Albion wrote:I think you are misstating/misunderstanding the orthodox position. Christians do not believe that God has stopped talking, only to prophets in the sense of the times before Christ. The fullness of God's revelation of himself and his plan of salvation is in and through Jesus. What more in that regard can God say than to reveal himself in Jesus...God incarnate? God does speak to believers through the Holy Spirit which witnesses continually of Christ to the believer for the building up of the individual and the body of believers, Christ's church.
You are missing the boat! Jesus told us Himself that it would be the Comforter who would lead us to All Truth. Since Jesus also taught that He did NOT teach us everything, why do you choose to close the door? The Holy Ghost does MORE than witness to us of Christ; He leads us to All Truth IF we prepare ourselves. God deems when we are ready to receive MORE. When we accept Christ - exercising our faith---hope for the Gospel message being True--the Holy Ghost confirms Christ to us. This is the beginning of our journey...the beginning of our spirit being awakened to rememberance. In order to be able to see the Kingdom of God and to enter the Kingdom of God, our spirit must be completely awakened; i.e., born of the Spirit. This does not happen instantly....it is something that happens through progression and the continuing receipt of parts of Truth until such time as we have received ALL of the parts of Truth.
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (KJV) (emphasis mine)
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.Jesus commanded us to be perfect. Now, re-read verse 10 above. Paul is not just talking about Christ's second coming!!! Then tie it in with Jesus' teaching about WHEN it is that we will be able to see and enter the Kingdom of God.
John 3:3-8 (KJV) (emphasis mine)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.Those who are walking a spiritual walk recognize Truth when they hear it; hence "so is every one that is born of the spirit". However, those who are not still seeking more parts of Truth will "hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth". With a closed mind, you will not know Truth when you hear it. You will not add any parts of Truth to the "All Truth" which the Holy Ghost will lead you to. Therefore, when someone like you hears of the spiritual experiences of others, you will think they are the fools for believing the Truths which the Holy Ghost has revealed to them. by the way, the "wind" is representative of the Holy Ghost.
It is my prayer that all who read these words will have the spiritual ears to hear them while they are still in the flesh so that they can experience the joy that this spiritual Truth will add to them right now; so they will not have to wait to understand them at some other time.
Blessings,
jo
