the blind leading the blind

[Goodbook]

Jesus said if the blind lead the blind both will fall into a ditch.
I feel I need to post something about the dangers of following any one other than Jesus.

Jesus did not mince words about the Pharisees. He called them whited sepulchures, beautiful outside but rotten within, who made the commands of God to no effect but insisted on traditions which nullified them, who said performing rituals made them holy but overlooked their behaviour, he prayed loudly and got people to follow them, calling them 'master', who wore special clothing to show that they were pious and devout.'

This reminds me a lot about the clergy of certain churches that shall remain nameless.

Jesus also said scripture cannot be broken. I can think of several churches that quote a lot of scripture but break it..they omit verses in between, or they give only numbered references to verses and interpret them contrary to their meaning, so that the words are not plain for you to see their meaning.
Or they have a book that you are supposed to always use in ADDITION to scripture, that supposedly helps teach you what it says in scripture, when it is really teaching you their churchs point of view. But Jesus says in revelation not to add or take anything from scripture.

Another thing I notice is corrupt bible translations. Several churches use this, method so that the gospel and the essential doctrines are obscured and also get people to question the Word of God. The Holy Bible is then denigrated and anyone who sticks to the Word is labeled a heretic, excommunicated, shunned, burned or worse.

Jesus called his church the called out body of believers, we are the body of Christ. We are the living temples in which the Holy Spirit dwells, when we believe in his name. He says we need no man to teach us, but the Holy Spirit who will guide us to all truth. So the church cannot be a building or some insitutution that claims it's leaders has the monopoly on the truth.
He says we are not to live by bread alone, but every word that comes from God.

If you've had an experience where you were once blind, or following a blind leader, but God opened your eyes to the truth of Jesus, and you were truly born again can you post here for the edification of new believers. Thank you and God bless.

 

[heymikey80]

Of course you can take anything to extremes. Simply adding instruction to Scripture doesn't constituted addition to Scripture. It depends, and people must be discerning: avoid interpretations that take command above Scripture, or books that force one interpretation or force an interpretation that is not historically valid.

 

[heron]

If you've had an experience where you were once blind, or following a blind leader, but God opened your eyes to the truth of Jesus, and you were truly born again can you post here

It sounds like you are looking for testimonials, more than debate.

I joined a church that was quite a treasure, but they started listening to the teachings of an outside group. The first time I heard the outsiders preach, I could feel the grinding of gears... they were using scriptures, but twisting them in a way they felt was insightful.

Accepting these interpretations as truth, the church continued to build off those premises, until it was accused to be a cult.

What prevented people from pulling it back into order -- teachings on submission and obedience to authorities.

Then I saw it in another church, and another, and another... always held back by leaders calling discernment rebellion.

We need to take responsibility for what God shows us to be true, and be willing to fight for a purer truth. That does not mean fighting people, resenting them, criticizing leaders publicly... but protecting the Body of Christ through speaking up.

 

[Goodbook]

Heron, can you tell us what these outside preachers were preaching?

Its scary that you are seeing it in church after church, are you happy in your church now? Did many people leave or just you? I think new believers need to be aware of this stuff.
Gods word in the Bible equips you for discernment guided by the Holy Spirit but I've also found writings on the internet pretty helpful in evaluating churches. Before I became a christian I was a spiritual seeker. I tried all sorts of ways to know God. But I was terrified of becoming religious because of the presence of cults. I did not know that there were many cults within christianity as well or that a good church could slowly turn into a cult.
I really would like to fellowship with genuine christians but it would be hard to do that when many are easily led astray by wolves..

 

[Flishvick07]

ive seen it happen is soooooooooo many churches. I am getting my degree so i can go to seminary and try to help with this problem. I think many churches focus on interpretation based on situation or environment when they should focus on the unchanging truths. I have argued with many pastors and been kicked out of a few churches, because they teach things other than the unchanging truth. I believe that the churches should stop interpreting and let the holy spirit speak for them like it says it will in the bible. When I confront these leaders, they cant argue back because I only speak the truths and dont go off from them so they just end up saying "agree to disagree". They are disagreeing with what the bible says! for instance, everyone teaches that jesus died for our sins and we are saved. This is true, but you are also commanded to repent! this is a truth that many wont teach because they dont want to stir the water. the way i see it, when someone gives you a gift of food you are likely to share it and give it aswell, but when you steal it you try to keep it for yourself and defend your right to have it. I think many leaders were not called, but instead took the position and that is why they wont do what they should and mislead people and demand authority

 

[1watchman]

There are many apostates in Christendom who manage to get into pulpits and control whole congregations. They give themselves a great title and exalt themselves for gain. Beware of apostates, but know the Word of God, so you can know when the counsel is of God or men.

- 1 Watchman

 

[Peripatetic]

Or they have a book that you are supposed to always use in ADDITION to scripture, that supposedly helps teach you what it says in scripture, when it is really teaching you their churchs point of view. But Jesus says in revelation not to add or take anything from scripture.

True, it would be a danger if you were told to always or only use just one book to supplement scripture. However, that should not be confused with Biblical reference books and commentaries which are very helpful in Bible study. The best commentaries provide trusted interpretations for most of the agreed-upon messages (often with original Greek and Hebrew meanings). When passages are less clear and have been debated, they will provide the most common different interpretations objectively.

Also, books like Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer have been a profound help to new Christians.

 

[Goodbook]

I like the one by A.W. Tozer, that I read called a christ-centred church. I think I will read more of his work.

I found CS Lewis a bit too dense and 'intellectual'. He doesn't use scripture, it's like he's trying to say what chrisitanity using bizarre metaphors to someone without ever referring to the Bible. I couldn't finish it, got fed up with CS Lewis referring to us as tin-soldiers.

I tried Halleys Bible Handbook and thought that was good except it went in for pre-trib rapture doctrine. But at least they acknowledged that it was their view that was different from others, except it pretty much ruined the end-result - which they were earnestly trying to achieve - taking the Word of God seriously.

Probably the most helpful book to get a handle on the Bible I found so far was 'The Bible for dummies' (how ironic!)

I don't know any other commentaries..can you say which ones you found were good? I think I need one that clearly outlines which prophecies were fufilled in the OT in history and which ones are yet to come.
As I use the KJV I use strongs concordance so that helps with the Greek and Hebrew.

 

[Tim Myers]

"Another thing I notice is corrupt bible translations."

For me, "The Message" is the worst of them all.......