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NASB | John 7:17 "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 7:17 "If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know whether the teaching is of God or whether I speak on My own accord and by My own authority. |
Bible Question:
John 16:13 tells us the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. We know it is true because GOD'S word says it. If we then have differing interpretations of GOD'S word, and assuming we are to rely on the Holy Spirit for the guidance, why would the Holy Spirit teach people totally different things on the same Scrpiture? Romans 14:5 also tells us, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind". Romans 2:15 says God's laws are written on our hearts. If further says in Matthew, Mark, and Luke that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand. With these scriptures in mind, can it be assumed the reason for the division among Christians is the fact that some are not being guided by the Holy Spirit - Spirit of Truth? I mean the really major issues like: Can you loose your salvation, Baptism being required for salvation, etc. I am a new Christian and amazed at the lack of unity regarding the interpretation of scripture. Any thoughts that can help? Please try to keep it simple, I have no formal education in any of this like it sounds that some of you have. Thanks Sam |
Bible Answer: Hi Sam, This is a subject that grieves me to no end, that one such as you, and such as we all were, a new believer, so quickly comes to learn that our new faith is populated by a diverse and divided group of people. Diverse would be great on its own, Jesus brings us together. But divided, that is something God does not want. I believe that to be a Christian means that one is guided by the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. I believe that there is only one truth which God will teach. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. I do not believe that there are individual, and conflicting "truths". If two of us say that Scripture teaches two different and exclusive things, one of us must be wrong. So the big question is: Why? Why do so many teach such different teachings? Sometimes people are unlearned. Act 18 25 He (Apollos) had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. Apollos was giving it all he had, but he needed some additional teaching. Some are immature. Hebrews 5 (12) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, (13) for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. (14) But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Some are deceivers and false teachers. 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. This is the most troubling to me, because it can be difficult for the new Christian to spot those who intend to deceive. But the powers of darkness want to keep each of us from knowing the truth. So what do we do when we disagree? Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 Timothy 2 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Our goal here on this forum is to learn from each other about the meaning of the Scripture. We meet in agreement whenever possible. When we disagree, we strive to remain humble, and teachable. We share such knowledge as the Lord has given us. When we cannot reach agreement, we set it aside, and do not quarrel (I am speaking of the ideal) knowing that the Holy Spirit will teach us the right way. We study zealously, seeking to gain as much first-hand knowledge of the Bible as we possibly can. But always remember (I preach to myself first), the proof of life in Christ is not always having correct doctrine, although that will be an ever-increasing result. The proof of our life in Christ is in this: 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. I hope this helps you. Check everything for yourself against the Scriptures. Set your heart to serve the Lord, and He will guide you in the direction you should go. Love in Christ, Mark |