Oh yes, I do trust the written word recorded in the Bible. I do not trust the traditions of humanity as to how to interpret it. Just in this forum there are many debates about exactly what is meant by one specific passage or another, and you are involved in many such debates with many different people. How can you be certain that YOUR specific understanding is correct and everyone else is wrong, especially when so many claim guidance by the Holy Spirit?
How do we distinguish false Christ & false Prophets according to Our Lord?
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Oh yes, I do trust the written word recorded in the Bible. I do not trust the traditions of humanity as to how to interpret it. Just in this forum there are many debates about exactly what is meant by one specific passage or another, and you are involved in many such debates with many different people. How can you be certain that YOUR specific understanding is correct and everyone else is wrong, especially when so many claim guidance by the Holy Spirit?
You don’t need a PhD to understand His word! It’s written for the simple to understand.
U
Undergrace1
Guest
I believe we need the Holy Spirit to help us understand, he is the Spirit of truth, who Jesus said would guide the disciples into truth
Yes, the Spirit teaches us in all things. The word is written for the simple to understand. Ask Him to help you.
We are to listen to His words, not in man’s interpretation. Whenever I visit other congregations, I listen to see if what is spoken is actually the same as what I’m reading. We are called to be like the noble Bereans who searched the Scriptures.
“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
Acts 17:11 NKJV
The Spirit guides me too. But to answer your question as to how you know, it’s based on book, chapter, and verse, and not just in men’s traditions or preaching.
Then why are there so many understandings of what it says? Perhaps you are unaware that in the 1st century when a letter was sent it was carried by a person who had been specifically instructed in how to read it, where to place the emphasis, etc., as there was very little punctuation. Our modern translation add punctuation where the translators think it belongs, and making just minor changes can change the entire meaning of a passage. Some passages can have up to six different meanings depending on how one applies standard rules of Greek grammar. The original audience received the proper message because the reader knew what was meant, but today we no longer have that certainty. So how do you know if the passage you read is simple or simplistic?
How do you know though. You have learned, whether consciously or unconsciously, specific traditions as to how to interpret specific passages. Different pastors, Sunday school teachers and professors all teach different traditions, all from humanity, that is why there are so many denominations. It is hubris to claim that you know the one perfect version, especially since there are so many unanswerable questions from all different traditions, almost as if humans have over time perverted the original message. For instance, I could easily post 10 scriptural references which I find connected, and many NT seminary professors, those who teach the ministers who preach to you, have never connected but who also find my connections compelling, and making more sense than any explanations they have seen before. By the way, many, if not most, scholars see references to Parthia in Revelation, are you aware of these?
My point is if you don't chose to fall away, nothing on earth can make you. That was the original issue.
On the other hand, there a many many scriptures that warn us not to chose to fall away. Thus is can be your choice to do so. You are free to make those choices but it will never be against your will. Twice in Matthew, Jesus warns us that we will have troubles Matthew 23 “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. 10 Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, 12 and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the person who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10 - 21“Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. 22 And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Also see Mark's account in 13:13.
Importantly, Jesus is saying that a sign of a Christian who has fallen away is that they will betray one another and their love will grow cold.
The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 6:4-6, warns against falling away from the faith and those who do, cannot not be brought back to repentance because they are “crucifying the Son of God all over again.”
Whoever wrote 2nd Peter included the idea we must work to make our calling and election sure. Avoiding 150 yrs of convoluted twisting of this scripture, the simple fact is that the Gospel writers expects salvation will change your life. If it does not, you have reason to be concerned. Paul, in his defense before King Agrippa, described salvation this way, "but I declared to those in Damascus first, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance. Deeds of repentance are visible signs of salvation. Many preach "repentance is but human action" and thus cannot play any part in salvation..... Some are still serving that German priest.
Precious friend, problem is this leads to judging others as "saved or lost" which is not our
calling =
Only "God Knows the hearts of all men" (1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:10; Acts 1:24 ; 15:8-9 AV)
Thus, we cannot say that an athiest who "loves his neighbor/does good deeds" is saved, and
Neither can we overturn Paul's Biblical Example of "a saint who is a fornicator" is still Saved!
(1 Corinthians 5:1-5 cp 1 Corinthians 3:8-15 AV)
Not our calling, correct?
Distinguishing "false teachings"? = Know our Bibles Rightly Divided Very Well!, eh?
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And, precious friend(s), Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified
In The Lord Jesus Christ and In His Precious Word Of Truth, Rightly
Divided:
The Bible: The BIG Picture
Amen.
I don’t worry about things which I obviously can’t change. I’m reading in American English not in Aramaic, Greek, or 1st century Hebrew. God never called us to understand 1st century languages! I trust in the NKJV which may not be perfect but it’s better than other versions.
Ik there are subjects that are controversial, but in that sense we each have to do our best, as long as the core beliefs are intact. However, OSAS is considered heresy, just as is Jesus coming back to set up His kingdom on earth, and so is zero belief in baptism, and not taking communion every 1st day of the week (1st day being Sunday), etc.
We can judge by righteous judgment. If your spiritual brother/ sister is committing adultery, and you know about it, do you not understand that situation is sin? Or should you pretend nothing is happening, and excuse it? There are many verses pertaining to this. Are you not judging?
Something needs to be said so as to perhaps save this person from hell. They need to repent.
I agree!
But your last statement, German priest??
Many times this “Post reply” fails to work. (?)
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;"
Hebrews 3:12 NKJV
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV
An understandable stance, but it also means that by not bothering to learn some things that you are at the mercy of tradition which just might have chosen to bury some points. Answers are possible to find, and are capable of changing your understanding if you find the answers, but choosing not to look is your choice, as is deciding whether or not to partake of the Lord's Supper and on what day it is appropriate.'
That may be the problem right there. People are listening to seminarys and living in traditions of men, because they don’t know the Truth. They’re happy to be told what to do instead of being like the noble Bereans who tested them for accuracy. People like to follow instead of doing the reading for themselves to see if what was said is Truth.
What does ancient Iran have to do with any of this?
I never said I choose not to look. If it’s controversial, I look. Just like the core beliefs. Some obvious heresies, that I’ve already mentioned, don’t need to be looked up over and over again. Ik they are heretic based on Scripture, not traditions.
These and many other verses are proof enough about falling away.