What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear from God?

[TruthSeek3r]

The Early Church was able to hear clearly from God:

• For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14
  
• Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
  
• My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
  
• Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Acts 8:29
• And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39
  
• While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Acts 10:19-20
• The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12
• While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2
• For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: Acts 15:28
  
• 6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10
• 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:9-11

@Oscarr on this post said:

That is the big question. Although we are told in the Scripture, as you have quoted quite correctly, that the Holy Spirit spoke and guided people in the Early Church, we are not told how He went about it. All we can do is guess how He might have done it.​

The problem we have today is that the church is suffering from over a 1000 years of apostacy and hasn't quite recovered from its effects. This has resulted in modern churches being nowhere near the quality and calibre of what the Early Church was in its holiness, unity and commitment to Christ. The only sure foundation on which we can discern God's will are the written Scriptures. Emotions and impressions are the least reliable way of knowing what is of the Holy Spirit and what is of the world, flesh or the devil.​

Many writers have declared that they have the winning formula for hearing and knowing God's voice, but when put into practice, most don't work and people are just as confused as they were before trying the formula. The truth is, there is no formula.​

So, if you have found the secret of reliably knowing the voice of God, then let us now.
​

Let us answer Oscarr's question:

What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear the voice of God?

 

[hislegacy]

Their Jewish heritage played a role - they understood covenant relationships much better than we do today.

The truth is, there is no formula.

100% correct - God is not a formula to be manipulated - He is a Father to be in relationship with.

 

[pescador]

If you read Revelation 2 and 3, you will see that the early churches had serious problems. When it says things such as...

To the church at Ephesus: "But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent."

To the church at Pergamum: "But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth."

To the church at Thyatira: "But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds. Furthermore, I will strike her followers with a deadly disease, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay each one of you what your deeds deserve."

To the church at Sardis: "Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you."

To the church at Laodicea: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!"

So while your supposition that the early churches had a secret about hearing from God, His message to them was (in part) not what they wanted to hear. And this is no means a complete list. The Pauline epistles are very critical in some places, such as in Galatians, where Paul wrote, "You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified! The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?"

It's a mistake to think that the early churches were righteous and/or holy. Obviously they had serious problems to the point of being rejected.

P.S. All quotations are from the NET Bible, v 2.1

 

[TruthSeek3r]

If you read Revelation 2 and 3, you will see that the early churches had serious problems. When it says things such as...

To the church at Ephesus: "But I have this against you: You have departed from your first love! Therefore, remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place—that is, if you do not repent."

To the church at Pergamum: "But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, there are also some among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore, repent! If not, I will come against you quickly and make war against those people with the sword of my mouth."

To the church at Thyatira: "But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, unless they repent of her deeds. Furthermore, I will strike her followers with a deadly disease, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay each one of you what your deeds deserve."

To the church at Sardis: "Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you."

To the church at Laodicea: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator of God’s creation: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth, and need nothing,” but do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked, take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see! All those I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!"

So while your supposition that the early churches had a secret about hearing from God, His message to them was (in part) not what they wanted to hear. And this is no means a complete list. The Pauline epistles are very critical in some places, such as in Galatians, where Paul wrote, "You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified! The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?"

It's a mistake to think that the early churches were righteous and/or holy. Obviously they had serious problems to the point of being rejected.

P.S. All quotations are from the NET Bible, v 2.1

What about the "book of Acts" Church (first few years / first decade)?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

The church heard God through apostolic succession. There were so many different kinds of Christian belief before the council of Nicea, that those interested in getting the story straight needed to hold onto teachings that came from Apostles or disciples lineated from them through discipleship.

The turning point where it was thought people couldn't hear reliably from God anymore, and then when the foundation of the Christian teachings was disregarded in pronouncing anathemas on anyone who believed different - the foundation of sand began fill the cracks until there were many schisms and divisions in the church.

One foundation necessary (to hear from God) is the sermon on the mount since it ends with the statement from Jesus that anyone who listens to my teachings and does them is like a man who builds his house on a rock, and likewise one who ignores these teachings is like a man who built their house on a foundation of sand, and great was the ruin of that house.

Every time there is a division, there is finger pointing, and a filling of the crack of the foundation with sand, so that some teachings have a toothpick of foundation and mostly sand supporting them.

So going back to the foundations and applying it is a good place to start in terms of hearing God. Doesn't help to listen for a voice from heaven if your head is in the sand.

 

[com7fy8]

What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear the voice of God?

God made sure.

My best experience is I need to first not only listen for God, but submit to Him so He has me doing what He wants, at any moment . . . with or without Him telling me what to do > either way, I need how He guides me to do what He wants, since He is better able to understand what He tells me, than I am. He guides me better than I can get myself to do what I am capable of understanding Him to mean

 

[hislegacy]

What about the "book of Acts" Church (first few years / first decade)?

The churches that where dealing with idolatry, witchcraft and incest in the churches? The churches that dealt with false Apostles and prophets?

 

[TruthSeek3r]

The churches that where dealing with idolatry, witchcraft and incest in the churches? The churches that dealt with false Apostles and prophets?

No, I mean this church:

Acts 2:40-47 (ESV):

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
​

Acts 4:29-37 (ESV):

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
​

Acts 5:12-16 (ESV):

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.​

 

[tturt]

Would also include - After the decision that Ananias and Sapphira made and the consequences, "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things." Acts 5

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

I'd say it was the anointing of the Holy Spirit, it filled them and led them. As in 1 John. The anointing taught them.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I think that, as in many spiritual things, people are looking for the wrong thing. They are looking for some overwhelming spiritual ecstasy or some thundering voice.
It is the small still voice of the spirit. If you are reborn, consider your conscience to be the voice of the spirit. It is not that far from you and is not going to bowl you over. Just adapt a prayerful life with a note of praise and thanksgiving in your heart. Get close to Him and He will get close to you.

 

[jiminpa]

For one thing, they didn't have centuries of teaching that the Holy Spirit is on a very extended vacation, and that doubt is a virtue to be nurtured and cared for.

 

[ARBITER01]

What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear the voice of God?

It think this would be better understood about individuals rather than whole churches, at least for the most part.

I think part of your answer is here,...

2Co 13:13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of GOD, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

And the Greek understanding of that word,...

- Original: κοινωνία
- Transliteration: Koinonia
- Phonetic: koy-nohn-ee'-ah
- Definition:
1. fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse
a. the share which one has in anything, participation
b. intercourse, fellowship, intimacy
1. the right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship (in fulfilling the apostolic office)
c. a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship

I think in a lot of respects this is missing for a lot of Christians nowadays. A lot of us are not reliant upon The Holy Spirit's understanding or even seeking it. GOD is truth, and we must seek understanding from Him over and above anyone else.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

The Early Church was able to hear clearly from God:

• For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14
  
• Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
  
• My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
  
• Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Acts 8:29
• And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39
  
• While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Acts 10:19-20
• The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12
• While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2
• For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: Acts 15:28
  
• 6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10
• 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:9-11

@Oscarr on this post said:

That is the big question. Although we are told in the Scripture, as you have quoted quite correctly, that the Holy Spirit spoke and guided people in the Early Church, we are not told how He went about it. All we can do is guess how He might have done it.​

The problem we have today is that the church is suffering from over a 1000 years of apostacy and hasn't quite recovered from its effects. This has resulted in modern churches being nowhere near the quality and calibre of what the Early Church was in its holiness, unity and commitment to Christ. The only sure foundation on which we can discern God's will are the written Scriptures. Emotions and impressions are the least reliable way of knowing what is of the Holy Spirit and what is of the world, flesh or the devil.​

Many writers have declared that they have the winning formula for hearing and knowing God's voice, but when put into practice, most don't work and people are just as confused as they were before trying the formula. The truth is, there is no formula.​

So, if you have found the secret of reliably knowing the voice of God, then let us now.
​

Let us answer Oscarr's question:

What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear the voice of God?

It really depends I think what a person means by knowing the voice of God. To hear from God is a gift he gives, we can't demand it. I think the biggest problem for Christians is the thought that we can just ask God a question and demand/expect an answer. I have found that when I have that attitude, all I get is rubbish, no real communication with God. For me I need to seek God on an issue for hours before I can be assured of any real answer, even then He may not respond.

The area that I often get communication from God is in the area of witnessing, God will often speak or reveal things about a person I am witnessing to so I can be a better more natural witness. As the bible says:

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

The apostles had a focus on reaching others, so God would more naturally communicate with them to assist them.

I think we need to be faithful to what God gives us to hear/receive more, and our own unbelief or fears can be a big stumbling block.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

The Early Church was able to hear clearly from God:

• For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14
  
• Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
  
• My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
  
• Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Acts 8:29
• And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39
  
• While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Acts 10:19-20
• The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. Acts 11:12
• While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2
• For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: Acts 15:28
  
• 6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:6-10
• 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:9-11

@Oscarr on this post said:

That is the big question. Although we are told in the Scripture, as you have quoted quite correctly, that the Holy Spirit spoke and guided people in the Early Church, we are not told how He went about it. All we can do is guess how He might have done it.​

The problem we have today is that the church is suffering from over a 1000 years of apostacy and hasn't quite recovered from its effects. This has resulted in modern churches being nowhere near the quality and calibre of what the Early Church was in its holiness, unity and commitment to Christ. The only sure foundation on which we can discern God's will are the written Scriptures. Emotions and impressions are the least reliable way of knowing what is of the Holy Spirit and what is of the world, flesh or the devil.​

Many writers have declared that they have the winning formula for hearing and knowing God's voice, but when put into practice, most don't work and people are just as confused as they were before trying the formula. The truth is, there is no formula.​

So, if you have found the secret of reliably knowing the voice of God, then let us now.
​

Let us answer Oscarr's question:

What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear the voice of God?

Discernment

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Discernment

Then the next question is: how to have discernment?

 

[Albion]

What was the Early Church's secret to reliably hear the voice of God?

Most of the verses you cited have nothing to do with literally hearing the voice of God, and the ones that might are concerned with people who were inspired to write books of the Bible.

The idea--which seems to be the focus of the thread and the Original Post--that literally hearing from God was commonplace in the early church is without support.

 

[TruthSeek3r]

Most of the verses you cited have nothing to do with literally hearing the voice of God, and the ones that might are concerned with people who were inspired to write books of the Bible.

The idea--which seems to be the focus of the thread and the Original Post--that literally hearing from God was commonplace in the early church is without support.

• Was Philip inspired to write books of the Bible? Acts 8:29, Acts 8:39
• Was Barnabas inspired to write books of the Bible? Acts 13:2
• Were Philip's daughters and Agabus inspired to write books of the Bible? Acts 21:8-11

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

• Was Philip inspired to write books of the Bible? Acts 8:29, Acts 8:39
• Was Barnabas inspired to write books of the Bible? Acts 13:2
• Were Philip's daughters and Agabus inspired to write books of the Bible? Acts 21:8-11

We don't know, their works were lost, not rejected.

 

[jiminpa]

I think "my sheep know my voice," refutes some of these posts.