I AM PUZZLED AS TO THE BIBLE BEING THE SOLE AUTHORITY OF GOD'S WORD

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Feb 24, 2022
1,346
288
83
#81
I don't believe Messianics belong to any of those groups. They are focused on their Jewish identity while believing on Yeshua.
There's nothing wrong about that, isn't Yeshua the lion of Judah? Actually there's a huge advantage for them since it's much easier for them to understand the cultural backgrounds in the gospels and the connection with the old testament. They have unique insights on a lot of things that were lost in translation.
 
Jan 14, 2021
1,599
526
113
#82
Muslims believe that Isa is merely a prophet, but less than Muhammad.
Moslems believe that Jesus is the Messiah.

But they do believe that Christ died for their sins and rose again for their justification.
The wiki for Messianic Judaism notes "Jesus is the Messiah; views on his divinity vary".

If they deny Christ's divinity, they aren't Christian.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,049
8,728
113
#83
Sometimes it’s hard to find a safe place to ask questions.
"Safe place" Where snowflakes can't ever melt
A place where everyone must agrees with what someone says or thinks, because..... SAFETY!

That phrase is nauseating to me. It's true purpose and design is to shut down dissent. Just another wretched tactic of the left.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,049
8,728
113
#84
Well, it's pretty obvious that the members of this board don't have any real answers to the puzzlement that I posed in the first message on this thread. Instead, just a lot of smoke and mirrors and it seems a lot of animosity for asking a question and questioning the answers I received. So, I'll let the thread drop at this time, fully convinced that none of the responders had any real answers. God Bless All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is from YOU. Somehow I'm betting you don't see your hypocrisy.

Arthur Fleminger BIBLICAL MARY Thread:

"If you think of Mary as only a vessel that God the Father chose for Jesus, then you are a moron."
 

Marilyn

Active member
Jul 27, 2021
998
200
43
#85
I once worked with a Korean fellow. Our conversation once turned to Christianity. I asked him if he were Christian. He said no and I asked why. He asked me how he could become a Christian since there were so many Christian Churches/Denominations/Sects and they all disagreed with each other about the tenets of their Christian faith. He made a good point.

All Christians look to the Bible as their source of God's word and truth. But what good is that if all these Christians interpret the Bible and it's passages differently? I've been on this board for about a year and so many disagreements. And, after observing many/many posts on this board, with differing opinions, I've never yet to see one person change their mind about any doctrine or tenet from the Bible.

Seems that each of us has appointed ourselves, and not the Bible, as the authority on what the Bible says and teaches. Jesus prayed that we all be one and promised to send the Spirit to lead us to all truth. That's surely not happening. Why so???????????
I don`t think you are understanding the Lord`s great work over the centuries and across the world. Many, many believers have been martyred for truths we so easily understand today and don`t have to be killed for believing -

- Salvation through Christ, believer`s baptism, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Christ`s ministries, ....

Most believers believe all those truths that the Holy Spirit has been clarifying over the centuries. Just because there are different public meetings does not change those truths we mostly all believe in. The public meetings are just that - public meetings run by different groups, but basically they all believe the same things.

There is one more truth to be clarified and that is where you will see a multitude of variations - eschatology. This involves the Father`s plans for the Body of Christ, for Israel and for the nations, all under Christ`s rule. Because it is the last truth to be clarified it will be hotly contested, just as all the other truths were over the years.

Now tell you friend that does seeing many different banks upset him, or a variety of schools, mean that something is wrong. really, you are just observing PUBLIC MEETINGS, whereas God is looking AT THE HEART. And true believers mostly all believe the same truths and are working through the last one.

Note: The mix up in eschatology is because people place themselves at the center of God`s word, it`s all about ME, MYSELF AND I. As if. When actually it is all about CHRIST AND HIS CHARACTER AND HIS PURPOSES for - the body of Christ, for Israel and for the nations. get that right and all the details fall into place.
 

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
3,021
1,439
113
Midwest
#87
op: Puzzle as to Authority Of Scripture?

A: No puzzle at all; simply believe "What God Says About It!":

1) God's Holy Word Is Settled In Heaven For Ever!:​
"For Ever, O LORD, Thy Word Is Settled In Heaven."​
(Psa 118:89)​
2) Every Word Of God Is Pure And Preserved For Ever!:​
"The Words Of The LORD Are Pure Words: as silver tried​
in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. Thou Shalt​
Keep Them, O LORD, Thou Shalt Preserve Them from​
this generation For Ever. " (Psa 12:6-7)​
3) The Word Of God Is Magnified Above All His Holy Name!:​
"I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name​
for Thy Lovingkindness and for Thy Truth: for Thou Hast​
Magnified Thy Word Above All Thy Name. " (Psa 138:2)​
4) We are to live By Every Word out of The Mouth Of God!:​
"But He Answered and Said, It Is Written, Man shall not​
live by bread alone, but By Every Word That Proceedeth​
Out Of The Mouth Of God." (Mat 4:4; Luk 4:4; Deu 8:4)​
5) We are not to think Above That Which Is Written!:​
"And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to​
myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us​
not to think above That Which Is Written,
that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. " (1Co 4:6)​
GRACE and Peace...

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified In
CHRIST And HIS Authoritative Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,680
113
#88
I once worked with a Korean fellow. Our conversation once turned to Christianity. I asked him if he were Christian. He said no and I asked why. He asked me how he could become a Christian since there were so many Christian Churches/Denominations/Sects and they all disagreed with each other about the tenets of their Christian faith. He made a good point.

All Christians look to the Bible as their source of God's word and truth. But what good is that if all these Christians interpret the Bible and it's passages differently? I've been on this board for about a year and so many disagreements. And, after observing many/many posts on this board, with differing opinions, I've never yet to see one person change their mind about any doctrine or tenet from the Bible.

Seems that each of us has appointed ourselves, and not the Bible, as the authority on what the Bible says and teaches. Jesus prayed that we all be one and promised to send the Spirit to lead us to all truth. That's surely not happening. Why so???????????
I honestly think it's because much of the Bible is written with intentional vagueness, making it highly interpretive, and it's complex. I mean just pick anything like water baptism or the rapture and people will fight like cats and dogs about it. The thing about the Bible is that it can take days, months, or years of serious sit-down-and-study time to really get to the truth about something, but only a few seconds to drive by and misunderstand something completely out of context.

The challenge is correcting these errors and, yes, like you said, that's difficult.
 

Diakonos

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2019
1,377
432
83
30
Anacortes, WA
#89
I've never yet to see one person change their mind about any doctrine or tenet from the Bible.
Happens all the time. Every few weeks or so, my understanding of a Biblical doctrine is either strengthened or tweaked to conform to Scripture because of my own studying. On this site alone, about 10 people have changed their minds about Biblical doctrines after having a thorough, non-evasive conversation with them.
 

SteveEpperson

Junior Member
May 12, 2018
536
218
43
#90
Here is what we who are followers of Christ agree on, no matter what denomination of the church we happen to belong to:

1. All have fallen short of the glory of God, even you and me

2. God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to take our place and atone for our sins. It is the only way to get to heaven.

3. Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead three days later

4. Those who genuinely turn from their sin and follow Jesus will have everlasting life in close fellowship with God, the Father

5. The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and indwells in us upon conversion.

6. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you become born again, with a brand new life, not of the flesh, but of spirit.


Have you prayed to God and allowed Jesus into your life? I did so when I was 12 and am glad I did. However, it did not make me rich, popular, or good-looking.

Instead, I know exactly where I am going when I die. I get to spend eternity in a paradise beyond my wildest imagination. The book of Revelation only gives a small glimpse into what awaits, but it is pretty amazing, from what I've read.

Have you committed to following Jesus Christ? Or maybe you are not sure?

I prayed a prayer like this when I received Christ for the first time:

" Dear God, I understand that I am a sinner eternally separated from you. I need a savior, and today, I choose to follow Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of my life. I repent of my sins, which means I no longer want to break your commandments. Instead, I want to be like Christ and have eternal life with you, God. I pray this to you, Father, in the name of Jesus through your Holy Spirit. Amen. "

Truth be told, I pray a similar prayer every day, even after 45 years. Why? Because I still sin. I confess my sins early, often, and without excuse.

It's a great life being a Christ-follower. I would not give it up for all the money in the world. The greatest benefit is knowing that I will not have eternal separation from God when he takes me from this earth.

Let us know about your experience walking with Jesus. Or, if you have any questions, feel free to ask, or use the private message feature.

May God truly bless you and keep you in His loving care.
 
Feb 24, 2022
1,346
288
83
#91
I honestly think it's because much of the Bible is written with intentional vagueness, making it highly interpretive, and it's complex. I mean just pick anything like water baptism or the rapture and people will fight like cats and dogs about it. The thing about the Bible is that it can take days, months, or years of serious sit-down-and-study time to really get to the truth about something, but only a few seconds to drive by and misunderstand something completely out of context.

The challenge is correcting these errors and, yes, like you said, that's difficult.
It's not vague if you are familiar with everything in Torah, which is the foundation. Water baptism is the cleansing ritual for the Levite priests before they could enter the Tablenacle of Meeting, rapture is the deliverance for His righteous people from the wrath of God.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,680
113
#92
It's not vague if you are familiar with everything in Torah, which is the foundation. Water baptism is the cleansing ritual for the Levite priests before they could enter the Tablenacle of Meeting, rapture is the deliverance for His righteous people from the wrath of God.
Yeah if you’re familiar with X thing then Y thing makes so much sense. Most people aren’t going to study the Bible that deep because they just aren’t hungry for the Word like that. They might open the Bible up and see something then make a broad assumption. For example, I’m in a thread now where the OP is saying that infants are born automatically believing in Jesus because of one verse taken completely out of context.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,669
13,070
113
#93
Moslems believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
Yes the Koran calls Jesus "the Messiah" but then immediately downgrades Him to "the son of Mary".
The wiki for Messianic Judaism notes "Jesus is the Messiah; views on his divinity vary". If they deny Christ's divinity, they aren't Christian.
Most Messianics do not deny the deity of Christ:

2. Jesus Christ - Messianic Jews believe that Jesus Christ is the Promised Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. He is referred to in Hebrew as Yeshua and regarded as the way of salvation for all who believe in his death and resurrection. They believe that Jesus’ death was payment for the sins of all. (Acts 2)

3. Trinity - Most Messianic Jews believe in the Trinity as God in three parts. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all displayed in the New Testament Scriptures through the Gospels (the first four books) and the book of Acts.
From Christianity.com

Even Jews understood from the Old Testament that Messiah is divine: Some interpreters may regard the Son of Man simply as the symbolic representation of a warrior-Messiah , who does not enjoy divine status, or of heroic Israel. But Boyarin suggests that Daniel’s vision reflected earlier traditions of a dual Father-Son godhead [sic] — which later rabbis successfully fought as heresy but which underlay the Gospels’ depiction of Jesus.
https://www.thejc.com/judaism/features/why-a-divine-messiah-was-not-beyond-belief-1.44171

Alfred Edersheim -- a Hebrew Christian -- showed in his book titled The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, that rabbinic writings did believe that Messiah would be divine.
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
5,084
2,581
113
London
christianchat.com
#94
I once worked with a Korean fellow. Our conversation once turned to Christianity. I asked him if he were Christian. He said no and I asked why. He asked me how he could become a Christian since there were so many Christian Churches/Denominations/Sects and they all disagreed with each other about the tenets of their Christian faith. He made a good point.

All Christians look to the Bible as their source of God's word and truth. But what good is that if all these Christians interpret the Bible and it's passages differently? I've been on this board for about a year and so many disagreements. And, after observing many/many posts on this board, with differing opinions, I've never yet to see one person change their mind about any doctrine or tenet from the Bible.

Seems that each of us has appointed ourselves, and not the Bible, as the authority on what the Bible says and teaches. Jesus prayed that we all be one and promised to send the Spirit to lead us to all truth. That's surely not happening. Why so???????????
There is unity among all born again christians regarding the fundamentals ... Jesus did not mean the unity you crave, one conglomerate church. We had that with the RCC and the dark ages ensued.

Everyone can find a family to which they will feel at home.