First of all I dont belive the passage in Rev 22:18 is refering to the whole cannon but is talking about the book of revelation itself. What I am saying that this is the priciple that is set out in the word of God. If it is sinful to add to book of revelation it would also be sinful to add to any of the other 65 books. (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; John 12:48; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 John 1:9-11 and Gal 1:8-9). Gods word is not to be added to.
Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. (In other words, if God gives you a command, then do not add to it or subtract it. I would imagine that the Holy SPirit would qualify as God here.)
Deuteronomy 12:32 - See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. (See above.)
Proverbs 30:6 - Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (Doesn't say The Word, it says His words. See above)
** And why all these OT references if they've come to pass and are now somehow irrelevant due to the Old Covenant?
JOhn 12:48 - There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. (And how does this relate to your point? It doesn't.)
I Corinthians 4:6: Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. (I have addressed this before. The quote is a saying of the time, not God-inspired Scripture)
II John 1 <SUP>9</SUP>Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. <SUP>10</SUP>If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. <SUP>11</SUP>Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. (So where does Paul come in here? Jesus never spoke about homosexuality, but we consider that a sin according to Paul, right? Anyway, understanding the context, John is talking about people who say that Jesus never came into the flesh, so it has nothing to do with what you say it does.)
Galatians 1 - Do you NOT remember that you never refuted the idea of what "gospel" means here. It does not have ANYTHING to do with SCripture - that idea came later. It literally means "good news." Remember, when Galatians was written, we didn't have any of the first four books of the NT!
2tim 3:16-17 is so easy my friend. Scripture is a writing which is inspired by God. The Old and NT are writings which are inspired by God so they are both scripture.
And that is so easy to say since you live in a time where we have both of the writings! But you have to udnerstand what was Scripture back then, for them! Unless you can understand that, you will remain locked into your misunderstanding of the Word.
I have in no way replaced the HS with the bible or in anyway implyed the bible is the HS. The HS works through his inspired word and is not the bible itself. Its funny you keep talking about the majorty of scholars say this or that what I want to know is what the bible says about it. I can list many scholars as well that hold the view I do but this within itself proves nothing. Yes let us let the people decide that is fine by me.
If you take the body of believers, scholars, and theologians across the world - those who are less learned and more learned than you or I - you will understand just how minute the percentage is that sides with you. Is this not evidence that you just may be wrong?
If you are ready to start the women speaking in church thread I will be ready to discuss the topic with you. Once again, I am sure we will be found at odds with one another and once I back you into corner again you will just start saying well the HS leads me and tells me its ok. I guess we will just have to see.
The sad part is that you think this is what actually happened. I suppose you are using the same lens-driven mode to read this debate as you use to read the Bible.
I will begin the thread. We may come back to this - but I think we both realize that it is time for something else.