I think this is a good discussion and I'd also say we probably all agree on the importance of the Word a lot more than we are able to communicate here. I have seen this though.... While scripture is the revelation of God to the world, there is also the drawing of God by the Holy Spirit and also by the word of peoples testimony. Keep in mind that the church in the books of Acts had no New Testament but they were witnesses to it being written.
In Acts 11 verses 19 -21. The Jews started to persecute the church and then the Gospel spread like a fire. These were common ordinary Christians who simply believed in Christ through their own eyewitness or the testimony of others. They gathered, prayed and I'm sure they heard some of the Old Testament writings, but for the most part, these were uneducated, simple people, some of which I'm sure couldn't even read. So, how did the church grow in a way like it had never grown before ? Word of mouth. They shared with others what they knew God had done for them and they testified of Christ in their lives. In this case it wasn't the apostle's who were responsible for the growth in the church. It was the people who were scattered and their verbal stories of what God had done.
Today, we have the benefit of the full counsel of God. We are more equipped than the New Testament church because we have a clearer understanding of God's revelation of Himself to us via His word. We should treasure it and be thankful for it. And yes, it was hard for me when I was first saved to focus on the bible and read it like I saw other people doing. But then I grew. There's a time where God honors the obedience of people when we pursue Him. It's almost like He will see just how much we really want to know Him before He will speak. Not all the time, but sometimes I have had that happen in my own life.
Last edited by BPI; 03/22/22 03:51 PM.
