Why does the bible divide?

[Trento]

In other words, we all are corrupted which is why we have the Holy Spirit. Studying the scriptures requires the Holy Spirit which is inward, not outward. The Holy Spirit is within us believers, Christ dwells in our hearts, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27) is the burning core of the Christian faith.

It cannot possibly be the Holy spirit.

A cursory look at SDA, JW, Baptists, Lutherans,Quakers, Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Christedelphians, Plymouth Brethren, Methodists, Pentecostals, A.O.G. Revival Centers, and all those that come and go etc; for the next few thousand hodgepodge of beliefs - all claiming to strictly adhere to what "Scripture Preaches" and All claiming the same inspired authority.
renders it all of little credibility - and a rejection of God's Word.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

It cannot possibly be the Holy spirit.

A cursory look at SDA, JW, Baptists, Lutherans,Quakers, Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Christedelphians, Plymouth Brethren, Methodists, Pentecostals, A.O.G. Revival Centers, and all those that come and go etc; for the next few thousand hodgepodge of beliefs - all claiming to strictly adhere to what "Scripture Preaches" and All claiming the same inspired authority.
renders it all of little credibility - and a rejection of God's Word.

The Scriptures must be fulfilled!

2 Thessalonians 2:11 And yet, the this, is sending to them, the God, an in-strong working-error, into the, to-believe them, the Lie.

 

[ProdicalChristian]

It cannot possibly be the Holy spirit.

A cursory look at SDA, JW, Baptists, Lutherans,Quakers, Evangelicals, Episcopalians, Christedelphians, Plymouth Brethren, Methodists, Pentecostals, A.O.G. Revival Centers, and all those that come and go etc; for the next few thousand hodgepodge of beliefs - all claiming to strictly adhere to what "Scripture Preaches" and All claiming the same inspired authority.
renders it all of little credibility - and a rejection of God's Word.

Just like any other persons whose hearts are corrupted. I won't blindly follow Pope or anyone else. I can see why there are "divisions" within Christianity. Martin Luther began this even though it was NOT his intent. He was trying to "reform" the RCC by working for biblical reform from within. We have to remember that the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction. In summary, I am saying that the Holy Spirit gave me assurance of my faith and doctrines I follow. No Church, No pastors or priests. Only the Holy Spirit (as part of the spiritual Church) is the only person who can do this through the Word of God. Spiritual growth requires us to understand the Scriptures and get to know our God the Father, our Savior the Son, and our comforter the Holy Spirit. “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

As a Christian, we don't need intelligence to decide because we have the Holy Spirit that convicts us to listen rather than focusing on our own pride of reasonings. God gave me the brain but in my body, who am I using my brian for? My flesh or In Spirit? if a Christian is not careful and forget. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In order to "revere" the Word of God (Bible), you submit to the Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Bible. Jesus said in John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

 

[plainswolf]

The Bible doesn’t contradict itself, so quoting verses will not contradict the Bible. But what does contradict the Bible is individual interpretation of the verses, or the manner in which ones use one set of verses to prove his view, but forget a whole other set of verses which disprove their point.

2 Peter 1:20, 2:1: First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation....But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies...”
Conclusion: “Private interpretation” leads to “false teachers who being destructive heresies.”
Peter 3:16-17: “There are some things in them [the Scripture] hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability.”

And that is what we have now, chaos, because so many people think they have an infallible interpretation of what the Bible says.

This one also supports the verses you've quoted:


"Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him." ---Acts 8:29-31



+

 

[Trento]

Just like any other persons whose hearts are corrupted. I won't blindly follow Pope or anyone else. I can see why there are "divisions" within Christianity. Martin Luther began this even though it was NOT his intent. He was trying to "reform" the RCC by working for biblical reform from within. We have to remember that the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction. In summary, I am saying that the Holy Spirit gave me assurance of my faith and doctrines I follow. No Church, No pastors or priests. Only the Holy Spirit (as part of the spiritual Church) is the only person who can do this through the Word of God. Spiritual growth requires us to understand the Scriptures and get to know our God the Father, our Savior the Son, and our comforter the Holy Spirit. “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

As a Christian, we don't need intelligence to decide because we have the Holy Spirit that convicts us to listen rather than focusing on our own pride of reasonings. God gave me the brain but in my body, who am I using my brian for? My flesh or In Spirit? if a Christian is not careful and forget. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In order to "revere" the Word of God (Bible), you submit to the Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Bible. Jesus said in John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Show us where the Bible says, other than God, where the Bible is the only divine authority by which you can know divine truth. If you can’t find it, then you are preaching a false gospel – a gospel which claims that only the Bible is your only divine authority.

2 Thess 2:15 says that the Apostolic teaching came both in "word of mouth" and "in letter," and that we are obliged to hold to both.
Thus we have two sources, not one, and that dictum is by the decree of Scripture. So if one is really paying attention to Scripture, then he must acknowledge that Scripture never claims to be the sole source or authority for what one is to believe.
There are other such passages showing us that Apostolic teaching was more than what was written in the Bible (1 Cor 11:34; Eph 3:3; 2 John 2:12; 2 Tim 2:2).

 

[WashedBytheSon]

Why does the bible divide christians instead of unite them?

The bible says directly sectarianism is wrong. People divide themselves. The problem also lies with people wanting to interpret things 'their way' instead of God's way. The bible is not just to be read, but to be meditated on and prayed about.

 

[IamAdopted]

Truth divides. Jesus said He did not come to bring peace. When Jesus spoke the truth It divided. We see this through out the gospels. We still have this today. Speak the truth of the written word and division will come.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Show us where the Bible says, other than God, where the Bible is the only divine authority by which you can know divine truth. If you can’t find it, then you are preaching a false gospel – a gospel which claims that only the Bible is your only divine authority.

Is that a scare tactic to bring us under authority of Rome? You haven't been able to convince the Orthodoxs to came back, as they claim their "church" has authority, so why should we?

Isaiah 34:4 Then shall be dissolved all the host of the heavens, And the heavens shall roll up as a scroll,--Yea, all their host, shall fade--Like the fading and falling of a leaf from a vine, and Like what fadeth and falleth from a fig-tree.

 

[Flames]

So why do we have Pastors and pay them more than 60% of the people in the congregation earn if scripture is for personal interpretation and people should find the personal revelation for their lives with the Holy Spirit?

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't take what the pope says as final word either. I am just curious about this because if you believe wholeheartedly everything your Pastor says as "truth" than most likely 50% at least of what he preaches is probably skewed in some way. If you take everything you interpret from scripture, you will probably be at least 50% wrong also.

 

[WashedBytheSon]

So why do we have Pastors and pay them more than 60% of the people in the congregation earn if scripture is for personal interpretation and people should find the personal revelation for their lives with the Holy Spirit?

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't take what the pope says as final word either. I am just curious about this because if you believe wholeheartedly everything your Pastor says as "truth" than most likely 50% at least of what he preaches is probably skewed in some way. If you take everything you interpret from scripture, you will probably be at least 50% wrong also.

The bible isn't about personal interpretation it is about finding the truth, which many times is not what people want it to be. I have to say I agree with what you are saying though, I do not like to put faith in things other people tell me when it comes to my relationship with God.

 

[Trento]

Is that a scare tactic to bring us under authority of Rome? You haven't been able to convince the Orthodoxs to came back, as they claim their "church" has authority, so why should we?

.

No but you could join the Orthodox Church which has this same doctrine without Romes authority. Serously there are Catholic-Orthodox theological talks going on right now. You know both have a spiritual and institutional continuity that goes back to the apostles.
The thousand-year schism between Catholic and Orthodox Christians formally ended only in 1965, when Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras lifted the excommunications that their predecessors had pronounced in 1054.

 

[sunlover1]

Just like any other persons whose hearts are corrupted. I won't blindly follow Pope or anyone else. I can see why there are "divisions" within Christianity. Martin Luther began this even though it was NOT his intent. He was trying to "reform" the RCC by working for biblical reform from within. We have to remember that the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man. I am a Christian FIRST. Secondary is the doctrines I rely on based on the Holy Spirit's conviction. In summary, I am saying that the Holy Spirit gave me assurance of my faith and doctrines I follow. No Church, No pastors or priests. Only the Holy Spirit (as part of the spiritual Church) is the only person who can do this through the Word of God. Spiritual growth requires us to understand the Scriptures and get to know our God the Father, our Savior the Son, and our comforter the Holy Spirit. “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

As a Christian, we don't need intelligence to decide because we have the Holy Spirit that convicts us to listen rather than focusing on our own pride of reasonings. God gave me the brain but in my body, who am I using my brian for? My flesh or In Spirit? if a Christian is not careful and forget. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In order to "revere" the Word of God (Bible), you submit to the Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Bible. Jesus said in John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

YES!

The bible says directly sectarianism is wrong. People divide themselves. The problem also lies with people wanting to interpret things 'their way' instead of God's way. The bible is not just to be read, but to be meditated on and prayed about.

Meditated on!

 

[sunlover1]

Truth divides. Jesus said He did not come to bring peace. When Jesus spoke the truth It divided. We see this through out the gospels. We still have this today. Speak the truth of the written word and division will come.

But do you think it divides "Christians"?

Those who are His, those who "hear His
voice and a strangers voice they will NOT
follow"?

Or does it seperate the wheat from the tares?

...

 

[ProdicalChristian]

Show us where the Bible says, other than God, where the Bible is the only divine authority by which you can know divine truth. If you can’t find it, then you are preaching a false gospel – a gospel which claims that only the Bible is your only divine authority.

2 Thess 2:15 says that the Apostolic teaching came both in "word of mouth" and "in letter," and that we are obliged to hold to both.
Thus we have two sources, not one, and that dictum is by the decree of Scripture. So if one is really paying attention to Scripture, then he must acknowledge that Scripture never claims to be the sole source or authority for what one is to believe.
There are other such passages showing us that Apostolic teaching was more than what was written in the Bible (1 Cor 11:34; Eph 3:3; 2 John 2:12; 2 Tim 2:2).

The main purpose for reading the Bible is to change ourselves as we read, believe and obey. The WORD is Jesus Christ. God's Word (the Bible) sometimes wounds us deeply and it is imperative because through the Bible, God speaks loudly. The Word of God (Bible) rebukes US we we read so that we may see our OWN faults (not others). The Bible illumines the dark corners of our own hearts and minds by exposing our OWN sin but at the same time reveals the way of rightousness.

Do we accept the Bible as the Word of God, as the sole Authority in all matters of faith and practice, or do we not? Do I accept Scripture as the revelation from God, or do I trust to speculation, human knowledge, human learning, human understanding, and human reasons? It is important for us to relize that the pastor/leaders-church relationship is very sensitive and vitally important issue. The only authority any pastor or elder has is the Word of God. When you step beyond the Word of God, you’ve overstepped the bounds of your authority.

God reveals Himself primarily through the pages of Scripture; that is why I believe the Bible as my absolute authority. Before we blame, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching that is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin. Regardless of the teachings (doctrines), we all are Christian first according to Jesus Christ's teachings (not the Church's teachings). It is my belief that gift of teaching is probably the most important gift and may be one of the gifts most needed today to help guide the sheeps to discern the from false to truth. Teahching is part of Christ's Great Commission where Jesus says, "Go . . . and make disciples of all nations".

Regarding the Gospel, in Philippians 1:17-19 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

The Gospel is being spread regardless. People are hearing the word "Jesus". Before we were saved, our minds & hearts were planted over the years about Jesus from various source. Its the Holy Spirit that convicted us to accept Christ. Not the Church. Church's roles are planting, teaching and exhortation. The Holy Spirit leads people to the Gospel. We are to spread the Gospel and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Christ is more than a system, tradition, or belief.

 

[Peaceful Dove]

Who is the father of division?
Who would divide marriages?
Who would divide children from parents?
Who would divide neighbors?
Who would divide races?
Who would divide the Body of Christ?

This is not of God.
We may go along with it but we are not the father of division?

WHO?
Who has the most to gain?
Boy oh boy are you all politically correct.
Best put that aside and answer the question.

 

[IamAdopted]

But do you think it divides "Christians"?

Those who are His, those who "hear His
voice and a strangers voice they will NOT
follow"?

Or does it seperate the wheat from the tares?

...

IT seperates truth from error.. IT seperates the wheat from the tears. Truth is convicting. That is why scripture says that it is written for reproof and correction so that the man of God will fully equipped.

 

[E.C.]

No but you could join the Orthodox Church which has this same doctrine without Romes authority. Serously there are Catholic-Orthodox theological talks going on right now. You know both have a spiritual and institutional continuity that goes back to the apostles.
The thousand-year schism between Catholic and Orthodox Christians formally ended only in 1965, when Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras lifted the excommunications that their predecessors had pronounced in 1054.

Yes and no.

All that really meant was that neither would be throwing rocks at the other.

Orthodox Church is NOT a Roman Catholic Church minus the pope. The two are so different on so many levels. We still worship the way they did centuries ago. Catholicism's worship changes with the pope (or so it seems).

Although the two are similar on many levels, to say the part in bold is still erroneous.

 

[E.C.]

Who is the father of division?
Who would divide marriages?
Who would divide children from parents?
Who would divide neighbors?
Who would divide races?
Who would divide the Body of Christ?

This is not of God.
We may go along with it but we are not the father of division?

WHO?
Who has the most to gain?
Boy oh boy are you all politically correct.
Best put that aside and answer the question.

And yet I am still baffled as to why people see the 30,000+ completely different Christian groups as a good thing.

 

[SonicBOOM]

Why does the bible divide christians instead of unite them?

The problem is with people, not with the Bible.

I somewhat disagree. The bible itself claims to be a double-edged sword and while this passage is abused more than any other passage in the bible it still holds weight. I kind of wonder what Paul meant. The bible does indeed divide... but what it divides is essential to know. I think alot of people who use this passage intend to divide people. I wish these people would look at Proverbs. If they did they would find that "causing division" is the one thing that God hates most out of the 7 listed. It's pretty serious. Paul uses the word "sword" to illustrate his point and he says elsewhere that the sword of the spirit is the word of God. I think it helps to remember that every human has 2 sides to him. His flesh side and his spirit side. I think the nature of the passage is to divide these 2 from one another. It's important to realize that the purpose of the sword is to bring freedom, not condemnation. I'm still unsure what Paul means by the bible dividing but I personally try to remember that our battle is for the freedom of mankind. There's alot of encouraging passages in the bible and massive amounts of wisdom. The bible is an amazing map when it comes to living life. I think we need to look at this passage with an eye for the human problem. If we are to fight for humanity than a sword might be mighty helpful.

 

[SpiritDriven]

The bible isn't about personal interpretation it is about finding the truth, which many times is not what people want it to be. I have to say I agree with what you are saying though, I do not like to put faith in things other people tell me when it comes to my relationship with God.

God has shut up all men in disobedience that he may show mercy to all (Romans 11.32)