Timmy, before my husband and I were married, he wrote me long love letters--I have a whole scrapbook of them, saved in my cedar chest. However, if he hadn't written me those letters, he still would have found SOME way to communicate his feelings, because the man wanted a relationship with me!
Asking "What if we didn't have the Bible" is like asking "What if Jeff hadn't written Abi those letters?" It's irrelevant. God wanted a relationship with man and pursued it before there was any written scripture--and the written Word was part of His plan for building that relationship. What if there was no scripture? God would have built a relationship with man regardless--just like He did in the beginning. The fact remains, though--the Word IS there, and it needs to be considered.
So, does that apply to the billions of people who have never seen and never will see a Bible? Is God building relationships with them?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
So, does that apply to the billions of people who have never seen and never will see a Bible? Is God building relationships with them?
Within your question is a universal negative. You can't possibly know that there are billions of people who have "never seen and never will see a Bible." However, that aside, the answer is yes--I believe God reaches out to ALL men, in whatever way that is available.
It isn't His will that ANY should perish.
Why do you have the idea that a relationship with God is only possible through reading scripture? Those of us who have access to the Word have a responsibility to use our resources, but God was building relationships with men well before the written Word ever existed.
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"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
Within your question is a universal negative. You can't possibly know that there are billions of people who have "never seen and never will see a Bible." However, that aside, the answer is yes--I believe God reaches out to ALL men, in whatever way that is available.
It isn't His will that ANY should perish.
Why do you have the idea that a relationship with God is only possible through reading scripture? Those of us who have access to the Word have a responsibility to use our resources, but God was building relationships with men well before the written Word ever existed.
I don't. But I thought Apostolics did. This thread has been enlightening for me! What you are saying is that the Bible is not needed. Perhaps it is helpful and can improve your relationship with God, but it is not necessary!
My universal negative (if that's what it was) wasn't intended as proof of anything, nor to be provable. It's just a guess.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I don't. But I thought Apostolics did. This thread has been enlightening for me! What you are saying is that the Bible is not needed. Perhaps it is helpful and can improve your relationship with God, but it is not necessary!
Oh, it is absolutely necessary for you and me, Timmy. We have been blessed with teachers and preachers and multiple copies of His Word and books to help us with a deeper understanding. I'm not saying that the Bible is not needed! God will hold you accountable for the resources that you have.
However, since we know that God built relationships with people before there was a written Word, and since we know that He cares for ALL people (not just Americans...lol), we can know that He will reach out to all people, whether they have access to the Bible or not. Whether He reaches out to them directly or through another person is completely up to Him.
You should work out your salvation with the resources God has given you, and trust Him to deal with those who have less resources.
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
Oh, it is absolutely necessary for you and me, Timmy. We have been blessed with teachers and preachers and multiple copies of His Word and books to help us with a deeper understanding. I'm not saying that the Bible is not needed! God will hold you accountable for the resources that you have.
However, since we know that God built relationships with people before there was a written Word, and since we know that He cares for ALL people (not just Americans...lol), we can know that He will reach out to all people, whether they have access to the Bible or not. Whether He reaches out to them directly or through another person is completely up to Him.
You should work out your salvation with the resources God has given you, and trust Him to deal with those who have less resources.
Oh, I have!
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
We Christians have certainly done our share of "messing things up."
Look at the religious war in Northern Ireland.
Look at the anti-semitism practiced by Catholi and Protestand Europeans over the years culminating in the Holocaust.
Look at what white Christians did when they believed in Manifest Destiny and practiced genocide against the Native Americans to promote their Christian Nation.
Look what exclusivist holiness preachers, churches, and organizations are doing right now against all who don't accept their narrow interpretation of Christianity.
There was a time when there was no written revelation of God. Word of mouth passed down from Adam. General revelation...the heavens tell of the glory of God. All of creation attests to there being a Creator. Our conscience given to us by our creator to know the difference between good and evil. God has always made himself and his will known to man.
Have you ever read the book of Genesis? None of those men written in that book had a written revelation of God. Yet Enoch knew how to walk with God. Noah preached righteousness, etc...
Timmy, corporately, God has given His word to mankind. Individually, he still uses people like you.... well people sorta like you to spread the message of the gospel and deliver His word to unbelievers.
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
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