As a Christian I do not follow the entire Bible. Only Jesus.

[Albion]

Paul, for example, wrote down his own personal experience with God. They put it into words and terms that they knew, and related to it according to what they knew beforehand. For example, Isaiah seemed to see something sort of like a spaceship, but he had to describe it in his own words ("wheels within weels" and so forth). People would talk about the "corners of the earth" because they apparently believed it was flat.

No, God's word is what God says. But even if we write that down, that doesn't mean it's what God would like to say to you. For example, one of God's words are "go up against the medianites" - but that's not what God is telling YOU, is it?

The bible isn't God's word. In some places, it has written down conversations between God and man, and so forth.

I'm trying to let you lead on here, but now it sounds to me as though all you are saying is that "God's Word" shouldn't mean, exclusively, God speaking. But no one uses the term to mean that; it means that all of this was revealed to man through men he chose to inspire to record it. It's "God's Word" in the sense that he gave it and therefore it is authoritative.

Not the term, but what goes with it. Because the term allows for abuse, just like the term "Vicar of Christ" allows for abuse.

All right, I understood you correctly there, although I have to say that I find no particular problem whether we say "God's Word" or "Word of God," since anything represented as coming from God and having his authority can be misused in the way you are apprehensive about.

The only revelation of God is what he has chosen to reveal to you, be it via the bible or via Larry Norman or whatever. The bible itself isn't a revelation of anything. It's a book. We can't see anything of God unless he reveals it to us.

I'd say that the contents of that book are revelation, although we must understand the meaning of that revelation. There's nothing wrong, verbally, with putting it that way, even if it might be said that unless it is "revealing" it doesn't constitute revelation.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Am I wrong to follow Jesus this way? Should I follow the entire bible? Should I follow religious authorities? From what I remember, old laws before Jesus said that a woman should be stoned to death for committing adultery, and Jesus said "no, do not stone her to death, thou amongst you who is without sin my cast the first stone". So old mosaic laws of stoning women to death and Jesus' law contradict eachother. Things like that is why I decided to follow only Jesus, and not the entire bible.

Am I wrong about this?

Hi. I would say that JESUS is the BIBLE.

http://www.christianforums.com/t4724863-john-8-and-jesus-writing-in-the-dirt.html

Daniel 5:24 "Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written. 25 " And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 "This [is] the interpretation of [each] word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 "TEKEL:You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 "PERES/06537 p@rac: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the 04076 Maday ["Mid Land"] and 06540 Parac ["Pure"]."

John 8:6 and this they said, trying Him, that they might have to accuse him. And Jesus, having stooped down, with the finger He was Writing on the Ground, 7 and when they continued asking Him, having bent himself back, He said unto them, `The sinless of you--let him first cast the Stone at Her;' 8 and again having stooped down, He was Writing on the Ground,

Reve 16:21 and hail/calazhV <5464>, great as talent weight is descending out of the heaven upon the men, and blaspheme/eblasfhmhsan <987> the men, the God, out of the stripes of the hail, that great is the stripes of her, tremendous.

 

[sunlover1]

but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.http://www.christianforums.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=5586388#_ftn1
http://www.christianforums.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=5586388#_ftnref1

Poppycock. God speaks through the Bible and in a myriad of other ways.

Amen.
If my father writes me a letter or if he phones me
and speaks in person, I get the same message, just
different modes of communication.

The parable of the Sower is all about the Word of God
being sown. Jesus said if you can't understand this
parable, how will you understand the others..


I haven't read this thread, but I sure hope people
arent trying to argue that the Word of God (Bible)
is unimportant or unneeded)

If so, just consider how much blood was shed over
the Bible, or why the Bible is banned from schools
or from the workplace, etc.
persecution ariseth for the word’s sake,

The enemy comes 'because' of the Word.
...where the word is sown;
but when they have heard,
Satan cometh immediately,
and taketh away the word..



Read the Word
Study the Word
Meditate on the Word
Speak the Word,
Hid the Word in your heart
Do the Word
Schedule your lives around the Word.

It's living and active and powerful.

Speaking the Word of God into a situation actually
effects change. I watch it all the time.
Doing the Word.. same thing.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven,
and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud,
that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 

[hebrew33]

Hi. I would say that JESUS is the BIBLE.

Which Bible version is Jesus? Which bled?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Which Bible version is Jesus? Which bled?

Which one do you read?
Which bled??????? The Lamb-kin did!!!!

(Young) Revelation 5:9 and They sing a NEW/kainhn <2537> Song, saying, `Worthy art thou to take the scroll, and to open the seals of it, because Thou wast Slaughtered, and didst purchase/redeem/hgorasaV <59> Us to God in Thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

(Young) Exodus 12:21 And Mosheh calleth for all the elders of Yisra'el, and saith unto them, `Draw out and take for yourselves [from] the flock, for your families, and Slaughter the pecach/Passover-sacrifice;...... 23 `And YHWH hath passed on to smite the Egyptians, and hath seen the blood on the lintel, and on the two side-posts, and YHWH hath passed over the opening, and doth not permit the destruction to come into your houses to smite.

 

[goatfan]

I do not follow everything that is written in the Bible. I consider myself Christian. I only do something is Jesus said to do it.

My own "personal religion" is very small compared to most other forms of Christianity. I don't have any beliefs of what heaven or hell is like, what god "looks like" (if he does "look like" something), or stuff like that.

My entire religion is just a large set of laws. A large set of "do's" and "do not's". If Jesus said do it, do it. If Jesus said do not do it, do not do it.

However, I know the Bible does not contain everything Jesus ever said. And of course, there are some problems in life that Jesus did not tell us how to solve (Like what do we do if someone has a gun and is about to shoot us?). Still, I look to the Bible to learn anything about Jesus and his teachings that I possibly can. Everything else is up to my own personal morality to try and figure out.

for example, Jesus was never asked the question "What do you do if a man is about to kill you?". Jesus probably would have said, "It is ok to kill a man only if it is a last resort to stop him from killing you. That is the basic form of self defense. You have a right to defend yourself".

But, alas, Jesus was never asked that question (thankfully so). So really, that is up to interpretation, in my religion anyway, for me to figure out if it is OK or NOT OK to kill in Self Defense as a last resort becuase Jesus never directly said so therefore "you should never, ever, kill someone" is not a clear-cut law in my religion.

However, on the other hand, Jesus was asked the question "What do you do if someone is beating you up" and Jesus said "Turn the other cheek". So I do follow his teachings on that.


From what I can see, Jesus is pretty much perfect in his teachings. Jesus never told any of his followers to kill (unlike Muhammad, the muslim prophet, I have read a lot of the holy book of Islam and Muhammad told people to kill non-believers for no reason).



Am I wrong to follow Jesus this way? Should I follow the entire bible? Should I follow religious authorities? From what I remember, old laws before Jesus said that a woman should be stoned to death for committing adultery, and Jesus said "no, do not stone her to death, thou amongst you who is without sin my cast the first stone". So old mosaic laws of stoning women to death and Jesus' law contradict eachother. Things like that is why I decided to follow only Jesus, and not the entire bible.

Am I wrong about this?

"From what I remember, old laws before Jesus said that a woman should be stoned to death for committing adultery, and Jesus said "no, do not stone her to death, thou amongst you who is without sin my cast the first stone". So old mosaic laws of stoning women to death and Jesus' law contradict eachother"

Correct. They do contradict each other. But if you were to actually follow the rules of that old "Religious authority" the Lord wouldn't have said "No,do not stone her." See what I mean.

Look at the New Testament. It's other people's rules and ideas really,to some at least. While some may say that the new testament and some teachings aren't God breathed,they actually are. The Bible is the Word of God. Nowhere does it state that only the old testament is the Word of God. The Bible,as a whole,is the Word of God. Because if it weren't would things that weren't the word of God be in His book? Would He allow other people's ideas and rules go into His book? He is the author of it all. He gave Paul and James and everyone else the wisdom to write what they wrote.He told them what to say in one way or another. It is His book. His laws. All of it.
</IMG>

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Correct. They do contradict each other. But if you were to actually follow the rules of that old "Religious authority" the Lord wouldn't have said "No,do not stone her." See what I mean.

And who were those in Jesus's time? I view that "hail" in Revelation as a type of OC "Stoning" of which only the Hebrew Israelites were commanded to do. Thoughts?

http://users.aristotle.net/~bhuie/lazarus.htm

JOHN 5:45 "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you -- Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"

Reve 16:21 and hail/calazhV <5464>, great as talent weight is descending out of the heaven upon the men, and blaspheme/eblasfhmhsan <987> the men, the God, out of the stripes of the hail, that great is the stripes of her, tremendous.

 

[holo]

I'm trying to let you lead on here, but now it sounds to me as though all you are saying is that "God's Word" shouldn't mean, exclusively, God speaking. But no one uses the term to mean that; it means that all of this was revealed to man through men he chose to inspire to record it. It's "God's Word" in the sense that he gave it and therefore it is authoritative.

Yes, that's how people use it and also abuse it. For example, women have been trampled upon because "God's word" says they must be submissive.

 

[EraseTheHate]

Seems like you would want to follow the whole Bible

 

[holyrokker]

Correct. They do contradict each other. But if you were to actually follow the rules of that old "Religious authority" the Lord wouldn't have said "No,do not stone her." See what I mean.

Actually, by following the Old Testament law, they would have been prohibitted from stoning her. The law said that if someone committed adultery, both the man and the woman were to be brought to trial. It also said that there needed to be at least 2 proper witnesses. If it was determined (by trial) that indeed the man and woman committed adultery, they were both to be stoned.
The problems with this particular case were that 1) the man wasn't brought 2) there weren't 2 witnesses 3) there wasn't a trial. So according to the law, the woman should not have been stoned.

 

[Albion]

Yes, that's how people use it and also abuse it. For example, women have been trampled upon because "God's word" says they must be submissive.

I guess that, for me, it's still God's Word, even if people misuse it. If I am not to attribute it to God, as the source, merely because some people are stupid or evil, I would be prohibited from affirming what the Bible is.

That's too much of a correction. There's so much politically correct newspeak in our lives already that I don't want to apply that to the Bible, too. Next, it will be "the reputedly supernaturally-oriented transcript" lest anyone be offended to hear that God gave us his revelation.

 

[clayforHim648]

Well it looks like you've got a variety of answers but I'll add my two cents.

I gotta say, a lot of the things you said in the post a little disturbing. I could really go on forever...but I'll just stick with the idea of following only the teachings of Christ.

The immediate dilemma is simply that the whole counsel of God (Jesus) is the entire bible. The entire Old and New Testament is just that...a testament of Christ. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God." The Word being referred to here is Christ. Christ was with God the Father at Creation. And Christ is consistently quoting the Old Testament Scripture when speaking in the New Testament.

The words of Christ are precious indeed...but the Holy Bible is His as well...and useful for all life and living. God be praised for His Word!!! Sharper than a two-edged sword.

 

[fwiwwl]

Well it looks like you've got a variety of answers but I'll add my two cents.

I gotta say, a lot of the things you said in the post a little disturbing. I could really go on forever...but I'll just stick with the idea of following only the teachings of Christ.

The immediate dilemma is simply that the whole counsel of God (Jesus) is the entire bible. The entire Old and New Testament is just that...a testament of Christ. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God." The Word being referred to here is Christ. Christ was with God the Father at Creation. And Christ is consistently quoting the Old Testament Scripture when speaking in the New Testament.

The words of Christ are precious indeed...but the Holy Bible is His as well...and useful for all life and living. God be praised for His Word!!! Sharper than a two-edged sword.

You said sharper than a two edge sword. Do you believe this verse is referring to the Bible or Jesus??

Thanks

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

You said sharper than a two edge sword. Do you believe this verse is referring to the Bible or Jesus??

Thanks

"2 edged sword/1 edge sword":

Luke 21:24 and they shall fall to a mouth/stomati <4750> of a-sword/macairaV <3162>, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

Reve 2:12 `And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos/write thee!: Now this is saying, the One having the sword/romfaian <4501>, the two-mouthed/distomon <1366> , the sharp.

 

[fwiwwl]

"2 edged sword/1 edge sword":

Luke 21:24 and they shall fall to a mouth/stomati <4750> of a-sword/macairaV <3162>, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

Reve 2:12 `And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos/write thee!: Now this is saying, the One having the sword/romfaian <4501>, the two-mouthed/distomon <1366> , the sharp.

How about Heb 4:11,12? Jesus or the bible?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

How about Heb 4:11,12? Jesus or the bible?

The Bible is the Word.
Interesting, the same word for "knife" [used for sacrifices] in Hebrews is used in Luke.

Reve 2:12 `And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos/write thee!: Now this is saying, the One having the sword/romfaian <4501>, the two-mouthed/distomon <1366> , the sharp.

Hebrew 4:12 For, living, is the word of-the God, and, energetic, and more cutting than any knife/macairan <3162> with two mouths/distomon <1366> , and penetrating as far as a dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of joints also, and marrow, and able to judge the impulses and designs of the heart;

Luke 21:24and they shall fall to a mouth/stomati <4750> of a-knife/macairaV <3162>, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

 

[fwiwwl]

How about Heb 4:11,12? Jesus or the bible?

The Bible is the Word.
Interesting, the same word for "knife" [used for sacrifices] in Hebrews is used in Luke.

Reve 2:12 `And to the messenger of the assembly in Pergamos/write thee!: Now this is saying, the One having the sword/romfaian <4501>, the two-mouthed/distomon <1366> , the sharp.

Hebrew 10:12 For, living, is the word of-the God, and, energetic, and more cutting than any knife/macairan <3162> with two mouths/distomon <1366> , and penetrating as far as a dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of joints also, and marrow, and able to judge the impulses and designs of the heart;

Luke 21:24and they shall fall to a mouth/stomati <4750> of a-knife/macairaV <3162>, and shall be led captive to all the nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

Well, Hebrew 4:11- 12-13 is not referring to the Bible but to Jesus! It is a verse used too often as the Bible being the word!
[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Hebrews 4:11-16[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica] 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [/FONT]

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Well, Hebrew 4:11- 12-13 is not referring to the Bible but to Jesus! It is a verse used too often as the Bible being the word!
[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Hebrews 4:11-16[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica] 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [/FONT]

Hebrews 4:13 And not there is a created thing un-manifested in sight of Him. All yet are naked, and having been bared to the eyes of Him, toward whom to us the/o <3588> Word/logoV <3056> .

Hebrews 4:13 kai ouk estin ktisiV afanhV enwpion autou panta de gumna kai tetrachlismena toiV ofqalmoiV autou proV on hmin o logoV

 

[IamRedeemed]

Excellent!

Actually, by following the Old Testament law, they would have been prohibitted from stoning her. The law said that if someone committed adultery, both the man and the woman were to be brought to trial. It also said that there needed to be at least 2 proper witnesses. If it was determined (by trial) that indeed the man and woman committed adultery, they were both to be stoned.
The problems with this particular case were that 1) the man wasn't brought 2) there weren't 2 witnesses 3) there wasn't a trial. So according to the law, the woman should not have been stoned.

 

[IamRedeemed]

Preach it!

Well it looks like you've got a variety of answers but I'll add my two cents.

I gotta say, a lot of the things you said in the post a little disturbing. I could really go on forever...but I'll just stick with the idea of following only the teachings of Christ.

The immediate dilemma is simply that the whole counsel of God (Jesus) is the entire bible. The entire Old and New Testament is just that...a testament of Christ. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God." The Word being referred to here is Christ. Christ was with God the Father at Creation. And Christ is consistently quoting the Old Testament Scripture when speaking in the New Testament.

The words of Christ are precious indeed...but the Holy Bible is His as well...and useful for all life and living. God be praised for His Word!!! Sharper than a two-edged sword.