What if we didn't have the Bible?

[CrystalDragon]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way.

If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

 

[Ken Rank]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way.

If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

There are some who believe that the stars tell the story as well. That originally the stars were used by the people of God but that, like many holy things, they were given new meaning by man and used for occult practices. So perhaps that is one way.... another way would be through God's people. If, as Paul said, we are to do all things in the name of Jesus, then what he means is, we are to do all things in a manner that reflects Jesus' character and reputation... that is what "name" means in Hebrew. So, another way people might see and hear God is through the works and words of those who belong to Him.

 

[pdudgeon]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way.

If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

that's an excelent question.
For the answer all we have to do is to look at Jewish history.

For 300 years God was silent. there were no prophetic writings.

Before He left, Jesus wondered the same thing; what would happen on earth between the time he ascended to heaven and the day that He returned.
His one question was not 'Would the church still exist,"
but "Would He find faith?"

 

[OldWiseGuy]

God would guide his people by means of the Holy Spirit, just as he has done since Jesus ascended. Even the bible is useless unless understanding is guided by the Spirit. Millions of bibles lay unread or misunderstood. It would make little difference if they weren't there at all.

 

[PanDeVida]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way.

If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

Crystal, Jesus Christ never said to put anything in writing aka compile a Bible. What Jesus Christ established is His Church founded on Rock, and yes The Lord knew that His Church would eventually compile Scripture into a book called bible inspired by the Holy Spirit.

What came first the Chicken or the egg? of course the Chicken. The same goes for which came First re: the Church founded on Rock or the Bible, of Course the Church founded on Rock came first.

 

[PanDeVida]

God would guide his people by means of the Holy Spirit, just as he has done since Jesus ascended. Even the bible is useless unless understanding is guided by the Spirit. Millions of bibles lay unread or misunderstood. It would make little difference if they weren't there at all.

Oldwiseguy, You are correct in saying: "Even the bible is useless unless understanding is guided by the Spirit".

Then you should understand this as well, that the Early Catholic Church Fathers compiled the Bible, and that these early Church Fathers guided by the Holy Spirit understood and had interpreted the Bible back then as it is taught today, guided by the Holy Spirit, in every Catholic Church. So my question to you, why did the Protestant reformation come up with their new interpretation of Scripture, Such as OSAS, Faith Alone, Bread and Wine is only a symbol and not the true presence of Christ, etc.. etc.. etc..

So did the Holy Spirit make a mistake with His Guidance of the Catholic Church in the interpretations of Scripture aka bible which He taught the Early Catholic Church Fathers for 1500 years?

Truth is, the Holy Spirit helped the early Church Fathers and those before them to interpret Scripture before it was ever printed/compiled into a book called Bible. So there is no need for any other interpretation, but only those that were before the protestant reformation, to make any other interpretation of Scripture such as those mentioned above is to say the holy Spirit got it wrong and had to correct it through the Protestant reformation's new interpretation.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Oldwiseguy, You are correct in saying: "Even the bible is useless unless understanding is guided by the Spirit".

Then you should understand this as well, that the Early Catholic Church Fathers compiled the Bible, and that these early Church Fathers guided by the Holy Spirit understood and had interpreted the Bible back then as it is taught today, guided by the Holy Spirit, in every Catholic Church. So my question to you, why did the Protestant reformation come up with their new interpretation of Scripture, Such as OSAS, Faith Alone, Bread and Wine is only a symbol and not the true presence of Christ, etc.. etc.. etc..

So did the Holy Spirit make a mistake with His Guidance of the Catholic Church in the interpretations of Scripture aka bible which He taught the Early Catholic Church Fathers for 1500 years?

Truth is, the Holy Spirit helped the early Church Fathers and those before them to interpret Scripture before it was ever printed/compiled into a book called Bible. So there is no need for any other interpretation, but only those that were before the protestant reformation, to make any other interpretation of Scripture such as those mentioned above is to say the holy Spirit got it wrong and had to correct it through the Protestant reformation's new interpretation.

Do you believe that the Roman Catholic church is the only lawful authority over the spiritual lives of mankind?

 

[PanDeVida]

Do you believe that the Roman Catholic church is the only lawful authority over the spiritual lives of mankind?

OldwiseGuy, Was there only one Ark? Was there only One Church Founded on Rock?

OldWiseGuy, If you answered Yes, to the two questions above, then you have answered your own question, that you gave me, with a YES!

 

[SkyWriting]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way. If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

Adam walked with God. So yes.

19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

 

[SkyWriting]

OldwiseGuy, Was there only one Ark? Was there only One Church Founded on Rock?

No actual church was actually built on actual rock.
As it relates to this passage.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Adam walked with God. So yes.

19 For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

That may be the explanation for knowing about a God in general, but we wouldn't know specifically about the Christian God and Jesus.

 

[miknik5]

OldwiseGuy, Was there only one Ark? Was there only One Church Founded on Rock?

OldWiseGuy, If you answered Yes, to the two questions above, then you have answered your own question, that you gave me, with a YES!

The Catholic Church is the ROCK?


I thought .CHRIST was THE ROCK.. and THE FOUNDATION..,and THE HEAD of HIS BODY

 

[miknik5]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way.

If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

CHRIST made HIMSELF known to HIS first disciples before the NT was even written

 

[miknik5]

That may be the explanation for knowing about a God in general, but we wouldn't know specifically about the Christian God and Jesus.

1 John 2 and John 3:8 and Joel's prophecy would still happen

 

[CrystalDragon]

CHRIST made HIMSELF known to HIS first disciples before the NT was even written

Yeah, but without the Bible how would we have known about it? Wouldn't it have been lost to history?

1 John 2 and John 3:8 and Joel's prophecy would still happen

Which again we only know of and that they are connected through the Bible's existence.

 

[miknik5]

Yeah, but without the Bible how would we have known about it? Wouldn't it have been lost to history?




Which again we only know of and that they are connected through the Bible's existence.

Do you understand that it is THE SPIRIT of GOD that opens the heart and the mind of a man to the TRUTH?

Some (even today) have received the outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT before even reading the written WORD of GOD

GOD will always have a witness
testifying to THE TRUTH of HIS WORD

 

[CrystalDragon]

Do you understand that it is THE SPIRIT of GOD that opens the heart and the mind of a man to the TRUTH?

Some (even today) have received the outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT before even reading the written WORD of GOD

GOD will always have a witness
testifying to THE TRUTH of HIS WORD

How exactly did they receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and what did that entail? Do you have any links?

 

[miknik5]

How exactly did they receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and what did that entail? Do you have any links?

Links?
Yeah.

GOD chose to open the eyes and ears of the persons heart to the TRUTH of HIS SON

That's the link

 

[SkyWriting]

That may be the explanation for knowing about a God in general, but we wouldn't know specifically about the Christian God and Jesus.

They are the same.

 

[Greg J.]

People say that we know what God wants thanks to what has been written down in the Bible. But what if the Bible didn't exist? We'd have no way of knowing about Jesus that way.

If the Bible didn't exist, do you think you would still follow some sort of faith or not?

In the spirit of your question, it would depend on what point in history you are referring to. Abraham was saved when there were no Scriptures. (God first spoke to him in Genesis 12:2.)

There was a blood-Jew that went to my previous church whom God saved by speaking to him. The story is kind of funny, but I forgot the first part. God said something to him and he responded with "who are you?" God responded with "Jesus" and the guy's reaction was, "oh no!"

God can reveal himself to people through nature, too, if he chooses (Romans 1:19-20).

An answer that is less dependent on any particular point in time is that God progressively revealed himself for the very purpose of having the Bible so it would be easier to find him. First to Adam, then eventually to Moses, who, traditionally (I think), was the one that wrote down the first five books of the Bible.