Our text does not say “God is speaking,” or “God continues to speak,” or “God will speak,” but “God hath spoken.” Of course, as far as you and I are individually concerned, as we read and study his word, we are still hearing his message. But the point is that that message was completely delivered unto the world nearly two thousand years ago. No additions have been made to it since then and no addition will ever be made to it. God hath spoken. His message is complete. It is, therefore, final. Those who claim a later revelation are making a false claim. Those who are waiting for a future revelation are waiting in vain. This very simple clause with just three words in it indicates that God’s message to us through Christ is complete. God hath spoken. This being true, we need not expect another revelation.
This truth is further emphasized by other statements in the Bible. For instance, in 2 Timothy, chapter 3, and beginning with verse 16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Or, as one version says, “that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” So the word God hath spoken is complete. It’s all we need. It furnishes the man of God completely unto every good work. Therefore, we need not expect any further revelation.
Notice the word “scripture.” The word “scripture” means that which has been written. The word that God hath spoken has been put in written form. We no longer receive it from the lips of the apostles, or from the lips of those who first proclaimed it unto the world. After God had spoken through them, they put his word in writing and it has been passed down to us through the ages that have followed. By the providence of God it has been translated into our own mother tongue so that we may read it and study it for ourselves. Our testimony then is not an oral one, but a written one.
In the 20th chapter of John, verses 30 and 31, we read, “And many other signs, truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written, that ye might believe.” Notice that word “written.” The source of our faith has been put in written form. This fact refutes the claim that God is speaking directly to people today. He hath spoken. His word has already been delivered.
During my recent meetings in Georgia and North Carolina, I heard two men say that God had spoken to them audibly. One man said he was passing through a pine thicket one day and God spoke to him. I asked him what God said to him. He replied, “God told me I needed a saviour.” Well, God had already told him that, two thousand years ago. We have that revealed in the Bible. I have never talked to a man who could tell me what God had said to him unless he got it from the Bible. When a man thinks he hears God speak today, if anyone honestly thinks such a thing, he is simply recalling something that he has read in the Bible, or learned from somebody else who read it in the Bible. God’s message was completely delivered nearly two thousand years ago. Thus it is seen that every word of our topic is important. The Almighty God hath already spoken unto us.
IV
Study the Bible
Now I want to draw a few conclusions from this great fact. In view of the fact that God has spoken, let us consider how we ought to study his word. Just think—it’s a message from God, a message from Heaven! It applies to you, personally and individually, just as much as it would if he were to speak to you this morning in audible tones and address you by name. Suppose, for example, he should call you by name and say, “Now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Why, I believe you would hasten to do it. But friends, he has already said it. In Acts 22:16, we find those very words and they are written to you.
Notice again this sentence, “God hath spoken unto us.” His words are addressed to us and they apply to you and me. Every word in the will of Christ, the new testament or covenant, applies to us, and we ought to regard it as a personal message from God Almighty unto us. Surely that thought ought to inspire us to read the Bible every day. I don’t believe anyone who has any regard for his own welfare and any respect for Jehovah, can meditate upon the fact that God hath spoken without being moved to study God’s word more diligently. God hath revealed to us his word. Therefore, we ought to read it and study it.
V
God’s Word Is Final
Furthermore, friends, we ought to regard it as final and complete and as the standard of truth, the standard by which all of our religious questions are to be decided. This conclusion is fundamental and very important. It needs to be emphasized. If you talk to the people of this world and see how many different human standards they are relying upon, you can see the importance of settling all religious questions by the divine standard, the word that God hath spoken through Christ.