The texts we hold in our hands are the content of the Christian worship services from the 1-3 century. If it weren't for the services there would be no bible. If it weren't for The Church there would have been no services.
You have this so backwards, you don't know which way is front. God's word came first. God spoke to Moses directly and gave him instructions for directing the first church. Later on the Jews expanded the festivals and prayers to include a more traditional church service. You have professed historical knowledge of the church. You should know this. The "old" NT churches continue and follow this pattern.
As for the part of church services where they read scripture, it goes without saying that the scripture existed first. Do you really think that King David went to the temple and in the middle of a "church service" wrote the Psalms? The books of the prophets, you think they were written in a church service? How about the historical books of the Bible?
Moving on to the NT. The gospels with Acts are historic accounts of Jesus' life and teachings. Read Luke's words directly.
Luke 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
Now I will grant you that Luke 4:16-30 do contain the text of what Jesus said in a church service but the bulk of what is recorded in the gospels does not take place in a church service.
Moving on to Paul's letters, um they were letters to churches. They were certainly read in church services, but the letter was written first. Most of the rest of NT are in the same camp, letters to the church.
My point is that the Godhead does not "speak" to us directly. Like in the shower in the movie "Oh God" That would be a personal revelation, and that doesn't happen for us.
You secularize what God speaking to Christians is like. You use a movie as an example; how disparaging to how the Holy Spirit actually works.
Read scripture, not watch a movie, to learn how God uses the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does come to all reborn. The Holy Spirit does give various gifts in varying degrees to the reborn. The Holy Spirit does work in all and all are commanded to follow Jesus' commands and teach his word.
Acts 2:17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
Luke 12:11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
I mean that when HE moves us, it is through a medium of HIS own creation. Most of the time, that experience is a shared experience, shared even with those who came 1500 years ago.
You read John 1:1-3 and come away with the understanding that Christ was the creator in the garden in Genesis... that is a shared understanding... although it might be an epiphany to us individually.
Why would I read John 1:1-3? Why would any Christian read God's word privately? You promote an idea that the Holy Spirit would only reveal the truth in God's word if it is read from the pulpit in a church service. You have a dim view of God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit to work through God's word on an individual basis. You have an exalted view of the power of priests preaching God's word.
I believe in the power of fellowship, even online. Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there.
