Old Testament and the New Testament while the Bible was still being revealed to men, God did speak through inspiration to those who wrote the Bible. While the revelation of God was in the process of being delivered in written form, God spoke through the Spirit to men, so that his general will would be known. Notice Hebrews 11:1-2- “God who at sundry times and in divers’ manners, spoke in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all thing by whom he made the worlds.” This passaged clearly teaches that God communicates to us differently today. God is truly not a partial God who whispers new things to some but keeps those things from others. God is not deaf, nor is He mute today. He speaks to us through His word, the Bible and we speak to Him through prayer. God has revealed to us through the Holy Spirit in His word (the Bible), “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). In Jude 3 we are told “contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints.” This means that what God has delivered to us in His word, is not open to change, revision or addition. As a matter of fact, Paul tells the Galatians in Gal. 1:8- “though we, or an angel from heaven speak to you any other gospel than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” The Bible ends up in Revelation 22:18 stating, “if any one adds anything to what is written in this book, God will add to that person the plagues written in this book.” In 2 Timothy 3:16-17- “all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and for instruction in righteousness so that the man of God may be complete and thoroughly furnished unto every good work.” 2 Tim.2:15 says we are to “study to show ourselves approved of God, workmen that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” In John 16:13 we read: “But when He the Spirit of truth is come, He shall guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” This passage was spoken by Jesus to His apostles, not to everyone in general. The apostles were guided by the Spirit to speak what they spoke, and guided by the Spirit to write those things down, in certain cases. We have the completed revelation of God today, contained in the Bible. In Ephesians 3:4, Paul tells the Ephesians when they read the inspired word of God, they can understand what the will of God is. God has the same plan for all men today. He is not slack concerning His promise to save man as some men are to keep their promise. Men break their word and their promises, but God does not. He wants all men to come to Him 1 Timothy 2:4- “though knowledge of the truth…” In 2 Pet. 3:9 He desires that all men come to Him. God speaks to everyone today in the same way (through His Word, the Bible). The New Testament is the law of Christ for all men today. The Old Testament is a tutor to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24). In Romans 15:4 we read that “the things written in the Old Testament are written for our learning that by endurance and by encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” God has given us a universal message and He is not delivering anything new separate and apart from His word today. He does not play favorites and is a just God with the same message for all men. If you want someone to study the Bible with you, please let us know. It contains the things that will save your soul if obeyed. ---Stan Adams---
