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For me tradition is something i never had and im too old for it now. Life has humbled me and left me scarred. I have the scriptures and i cling to hope in the Lord. Division bothers me because it erodes my faith, and that after life has already beaten me down and left me for dead. Yet i cling to hope in the Lord. People wonder why i have struggles, maybe its because life is a struggle for some of us.
Never too old......John Henry Newman was 44....similar in age to you. I would encourage you to read about him.
Actually there is no where in the Bible were it says to follow the Bible alone and exclusively.
"we are not entitled to such license, namely, of affirming whatever we please. For we make Sacred Scripture the rule and the norm of every doctrine. Upon that we are obliged to fix our eyes, and we approve only whatever can be brought into harmony with the intent of these writings." -- St Gregory of Nyssa (c. 330-395)
Coming to think of it, some sola scripturists of today don't even have bishops.
Just because you don't see their bishop doesn't mean that they dont have one.
1 Peter 2:25New King James Version (NKJV)
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer[a] of your souls.
This saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God? He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil’s punishment. He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Thanks for sharing the words of another bishop, St. Peter.
I guess these words of St. Paul haven't been a great blessing to you:
(emphasis mine)
Not only does St. Paul specifically outline the office of bishop, he also says they must be able to teach.
Your personal expression of sola scriptura contradicts the very bible you claim is teaching you.
Let's try the office of deacon now:
How does the deaconless sola scripturist explain this away?
Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Really, where did you learn that God ordained men to turn a little piece of bread into Almighty God?
And how does that glorify God when you pass him through your digestive tract and out your bowel?
Give me the Bible - AND the Words IN the Bible.
Give me Jesus - AND the Words Jesus spoke.
in Christ,
Bob
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