Can Truth Be Known? How

[CoreyD]

Acts 17:18-21
18 Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
19 So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20 For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
21 Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.

Many philosophers debate for centuries, and never come to a conclusion.
As a Christian, how does one determine what is truth?
Is it by consulting what people says... be it there may be a multiplicity of opinions, ideas, interpretations, and the like?

How did early Christians view finding the truth?
How would Jesus establish truth?

There is a contrast between lawlessness - idleness, and righteousness.
Lawlessness
Acts 17:5-9, 12, 13

Righteousness
Acts 17:1-4, 10-12

It was Paul's custom, to reason with people from the Scriptures; explaining and proving by giving evidence of what was true. Acts 17:2, 3​

The result:
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women. Acts 17:4

Those in Berea examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
The scriptures were what revealed truth to them. They could compare what Paul said, with the scriptures to see if what Paul said was in line with truth.
The scriptures were like a measuring rule.

So, spending time debating with the view that one interpretation is just as good as another, and we cannot establish the truth one way or the other, is lawlessness, and individuals who hold to this view will find out later... one way or the other, that this is not righteousness.

But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
2 Timothy 2:23​

This is contrary to reasoning from the scriptures and proving by evidence, what is being discussed, as Paul did .
Jesus said... Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. John17:17

Do you do as Jesus did, when it comes to establishing the truth?
Do you follow the example of the apostle Paul,?
Or do you look to scholars.. whether Jewish or otherwise, to determine truth from how they see it?

I believe...

the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12​

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I am a big believer when the Bible spells something out for us plainly, we need to believe.

This is what we are told is Truth in Scripture

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

So we can see this Truth through the life of Jesus Christ by what He taught, what He practiced, all for our example 1John2:6 1Peter2:21-22

Psa119:151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

All of God's commandments are Truth, so best to let God be God on what He asks for His children

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Going away from God's Words and replace with mans word and traditions we can go from light to darkness Isa8:20

If we stick with these basic but important principles, the Truth sets us free indeed. John8:32

 

[CoreyD]

I am a big believer when the Bible spells something out for us plainly, we need to believe.

This is what we are told is Truth in Scripture

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

So we can see this Truth through the life of Jesus Christ by what He taught, what He practiced, all for our example 1John2:6 1Peter2:21-22

Psa119:151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

All of God's commandments are Truth, so going away from this we go from light to darkness John3:19-21 Isa8:20

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Again going away from God's Words and replace with mans word and traditions we can go from light to darkness

If we stick with these basic but important principles, the Truth sets us free indeed. John8:32

Yes, I like John 8:31, 32.
Why did I forget to mention that
Thanks for that reference.

 

[timothyu]

Matthew 16: 17 .... For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, hbut my Father who is in heaven.

Truth comes only from the Father and this is what the church was to be built upon, truth from the Father, not the doctrines, traditions nor will of man using God for their own purposes. Anyone putting their will ahead of the will of God, especially in religion, is working for the Adversary.

 

[Delvianna]

To piggy back off of Timothyu because I agree, God is the one who determines what is truth. If you don't have God, you can debate the bible until you die but how much of it would you get right? Probably not very much since we got demonic influence to handle too. So how do you know what is truth? When you follow God. I am a believer that you can be placed on an island, no bible, no access to people what-so-ever or the internet and come out being a scholar because God will teach you what you need to know. The bible is an aid, and should never replace your walk with Christ.

 

[Dan Perez]

Matthew 16: 17 .... For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, hbut my Father who is in heaven.

Truth comes only from the Father and this is what the church was to be built upon, truth from the Father, not the doctrines, traditions nor will of man using God for their own purposes. Anyone putting their will ahead of the will of God, especially in religion, is working for the Adversary.

# 1 IS TO DO WHAT 1 Cor 11:1 what. all are to do , You become IMITATORS. of ME // in. the Greek is EMPHATIC.

meaning ME. and only ME. just as I. AM. of CHRIST. !!

# 2 Is to RIGHTLY DIVIDE. to present yourself approved. to God a WORKMAN RIGHLY DIVIDING the WORD of TRUTH !!

dan p

 

[concretecamper]

So, spending time debating with the view that one interpretation is just as good as another, and we cannot establish the truth one way or the other, is lawlessness, and individuals who hold to this view will find out later... one way or the other, that this is not righteousness.

And what always happens is that everyone thinks they have the truth in interpretation of Scripture and those who disagrees with them are wrong. So as you say, that is not righteousness.

Additionally, everyone claims to be led by the Spirit. The person, who claims to be led by the Spirit, says Water Baptism is needed for salvation is at odds with another person, who claims to be led by the same Spirit, says Baptism isn't needed, it is just a symbol.

So while you post points out a real problem, there is no way to solve it

 

[timothyu]

meaning ME. and only ME. just as I. AM. of CHRIST. !!

As Jesus imitated the Father. His will be done.

 

[Fervent]

Truth is only known by God's revelation. Left to our own devices, we can't get off the ground. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.