The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Preaching, Teaching and Reading the Word.

I. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable;[1] yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation.[2] Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church;[3] and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing;[4]which makes the Holy Scripture to be most necessary;[5] those former ways of God's revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.[6]

II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testament, which are these: Of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. Of the New Testament: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians I, Corinthians II, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians I , Thessalonians II , To Timothy I , To Timothy II, To Titus, To Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, The Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second, and third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation of John.All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life.[7]

IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depends not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.[9]

V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture.[10] And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it does abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.[11]

VI. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.[12] Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word:[13] and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.[14]

VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all:[15] yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.[16]

VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical;[17] so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them.[18] But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them,[19] therefore they are to be translated in to the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come,[20] that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner;[21] and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope.[22]

IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.[23]

X. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.[24]

I. All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed time, effectually to call,[1]by His Word and Spirit,[2] out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ;[3] enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God,[4] taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh;[5] renewing their wills, and, by His almighty power, determining them to that which is good,[6] and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ:[7] yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.[8]

II. This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man,[9] who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit,[10] he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.[11]

I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]

II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein;[5] and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,[6] trembling at the threatenings,[7] and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.[8] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[9]



My question is

Is the Preaching, Teaching, and or Reading of scripture the only way to allow the Holy Spirit to work in the sinners heart? single choice
	Yes
	No
Votes accepted starting: Tue Aug 31, 2004 1:00 AM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

We're tied, would anyone like to comment?

I was in a class and I had made the comment that the only way spread the gospel message was through the preaching, teaching or reading of the word. There was an objection from a lady down the table from me and I didn't have a chance to get with her at the end of the class. So I have been wondering about this.

Dave.

I voted, "No" and would very much like to hear from those who voted, "Yes" who evidently believe that there are other ways the Holy Spirit works to bring one to salvation. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Many years ago, I too was in a class where some held that the Holy Spirit "speaks" to people other than in conjunction with the Word. In your question, you made the object very specific, i.e., "the sinner's heart". Dr. R. Fowler White would also vote, "No" according to his article: Does God Speak Today Apart From the Bible?.

In His Grace,

What about through living a proper example?


God bless,

william

I'm sorry, but I'm a little confused.

From what I know, I am in the belief that it is only by the word that allows the Holy Spirit to work in the sinners heart.

This is what I was trying to affirm by my question.

Is the Preaching, Teaching, and or Reading of scripture the only way to allow the Holy Spirit to work in the sinners heart?

So the preaching/teaching = verbally communicating the word or by reading the word is the only way to allow the Holy Spirit to work in the sinners heart.

I believe that our silent witness is important, but unless the sinner knows the gospel they won't ever come to a saving faith.

I voted yes clearly one of us has misunderstood the question,I was voting for scripture alone as it were.Which I believe you were also but voted no. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/comfort.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, the words "saving faith" were not in the question. Perhaps I should vote for "a bit confusing"?


God bless,

william

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> Yes, it would appear that there has been a misunderstanding on someone's part and perhaps more have also misunderstood the question. From what Dave originally wrote and that which he subsequently wrote, I am still under the impression that he is asking about the matter of salvation; i.e., the means of the Gospel whereby a sinner's heart is moved. Can this happen apart from the written Word of God; i.e., can/does the Holy Spirit "work in the sinner's heart" without/not in conjunction with the written Word? Thus, my answer was, "No".

How did you understand the question? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Question is preaching,teaching and reading scripture the only way the Holy Spirit works in a sinners heart answer must be yes.imho <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

What about individuals that are blind, deaf, and dumb? Did the miracles of Christ ever have an effect on the salvation of individuals?

I actually forget which I selected now with all the debate over "yes" and "no." But I will say the Word is God's ordained way of accomplishing the salvation of sinners ("yes").

Looing at the poll again, it appears Pilgrim should have voted "yes", since that would answer in the affirmative that the Word of God is the way the Holy Spirit brings sinners to salvation.

I like what my pastor has said about this: We cannot share the Gospel without the Word, but once we share the Word, our lives will display the Gospel.

Technically, those Jesus healed were saved through the preaching/teaching of the Word... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Plain and Simple, the question does not say "unto salvation".


God bless,

william

But Puritan was asking the question in context of the WCF text on salvation, right?

Are miracles, etc. actually a part of the preaching and teaching of God's Word then?