July 13, 2022

Special Divine Guidance in Acts

by Tim Glover in Revelation of God0 Comments

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Jim Osman cites fourteen instances of supernatural divine guidance on page 238 of his book, God Doesn’t Whisper.  He adds two before Pentecost.  Here’s a book that covers a few examples of the work of Peter and Paul that covers thirty years and we have 14-15 examples of special divine directives that, according to some, happens on a daily basis.  Of course, fourteen is enough and are not intended to be an exhaustive list.  Osman points out that two pertain to Philips preaching near Gaza and two around Saul’s conversion on the Damascus road.  These examples include an angel who (1) rescued the apostles from prison and told them to preach, (2) directed Philip to go to the Gaza road, (3) instructed Cornelius through a vision to send for Peter, and (4) ordered Peter to follow him out of prison.  The Spirit also (1) directed Philip to the Ethiopian in Acts 8, and (2) instructed Peter to visit Cornelius.  In addition, the Spirit (3) sent Paul and Barnabas out on their first preaching tour, (4) and forbad Paul to preach in Asia.

Furthermore, Jesus (1) instructed Ananias to visit Saul in a vision, (2) told Paul to continue preaching in Corinth, and told him in a vision to get out of Jerusalem.  Paul was also directed to go preach in Macedonia through a vision.  Seven are examples from the life of Paul, two from Peter, and one given to the apostles.  Two come from Philip in one event, while Cornelius and Ananias each had one but were connected to the apostles, Peter and Paul.  Osman points out that only one of the fourteen examples isn’t directly related to the spread of the gospel (the angel’s directive for Peter to follow him out of prison).  Even that one was a directive to an apostle who was directly involved in the spread of the gospel.

However, Osman argues that none of these examples compare to the special guidance of daily decisions that is promoted by a number of preachers, today.  He writes, “There is no mention of nudging, promptings, signs, or an inner sense of the voice of God. The only ones that could be shoehorned into the Hearing the Voice of God construct are the four instances where divine guidance is attributed to the Holy Spirit” (241). He adds, “Even then, there is no mention of a still small voice, internal peace, or a confirmation.  God didn’t direct them through words of Scripture wrenched from their context and give subjective, personalized meanings.”  In addition, the examples that he cites never indicate that any character was seeking direction at the time they received it. They were not trying to listen for His voice or remove any distractions to perceive divine direction.  No one was taught how to hear the voice of God.  None of them fit the model that the proponents of this view teach.

About

I have been a fervent student of the Bible all of my life
Experience: Preacher for 30 years and father of three sons
Education: Florida College and Missouri State University

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