Hi Lily, welcome...to find what the Apostles taught as to what these things (the scriptures) mean, after reading Acts and the Letters of Paul, plus 1 Peter and 1 John, then engage the earliest of the church writers (most were taught by the Apostles or their students) all the way up to Pamphilus Eusibius (church historian from 320 AD). Start with the Ante-Nicene fathers and then read The History of the Church (by Eusibius)....I particularly like Irenaeus (student of Polycarp a disciple of John) Against Heresies because when I collected them there were over 12 pages of scripture used here and there to demonstrate its points....I know its a lot but better to read the writers than what others claim the meant (because some modern commentators are influenced by their denominational theology)....be blessed and trust God
Irenaeus of Lyons (130 A.D.) “Against Heresies” 3.1.1, p. 414.
"We have learned from none others the plan of our salvation, than from those through whom the gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and pillar of our faith."
Clement of Alexandria (CA. 150 – 215), Stromata, Book VII, Chapter 16
“But those who are ready to toil in the most excellent pursuits, will not desist from the search after truth, till they get the demonstration from Scripture themselves.”
Tertullian (CA. 155 – 220)
In refuting a heresy of Docetism (denying doctrine of incarnation), Tertullian writes, “But there is no evidence of this, because Scripture says nothing.” Furthermore, he writes, “If it is nowhere written, then let it fear the woe which impends on all who add or take away from the written word.”
Hippolytus (CA. 170 – 236)
Against the Heresy of one Noetus
“There is, brethren, one God, the knowledge of whom we gain from the Holy Scripture, and from no other source. . . . Whatever things, then, the Holy Scriptures declare, at these let us look; and whatsoever things they teach, these let us learn; and the Father will our belief to be, let us believe . . . Not according to our own will, nor according to our own mind, nor yet as using violently those things which are given by God, but even as He has chosen to teach them by the Holy Scripture, so let us discern them.”
So I say this not to make you think they should replace scripture but as a witness support it.
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