Can you really live by Sola Scriptura?

[chevyontheriver]

Your final statement is the reason for my question. I agree that many have departed from the faith and followed a man instead.
The real question is how do you know you are doing that? Is there a role for ecclesial authority in the Church? Are we to lean to our own understanding in all things, or do we subject our conscience to those more learned than ourselves?
The Bereans searched the scriptures not for proof texts, but to see if all of Paul’s preaching was consistent with the word of God.
God is not a man that He should lie, and it would only lead to confusion if He would come to Earth and violate His own law. Would that be a fair statement? The word of God says that if you violate the law in one point, you are guilty of violating the whole law, because you are no longer a follower of the law but are sitting in judgement of it.
Does your interpretation show that God follows His own law, or is He subject to making His law of no effect?
When Jesus came to Earth, He came in all humility. We know that Satan’s primary sin is pride, which is the real root of all evil, and God, being good would not act with pride
Jesus was the author of the law and not a subject of it, but He allowed Himself to be circumcised according to the law. He had no stain of sin in Him, yet He allowed sacrifice to be made for Him when He was dedicated in the Temple. He never deviated from the way of truth, as He is the way and the truth, He has no need of repentance yet He allowed Himself to be baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness.
Do you agree that God is very careful to follow His own word, and it would be unseemly to have Him viewed as violating it?

Agreed.

Here is part of the problem: Many see the denial of 'Sola Scriptura' as the denial of Scripture. They cannot comprehend how Catholics could follow Scripture if it isn't Scripture alone. It's just unthinkable to them. But Sola Scriptura is a non-Scriptural meta-dogma that has failed in it's goals of revealing the meaning of Scripture or of correcting the Church or of unifying Christians in the truth. Manifestly it fails at all three because ... because it is a false starting point. The real necessary starting point is the teaching of the apostles and the authority of the apostles. The Sola Scriptura followers have either made themselves their own apostles or have followed other men who have made themselves their own apostles. And they can't even see that they have invented their own traditions opposed to the Tradition of the faith handed down to the apostles. It's a blindness. They have adopted traditions of teachers or of their own personal invention, all of it in rebellion to the apostles.

What do we all need? 1.) Chucking Sola Scriptura for Prima Scriptura, which is the actual position of the Catholic Church. See Dei Verbum from Vatican II for the simple idea of putting Scripture first, but not alone. 2.) Reclaim the apostolic Tradition, as found in the Fathers. Scripture interpretation was never supposed to have been independent of the community of faith. Such atomization makes only for thousands of denominations. 3.) The humility to not think that everybody is their own oracle of God. Again, Scripture interpretation was never supposed to be independent of the community of faith. There are authorities in the Church, successors of the apostles, whom we call bishops. 4.) We need to do some repentance for the times we all have put our own ideas ahead of the faith. There should be a variety of styles but there should be zero doctrinal differences among Christians. It's wrong. It's prideful.

Will we ever change? Nope. Even though Jesus himself begged the Father in John 17 for us to be united. Too much invested in hating on the brothers in Christ for that. Disagree and start up a new denomination. That's the ticket. Lie about your enemies. That's the ticket. Follow unbiblical meta-dogmas like Sola Scriptura so you can look down on traditional believers. That's the ticket. No wonder the fragmented Church is such a poor witness. See how they hate each other?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Wait. Self explaining? That would mean that Sola Scriptura is itself clearly stated in Scripture.

Indeed it is. Please see the scriptures already posted in post # 10 linked; follow up post # 14 linked and post # 19 linked.

Which would mean that there wouldn't be a dozen or more conflicting views of what Sola Scriptura is.

There is over 40,000 different types of Christianity all claiming to be the chosen of God. There are so many winds of doctrine in fulfillment of the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:24 because it is the last days and "the many" do not seek to know Gods' truth by seeking God through His Spirit and His Word but seek to find it through the teachings of men that lead many away from God and His Word. Unless God is our guide and teacher personally we can never know the truth of God's Word as it is the truth of God's Word that is revealed to all those who seek God with all their heart as they ask God to be their guide and teacher. These promises are for all those who seek to know God and ask him through faith and believe and are promises to all those who have been born again into Gods' new covenant promises through faith in what Gods' Word says (e.g. see John 16:13; John 7:17; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27; Hebrews 8:11 etc).

Are you going to have an arguement, all of you Sola Scriptura followers, on what Sola Scriptura means, or are you going to come up with an acceptable definition you all want to live with?

I have no argument with anyone. According to the scriptures Sola Sciptura is self explaining. No Word, no faith, no salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6) which is why it is written man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God *Matthew 4:4 and again, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:15. Gods' Word therefore is the standard of both faith and righteousness and is the only rule to what faith is and the standard test to know if we are in the faith or not in the faith.

Sola Scriptura is an invention of the 16th century for Martin Luther to lay claim to an authority independent of his bishop and opposed to his bishop and of the pope. And then when the peasants discovered that they could lay claim to an authority independent of Luther the exact same way, he didn't like it one bit. Sola Scriptura for him, but not for them. They were supposed to listen to him like he would not listen to his bishop or the pope.

False. The term "Sola Scriptura" is a term coined in the 16th century meaning "scripture alone" because the scriptures alone teach that it is only by faith in Gods' Word that anyone of us has God's salvation because all of us are saved only by Gods' grace that is received through faith and that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God which is based on scripture. The term was coined in the 16th century during the great reformation because the Church was departing the faith (the Word) and the teachings of Gods' Word and leading the people away from God's Word and the true faith to follow instead man-made teachings and traditions that were not based on scripture. As the Apostles Peter says in Acts of the Apostles 5:29 we have no authority accept God though His Word therefore we ought to obey God rather than man and if men are leading us away from God and His Word to depart the faith (God's Word) which is defined in the scriptures as believing and following what Gods' Word says (John 3:36; Matthew 7:21-23; John 10:26-27) we do so at our own peril (see John 3:36; Matthew 7:21-23; John 10:26-27; Hebrews 10:26-27). The teachings of "scripture alone" or sola scriptura is as old as the bible itself (e.g. Hebrews 11).

Take Care.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Will we ever change? Nope. Even though Jesus himself begged the Father in John 17 for us to be united. Too much invested in hating on the brothers in Christ for that. Disagree and start up a new denomination. That's the ticket. Lie about your enemies. That's the ticket. Follow unbiblical meta-dogmas like Sola Scriptura so you can look down on traditional believers. That's the ticket. No wonder the fragmented Church is such a poor witness. See how they hate each other?

According to the scriptures there can only be unity for those in the faith who believe and follow what Gods Word says (see John 10:26-27; Romans 10:17). To be "in the faith" means to believe and follow what Gods' Word says.

Take Care.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

According to the scriptures there can only be unity for those in the faith who believe and follow what Gods Word says (see John 10:26-27; Romans 10:17). To be "in the faith" means to believe and follow what Gods' Word says.

Take Care.

With all due respect, you are not answering the question, but are using circular reasoning. Sola scriptura is right because sola scriptura. You say you have to follow what God’s word says, but do you?
Jesus says that unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Nothing about scripture alone in there. John 6 is very clear.
Jesus did not say it is symbolic. He said My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Do you teach that? Or do you say He was speaking figuratively, He meant his flesh and blood are symbolic?
You also say that the Catholic Church departed from the faith, but give no examples.
In what way is the Catholic faith unscriptural?
If you say it is unscriptural, by what authority do you declare your interpretation of scripture above that of the Church?
If Scripture is self evident, your reasoning should be self evident also

 

[com7fy8]

follows tradition, even those who are most vociferous in stating that they have absolutely no tradition.

I would say the Bible gives us various things to hold to as traditions. And what can happen is ones can argue back and forth and make their claims to go by God's word; yet, they do not practice possibly some of the most valuable traditions which they could be doing. For just one example >

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world," (in Philippians 2:13-16)

According to this > by not complaining or arguing, we can "become blameless and harmless" and "without fault", right "in the midst of" this evil world's "crooked and perverse generation". So, I would think any group who knows how God is able and knows how He has us love with one another would have this tradition of not arguing and complaining. God commands this; so He expects this; and this is a basic of how He has us relating.

But there are ones who call attention away from such basic and good things which are possible with God in His love; and instead ones spend much time and attention on comparing themselves with other groups . . . including more attention to traditions which are not guaranteed to make us "blameless and harmless" and "without fault" right in this evil world's "crooked and perverse generation".

But in God's love we succeed in not abusing each other with our arguing and complaining, and its bad example which can ruin children from knowing how to love. Yet, this is not a well-known tradition and a priority of the attention of a number of groups . . . while they claim to be sola scriptura or not sola scriptura.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

I find it funny that many posts have drifted from the question in the OP. It is was not to ask whether sola scriptura is correct, but how do YOU apply sola scriptura?
Do you lean to your own understanding, or someone else’s understanding that has authority over you? How are you sure that YOUR interpretation is correct?
I know what the Bible says. I wanted your thoughts. Did you view Jordan Peterson’s video before posting?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

With all due respect, you are not answering the question, but are using circular reasoning. Sola scriptura is right because sola scriptura. You say you have to follow what God’s word says, but do you?

Not really. With all due respect, your questions were answered. You were provided scripture which you claim did not exist and you ignored every post of mine that you were quoting from, while trying to make arguments no one was making. I did not say "Sola Scripture was right because of Sola Sctiptura", so that claim is not true. I said "Sola Scriptura" or "scripture alone is self explaining by quoting and showing scripture that says, no word means no faith which means no salvation (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6). Yes I believe and follow God's Word. Jesus is the living Word of God.

When the scriptures teach that Jesus says that unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Nothing about scripture alone in there. John 6 is very clear. Jesus did not say it is symbolic. He said My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Do you teach that? Or do you say He was speaking figuratively, He meant his flesh and blood are symbolic?

Well normally we cant just pull random scriptures out of the bible that do not relate to subject matter and claim there is nothing about a different bible topic written in them. For example I cannot use a random scripture like, John 3:36 that says [36], "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him" and say there is nothing in this scripture that says we have to obey what God's Word says when Jesus says elsewhere in Matthew 7:21 [21], Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. So your claim that John 6 does not talk about scripture alone when the rest of the bible does teach scripture alone is not truthful and misleading when the scripture says elsewhere that our salvation is by God's grace through faith in Ephesians 2:8-9 and that we get our faith from hearing or reading Gods Word *Romans 10:17 and that God's people are all those who believe and follow what His Word says *John 10:26-27.

Do you teach that? Or do you say He was speaking figuratively, He meant his flesh and blood are symbolic?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS IS THE BREAD OF HEAVEN AND WE SHOULD EAT HIS FLESH?

We should teach all scripture because it is written that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" - 2 Timothy 3:16. So yes we should teach all scripture even John 6:61 that you brought up earlier that says...

• John 6:51 however that says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

This scriptures are linked to these scriptures

• John 1:1-4 [1], In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2], The same was in the beginning with God. [3], All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4], In him (the Word) was life; and the life was the light of men.

• John 1:14 [14], And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Notice the links between the scriptures and how the scriptures define and interpret themselves. Jesus is not literally bread and we cannot literally eat His flesh. The symbol of bread here is being linked to the scriptures showing that as we need to eat bread for life or to live in our world we need to eat His flesh as the living Words of God in order to have "eternal life" Jesus is living the Word of God who has given us His living words as the spoken and written Words of God which is why it is written in the scriptures, "and the Word was made flesh" - John 1:14. and again "unless you eat my flesh in John 6:51 "if any man eat his flesh he shall life forever means that if we believe and follow Gods' Word we shall live forever *compare John 3:36; Matthew 7:21; John 10:26-27 which is why it is written elsewhere

• Matthew 4:4 [4], But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Notice the contexts of John 6:51 and further application to Jesus explaining that it is not the flesh but the application to His Words that Jesus is talking about here...

• John 6:63 It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Notice earlier this discussion started because one of the disciples asked Jesus a question saying in John 6:28 What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered this question by saying..

• John 6:29 This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.

The chapter of John continues applying Jesus as the living Word of God or the bread of Heaven that gives life as Gods' Word which we are to eat. It is therefore His flesh that we are to eat by believing and following His Words in order to receive everlasting life and why it is written in

• John 3:36 [36], He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.

So even the very scriptures you have quoted here teach scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) or that we receive everlasting life through believing and following Gods' Word. Therefore scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is indeed the only rule of faith *Romans 10:17.

You also say that the Catholic Church departed from the faith, but give no examples. In what way is the Catholic faith unscriptural? If you say it is unscriptural, by what authority do you declare your interpretation of scripture above that of the Church? If Scripture is self evident, your reasoning should be self evident also

It is against the forum rules to answer these questions. Only the Word of God is our authority according to the scriptures *see Acts of the Apostles 5:29. I pray you may take the time to prayerfully read and understand what has been shared with you from the scriptures here and may God bless you as you seek Him through His Word.

Take Care.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

I find it funny that many posts have drifted from the question in the OP. It is was not to ask whether sola scriptura is correct, but how do YOU apply sola scriptura? Do you lean to your own understanding, or someone else’s understanding that has authority over you? How are you sure that YOUR interpretation is correct? I know what the Bible says. I wanted your thoughts. Did you view Jordan Peterson’s video before posting?

The question of the OP was "Can you really live by Sola Scriptura". I think this question has been answered very well through the scriptures and that is there is no life outside of scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) because without God's Word we cannot have faith and God's salvation is conditional to believing and following what God's Word says (see John 3:36; Matthew 7:21; James 2:16-26 and John 10:26-27). Therefore no Word or not living by God's Word or scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) means no faith which means no salvation because according to the scripture faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God *Romans 10:17 and without faith it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; John 3:36; Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; John 6:63; 1 John 5:4). We are saved by God's grace through faith that comes from believing Gods' Word that leads to everlasting life. This means no Word, no faith and no faith means no eternal life. This is why Jesus says "the Words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are life" - John 6:63

 

[chevyontheriver]

There is over 40,000 different types of Christianity all claiming to be the chosen of God. There are so many winds of doctrine in fulfillment of the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:24 because it is the last days and "the many" do not seek to know Gods' truth by seeking God through His Spirit and His Word but seek to find it through the teachings of men that lead many away from God and His Word.

The plethora of denominations, which you blame on the last days, is actually the result of the Scriptural incoherence caused by so many acting as their own authority.

According to the scriptures Sola Sciptura is self explaining.

I see you repeat that, but the doctrinal contradictory diversity of the adherents of this meta-dogma argues against it.

False. The term "Sola Scriptural”was coined in the 16th century during the great reformation ….

Like I said, it was a sixteenth century invention.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

The plethora of denominations, which you blame on the last days, is actually the result of the Scriptural incoherence caused by so many acting as their own authority. I see you repeat that, but the doctrinal contradictory diversity of the adherents of this meta-dogma argues against it. Like I said, it was a sixteenth century invention.

Please forgive me but I do not believe this is true at all, for the reasons already provided in the post you are only part quoting me on here that you have left out, so we will agree to disagree here. The term "Sola Scriptura" is a term coined in the 16th century meaning "scripture alone" because the scriptures alone teach that it is only by faith in Gods' Word that anyone of us has God's salvation because all of us are saved only by Gods' grace that is received through faith and that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God which is based on scripture. The term was coined in the 16th century during the great reformation because the Church was departing the faith (the Word) and the teachings of Gods' Word and leading the people away from God's Word and the true faith to follow instead man-made teachings and traditions that were not based on scripture. As the Apostles Peter says in Acts of the Apostles 5:29 we have no authority accept God though His Word therefore we ought to obey God rather than man and if men are leading us away from God and His Word to depart the faith which is defined in the scriptures as believing and following what Gods' Word says (John 3:36; Matthew 7:21-23; John 10:26-27) we do so at our own peril (see John 3:36; Matthew 7:21-23; John 10:26-27; Hebrews 10:26-27).

The only authority required to understand Gods' Word according to the scriptures is faith in God's promises and receiving the gift of Gods' Spirit to be out guide and teacher (see John 7:17; John 16:13; John 14:26; 1 John 2:27; Hebrews 8:11) that all those who through faith in Gods' Word receive who believe and obey what Gods Word says *Acts of the Apostles 5:31. Sadly, "the many" that are called but are not chosen because they do not seek to know the truth of God's Word from God or have not received God's Spirit to know what God's truth is because they do not believe and obey Gods' Word which is in fulfillment of the scriptures written in the last days by Jesus in Matthew 24:24.

This does not mean that God does not have His people in every Church living up to all the knowledge of His Word that he has revealed to them. Gods' people are indeed in every Church even though every Church is not following what Gods' Word says and in times of ignorance God winks at but when he gives us a knowledge of the truth of His Word calls us all to believe and follow it *see John 10:16; Acts of the Apostles 17:30-31. According to Jesus the hour is coming and now is that the true worshipers will worship the father in Spirit and in truth. God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth *John 4:23-24. BABYLON has fallen. God is calling us all where ever we might be out from following man-made teachings and traditions back to the pure Words of God which is why it is written "Fear God therefore for the hour of His judgement has come and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." *Revelation 14:7.

Gods sheep where ever they might be will hear His voice (the Word) and follow Him. Those who do not hear or follow do so because they are not His sheep according to Jesus in John 10:26-27. As shown earlier from the scriptures, Sola Sciptura is self explaining. No Word of God, means we cannot have faith in God's Word. No faith in Gods' Word means we cannot have salvation which comes by faith in what Gods' Word says according to the scriptures (see; John 3:36; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6) for whatsoever is not of faith in sin *Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6. Gods' Word therefore is the only standard of both faith and righteousness and is the only rule to what faith is and the standard test to know if we are in the faith or not in the faith (see 2 Corinthians 13:5).

Take Care.

 

[disciple Clint]

According to the scriptures Sola Sciptura is self explaining. No Word, no faith, no salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6 which is why it is written man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God *Matthew 4:4 and again, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:15. Gods' Word therefore is the standard of both faith and righteousness and is the only rule to what faith is and the standard test to know if we are in the faith or not in the faith.

Take Care.

All that can and is true however it has nothing to do with the concept of depending on scripture alone. Nothing in what you have quoted precludes using the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us or increase our faith or the teachings of the Apostles much of which is not recorded in scripture or other teachings of Jesus that were passed on to them but not recorded in scripture.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

All that can and is true however it has nothing to do with the concept of depending on scripture alone. Nothing in what you have quoted precludes using the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us or increase our faith or the teachings of the Apostles much of which is not recorded in scripture or other teachings of Jesus that were passed on to them but not recorded in scripture.

Actually it has everything to do with the question that is being asked in the OP which is "Can you really live by scripture alone". According to the scriptures if there is no Word we can have no faith in God's Word. If we have no faith in Gods' Word then we have no salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6). Therefore "scripture alone" (Sola Scriptura) is the only way to eternal life as it is written in the very words of Jesus, "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him." - John 3:36. Take some time to think it through Clint. If the scriptures teach us that faith comes by the Word of God and without faith it is impossible to please God and whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; how can any one of us have salvation if we have no faith and not Word of God (scripture alone) when faith only comes by hearing and reading the Word of God *Romans 10:17? If we have no word we have no faith and we are still in our sins and do not have salvation which according to the scriptures only comes by faith through hearing or reading God's Word (sola scriptura) see also John 3:15-21; John 10:26-27; Matthew 7:22-26? Do you believe it is only by faith in God's Word that we have God's Grace and are saved through faith *Ephesians 2:8-9? According to the scriptures, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God *Romans 10:17 and without faith it is impossible to please God *Hebrews 11:6 because whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Romans 14:23. Now if we only have God's salvation by faith in God's Word how can we have salvation without it? - We cannot. Therefore if we neglect Gods' Word we neglect our faith and Gods' salvation according to the scriptures because the only way we can receive everlasting life is living by faith in scripture alone or by believing someone who speaks Gods' scriptures to us *Romans 10:17. Gods' Word therefore is the only standard of both faith and righteousness and is the only rule to what faith is and the standard test to know if we are in the faith or not in the faith *2 Corinthians 13:5. According to the scriptures, God's Spirit works through the Word not outside of God's Word as it is the Spirit of the Word of God that leads us into the truth of Gods' Word (see John 6:63; John 17:17; Romans 10:17).

Take Care.

 

[disciple Clint]

Actually it has everything to do with the question that is being asked in the OP which is "Can you really live by scripture alone". According to the scriptures if there is no Word we can have no faith in God's Word. If we have no faith in Gods' Word then we have no salvation (see Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:17; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6). Therefore "scripture alone" (Sola Scriptura) is the only way to eternal life as it is written in the very words of Jesus, "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him." - John 3:36. Take some time to think it through Clint. If the scriptures teach us that faith comes by the Word of God and without faith it is impossible to please God and whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; how can any one of us have salvation if we have no faith and not Word of God (scripture alone) when faith only comes by hearing and reading the Word of God *Romans 10:17? If we have no word we have no faith and we are still in our sins and do not have salvation which according to the scriptures only comes by faith through hearing or reading God's Word (sola scriptura) see also John 3:15-21; John 10:26-27; Matthew 7:22-26? Do you believe it is only by faith in God's Word that we have God's Grace and are saved through faith *Ephesians 2:8-9? According to the scriptures, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God *Romans 10:17 and without faith it is impossible to please God *Hebrews 11:6 because whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Romans 14:23. Now if we only have God's salvation by faith in God's Word how can we have salvation without it? - We cannot. Therefore if we neglect Gods' Word we neglect our faith and Gods' salvation according to the scriptures because the only way we can receive everlasting life is living by faith in scripture alone or by believing someone who speaks Gods' scriptures to us *Romans 10:17. Gods' Word therefore is the only standard of both faith and righteousness and is the only rule to what faith is and the standard test to know if we are in the faith or not in the faith *2 Corinthians 13:5. According to the scriptures, God's Spirit works through the Word not outside of God's Word as it is the Spirit of the Word of God that leads us into the truth of Gods' Word (see John 6:63; John 17:17; Romans 10:17).

Take Care.

can you not see that it is entirely possible to bring someone to faith in Jesus without quoting even one verse of scripture. It has been done more than once. That would seem to destroy your premise, would it not? What scripture did Paul read that converted him? People were converted left and right in the early church well before there was a word of scripture.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

The question of the OP was "Can you really live by Sola Scriptura". I think this question has been answered very well through the scriptures and that is there is no life outside of scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) because without God's Word we cannot have faith and God's salvation is conditional to believing and following what God's Word says (see John 3:36; Matthew 7:21; James 2:16-26 and John 10:26-27). Therefore no Word or not living by God's Word or scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) means no faith which means no salvation because according to the scripture faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God *Romans 10:17 and without faith it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; John 3:36; Matthew 4:4; John 17:17; John 6:63; 1 John 5:4) and we are saved by God's grace through faith that comes from believing Gods' Word that leads to everlasting life.

I’ll take that as a a refusal to answer. I know what the Bible says. Many others claim sola scriptura that have a different view from yours.
How do you know yours is correct?

to put it another way. How do you know your Bible is The Bible. There are so many translations, what standard do you use to judge the authenticity of your translation?

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Not really. With all due respect, your questions were answered. You were provided scripture which you claim did not exist and you ignored every post of mine that you were quoting from, while trying to make arguments no one was making. I did not say Sola Scripture was right because Sola Sctiptura so that is claim is not true. I said "Sola Scripturea" or "scripture alone is self explaining through the scriptures by quoting and showing scripture that shows, no word mead no faith which means no salvation (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6). Yes I believe and follow God's Word. Jesus is the living Word of God.

Well normally we cant just pull random scriptures out of the bible that do not relate to subject matter and claim there is nothing about a different bible topic written in them. For example I cannot use a random scripture like, John 3:36 that says [36], "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him" and say there is nothing in this scripture that says we have to obey what God's Word says when Jesus says elsewhere in Matthew 7:21 [21], Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. So your claim that John 6 does not talk about scripture alone when the rest of the bible does teach scripture alone is not truthful and misleading when the scripture says elsewhere that our salvation is by God's grace through faith in Ephesians 2:8-9 and that we get our faith from hearing or reading Gods Word *Romans 10:17 and that God's people are all those who believe and follow what His Word says *John 10:26-27.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS IS THE BREAD OF HEAVEN AND WE SHOULD EAT HIS FLESH?

We should teach all scripture because it is written that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" - 2 Timothy 3:16. So yes we should teach all scripture even John 6:61 that you brought up earlier that says...

• John 6:51 however that says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

This scriptures are linked to these scriptures

• John 1:1-4 [1], In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2], The same was in the beginning with God. [3], All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4], In him (the Word) was life; and the life was the light of men.

• John 1:14 [14], And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Notice the links between the scriptures and how the scriptures define and interpret themselves. Jesus is not literally bread and we cannot literally eat His flesh. The symbol of bread here is being linked to the scriptures showing that as we need to eat bread for life or to live in our world we need to eat His flesh as the living Words of God in order to have "eternal life" Jesus is living the Word of God who has given us His living words as the spoken and written Words of God which is why it is written in the scriptures, "and the Word was made flesh" - John 1:14. and again "unless you eat my flesh in John 6:51 "if any man eat his flesh he shall life forever means that if we believe and follow Gods' Word we shall live forever *compare John 3:36; Matthew 7:21; John 10:26-27 which is why it is written elsewhere

• Matthew 4:4 [4], But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Notice the contexts of John 6:51 and further application to Jesus explaining that it is not the flesh but the application to His Words that Jesus is talking about here...

• John 6:63 It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Notice earlier this discussion started because one of the disciples asked Jesus a question saying in John 6:28 What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered this question by saying..

• John 6:29 This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.

The chapter of John continues applying Jesus as the living Word of God or the bread of Heaven that gives life as Gods' Word which we are to eat. It is therefore His flesh that we are to eat by believing and following His Words in order to receive everlasting life and why it is written in

• John 3:36 [36], He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.

So even the very scriptures you have quoted here teach scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) or that we receive everlasting life through believing and following Gods' Word. Therefore scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is indeed the only rule of faith *Romans 10:17.

It is against the forum rules to answer these questions. Only the Word of God is our authority according to the scriptures *see Acts of the Apostles 5:29. I pray you may take the time to prayerfully read and understand what has been shared with you from the scriptures here and may God bless you as you seek Him through His Word.

Take Care.

That is your interpretation and makes my point.
You say it is symbolic. Jesus held the bread up at the Last Supper and said this IS my body, of the cup He said this IS my blood. He was not talking about sola scriptura or mental belief in Him, but actually eating and drinking the bread and wine become His flesh and blood.
The Apostles, including Paul believed this and there are many other early Church Fathers prior to the fourth century that believed and taught this also. What gives you the right to ignore them and say, Not So, Our Lord really meant sola scriptura and mental belief, not really eating His flesh and blood, it’s symbolic?

Note: I am not arguing my position as correct at this point, though I whole heartedly believe it is, I am pointing out that there are different interpretations of scripture, both use scripture. How do you know which is correct? By what standard ?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

can you not see that it is entirely possible to bring someone to faith in Jesus without quoting even one verse of scripture. It has been done more than once. That would seem to destroy your premise, would it not? What scripture did Paul read that converted him? People were converted left and right in the early church well before there was a word of scripture.

I already posted scripture from the beginning showing where faith comes from. It comes from the spoken and written Words of God that comes from the same source (scripture). Why make argument no one is arguing about? *see Romans 10:17. Paul knew the scriptures already but did not understand them until he had a direct revelation from God.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

I’ll take that as a a refusal to answer. I know what the Bible says. Many others claim sola scriptura that have a different view from yours. How do you know yours is correct? to put it another way. How do you know your Bible is The Bible. There are so many translations, what standard do you use to judge the authenticity of your translation?

Depends if you do not think the scripture provided answer the questions asked or you choose not to believe them. I believe they do. No one can know the truth of Gods' Word without faith in God's Word and Gods' Spirit to guide them and teach them, and no one receives Gods' Spirit if they do not believe and obey what God's Word says according to Peter in Acts of the Apostles 5:29. Either way you lose here because in God's eye, whatsoever is not of faith is sin and without faith it is impossible to please God *Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6. So the answer to all your question BWAP is faith in God's Word says. As posted to someone else earlier, take some time to think it through . If the scriptures teach us that faith comes by the Word of God and without faith it is impossible to please God and whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23; how can any one of us have salvation if we have no faith and not Word of God (scripture alone) when faith only comes by hearing and reading the Word of God *Romans 10:17? If we have no word we have no faith and we are still in our sins and do not have salvation which according to the scriptures only comes by faith through hearing or reading God's Word (sola scriptura) see also John 3:15-21; John 10:26-27; Matthew 7:22-26? Do you believe it is only by faith in God's Word that we have God's Grace and are saved through faith *Ephesians 2:8-9? According to the scriptures, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God *Romans 10:17 and without faith it is impossible to please God *Hebrews 11:6 because whatsoever is not of faith is sin *Romans 14:23. Now if we only have God's salvation by faith in God's Word how can we have salvation without it? - We cannot. Therefore if we neglect Gods' Word we neglect our faith and Gods' salvation according to the scriptures because the only way we can receive everlasting life is living by faith in scripture alone or by believing someone who speaks Gods' scriptures to us *Romans 10:17. Gods' Word therefore is the only standard of both faith and righteousness and is the only rule to what faith is and the standard test to know if we are in the faith or not in the faith *2 Corinthians 13:5. According to the scriptures, God's Spirit works through the Word not outside of God's Word as it is the Spirit of the Word of God that leads us into the truth of Gods' Word (see John 6:63; John 17:17; Romans 10:17).

Take Care

 

[LoveGodsWord]

LoveGodsWord said: ↑ Not really. With all due respect, your questions were answered. You were provided scripture which you claim did not exist and you ignored every post of mine that you were quoting from, while trying to make arguments no one was making. I did not say Sola Scripture was right because Sola Sctiptura so that is claim is not true. I said "Sola Scripturea" or "scripture alone is self explaining through the scriptures by quoting and showing scripture that shows, no word mead no faith which means no salvation (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:6). Yes I believe and follow God's Word. Jesus is the living Word of God. Well normally we cant just pull random scriptures out of the bible that do not relate to subject matter and claim there is nothing about a different bible topic written in them. For example I cannot use a random scripture like, John 3:36 that says [36], "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him" and say there is nothing in this scripture that says we have to obey what God's Word says when Jesus says elsewhere in Matthew 7:21 [21], Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. So your claim that John 6 does not talk about scripture alone when the rest of the bible does teach scripture alone is not truthful and misleading when the scripture says elsewhere that our salvation is by God's grace through faith in Ephesians 2:8-9 and that we get our faith from hearing or reading Gods Word *Romans 10:17 and that God's people are all those who believe and follow what His Word says *John 10:26-27.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS IS THE BREAD OF HEAVEN AND WE SHOULD EAT HIS FLESH?

We should teach all scripture because it is written that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" - 2 Timothy 3:16. So yes we should teach all scripture even John 6:61 that you brought up earlier that says...

• John 6:51 however that says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

This scriptures are linked to these scriptures

• John 1:1-4 [1], In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2], The same was in the beginning with God. [3], All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4], In him (the Word) was life; and the life was the light of men.

• John 1:14 [14], And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Notice the links between the scriptures and how the scriptures define and interpret themselves. Jesus is not literally bread and we cannot literally eat His flesh. The symbol of bread here is being linked to the scriptures showing that as we need to eat bread for life or to live in our world we need to eat His flesh as the living Words of God in order to have "eternal life" Jesus is living the Word of God who has given us His living words as the spoken and written Words of God which is why it is written in the scriptures, "and the Word was made flesh" - John 1:14. and again "unless you eat my flesh in John 6:51 "if any man eat his flesh he shall life forever means that if we believe and follow Gods' Word we shall live forever *compare John 3:36; Matthew 7:21; John 10:26-27 which is why it is written elsewhere

• Matthew 4:4 [4], But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Notice the contexts of John 6:51 and further application to Jesus explaining that it is not the flesh but the application to His Words that Jesus is talking about here...

• John 6:63 It is the spirit that vivifies; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Notice earlier this discussion started because one of the disciples asked Jesus a question saying in John 6:28 What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered this question by saying..

• John 6:29 This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.

The chapter of John continues applying Jesus as the living Word of God or the bread of Heaven that gives life as Gods' Word which we are to eat. It is therefore His flesh that we are to eat by believing and following His Words in order to receive everlasting life and why it is written in

• John 3:36 [36], He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.

So even the very scriptures you have quoted here teach scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) or that we receive everlasting life through believing and following Gods' Word. Therefore scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is indeed the only rule of faith *Romans 10:17.

It is against the forum rules to answer these questions. Only the Word of God is our authority according to the scriptures *see Acts of the Apostles 5:29. I pray you may take the time to prayerfully read and understand what has been shared with you from the scriptures here and may God bless you as you seek Him through His Word.

Your response here....

That is your interpretation and makes my point. You say it is symbolic. Jesus held the bread up at the Last Supper and said this IS my body, of the cup He said this IS my blood. He was not talking about sola scriptura or mental belief in Him, but actually eating and drinking the bread and wine become His flesh and blood. The Apostles, including Paul believed this and there are many other early Church Fathers prior to the fourth century that believed and taught this also. What gives you the right to ignore them and say, Not So, Our Lord really meant sola scriptura and mental belief, not really eating His flesh and blood, it’s symbolic? Note: I am not arguing my position as correct at this point, though I whole heartedly believe it is, I am pointing out that there are different interpretations of scripture, both use scripture. How do you know which is correct? By what standard ?

Your response here is to simply ignore what was posted to you that is in disagreement with your claims and teachings here without addressing anything in the post and scriptures you are quoting from. You posted from John 6. I responded to John 6. So what you are quoting from does not make your point because now your quoting from scriptures outside of the book of John that has nothing do with what we were previously talking about in John 6. The last supper in the other gospels however (not in John) do point to Jesus saying that the bread and wine are a memorial to do in remembrance of Him as a memorial that Jesus is the living Word of God who we are to believe and follow by faith who gave His life (blood) for us so that we could receive God's forgiveness. The last supper is not literally the body of Christ and the wine is not literally Christs blood that we are to eat and drink. I believe I have provided the true meaning of John 6 and Christ being the bread of life as the living Word of God that we are to believe and follow in my original post to you from the same chapter of John 6. Please forgive me but I do not see the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation (more here linked) that the last supper bread and wine we do in remembrance of Christ is the literal body and blood of Christ. The scriptures in the post you are quoting from but have not addressed only shows that without faith in Gods' Word we do not have God's salvation which is Gods' Words not my words. Of course you are free to believe as you will as that is between you and God as we all answer to God come judgement day for the words of God we accept of reject according to Jesus in John 12:47-48. Our words do not really mean much in God's eye because according to the scriptures only God's Words are true and we should believe and follow them in Acts of the Apostles 5:29; Romans 3:4 so perhaps you can pray about it what is being shared with you.

Take Care.

 

[fhansen]

According to the scriptures there can only be unity for those in the faith who believe and follow what Gods Word says (see John 10:26-27; Romans 10:17). To be "in the faith" means to believe and follow what Gods' Word says.

Take Care.

God’s Word was not all necessarily put down in written form by any means. The Church received and preached the gospel before a word of the New Testament was written and it was those same disciples of Christ who needed to explain the meaning of Scripture to the Bereans and the Ethiopian Eunuch, for example, because those people could not understand it on their own, privately.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Your response here....

Your response here is to simply ignore what was posted to you that is in disagreement with your claims and teachings here without addressing anything in the post and scriptures you are quoting from. You posted from John 6. I responded to John 6. So what you are quoting from does not make your point because now your quoting from scriptures outside of the book of John that has nothing do with what we were previously talking about in John 6. The last supper in the other gospels however (not in John) do point to Jesus saying that the bread and wine are a memorial to do in remembrance of Him as a memorial that Jesus is the living Word of God who we are to believe and follow by faith who gave His life (blood) for us so that we could receive God's forgiveness. The last supper is not literally the body of Christ and the wine is not literally Christs blood that we are to eat and drink. I believe I have provided the true meaning of John 6 and Christ being the bread of life as the living Word of God that we are to believe and follow in my original post to you from the same chapter of John 6. Please forgive me but I do not see the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation (more here linked) that the last supper bread and wine we do in remembrance of Christ is the literal body and blood of Christ. The scriptures in the post you are quoting from but have not addressed only shows that without faith in Gods' Word we do not have God's salvation which is Gods' Words not my words. Of course you are free to believe as you will as that is between you and God as we all answer to God come judgement day for the words of God we accept of reject according to Jesus in John 12:47-48. Our words do not really mean much in God's eye because according to the scriptures only God's Words are true and we should believe and follow them in Acts of the Apostles 5:29; Romans 3:4 so perhaps you can pray about it what is being shared with you.

Take Care.

Look, we are obviously having issues with communication. I am not arguing the validity of the view points, I am telling you that there is a different view from yours. I am asking you what is the basis of your position? It cannot be scripture as both views are represented by scripture. If you continue to refuse to answer despite many witnesses, then we have to assume that you are presenting YOUR understanding of scripture as the only position valid, and that is exactly the point that Jordan Peterson was making in the OP. You have presented no other basis for your viewpoint other than yourself, but you won’t admit it; there is just more deflection from the question.

I am praying. I am praying for you that your eyes may be opened