When we look into the pages of Scripture we find accounts of God speaking to some people and some of these same people speaking directly to God. In the OT, there are numerous accounts where God spoke to people:
- Adam (Gen 2:16).
- Noah (Gen 6:13)
- Abraham (Gen 12:1)
- Moses (Ex 3:4-4:23)
- Samuel (1 Sam 3:10)
- David (1 Sam 23:2)
- Prophets (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, Haggai, etc—received direction from God to declare to Israel)
The incarnation of Jesus (the Son of God, 2nd Person on the Trinity, God in flesh, etc) is recorded throughout the Gospels where God spoke directly to people: the Apostles, disciples, Pharisees, Sadducees, common people, Pilate, etc. Jesus’ teachings had direct application to those to whom He spoke, and still hold truth and application for us today. Some may wonder, however, if God still uses direct communication like what is recorded in the Bible to speak to people today.
It’s is possible for a person to hear an audible voice from God today; God is not limited and the ways we have record of Him interacting with people are still available to Him to use today. There are a number of ways in which God communicates with people. Some receive visions / dreams in which Jesus declares Himself to the person. My pastor shared a recent account of this occurrence.
A ministry outreach to Muslims in a nearby city, headed by an Egyptian Christian, has had many interactions with Muslims in the surrounding area. On one occasion, a woman came in with her son; her son wanted to know more about Jesus. They sat down in a room and were shown the Jesus[1] film. About halfway through watching, the mother began to weep. The movie was paused and the mother was asked if she was okay. Her response was “This is Jesus? This man has been coming to me in my dreams!” She was led to Christ that day.
God also speak through His Word, the Bible. This is why one may hear the Bible referred to as “the living Word.” I caution here that the Bible is closed in its teaching. That is to say, there is no new revelation from God that will add to or remove Scripture. This is in keeping with Scripture which states the case:
- Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.[2] (Deut 4:2)
- What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.[3] (Deut 12:32)
- For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.[4] (Rev 22:18-19)
In addition to the above warning from the Bible in both the OT and NT, another point should be made regarding hearing from God and it is this: any special / personal revelation from God WILL NOT go against what is recorded in Scripture. That is, for a person to receive a message from God, delivered to him / her by the Holy Ghost, that message will not contradict what the Bible says, if it is truly from God. If someone feel God is telling them something, and that revelation is contrary to Biblical teaching, IT IS NOT FROM GOD!
To answer the question above, yes, God does still speak today. The Holy Ghost reveals truths buried within Scripture when a person is ready to receive them. This is noticeable when one has read passages of Scripture many times over their life and have an “a-ha” moment. One of the main ways in which God speaks to people is through other people. A Bible centered, Gospel preaching pastor, who walks close to God, often preaches a message he has been burdened to deliver to the people. That burden is impressed upon him by the Holy Ghost. Likewise, Christians feel burdened to share thoughts and to do things for others which have their origin in God—this is ministry in its basic form.
Sometimes, when a person has noticed a theme or common topic coming up in things they read and / or hear, and this can serve as a confirmation from God for a topic to look into or perhaps teach. This recently happened to me. While working, driving from service call site to service call site, I listen to podcasts. Several different podcasts in recent weeks have centered on the topic of “Progressive Christianity.” As the leader for an adult Sunday School / Small Group, I tend to use topics not just of interest to me, but those I feel impressed upon to teach. This past Sunday (Easter), my church began full-swing with Sunday School classes resuming after a year-long hiatus due to Covid & the ensuing restrictions imposed. We began our first class back together with an introduction to the topic of Progressive Christianity. Just last night, my pastor was teaching on doctrine, specifically highlighting the doctrine of the Bible, and addressed how many modern churches question, change, or outright deny Biblical teachings on topics. This move away from a traditional Biblical foundation leaves and open door for heresy to creep in. I told my pastor after the service that his teaching served as confirmation that I’m headed in the right direction for my teaching topic.
God is the most powerful Being, period. He has no limits beyond those He imposes on Himself OR are contrary to His nature. For example, God cannot make a square circle, not because He lacks the power to do so, rather the concept is illogical and nonsensical. God is able to communicate with us in any way and by any means He deems necessary. He even used a donkey to give warning of imminent danger (Num 22:21-41; see the picture above). What I’m trying to express is that God still speaks to people today. There are personal testimonies and documented accounts of people receiving revelation from God, in alignment with Biblical teaching, that evidence God is not always silent when it comes to us. Relationships with a lack of communication are not successful. And our relationship with God is only as strong as our prayer life and fellowship with Him. Reading the Bible regularly strengthens that relationship and matures our spirit along the way. At times, the Holy Ghost will grant us new insight to Scriptural teachings and other Christians will have the exact words we need for a particular situation in life. Are you in a position to hear what God wants to say to you?
~In Christ!
[1] The Jesus Film (1979) – IMDb
[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 4:2). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[3] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Dt 12:32). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Re 22:18–19). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
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