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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 | 149216 | ||
Part 2 of 3 So, if there were two hundred members in that congregation, Paul expects that there would be one Gospel and that they would practice one Gospel! If we multiply that by a zillion? God Commands that there be one Gospel and that they practice one Gospel--to do differently would be to render Christ's Command null and void: "be one as I and the Father are One!" " in the end, our Holy Bible has to be the final authority concerning our questions of God, Christ and His Church." This statement sound extremely progressive... yet, the Apostles did not have that view... that view is essentially a modern view of God, Faith, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit... Here's what Paul says about the "final argument:" if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) Paul is not telling the various congregations to take out the Scrolls and formulate the various discourses and decrees as they agree on some topics, ignore others, and still hold others as inapplicable... No! Paul tells them that the Living Church of God is the pillar and foundation of the truth! Why is Paul stating this? Because Jesus did not leave a manual for the Church but left the other Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, in charge of the Church... as the Holy Spirit revealed further information, the Church began to take shape... as you can recall, there was no Bible in existence when Jesus walked the earth as the Lamb of God... and even the existing Scrolls were not the final word till Jesus fulfilled the prophecies that referred to the Messiah... He came not to abolish but to fulfill and part of His revelation is that the Holy Spirit comes to the Believers (the Body of Christ) and it is His job to bring the fullness of truth. If we remove the Holy Spirit from the Church we simply have a social event where everyone and anyone can be as opinionated as their whim allows--some dictating conflicting doctrines. Can you imagine a course on North American History when the indigenous people and all of the various imports (nationalities) are removed? It would be as palatable as a grilled cheese sandwich without the cheese! That is what our liberal and pluralistic individualism has done to the Church as each group dissects Scripture and create their version of Christianity! |
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