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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 | Wild Olive Shoot | 149168 | ||
Continued from previous post. The goal I am trying to reach is this: Though our outlook differs somewhat from person to person, it is only because the Scripture in which we read is applied to our lives differently. Our circumstances our not the same, our physical conditions are not the same, our maturity in Christ is not the same and our application of God’s word in our lives is not the same. All of these play a vital role in the Spirit revealing to us what He deems necessary at the time. But our Lord has still established a common ground for us to anchor in. If we pull from that, though our answers seem different, we still remained unified in Him, the essential source of those answers. Hebrews 6 lays the elementary teachings of Christ. The author of Hebrews tells us that we need to move on to more mature teachings. Hebrews 6: 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so. In our maturity process, Paul points out in Ephesians that we need to hold on to the fundamental beliefs as we grow in Christ. Ephesians 4: 4There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope when you were called– 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But as we mature, our application of God’s word may differ in our lives. That’s okay. That’s to be expected. But we should be promoting that in unity and with the understanding, that although we differ slightly in the application of God’s word, we still pull those applications from the common source of Jesus Christ and what God has revealed to us in His word. The answers we search our in the Bible. Are all of the answers there? No, I don’t think so. I know God hasn’t revealed to us when His Son will be returning. But what the Bible is to me is God’s complete revelation to us. God, in His infinite wisdom, has given us all we need to know. All the answers that we need to live a life to accomplish His work in us, has been revealed in His word to us, all of them. Now I’m not saying that there isn’t other material available to help us, but in the end, our Holy Bible has to be the final authority concerning our questions of God, Christ and His Church. I trust that God knows what is needed and I realize that, who am I to question God and claim that He still owes me answers. In my finite worldly wisdom, I have done that and I have been wrong. God owes me nothing. He owes us nothing. He has graciously given us what we need to live our lives in a manner pleasing to Him. And we owe it to Him to do that. He has also informed us that all questions will be answered in the end. But we have to get there first. Faith is the key: Hebrews 11 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. So as long as our outlook and answers are rooted in the basic principals of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity, can they be wrong? Not if we let the Spirit guide us on our search for those answers. We know our Bible does not answer all questions, but on a subject to which the Word is silent, we must rely on our consciences, our hearts, the Spirit of God to guide us. We risk much by turning to worldly wisdom to find our answers. Now like I said, there is plenty of material out there to help us along the path, but scripture forewarns us of the dangers of it as well, so let us choose our material wisely, with a godly wisdom. Just my thoughts. WOS |
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2 | denominations. | Eph 4:3 | JCrichton | 149215 | ||
"How are we to make that “every effort” to keep the peace without surrendering basic beliefs?" Hi, WOS! (Part 1 of 3) I think that the problem is not what we have in common... rather, as you stated above, the problem with Christianity is what we hold as individual (personal) belief or "application." We witness to all that there is One God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit--that is fantastic! But then we come to the real of schisms... a place where even the members of one single "local" church can argue and agree or disagree till the pressure is built up beyond patience and then someone has to move on on erect another "local" church... I offer you that the problems are deep-rooted and are from old... Did the early Church exist without divisions/problems? Definitely not! We have much evidence that even amongst the Apostles and their immediate circle there were differences in thought... How did they correct the errors/problems, did they agreed to disagree and swept it all under the floor (not sure if they were fortunate to have rugs)? Negative! They dealt with the situation right then and there! Did the various trains of thought bring about sectarianism/subdivisions? God forbid! Here's how Paul describes his function in the Church: For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17) Here, we find Paul not dictating but directing the Church... there is no room for 200 opinions about what the various people consider should be or should not be... it is a matter of Faith in Practice!: I follow Jesus, I teach the Church everywhere one Gospel, and I practice one Gospel! |
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