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NASB | Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, |
Subject: Titus 3:5 and washing of regeneration |
Bible Note: Dalcent; You probably are much more educated than I am. However I will attempt to individually answer your questions, and give my personal view or understanding concerning them. "What is your theory as to why Protestantism is so fragmented?" 1) Splitting hairs over doctrine brings division. Especially over non-essentials to salvation. We even see division in 1 Cor. I do however believe that correct doctrine, especially on the essentials is of utmost important. We need to beware of false teachers. (2 Pet. 2:1; Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:28-30) 2) Men following the teaching of other faliable men while failing to trust the Holy Spirit's guidance in Scripture. etc. etc. "who is the head of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12)?" Christ is the head of the church: (Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18) "Look how Calvinists and Arminianists tear into each other doctrines. Why do, say half of, these Christians not possess the correct biblical interpretation, viz. they don't get led into Truth. Perhaps the theory you espouse contains some truth but isn't quite the full picture." When we follow faliable men we are bound to come away with faliable men's interpretation. We need to compare what men say in light of what Scripture says. When Scripture proves men in error we should side with Scripture "When you study scripture how much of your comprehension is coloured by your pastor's fallible preaching." I know you will be amazed at my answer here, but I would personally have to say that while I have learned much though the teaching of godly men, at no time do I ever consider any of the Pastor's or teachers as being infaliable. I have yet to find the perfect teacher, Pastor, etc. None of us agree all the time. We do however agree that Scripture alone is the final authority, not any church, denomination, teacher, or Pastor, or leader. Being human we are all faliable. I have found that we do have agreement on the essentials of our faith. "Why do evangelicals always offer convolted explanations as to why Catholics are wrong to interpret the Bible literally" I don't have an answer for the majority on this. I will provide a personal answer on this as I see the Catholic church. I am not even sure what I am about to say is totally accurate. 1) I have been to Catholic weddings where the priest has told couples getting married, that since they were baptized as infants they can be assured of eternal life. Many times the couples whom I knew very well personally, never displayed any interest in spiritual things in their entire life. I cannot accept the fact of guarantee of eternal life based upon the decision parents to have their infants baptized. I have seen the same thing mentioned by catholic Priests at the funerals of drunks and others who never in their adulthood desire to step foot in the door of a church, or desire to read God's word. 2) Catholic friends of mine tell me their Priest tells them they shouldn't read the Bible, because they will not be able to understand it. And so they don't read the Bible for theirselves. 3) I see an over-emphasis on praying to Mary. I have yet to find where Scripture tells us we are to pray to Mary. 4) Five of my neighbors are Catholic. One told me that they are now taking two separate offerings weekly. The first offering is their regualr weekly offering. The second offering is taken to pay for lawyers of priests within the organization who have committed sexual abuse with young boys. I personally believe that those who committ such crimes should be sent to jail, and removed from priesthood. "Where the Bible says "So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves." They deny both sides of the sentence: claiming obviously Jesus is being metaphorical about his blood being true/real flesh and then assert he doesn't mean you will have no life in you either. And, we are called unscriptural!" I am not an expert on that subject. So I will not at this time comment on it. "Why is the Bride of Christ getting the small " It has always been small. Jesus calls it the "little flock" elesewhere Scripture refers to it as the "remnant" and in Matthew 7:13-14 we see that narrow is the way and FEW there be which find it. It's not the many but rather the few. The many travel on the broad way that leads to destruction "Scriptures does teach the Church is the pillar and bullwark of truth, not the Bible." Scripture also teaches that God's word is true. And that all Scripture is God breathed. '...the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.' Amen New Creature |