Hi Ronnie: question for you and no super need of urgency in your response: In your opinion, can a lost person become saved through any means other than by HEARING the SPOKEN word of God? (caps because cant italicize on a smart phone). If that statement is true, it would mean a lost person is unable to be reached for salvation by reading a post on the Internet, listening to a song, reading a Christian book, or even by reading the Bible. Could get saved listening to a sermon on YouTube, however. If untrue, back up your reply with proof from scripture. thx.
______________________ ANSWER
Ronnie Wolfe
Well,
that has always been a difficult thing to debate or discuss. I have
very close friends who believe that the Gospel must be heard with the
ears.
But I have a small problem with that, since a mission to get the word to the deaf would be useless. Then, if you say that sign language is a kind of hearing, you have admitted that hearing does not mean hearing only with the ears.
I am persuaded, then, that a person's hearing the Gospel has to do with hearing it in the mind and heart, not with the ears. Of course, I have no scriptures for that (therein is the rub).
However, I do see that God heard the voice of Cain's blood from the ground, which was not literally hearing a sound.
Also, in Luke 16:31 we read of "hearing Moses," which could mean literal hearing, but it cannot literally mean "hearing Moses."
Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice." They do not literally hear Jesus' voice, although you might argue that they heard "about" Jesus, which is not the same, thus it cannot be completely literal.
Jesus also says in John 18:37, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." They are not literally hearing Jesus' voice.
Again, see Revelation 3:20.
The only other thing I can give as an argument for "my case" is Galatians 3:2, 5 concerning the "hearing of faith." I know that an argument can be made that this is "hearing about faith," but it seems to me that Paul is speaking of the "perception" of faith, although he does use the word hearing.
I believe that I have witnessed personally the receiving of faith in Christ by those who cannot hear with the ear; therefore, I must believe that they can be saved without literally "hearing" the Gospel but must hear the Gospel in their hearts.
I do, however, believe that it is necessary for the Gospel to be preached (whether by voice or by sign language, or some other way I cannot comprehend) in order for a person to be saved.
Thanks for stimulating my little brain today. God bless.
But I have a small problem with that, since a mission to get the word to the deaf would be useless. Then, if you say that sign language is a kind of hearing, you have admitted that hearing does not mean hearing only with the ears.
I am persuaded, then, that a person's hearing the Gospel has to do with hearing it in the mind and heart, not with the ears. Of course, I have no scriptures for that (therein is the rub).
However, I do see that God heard the voice of Cain's blood from the ground, which was not literally hearing a sound.
Also, in Luke 16:31 we read of "hearing Moses," which could mean literal hearing, but it cannot literally mean "hearing Moses."
Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep hear my voice." They do not literally hear Jesus' voice, although you might argue that they heard "about" Jesus, which is not the same, thus it cannot be completely literal.
Jesus also says in John 18:37, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." They are not literally hearing Jesus' voice.
Again, see Revelation 3:20.
The only other thing I can give as an argument for "my case" is Galatians 3:2, 5 concerning the "hearing of faith." I know that an argument can be made that this is "hearing about faith," but it seems to me that Paul is speaking of the "perception" of faith, although he does use the word hearing.
I believe that I have witnessed personally the receiving of faith in Christ by those who cannot hear with the ear; therefore, I must believe that they can be saved without literally "hearing" the Gospel but must hear the Gospel in their hearts.
I do, however, believe that it is necessary for the Gospel to be preached (whether by voice or by sign language, or some other way I cannot comprehend) in order for a person to be saved.
Thanks for stimulating my little brain today. God bless.
