Can the Church Survive Without God's Word?

Can the church survive without God's word?

  • Yes.

    Votes: 17 43.6%
  • No.

    Votes: 22 56.4%

  • Total voters
    39

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Absolutely don't deny it. The Words of The Redeemer (aka Christ to others) are Life.

However, the words of humans are foolishness, at best. One set of words are literal, and living - the others are dead as doorknobs.



Let's get the entire context of 1 Thesselinians 2:13

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13​


This is Paul trying to get the layperson to understand and accept the authority given to the disciples directly from the Word of God. The Redeemer gave His disciples the authority to be chiefs of the gospel - if anyone should be "bishop" or "pope", it would be the first 12 disciples. They were the firstfruits of the Word of God Himself. This is the context of Paul's statements. He is telling them that they should take the words of the God-designated leaders sent around the known world to spread the word of God. Paul isn't telling us to trust people who call themselves authority, and takes it upon themselves to teach laity. Paul spends a great amount of time telling us to test all spirits we encounter - all spirits.

I actually thought for a moment that you did not regard these verses in what they said. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 is one sliver of truth and is making a case for the Bible being the Word of God. It is but one link in the chain. The same is true of Jesus's words. For why would Jesus quote Scripture if it was not the words of God?
 
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Who was speaking in Timothy 3:16 - The Word of God HIMSELF, or Paul? Is Paul a man, or a god? Think critically; you are as sovereign as Paul is, and as able to be an instrument of the Most High God as he was. You diminish yourself by extolling these men, when they would be the first to tell you NOT to laud them, but to acclaim the Word of God Himself, and to test everything against Him.

Follow up: Are we to believe any man who says he comes in the name of the Most High God, or are we supposed to know them by their fruits, and test each spirit?

And, you would know the Redeemer is the Living Word - I did before I read John. In fact, I knew it when I read the Psalms. The Hebrews knew the Redeemer, and knew what He is. Plenty of people "know Him" before they encounter the Institution that tells them they need a man to confirm their relationship with their Father.

The New Contract guarantees that the Most High God will put His Laws and Statutes on our hearts - literally - so much so that we won't have to go to our neighbor to know the Word of God Himself. Do you believe the Most High God can put His Laws and Statutes on our heart so much so that we won't need any human or texts to know Him?

I am still not closer to whether you believe 2 Timothy 3:16 is true or not. This is really not an explanation behind what the verse actually says at face value. ALL Scripture. Not some Scripture. It says ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God. If Rick was inspired to write a song, who wrote the song? Rick. Think.
 
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Kaon

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I am still not closer to whether you believe 2 Timothy 3:16 or not. This is really not an explanation behind what the verse actually says at face value. ALL Scripture. Not some Scripture. It says ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God. If Rick was inspired to write a song, who wrote the song? Rick. Think.


Who said all scripture is inspired by God? Man, or the Word of God Himself?

Think.


The Word of God is King, and Who we should compare law and notions against - not men. We do not get our foundation from man's words.
 
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Kaon

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I actually thought for a moment that you did not regard these verses in what they said. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 is one sliver of truth and is making a case for the Bible being the Word of God. It is but one link in the chain. The same is true of Jesus's words. For why would Jesus quote Scripture if it was not the words of God?

Did the Word of God quote all scripture we hear and see?

Indeed, there are a myriad of things He said that has not been included in canonical text. What of that?

As I keep saying, the New Contract guarantees that we don't have to look to text, or neighbor to know the Statutes and Laws of the Most High God - because He has literally been put on our heart and mind. What the disciples did as firstfruits was nearly immeasurable; what the Redeemer did is immeasurable. Yet, those human disciples were human; they and their words are to be compared against the Word of God Himself - not taken because of their status.
 
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Who said all scripture is inspired by God? Man, or the Word of God Himself?

Think.


The Word of God is King, and Who we should compare law and notions against - not men. We do not get our foundation from man's words.

You are speaking very vaguely. I really do not understand what you are trying to say here.

Are you saying the following?

(a) I believe 2 Timothy 3:16 are the words of men and they cannot be trusted words; So it is not true that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. This verse is a lie and is not true.
(b) I believe 2 Timothy 3:16 is spoken from the perspective of the Living Word. (Mystery, Mystery, Mystery). How does this prove your point? How does it explain what 2 Timothy 3:16 says plainly?
 
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Philip_B

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I am. It's the only thing I talk about. I may sometimes paraphrase a truth taught in Scripture (using many verses that you don't know about), but that does not undo that truth. Have you never argued over something in Scripture that was not clear to somebody else?
That suggests some sort of gnosticism requiring special knowledge as against a relationship, and the bit in brackets seems presumptive or arrogant. The Greek used words like Logos, Lexe, Sophos, Graphos. I honestly believe that blurring this kind of distinction into some sort of furry english and then declaring an 'absolute truth' on the basis of that is both confusing, misleading and dangerous.

In John 1:1 it says 'In the beginning was the word' (logos) ' and the word was with God and the word was God' and at verse 12 we are told 'the word' (logos) 'became flesh and tabernacled in our midst'.

This does not mean that the Bible took on flesh in the person of Jesus. It is referring more precisely to the echoing word of God from Genesis 1 that rang forth in the darkness and called creation into being.

The Holy Scriptures are created, they are not the creator. There are many authors in Holy Scripture and their humanity plays a part in the text we receive. The word Bible is actually from the greek Biblios meaning books or library.

I can only hope I have clearly misunderstood your meaning.
 
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That suggests some sort of gnosticism requiring special knowledge as against a relationship, and the bit in brackets seems presumptive or arrogant. The Greek used words like Logos, Lexe, Sophos, Graphos. I honestly believe that blurring this kind of distinction into some sort of furry english and then declaring an 'absolute truth' on the basis of that is both confusing, misleading and dangerous.

Tell that Jesus when He spoke His parables.
Jesus also did not tell everyone openly that He was God, either.

I am also not denying that a person can have a relationship with Jesus, as well.
That is a misconnect that the Sola Scriptura position or making the Bible my word of authority alone is a lack of believing that we should not build our relationship with Christ. In fact, one cannot do that properly without God's Word (that Bible). There are many commands in the NT given to us to follow.

You said:
In John 1:1 it says 'In the beginning was the word' (logos) ' and the word was with God and the word was God' and at verse 12 we are told 'the word' (logos) 'became flesh and tabernacled in our midst'.

This does not mean that the Bible took on flesh in the person of Jesus. It is referring more precisely to the echoing word of God from Genesis 1 that rang forth in the darkness and called creation into being.

The Holy Scriptures are created, they are not the creator. There are many authors in Holy Scripture and their humanity plays a part in the text we receive. The word Bible is actually from the greek Biblios meaning books or library.

I can only hope I have clearly misunderstood your meaning.

So are words that you speak the essence of who you are? No. But the words do come from you. They convey your thoughts and your mind. They are an expression of your mind. The same is true with the Bible. God is spirit, but that does not mean He is lobotomized and that He has no mind. God speaks words to convey His mind to us in what He desires us to do. God's mind is a part of who God is. Sure, it is not the entirety of who God is, but is an expression of God's mind and thoughts. The Bible is exactly that.
 
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Kaon

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You are speaking very vaguely. I really do not understand what you are trying to say here.

Are you saying the following?

(a) I believe 2 Timothy 3:16 are the words of men and they cannot be trusted words; So it is not true that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. This verse is a lie and is not true.
(b) I believe 2 Timothy 3:16 is spoken from the perspective of the Living Word. (Mystery, Mystery, Mystery). How does this prove your point?

It seems vague because I am not speaking in duality, like an (a) and (b) bounded choice. I am being Socratic, really, but let me stop playing around with rhetorical questions and leading language:


Paul is a man; he is the one who said all scripture is inspired by the Word of God. While this may be contextually true, it isn't an axiom of the Spirit - and I say that because of conviction, experience, and the fact the Word of God Himself has never actually said this. The Word of God Himself is the axiom of the spirit, and no worldly thing can compare. The fact that the Most High God has promised to give us This Word of God Himself on our hearts and minds as a contractual merit is amazing in and of itself. Do you believe you need other men to substantiate your relationship with the Most High God? Or, is The Word of God Himself enough?

Whatever the Word of God says is the Truth; everything is calibrated to that. While I understand what Paul is saying, he messed up by believing his audience would have the wherewithal to understand his contextual position - especially as a Hebrew. This is only one of several times Paul by consequence of his words splits the Church down the middle: the most famous version of his division is Romans 13, perhaps on par with the idea that we no longer have to follow the commandments of the Most High God.

The Hebrews all knew of the Christ - or, they should have - since He was prophesied by many prophets before His advent as Son of Man. So, you can save yourself the years of spiritual drama and confusion by simply following only the Word of God Himself. He is not found in texts, or in buildings.
 
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It seems vague because I am not speaking in duality, like an (a) and (b) bounded choice. I am being Socratic, really, but let me stop playing around with rhetorical questions and leading language:


Paul is a man; he is the one who said all scripture is inspired by the Word of God. While this may be contextually true, it isn't an axiom of the Spirit - and I say that because of conviction, experience, and the fact the Word of God Himself has never actually said this. The Word of God Himself is the axiom of the spirit, and no worldly thing can compare. The fact that the Most High God has promised to give us This Word of God Himself on our hearts and minds as a contractual merit is amazing in and of itself. Do you believe you need other men to substantiate your relationship with the Most High God? Or, is The Word of God Himself enough?

Whatever the Word of God says is the Truth; everything is calibrated to that. While I understand what Paul is saying, he messed up by believing his audience would have the wherewithal to understand his contextual position - especially as a Hebrew. This is only one of several times Paul by consequence of his words splits the Church down the middle: the most famous version of his division is Romans 13, perhaps on par with the idea that we no longer have to follow the commandments of the Most High God.

The Hebrews all knew of the Christ - or, they should have - since He was prophesied by many prophets before His advent as Son of Man. So, you can save yourself the years of spiritual drama and confusion by simply following only the Word of God Himself. He is not found in texts, or in buildings.

No. Peter regarded Paul's writings as Scripture.

"Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. " (2 Peter 3:15-16).

Paul also said,

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 14:37).

2 Timothy 3:16 says ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD.

Side Note:

Okay, so from my understanding you believe that Paul's words are not Scripture and they are not words from God. Is that correct? Yes? or No?
 
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John's Gospel is sufficient alone for saving faith in Jesus Christ.

What is purpose of John's book or gospel?

John 20:30-31 says,
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

Did you catch that? It essentially says these things (Within the book of John) are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that we might have life (eternal life) through his name. In other words, a person can receive eternal life or salvation in Jesus Christ by reading the book of John. This is the "Written of God." In other words, this shows that the "Written Word of God" alone is sufficient to bring us to saving faith in God.
 
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Christ quotes Scripture as an authority:

In all Jesus' teachings He referred to the divine authority of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18; Matthew 8:17;Matthew 12:40-42; Luke 4:18-21; Luke 10:25-28; Luke 15:29-31; Luke 17:32; Luke 24:25-45; John 5:39-47). He quoted the Old Testament 78 times, the Pentateuch alone 26 times. He quoted from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah, and Malachi. He referred to the Old Testament as “The Scriptures,” “the word of God,” and “the wisdom of God.” Jesus defeated the devil by using Scripture. For three words, "It is written" was said 3 times by Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. This is confirmed by Ephesians 6 with how the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God which is a part of putting on the amor of God so that one can stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, 16). For the Living Word (Jesus) is like a two edged sword that divides asunder the soul and the spirit because He always speaks the words of God because He is God (Hebrews 4:12).
 
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"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (2 John 1:9).

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments." (2 John 1:6).

Paul said,

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 14:37).
 
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Kaon

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No. Peter regarded Paul's words as Scripture.

"Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. " (2 Peter 3:15-16).

Where does it say here that the scripture is holy? This is like the case of the "Law of Moses": Moses did not give that Law, and he had no authority to give it as if it came from himself. Indeed, the Word of God Himself gave Moses the authority to preach the Word of God Himself - directly.

Christ handpicked Peter - which is different than Peter offering his word of approval. Peter has no authority except that given to Him by the Word of God Himself - which is what the implication of "...according to the wisdom given unto him" means. As soon as any of these men contradict the Word of God Himself, they become wrong at best.

Paul also said,

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 14:37).

And? Paul is a human; at the least this is telling people to test his spirit, and determine for ourselves whether or not he is actually preaching the Word of God. Just because you are an apostle or disciple means you are perpetually correct: remember Peter denied the Word of God Himself three times. Sanctification doesn't happen overnight; often it is your ministry that sanctifies you - which implies you have things to learn, and things to work on. Judge the entire tree, not just the leaves.

Your authority is still the Word of God Himself - which has been placed on your mind and heart in the faithful relationship between the Father.


2 Timothy 3:16 says ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD.

Side Note:

Okay, so from my understanding you believe that Paul's words are not Scripture and they are not words from God. Is that correct? Yes? or No?

Who wrote Timothy: man or The Word of God Himself?

I don't believe Paul contradicts the Word of God at all - I believe he has been thoroughly misunderstood, and because of his vague messages his texts have been exploited for the purposes of misinformation of the spirit.

But, none of that matters, this is my main point: no one needs a text, church edifice, or another man to vindicate, substantiate and justify their relationship with the Most High God. If one believes the Most High God will put His Statutes on our hearts and minds, and pour out His spirit on/for us - and that one works with all of his/her mind, heart and strength to please, love and obey the Most High God - then that person is better off than the pope of the world.

It comes down to what you believe: do you believe a collection of texts put together by other men are the word of god, or is the Word of God a Living Entity that is unbounded by the pen and paper, and will literally communicate to anyone who is His brother/sister? It is about how much of what the Most High God said Himself one believes - before we even begin to talk about whether other humans have authority or justification.[/QUOTE]
 
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Kaon

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Christ quotes Scripture as an authority:

In all Jesus' teachings He referred to the divine authority of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-18; Matthew 8:17;Matthew 12:40-42; Luke 4:18-21; Luke 10:25-28; Luke 15:29-31; Luke 17:32; Luke 24:25-45; John 5:39-47). He quoted the Old Testament 78 times, the Pentateuch alone 26 times. He quoted from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Amos, Jonah, Micah, and Malachi. He referred to the Old Testament as “The Scriptures,” “the word of God,” and “the wisdom of God.” Jesus defeated the devil by using Scripture. For three words, "It is written" was said 3 times by Jesus inMatthew 4:1-11. This is confirmed by Ephesians 6 with how the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God which is a part of putting on the amor of God so that one can stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, 16). For the Living Word (Jesus) is like a two edged sword that divides asunder the soul and the spirit because He always speaks the words of God because He is God (Hebrews 4:12).

The stuff He quoted is Him quoting Himself: these are the Words He told His People/Prophets when the [Spirit of] "The Lord" literally spoke to them (a different time for a different people). He is repeating what He is - the Word of God; He wasn't assigning authority to written words. He was almost screaming,

HEY EVERYONE DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I Am here! Remember when [insert prophet here] said [insert prophecy given by the Word of God here]?! Don't you all know who I am? I have been told of thoroughly by your fathers. Are you all awake?
No one realized this was the embodiment of the Word of God (Himself) - despite Him literally quoting Himself.

He is, and has always been The Authority.
 
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Where does it say here that the scripture is holy? This is like the case of the "Law of Moses": Moses did not give that Law, and he had no authority to give it as if it came from himself. Indeed, the Word of God Himself gave Moses the authority to preach the Word of God Himself - directly.

Christ handpicked Peter - which is different than Peter offering his word of approval. Peter has no authority except that given to Him by the Word of God Himself - which is what the implication of "...according to the wisdom given unto him" means. As soon as any of these men contradict the Word of God Himself, they become wrong at best.



And? Paul is a human; at the least this is telling people to test his spirit, and determine for ourselves whether or not he is actually preaching the Word of God. Just because you are an apostle or disciple means you are perpetually correct: remember Peter denied the Word of God Himself three times. Sanctification doesn't happen overnight; often it is your ministry that sanctifies you - which implies you have things to learn, and things to work on. Judge the entire tree, not just the leaves.

Your authority is still the Word of God Himself - which has been placed on your mind and heart in the faithful relationship between the Father.




Who wrote Timothy: man or The Word of God Himself?

I don't believe Paul contradicts the Word of God at all - I believe he has been thoroughly misunderstood, and because of his vague messages his texts have been exploited for the purposes of misinformation of the spirit.

But, none of that matters, this is my main point: no one needs a text, church edifice, or another man to vindicate, substantiate and justify their relationship with the Most High God. If one believes the Most High God will put His Statutes on our hearts and minds, and pour out His spirit on/for us - and that one works with all of his/her mind, heart and strength to please, love and obey the Most High God - then that person is better off than the pope of the world.

It comes down to what you believe: do you believe a collection of texts put together by other men are the word of god, or is the Word of God a Living Entity that is unbounded by the pen and paper, and will literally communicate to anyone who is His brother/sister? It is about how much of what the Most High God said Himself one believes - before we even begin to talk about whether other humans have authority or justification.

Now you are just playing with words. You are saying that Paul's Scripture is not the same as Holy Scripture, but Peter compares Paul's Scripture with other Scripture. God is the ultimate author of the written works of Timothy because Peter refers to Paul's writings as Scripture; And all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Even Paul said that what he writes should be regarded as the Lord's commandments. You don't like that. I am sorry. You are merely arguing against the truth.

Also, lets say that certain portions of Scripture are not the actual Word of God (Even though this is not true). Does my elevating of the instructions of godly men as being the very words of God will lead me in a wrong direction? If I am following their godly instructions, and I hold to their words as God's words, my life would be for the better. The problem in your denying that all the writings of Paul and others are not the Word of God is that you can then ignore their godly instruction. You will not take it as seriously. It is also a problem because it is a lack of not believing God's Word, as well. For faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
 
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The stuff He quoted is Him quoting Himself: these are the Words He told His People/Prophets when the [Spirit of] "The Lord" literally spoke to them (a different time for a different people). He is repeating what He is - the Word of God; He wasn't assigning authority to written words. He was almost screaming,

HEY EVERYONE DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I Am here! Remember when [insert prophet here] said [insert prophecy given by the Word of God here]?! Don't you all know who I am? I have been told of thoroughly by your fathers. Are you all awake?
No one realized this was the embodiment of the Word of God (Himself) - despite Him literally quoting Himself.

He is, and has always been The Authority.

2 Peter 1:21 says,

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21).​

Jesus quoted the words of the prophets from Scripture, and these words were spoken by these men of God by the Holy Ghost (Who is God). So Jesus spoke the words of God when He quoted Scripture.

John the Baptist was considered the greatest of the OT prophets, but the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is.

For Jesus said,

"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matthew 11:11).​

The "least" would be that person who is a servant to others under the teachings of the New Covenant. This would obviously include Paul, and the other apostles.
 
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Gregory95

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All you have to do is look around the world to see my friend

Remember Paul said when he was gone wolves would enter to if possible derail the elect to false doctrine of men
Some in my other thread have begun to argue that the Bible is not strictly necessary. They said that if all the Bibles in the world were destroyed, the church would still survive. Could the church survive without God's word?

I think this question gets to the heart of the relationship between God's word and God's church. Catholics and EOs are wont to say: "Jesus didn't just leave us a Bible, he left us a church." They also want to say that the Bible and the church have an equal authority and even that the church wrote the Bible! In the Catholic and EO view, it sometimes seems to be the case that it's really the church that is most important, and the Bible is just a book that the church wrote.

But what would the church be without the word of God? Isn't it the word of God that creates and continually recreates the church? Isn't it the word of God that sustains the church? Isn't it the word of God that sanctifies the church and teaches the church?

Without the word of God, the church might still function in some traditional sense. It might go on to ordain bishops, sprinkle babies, lift up crackers to heaven and break them, etc. It might even have an unbroken line of ordination succession that can be traced back to the apostles! But without the word of God, the ministry of the church would not be able to help or save anybody. The church would become a dead institution that is utterly indistinguishable from the world.

Isn't this what happened to Israel in the time of Hosea? Though they were circumcised and had maintained certain Jewish traditions, they had become "Lo-Ammi" - not my people. Without God's word, we are not his people and he is not our God.
 
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Also, Jesus says that the Scriptures testify of Him. At that time He said that, it would have been the OT Scriptures. The same would be true of even the NT Scriptures. The NT Scriptures also testify of Jesus Christ.
 
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All you have to do is look around the world to see my friend

Remember Paul said when he was gone wolves would enter to if possible derail the elect to false doctrine of men

The topic of this thread is about the Bible alone (at it's heart). If I am to understand your reply here it sounds like you are saying that following the Bible alone is a false doctrine of men. Is that true?
Do you really believe the church would survive if all traces of the Bible was gone?
This would include any person not even recalling any bible verses.
There would be no preaching of the gospel.
Thus no salvation.
Granted, this is not going to happen, but the point here is that people think that a person can build their faith without the Bible. Such a thing is impossible. For we derive our faith from the Bible.
 
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The stuff He quoted is Him quoting Himself: these are the Words He told His People/Prophets when the [Spirit of] "The Lord" literally spoke to them (a different time for a different people). He is repeating what He is - the Word of God; He wasn't assigning authority to written words. He was almost screaming,

HEY EVERYONE DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I Am here! Remember when [insert prophet here] said [insert prophecy given by the Word of God here]?! Don't you all know who I am? I have been told of thoroughly by your fathers. Are you all awake?
No one realized this was the embodiment of the Word of God (Himself) - despite Him literally quoting Himself.

He is, and has always been The Authority.

How would they also know that He was there if it was not for the Scriptures?
There are hundreds of Messianic prophecies in the OT Scriptures.
The problem I have here is some folks seem to be attacking God's Word or the Bible as not being authoritative from God.

How would you even know about Jesus if it was not for the New Testament Scriptures?
 
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