By Ye Zi
The following is a discussion among several brothers and sisters on the topic of whether there are any words spoken by God that are not in the Bible.
Brother Lvy:
All of us who believe in the Lord know the word of God is only in the Bible, and nowhere else, but now some people are calling this into question. They think that there is God’s word outside the Bible, but I have some different views on this matter. Nowadays, the New and Old Testaments have been completed and together they record all of God’s words, so I think it is absolutely impossible that there is God’s word outside the Bible. Even if other spiritual books we read are based on the Bible, they are not God’s words. Therefore, all of God’s words are in the Bible and nowhere else, and this absolutely cannot be wrong!
Pondering and Acting Cautiously:
To tell the truth, also being a believer in the Lord for many years, I think the question of “Whether God’s word is only in the Bible, and nowhere else,” should still be sought, because some time ago I heard a brother say God’s word wasn’t only in the Bible. I think his words must certainly be well-founded, since he has a pure understanding of the Bible, and he also has insightful thoughts. But, we didn’t continue to discuss the topic because in the course of our conversation he went to handle other things. Therefore, I think we can now have an exchange of ideas with brothers and sisters online in regard to this question.
Sister Hu:
In meetings, the pastors and elders explain this to us very clearly: “The word of God is only in the Bible, and nowhere else.” As long as we follow what they say, won’t it be enough to hold to the Bible in our belief in the Lord? Really, people spend too much time thinking about this question! How can people think there is God’s word outside the Bible. …
Earnestness:
This can’t be said! I’ve read the Bible for nearly all my life, but all these years I’ve spent studying the Bible, I cast doubt on the viewpoint most people hold on to: “The word of God is only in the Bible, and nowhere else.” All of us who understand the Bible know that in the course of its compilation, parts of the books of the prophets, such as some of God’s words Ezra the prophet conveyed, were not recorded in the Old Testament because of arguments and omissions among those compiling the Bible. This is a fact everyone knows. Although these omitted books of prophecy were not compiled in the Bible, they are also the words of God. That alone is enough to prove that this viewpoint “The word of God is only in the Bible, and nowhere else” is untenable.
Seeking:
I agree with this statement. Brothers and sisters, when you read scriptures, I don’t know whether you noticed the words in John 21:25: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” All of us know the Lord Jesus worked and preached on earth for three and a half years, and only the Four Gospels recorded the words of the Lord Jesus. But can we say the Lord, in three and a half years, only said those limited words recorded in the Four Gospels? The definite answer is no. John said: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” These words fully confirm this point. I add that the Lord Jesus lived on earth for thirty-three and a half years, but in the thirty years before He began to work, I’m sure that He said many words, but these words were not recorded in the Bible either.
Optimist:
Thank the Lord! Thinking about it carefully. I think this really is the case!
Yearning:
Great speech! I liked the post and sent a friend request.
Following With My Heart:
Thank God! I also want to express my opinion about it. A few days ago, I obtained a little light from my friend and now would like to share it with you. Regarding the viewpoint “The word of God is only in the Bible, and nowhere else,” I also think it is wrong. God is the truth, the way, the life, and He has the unending way of truth. If we come to the conclusion that the word of God is only in the Bible, and nowhere else, then wouldn’t we be denying that God has the unending way of truth?
The Lord Jesus once said, “I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:12-13). The Lord Jesus clearly says that He kept many things from people at that time because they would not have been able to bear them. So, from these words we know that the Lord Jesus actually had many more things He wished to say, but did not express them. Only when the Spirit of truth is come will He express more words. Thus, we can see that these words and the things to come in the future are certainly not recorded in the Bible. So how can we say there are none of God’s words outside the Bible? Moreover, we should know that the Spirit of truth refers to God Himself. So, the words said by the Lord Jesus, “However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” and “he will show you things to come” mean that when He comes back, He will utter the words to lead us to understand all the truth and will tell us all the things to come. In addition, many places in Revelation say: “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” From these words, we can also see that He will express words when He comes back, besides the limited words of God recorded in the Bible. And another place in Revelation even more says: “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). The book mentioned here was written within and sealed with seven seals, which shows that the contents of this book weren’t recorded in the Book of Revelation. That is to say, the book is extraneous to the Bible. Therefore, there can still be God’s words outside of the Bible, and they are what He will speak personally when He returns, and are what the Holy Spirit says to the churches.
Seeking:
Thank God! Hearing these words, I feel there is light in this understanding, and I also want to add a little bit about my own understanding. If we always delimit God’s words within the Bible and say that God’s words are only in the Bible and nowhere else, what will the consequences be? This makes me recall that the earliest Pharisees also delimited God’s words within the Old Testament, so that when the Lord Jesus came to do His work, they didn’t acknowledge or accept Him at all. As they waited for the arrival of the Messiah, they concluded that the Lord Jesus wasn’t the Messiah, and ultimately they were certainly incapable of welcoming the arrival of the Messiah. In the same way, if we delimit God’s word within the New and Old Testaments, then will we also not acknowledge Him when He comes to utter His words? And so, how can we welcome His return?
Pondering and Acting Cautiously:
Thank the Lord! This understanding makes a lot of sense. From this exchange of ideas today, I feel I’ve gained some benefit and that understanding this question is helpful for us to welcome the Lord’s return. In this way, we won’t delimit God’s work and words within the Bible like the Pharisees from those early times did. I don’t know if other brothers and sisters understand this?
Optimist, Yearning, Earnestness and Following With My Heart one by one sent smiley faces, and only Brother Lvy and Sister Hu suddenly quit the group.
