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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | EdB | 148727 | ||
How do we justify denominations in light of John 17:20-23 (NKJV) 20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Which in effect is calling for unity and says the world will know Jesus is authentic by the unity it sees in the believers. Then we move to 1 Corinthians 1:13 (NKJV) 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 12:25 (NKJV) 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. |
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2 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Aspiring Overseer | 148784 | ||
Ed, Consider these verses and the underlying concepts with respect to denominations: 1 Cor 14:30-33 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. NAS God is a logical being, not a promoter of confusion (v. 33). 2 Peter 1:20-21 20But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. NAS Scripture is not a mater of one's own interpretation. It is what it is! We must read and understand scripture literally without regard to our current social norms. It must make sense and have but one meaning! Gal 1:11-12 11For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. NAS Paul was taught directly by Christ and Christians are to follow Paul as he followed Christ. Did Paul support any denomination, either Catholic or Protestant? Paul specifically rebuked Christians who sought to form denominations as noted in 1 Cor 1:13. John 12:44-13:1 44And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me does not believe in Me, but in Him who sent Me. 45"And he who beholds Me beholds the One who sent Me. 46"I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness. 47"And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48"He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment, what to say, and what to speak. 50"And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." NAS Jesus spoke only what God the Father gave Him. Paul instructed only as Christ instructed him. There was no difference of opinion between God the Father and Jesus, as there was no difference of opinion between Jesus and Paul. Phil 1:27-28 27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28in no way alarmed by your opponents-- which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. NAS Paul instructed the Christians of that age; Christians who in some cases had actually seen Jesus, that they should be of the same mind. Where does Paul, or any Old or New Testament writer authorize the choice of choosing the denomination of your choice? Did God later authorize this practice? Jesus said that a kingdom divided against itself is laid waste. He also prayed for unity for His disciples. Paul also instructed Christians at great length not to be divided in spiritual matters: 1 Cor 1:10 10Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. NAS We must conclude that denominations did not originate from God. Let’s continue to ask God for the truth; reasoning with one another; and God will be faithful. AO |
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3 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Morant61 | 148788 | ||
Greetings AO! May I address your use of 2 Peter 1:20-21? There seems to be a lot of confusion about what this verse means. Allow me to quote a prior post of mine on this passage: ************************************** I have noted several times over the last few weeks that this verse is very much misunderstood. Many seem to be understanding this verse to be saying that a person cannot interpret Scripture. However, this is not what the verse is saying at all. It is simply saying that Scripture itself did not come into existence through some private individual's act of will. Rather, Scripture came into existence as a result of someone being moved by the Holy Spirit. The Greek of 1 Peter 1:20 literally says, "knowing this first that each prophecy of Scripture of one's own interpretation did not come into being." So, this verse is not speaking of an individual's ability to interpret Scripture, but of the source of Scripture itself. ************************************* Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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4 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Aspiring Overseer | 148899 | ||
Hi Tim, I understand your opinion that this refers to the validity of the original penned words. My comment, however, remains that these words are not subject to interpretation by Christians. As all Christians have the gift of the HS, their teaching of Scripture is prophetic and of one accord, just as Peter’s. There can not be differing viewpoints, as the Holy Spirit's purpose is not to cause confusion or division, but to clarify and strengthen. Thus 2 Pe 1:20 merely states the obvious that his teaching of Scripture, like any mature Christian's, is not a matter of his opinion, but from God (thus, pay attention!). Obviously, non-Christians are free to interpret as they like and consequently we have a great number of differing opinions (i.e. denominations). AO |
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5 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | Hank | 148904 | ||
AO, the teaching of Scripture is not opinion, as you rightly say. It is, rather, fact; or perhaps it is more accurate to say that it is objective truth, God's truth. Yet in order to understand the truth being presented in Scripture, it becomes necessary to interpret the meaning from the written words, and it is of course highly desirable that we interpret the meaning correctly. Every believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation, and it is the duty of all those born of the Spirit to be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit, who sanctifies, instructs, and empowers them for service. But not all believers at all times yield themselves to the control and instruction of the Holy Spirit. We all of us give in to our sin nature from time to time and desire to do things on our own, our way, in various areas of our lives, even in our study and interpretation of Scripture. Would that we all -- and I'm speaking of regenerate believers -- would go to God in prayer every time before we approach His precious word, the Bible, praying for guidance by His Spirit in our study and understanding of Scripture. I believe that this obedient and humble surrender of our will to His and our understanding to His would do more than anything else to lead us from the confusion that divides to the truth that unites. Some of the Scripture passages on which some of these remarks have been based are as follows: Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:20,27. --Hank | ||||||