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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 | 149219 | ||
Part 3 of 3 Not to engage in argumentation... heard the expression of throwing out the baby with the bath water?... this is our dilemma today! Some one somewhere decided that "Tradition" was a four letter word... and out if went! Everyone modernized their local church by rejection history and suspending the Holy Spirit for nearly fifteen hundred years... is this in teaching with the Apostles? Did any of them taught a separation from the Old Testament because if was null and void by the New Covenant? Did Jesus? Here's what Paul says: So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. (2 Thessalonians 2:15) Clearly Paul does not teach about a Church that exists in a vacuum! He is careful to instruct and to remind the Church that what the Apostles (which includes their direct delegates) teach through writing, (Epistles) or through oral presentation is directed by the Holy Spirit--so traditions (teachings) is never a four letter word for Paul! Sadly, when man decided to divest himself from the cumbersome "traditions" of the Church he, unintentionally, embraced all teachings--just as long as Scripture is sited… and like a stubborn child he refuses to admit that the Holy Spirit has never ceased working in the Church that Christ built! So schism, like the old shampoo commercial (I think it was shampoo... I told two friends, and they told two friends, and they told two friends...) took hold of the Church... and the "traditions of the Apostles" were disregarded in favor of the exponential traditions created by a still dividing body of men! As Jesus said: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." (Matthew 12:25) The Church still stands only but for the Grace of God! God Bless! Angel |
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