It seems to me that the bible was written to share the promises of god and his plan of salvation to the continuing generations of man. The bible also states that man receives the holy spirit when he believes and becomes "saved".
This being said, how is a person supposed to learn enough about these things to become "saved" if they can't understand the book that outlines them until they receive the holy spirit? What is the point in handing out bibles to unbelievers if they aren't going to be able to grasp the full concept?
Why didn't god write a book that is meant to share these things with unbelievers? Why did he just write an instruction manual for those who already believe?
2007-03-15 04:39:16 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I just don't get why god would make it intentionally difficult to understand. Shouldn't a person be able to read the bible and understand if there are no other christians in this person's life for them to ask?
2007-03-15 04:45:10 · update #1
If the holy spirit speaks to unbelievers also, then why doesn't it speak to EVERYONE who opens a bible and reveal the truth to them? Why does the holy spirit "pick and choose"?
2007-03-15 04:50:23 · update #2
One day, their heart is opened to that Word that changes their life.
God uses people, and circumstances to get people to listen up.
God has SUCH an incredible life planned for YOU, if you only let Him talk to you.
Be still, and listen to Him.
MS. HERETIC--I am going to pray sooooo hard for your heart to be changed, and for God to soften your heart.
Have a heart for others. It is the BEST life!
ALSO, the AMPLIFIED BIBLE makes it so a 4 year old could understand!
If there are no people in your life to find out things--truly listen to God--He is right there beside you--and EVERYWHERE yu go!
He LOVES YOU SO MUCH!
2007-03-15 04:42:17 · answer #1 · answered by bettyboop 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Great question! I think that the bible is a "guideline" and speaks to the individual on whatever level they're capable of comprehending. Why do people assume that the holy spirit doesn't speak to the "unsaved"? And what exactly is the "full concept"? If we concentrated more on loving our neighbor as ourselves we'd all be better off. I don't take the bible literally and I accept the understanding that I receive when I read it.
P.S. I'm a minister's daughter and have spent more time in church than the bathroom during my lifetime.
2007-03-15 04:46:15 · answer #2 · answered by Midwest Maven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit is working in and around you all the time. When you are saved, He enters into you and dwells in you. No one can come except when they are called. When God is calling a person, the Holy Spirit is at work in their life.
The Bible can be read and at least grasped enough to get saved by anyone with an open heart. When the Holy Spirit is moving, revelation flies off the pages. Even some sceptics are saved when they read the Bible looking for ways to prove it wrong. It all depends on who is being worked on at the moment.
Salvation doesn't come through the Bible. That wouldn't be fair, not everyone has a Bible, nor can everyone read. The evidence of God is all around us, let those who have ears hear. Those who are able to humble themselves enough to accept the love that God is offering, they find Him, they find salvation.
Re: why does He pick and choose?
-- He calls people at different times in their life. I hear in church often that "our mess is our message" In that, sometimes God knows what we need to go through to get to that point of being willing to accept God. He wants all of us to be saved, so He allows us to go through hard times, because only in hardship do we really realize our need for Him.
Sometimes God has an assignment for us down the road, and we need to have some experience in order to deal with it. God allowed me to go down the gay road for a few years, and I understand now that it took that misery to bring me to Him, and now He has given me the ministry to reach out to others that are hurting the way I was and offer hope.
2007-03-15 04:52:12 · answer #3 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit moves on peoples hearts "to be saved" as well as enlightening them once they are. The Holy Spirit isn't just to interpret the scripture for believers..I believe he speaks to unbelievers as well..although they may not believe..God knows when someone's heart is open and searching and is willing to listen..that's usually when an unbeliever hears..I don't claim to know all answers but am trying to answer as honestly as possible..
2007-03-15 04:46:55 · answer #4 · answered by 1sweet lady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible isn't hard to understand. Some religious doctrines have made it not make sense, because they are not taught in the bible.
When reading the bible, we need to pray to God, through Jesus name to help us understand it and find the truth. God's holy spirit can help us find the truth if we are sincere.
You have to keep asking, be persistent and God will help you. As Matt. 7: 7 & 8 says "Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be open to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be open to you."
As John 17:3 says "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you the only true God, and the one whom you sent forth Jesus Christ."
We want this knowledge to be "accurate knowledge" as 1Tim. 2:4 says "whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth."
(Php 1:9, Col 1:9, 2 Tim. 3:7; Ro. 1:28 Col. 3:10; 2 Tim 2:25)
So pray for accurate knowledge or truth of the bible and see what happens.
2007-03-15 05:04:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible in my opinion was written for ALL to save ALL. The Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ Himself who the Bible is all about. Prophets wrote about Him and foretold him and when Jesus came, Jesus fulfilled prophecy as proof.
Jesus continually confirms His words via his Holy Spirit by manifesting himself into/synchronising His spirit with our spirit and giving us the clear understanding and knowledge of what he said way back then, which stills applies to this current life today.
If you think about a person who dies. A medium can contact that person's spirit and learn about them in the same way.
2007-03-15 04:52:23 · answer #6 · answered by JDJ34 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are willing to put your faith into something and receive the holy spirit in your faith, things will start to make more sense as the time goes on, how do you think the holy spirit is received. by faith, basic understanding of knowledge and wisdom is given to all people, saved or not saved. but the openess and belief in the word of god will fill you with the holy spirit.
2007-03-15 04:51:57 · answer #7 · answered by Chemical Coltraine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order to understand the bible, churches insist you need the holy spirit. This is a way to keep control of the masses and ensure they are buying what is being sold. No more, no less.
2007-03-15 04:43:20 · answer #8 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
2007-03-15 04:56:22 · answer #9 · answered by deacon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not difficult to understand that you have sin.
That the sin has seperated you from closeness with God.
That you must be born-again.
That's all you need
The rest can come AFTER you are born-again.
2007-03-15 04:47:43 · answer #10 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋