When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in the gospel of Luke, he said concerning Jesus, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” ~ Luke 1:32

Though some interpret the reign of Christ from the throne of David as a future millennial throne previously occupied by the anti-Christ, the Bible teaches that Jesus is enthroned now at the right hand of God.

According to the authors of the New Testament, the exaltation of Jesus at the right hand of God is the fulfillment of God’s promise that he would raise up his Son, the Messiah, to reign upon the throne of David.

In Acts 2, Peter interprets the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus at the right hand of God as the fulfillment of the scriptures that the Messiah would reign from the throne of David.

Notice carefully how Peter articulates this:

Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. ~ Acts 2:30-36

In the texts above, Peter is quoting David from Psalm 110 when he says, “the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.”

FIRST, notice the words “the Lord said to my Lord, sit thou on my right hand…”

Peter quotes this in reference to David, as a prophet, knowing that God would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne. So as a prophet, foreseeing the enthronement of the Messiah, David said, “The Lord said unto my Lord, sit on my right hand.” As a prophet, David foresaw by the Spirit of God that the promise of the Messiah reigning on his throne would not be an earthly enthronement, but a heavenly enthronement, at the right hand of God.

In the gospels, Jesus said: “David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet”‘ (Mark 12:36, See also Matthew 22:41-45).

SECONDLY, notice the next part of the text that Peter quotes from David: “till I make your enemies your footstool.”

These very same words are employed by the author of Hebrews in describing the enthronement of Jesus at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:13; 10:13) and in 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 the apostle Paul applies them to the exalted Jesus as well.

Also Psalm 110 is the Psalm which testifies that the Messiah would be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (v.4). The author of Hebrews expounds on this and tells us that Jesus, the exalted King at the right hand of God, is also our great high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

The historical Melchizedek (Genesis 14) prefigured Christ as a King and Priest, and not a priest only. Under the Law of Moses one could not be a King and a priest.  The priests came only from the tribe of Levi and the Kings were descendants of David from the tribe of Judah.

The writer of Hebrews explains how Jesus, being from the tribe of Judah (the tribe of King David), is qualified to be a priest. He is qualified because His priestly ministry is not earthy (Hebrews 8:4), but heavenly, at the right hand of God where he is now enthroned. ~ See Hebrews 8:1-3

THIRDLY, Notice that David specifically identifies the Messiah as his Lord: “The Lord said to my Lord…”

In Acts 2 Peter says, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both LORD and Christ” (v.36).

Peter doesn’t tell the people of Israel that Jesus will be Lord when he one day returns. Peter declares that Jesus is Lord and Messiah now, at the right hand of God. The gospel which was preached to house of Israel by the apostles, was not a gospel of a futuristic enthronement of the Messiah, but rather, the declaration of His exaltation now!

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:9-11

When he had by himself purged our sins, (He) sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High…  ~ See Hebrews 1:3

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ~ Hebrews 1:8 

I (Paul) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. ~ Ephesians 1:17-23

Notice that Paul says in Ephesians 1 (above), Christ is already enthroned in Heaven above everything in this world and in the world to come, having all things under His feet.

Jesus enthroned at the right hand of God is not a temporary enthronement as he awaits a lesser throne in Jerusalem, Israel. Rather, Jesus entered into his glory after his resurrection (Luke 24:26; John 17:5, 24; Acts 2:33; 3:13) and was enthroned at the right hand of God, where the New Jerusalem is – the true Holy City of God (Hebrews 12:22-24). From there, Christ will reign forever!

When Christ returns he is not taking a lesser throne, for he has been made Higher than the Heavens, in his exaltation (Hebrews 7:26). Jesus reigns forever, being highly exalted at the right hand of God, and in that Majestic power, authority, and glory; He will come again!

For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ~ Colossians 2: 1-8

Last night was the last night of the Asbury revival services, and it was the only night that I watched any of the services. I only saw a portion of the service, but what I saw was simply beautiful. I heard Christ preached, Christ called on, and Christ worshiped. Watching those precious college students crying out with pure hearts for Jesus was lovely, and it took me back down memory lane as I thought of the sweet times of fellowship I had with the Lord as a young man. I didn’t know the Bible like I know it now, but I was hungry and I wanted Jesus.

Over the past 3 – 4 years, I have become more and more increasingly discouraged by what I see within American Christianity. It seems more and more Christians are political, judgmental, and puffed up with pride.

What I find particularly disturbing is those who found fault with the Asbury revival because it didn’t fit into their theological box, missed the most important theological truth there is: Jesus, himself.

They’d rather sit in judgment with their philosophy about the importance of theology rather than seeing young people yearning for the Living God, but I’m with the students of Asbury. I’d rather have Jesus.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he warns them to not allow anyone to spoil them through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Many who boast in their theology tend to condemn others who don’t think like them, yet they have nothing more than a lifeless philosophy about God. There is no room for the real, living Christ in their theology. Yet, the living Christ ought to be the central theme of all our theology.

Those who boast in their theology, often get puffed up about the knowledge they think they have, and if you don’t serve God according to their knowledge and understanding, then you’re false. Yet, Paul tells the Colossians that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ!

If you have Christ, you have the key to all the truth about God!

I really don’t care if 18, 19, and 20 year old students have their theology together or not. If their hearts are crying out for God, so much so that they don’t want to leave his presence, and they just want more of Jesus, I really couldn’t care less about how theological together they are. Jesus is the Savior, not theology! Jesus is Lord, not theology! Jesus is the Son of God, not theology! Go after Christ with all your heart, and good theology will find you.

Jesus who died, and rose again, now lives forever in the presence of the Father to bring us near to God. If you make Jesus your whole heart’s desire, the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth.

When I look back on my late teens and early 20’s there were a lot of things I had wrong in my theology, but my heart was hungry for God and I wanted Jesus. And this is what every person who sits in judgment of the Asbury revival has missed. Those young people just want Jesus, and Jesus is the biggest threat to the judgmental, puffed up Christian.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul instructs us not to use our knowledge to injure other believers. Paul warns that knowledge without love will puff you up in pride. When we see others who are passionate, and hungry for God, we have a responsibility to encourage their growth in the Lord, and not disparage it.

When Apollos (Acts 18) was unlearned about Christ, but passionate for the things of God, Aquila and Priscilla took the time to nurture him and show him the way of God more perfectly. That’s what those who are seasoned in the faith are called to do. Let’s rejoice in what God has done in the hearts of the students of Asbury as wells as others elsewhere who were touched by God through Asbury.

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. ~ 1 Peter 3:1-7

In the text above, notice that Peter tells the husbands to live with their wives according to knowledge, and to honor their wives as the weaker vessel. Husbands are to live with their wives in an understanding, loving, and supportive manner, not in dominance, because a husband and wife are heirs together of the grace of life.

Though Sara was submissive to Abraham as Peter points out, Abraham and Sara were on a journey together. And when Abraham thought he could work out God’s plan in his own strength, it was Sara (his bride) who knew best, thus God told Abraham to listen to his wife.

And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. ~ Genesis 21:12

Sara was the wife in submission, but Abraham needed to listen to her and follow her advice. This is how the marriage relationship works. Submission is not about being the doormat, it’s about honoring God by the love, loyalty, and support the wife gives to her husband. Sara supported Abraham’s obedience to follow God, but there came a time when she knew better than Abraham regarding God’s plan, and thus God said, hearken unto her voice.

When a man and a woman are united in holy matrimony, they become one in the eyes of the Lord, and women are not commanded to submit to their husbands so that the husband can rule over them as some suggest. Women are to submit to their husbands out of love and loyalty. In like manner, the husband has a grave responsibility before God to honor his wife, or else his prayers will be hindered. The man’s responsibility to treat his wife honorably is a serious thing with God.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. ~ Ephesians 5:22-23

Paul never teaches the concept that women are to submit to men in general. It is always the husband that the woman is to submit to. However, there is a context to which this topic needs to be properly understood. Paul never teaches that a wife should submit to the abuse or unfaithfulness of a husband, and neither does any other New Testament writer.

Biblical submission is not a misogynistic thing. Rather, its purpose is to beautify the power of the gospel as we will see moving forward. In the biblical context (context is the key), a wife’s submission to her husband is to model the church’s submission to Christ. For that to happen, the husband has to model Christ’s love for the church in how he treats his wife. If this element is missing, there is no biblical context for women to be in submission.

The responsibility of the husband/wife relationship modeling the union of Christ and the church, falls on the man. If the husband fails to love his wife as Christ loves the church, while insisting that his wife be in biblical submission, he becomes a hypocrite and an abuser of God’s truth for his own selfish reasons.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ~ Ephesians 5:24-32

Again, biblical submission is not about misogynistic behavior. It’s about the love of Christ that a man should have for his wife – a love that nourishes and cherishes his wife. Nowhere in scripture are women called to submit to sexual, physical, or verbal abuse. Yet, there are some within Christendom who promote such nonsense. If the truth of biblical submission were correctly understood by more men, we would have more men who become more Christlike from their marriage relationships.

In my next article on this topic we will examine Peter’s instructions for men and women in marriage, which is very similar to Paul’s instructions above.

Several years ago I wrote a very detailed article showing how the “god” portrayed in The Shack is a false god because William P. Young’s gospel was contrary to the truth of God continued in the scriptures. One fellow who embraced The Shack decided to write a post on his site in which he portrayed me as having a relationship with a book, rather than Jesus. He took an excerpt from my article and completely misrepresented my position and my entire article. I’m not sure he even read the article. Here is the excerpt he attempted to deconstruct:

In The Shack, Mack ( the main character) finds true relationship with God in contrast to those who have traditional Christian beliefs based on the Bible. This subtle message qualifies as a wind of doctrine as mentioned in Ephesians 4. There is an undertone within The Shack, that relationship with God is something independent of the written word of God, and nothing could be further from the truth. There is no sweeter, no more assuring, no more real and living relationship with God than knowing him through his Word, especially when the Word is mixed with a prayerful heart. Earnest and heartfelt time in the Word of God, is time spent with God. Relationship with “the god of The Shack” is not true relationship with the Living God, because it is relationship with someone other than the true God we fellowship with in the scriptures. It is through the knowledge of God revealed in his holy written word that we grow in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and as we grow in the Lord we embrace sound doctrine and good biblical theology which makes us spiritually healthy.

Now, I meant every word of that statement, and I hold to it firmly. The Holy Scriptures are the record of God’s faithful word (Titus 1:9). In the scriptures we have the record of God’s revelation of himself (his nature, character, and acts). In scripture, we find that Jesus is the fullness of the revelation of God. Both Jesus and the apostles appealed to the scriptures to prove that Jesus is the testimony of God.

This does not mean that God only speaks to us through the scriptures. God can speak to us in a variety of ways (directly, in visions, dreams, etc) about anything he wants to communicate to us. However, when God truly speaks to us, it is the God who is revealed in the scriptures, who is speaking. If we hear something that is contrary to scripture we are hearing the voice of another and not God. God’s words are always consistent with the truth he has revealed about himself in the scriptures.

People tend to get into the ditch on one side or the other. They either claim that God only speaks through the Bible, or hold the position that the scriptures are not the final authority for doctrine, reprove, correction and instructions in righteousness. Both positions are wrong.

The scriptures are the final authority and the God of scripture wants to be involved in our lives and have fellowship with us and speak to us.

___________________________________________


THE FALSE GOD OF THE SHACK

https://rootedandgroundedinchrist.com/2016/12/29/the-false-god-of-the-shack/


DOES GOD SPEAK ONLY THROUGH THE BIBLE?

https://rootedandgroundedinchrist.com/2023/01/18/does-god-speak-only-through-the-bible/

The following statement is from a post I read on twitter: He (God) does not speak to us in our dreams. He has given us his word to know him and that’s the only way to hear him speak. He doesn’t speak outside his word.

The same person also said the following in another tweet: Only in the scriptures do we have evidence that God spoke to people. He doesn’t speak outside his written word now.

While I commend this person’s effort to express loyalty to the written Word of God, the concept that God speaks in no other way than through the Bible is actually contrary to what the Bible itself reveals, both in practice and in revelation of God’s character.

God is not an impersonal God who is uninvolved in our daily lives, and there are times we need God’s specific direction for our lives which can’t be found simply by reading a scripture in the Bible. For example, the New Testament tells us about the wisdom that Joseph needed from God when he was contemplating ending his engagement with Mary. God spoke to Joseph through an angel in a dream.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ~Matthew 1:18-20

God’s directive wasn’t something Joseph could have read from any scriptural text. Instead, it was specific direction regarding Joseph and Mary’s life. Joseph needed insight and God revealed to him what he ought to do.

Later, God spoke to Joseph in another dream after the birth of Jesus because Herod wanted to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:12-13). God instructed Joseph concerning what he should do to protect the life of the child, Jesus. Joseph did not, and could not open the Old Testament scriptures for such direction.

There are times when we all need wisdom specific to our daily lives. The New Testament tells us, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ~ James 1:5

We see many accounts in the New Testament where God’s wisdom and counsel were given through personal directives. This is one of the truths that the Bible reveals about the character of God: For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. ~ Proverbs 2:6

Consider when Philip was sent by God to share the gospel with the eunuch who served under Candance the queen of the Ethiopians.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. ~Acts 8:26-25

Notice, first that an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, then the Spirit of God spoke to Philip. God did not speak to Philip to draw near to the chariot through a Bible passage. A personal directive was needed. There was no biblical text that Philip could have read that would have informed him that a man on a chariot was coming down the road reading the book of Isaiah. Philip needed God to show him this directly and throughout the entirety of scripture we learn that God does indeed speak direction to his people (and sometimes even to pagans) to give wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, and directives.

God spoke to Philip by his Holy Spirit and Philip obeyed. God knew the eunuch was reading from the prophet Isaiah and God knew his heart was ready to hear the gospel. Consequently, God spoke directly to Philip and led him to the eunuch to preach Jesus to him from the scriptures.

In Acts 9 we read about Ananias who was not an apostle or a prophet or even an evangelist as Philip was. The Bible says he was a disciple of Jesus, and Jesus spoke directly to him regarding Paul.

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. ~ Acts 9:10-18

There is no text in the scriptures that Ananias could have read that would have revealed to him that Saul of Tarsus had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus. In fact, Saul (who became the apostle Paul), was very educated and well versed in the Old Testament scriptures and with all his scriptural knowledge he had never encountered Jesus until his encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus.

Throughout his ministry, Paul repeatedly appealed to his salvation experience and his encounter with Jesus. Paul certainly didn’t think that God had stopped speaking directly to people, nor did he ever teach that someday God would no longer speak to future generations directly. Such ideas are simply unscriptural and contrary to the character of God as revealed in the scriptures.

The idea that God no longer speaks directly (giving counsel, wisdom, direction, etc.,) just isn’t true. God speaking directly to his people does not undermine the authority of scripture. Paul tells us that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and if profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

The scriptures never declare that scripture is the only way God speaks or communicates with us, because in scripture God spoke directly to people many times such as when He spoke to Peter in Acts 10.

God spoke to Peter in a vision to prepare him to preach the gospel to the gentiles. After Peter came out of the vision, God spoke to him again: While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. ~ Acts 10:19

Peter did not read the sacred scriptures to find out that 3 men were seeking for him. The Spirit of the Lord told Peter that three men were seeking him, and the Spirit of the Lord instructed him to Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. ~ v.20

The Spirit of the Lord not only spoke to Peter, but He also had sent three men whom Peter was to follow. These men had been sent from Cornelius, whom God had spoken to by an angel who appeared to him. Cornelius did not know who Peter was until he was instructed by the angel of God to send for Peter. Cornelius could not have opened the Old Testament texts and found any verse telling him that he needed to hear the gospel from Peter. He needed God’s direct intervention.

In Acts 22 Paul recounts how Jesus told him to leave Jerusalem quickly because the people there would not receive his testimony concerning Jesus. This was not something Paul got from the pages of the Old Testament. He got this directive from Jesus personally. It is also worth nothing that Paul was not given this directive because he was an apostle. The people in Jerusalem were Jews, and Paul never claimed to be an apostle to the Jews, but to the Gentiles instead.

In Acts 16:6, Paul and Silas were forbidden by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in Asia, but instead were led to Macedonia. How did Paul know that God was sending him and Silas to Macedonia? Did he get that directive from reading the Old Testament? No. He got it through God speaking to him through a vision.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. ~ Acts 16:9-10

The notion that God only speaks through the pages of the Bible is not a well thought out position because God will speak to the hearts of people in many ways. If God did not speak outside of the pages of the Bible, then what good would any of our testimonies be when we tell others how good God has been to us?

God speaking directly does not undermine the importance of the scriptures, but serves a different role altogether. God is a very personal God who wants to be involved in our lives and sometimes we need his specific input with regards to things pertaining to our lives and that specific input can’t necessarily be found in the Bible. Paul and Silas were headed to Asia, but God wanted them in Macedonia. They couldn’t have known this from reading the scriptures because it had to do with God’s specific direction for their ministry, and the readiness of the people to hear the Word of the Lord. Thus, God directed them personally. 

When we consider all that scripture reveals about God’s speaking to individuals we find that it is actually false doctrine to teach that God no longer speaks outside the pages of the Bible. All scripture is profitable for doctrine and all scripture supports that God speaks in many ways to people (directly, in the heart, visions, dreams, through others, etc.), but never outside of the clear teachings of scripture.