I have been told this before and I want to confirm it, is this actually correct that I can't understand the bible unless I am filled with the holy spirit.
2007-07-26 15:42:04 · 26 answers · asked by meissen97 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh I am an atheist in case anyone wanted to base their answers on that.
2007-07-26 15:42:47 · update #1
No you don't have to have the holy spirit in you to understand the Bible. You also don't have to be a Christian to understand it. Think about it for a second, if only Christians could understand it, how would we ever be able to talk to non-Christians and make them understand the need for Jesus in their lives? The Bible was written for non believers just as much as believers. It is God's written Word to everyone. There are many, many, MANY Christians who do not understand the Bible. (I am one, for I don't understand everything in it) But I do know that non believers must be able to understand the Word, or they are lost forever.
2007-07-26 15:47:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can read the Bible and probably understand most of the stories. To receive revelations and understanding though you need the Holy Spirit, which only comes from being born again. Sometimes when I read a scripture I feel as though I am being wrapped in a warm blanket. This is the Holy Spirit speaking to me.
2007-07-26 15:46:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The just reading the Bible to be reading it has nothing to do with whether you have the Holy Spirit or not. But understanding it yes that is the Holy Spirit plays a role in you understanding it, and yes you will have to be filled with the Holy Spirit. BUT...since you are an atheist, why are you even interested in reading a book which is going to convict you, and you don't have to be filled with the Holy Spirit for Him to convict you of how sinful you are, and that you are an enemy of God.
2007-07-26 16:31:35 · answer #3 · answered by swishersweets97 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Who 's your preacher? Only Jesus can break the seals and open the scriptures. Some people preach, and not know what they are talking about. My friend, the Bible was never meant to be studied, this is called intellectual knowledge, interpretation, personal, Yes the Holy Spirit will guide and illuminate, but thru the Church, the one founded by Jesus. No person , by him self will be able to understand if not capable of living up to the teaching of Jesus. Remember, the Bible, O.T the lived history of the chose en by God, lead by Moses from slavery, to freedom. The entire O.T announces, talks about The promise, Jesus. N.T. fulfillment of the promise, and the way of life of those 12 men and early Christians> New world new breed, Christians. If you don't understand, don't worry, as for guidance, pray, and most important, let Jesus into your heart and you will live like he intends for us to live. The way of life where Abraham Isacc Jacob, Moses , Hebrews, Apostles, followers of Christ, first Christians lived. All were the same as others, except for the way of life, away from sin and loving God above all, and thy neighbor. The last book, Apocalypse, if a book of hope, not fear.
2007-07-26 16:10:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hm, how strange. I dont understand how anyone could invent an idea like a holy spirit.
Creepy. I guess I dont have the holy spirit in me either, thankfully.
50% of the country does not agree with evolution; 'coincidentally' 50% cannot explain it.
Edit: Just reading these answers makes me think that these people are... A little crazy in the head.
Especially the one guy who said he feals like the holy-spirit is talking to him and he is in a warm blanket. I've seen the exact same thing in people with Schizophrinia. How delusional.
2007-07-26 15:45:58 · answer #5 · answered by You're the man now, dog! 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, the guidance of the Holy Spirit in interpreting the Bible was given to the Church as a whole, not individual believers. Peter forbade private interpretation.
2007-07-26 16:21:28 · answer #6 · answered by cameoseashell 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some could read WAR and PEACE and come away thinking it was an ok piece of literary work
someone else could read a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the mysteries of the universe
reading the bible isnt necessarily going to bring you closer to God. For those who believe the bible is of historic significance and importance. Personally I believe the bible to be missing some scriptures (the vatican is withholding scriptures discovered in 1947 believed to be not only about Jesus but In Jesus' own words-but thats another story)
What people must coome to grips with (even those who do believe) is that the bible has undergone hundreds and hundreds of translations by mere mortal men. It has been reported that King James himself was intoxicated with wine while making decisions as to what was to be kept in the bible.
So really..who knows what has been ommitted?
And as far as you being an atheist-hey thats your choice
and who am I to judge?
About understanding the bible-I think it is possible to understand the bible if read as a historic document
the bible is one of the most controversial and least understood books because of the ommissions, contradictions
and hidden meanings etc.
oh by the way I do believe in GOD.
2007-07-26 15:59:55 · answer #7 · answered by molly 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is so completely untrue. But you do have to have an open mind.
I saw the same thing in school. There was a girl in my humanities class who said the subject matter was over her head. That was the whole point of taking the class! Learning about things that she was unaware.
Reading the bible with an open mind can just be a great story for you. The stories are so diverse. But the funny thing is that though the books were written thousands of years ago, you see that people have acted the same throughout history.
Good luck with your path.
2007-07-26 15:48:46 · answer #8 · answered by justanotherone 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian but struggle with this myself. I think that you have to want to understand but you also have to see the relevance in what you're reading to something in your life. Sometimes things don't make sense for years and one day, out of the blue, the light goes on and you just understand. I believe it's possible to study it as text without belief for the purpose of knowing what's in it but that's true of any text. The point of the Bible is for your life to be better because of your capacity to understand it.
I tend to have a problem with someone telling you that you won't understand because you're not filled with the spirit. The reason is that it's like telling you that there's this special club of salvation and you can't come in. As Christians it's our job to encourage you so that you know and believe that you can come in whenever you want.
2007-07-26 15:50:56 · answer #9 · answered by CUrias 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One needs to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit. Just saying you believe in God does not fill one with the Holy Spirit. One must be sincere, and repentful and seek forgiveness and most of all be baptized
2007-07-26 15:46:52 · answer #10 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋