2 Thessalonians 2:15 is the banner flag verse for the Roman Catholic (RCC) and Orthodox churches to support their view on holding to church tradition. Of the occurences of the word "traditions" only 3 are used in reference to God's people. The 10 other occurences of the word "traditions" is used in a negative sense. Also, Jesus followers and Paul were making sacred Scripture that would end with John's vision that he had written down. For if we are to add to the words of the prophecy of John's book (Which is the end of the Bible), then we would be at risk of adding plagues to ourselves that would be contained within the Bible itself (Revelation 22:18-19).
John is speaking not of the Bible itself, but of this particular book. He also says, it his Gospel that all the books in the world could not contain what Jesus did while on this earth. Secondly, we don't add words to anything. Our Traditions, though, are found in writings such as the Didache. Thirdly, answer this question: When was the canon of Scripture determined, and by whom? *Hint-the table of contents of the Bible is part of Sacred Tradition.
Remember, Paul says if any man speaks contrary to the words of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of Godliness, he is proud and knows nothing (1 Timothy 6:3-4).
Yes, name a doctrine that is contrary to the words of Jesus, when taken in proper context...
Paul also says that what he had written should be regarded as the Commandments from the LORD (1 Corinthians 14:37). The books written by Paul clearly show that they are just as divine as the rest of the book in the Bible. They breath in perfect harmony with the whole Bible.
What Bible was there when Paul wrote his letters? (This is not to suggest that his writings aren't in harmony, but I know lots of people who think Paul's writings shouldn't be considered Scripture.
Also, the spoken word was always confirmed by the written Word.
And so it is. No Tradition is contradictory to anything in the Written Word of God.
For the Bereans were more noble because they searched the Scriptures to see whether those things be so or not (Acts 17:11). So it always comes back to the written Word of God. No other holy book besides the Bible stands the test like the Bible. A person may make the claim that their additional holy writings are divine, but they cannot be verified as being true in the same way as the Bible. Evidences of all kind supports the Bible. But this is not the case for any other holy book or writings. In fact, the Mormons have their extra book. Jehovah's Witnesses have their extra writings. The Muslims have their extra written words. Does that mean everyone is correct?
No, only those inspired and protected from teaching error by the Holy Spirit.
Anyways, may God bless you all.
And may His love shine upon you.
For I do not wish ill will upon anyone but I am wishing nothing but good things to you all in Christ Jesus.
Peace be unto you.
Note: This thread was started as a reply to a certain post from another CF writer in another thread.
Yes, this actually proves my case and not yours. You believe you need the church or men in order to understand God's Word. You believe you need those extra writings. God's Word is sufficient all on it's own. But again, the Bible shows us that we do not ultimately need man for God to teach us. How so? The Bible says,
We agree that God's word is sufficient on it's own. What we disagree on is what constitutes God's Word.
"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him" (1 John 2:27).
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John was writing as a bishop to his congregation. The purpose of the letter is to combat certain false ideas, especially about Jesus, and to deepen the spiritual and social awareness of the Christian community (
1 Jn 3:17). Some former members (
1 Jn 2:19) of the community refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ (
1 Jn 2:22) and denied that he was a true man (
1 Jn 4:2). The specific heresy described in this letter cannot be identified exactly, but it is a form of docetism or gnosticism; the former doctrine denied the humanity of Christ to insure that his divinity was untainted, and the latter viewed the appearance of Christ as a mere stepping-stone to higher knowledge of God. These theological errors are rejected by an appeal to the reality and continuity of the apostolic witness to Jesus. The author affirms that authentic Christian love, ethics, and faith take place only within the historical revelation and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The fullness of Christian life as fellowship with the Father must be based on true belief and result in charitable living; knowledge of God and love for one another are inseparable, and error in one area inevitably affects the other. Although the author recognizes that Christian doctrine presents intangible mysteries of faith about Christ, he insists that the concrete Christian life brings to light the deeper realities of the gospel.
In 1 John 2: 27, John is speaking to his followers whom he has catechized, and he knows what he's taught them, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.