Please recommend Bible teachers?

  • 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.

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#61
Compare posts 27 & 28.
Maybe we could all return to the words of Christ and have no denominational conflicts. Many people when defending their understanding of scripture, and a member of a denomination, are defending what they've been led to understand in that church.
So each person would be their own denomination? Each having their own understanding of Scripture?
In light of the following verse, how would there be any edification or unity?

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
113
#62
Compare posts 27 & 28.
Ah, her post appeared after yours. I thought you meant she came after you in a negative sense. I was going to say, that's not the Lafftur I'm familiar with all these weeks of attending the site.

So each person would be their own denomination? Each having their own understanding of Scripture?
In light of the following verse, how would there be any edification or unity?

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Easy answer I would think. Were there denominations among the Apostles teaching after Christ? What denomination was Christ a member of?
1 John 2:26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#63
Ah, her post appeared after yours. I thought you meant she came after you in a negative sense. I was going to say, that's not the Lafftur I'm familiar with all these weeks of attending the site.
nevermind.
SMH

Easy answer I would think. Were there denominations among the Apostles teaching after Christ? What denomination was Christ a member of?
Yes there were denominations and schisms, even with teachers...

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
(1Co 1:11-13)

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
(1Co 11:18-19)

Now, can you answer my point without assuming I am for denominations?

"So each person would be their own denomination? Each having their own understanding of Scripture?
In light of the following verse, how would there be any edification or unity?

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: "
 

soggykitten

Well-known member
Jul 3, 2020
2,322
1,369
113
#64
Gladly. It is one or the other. If you're unclear, that's fine. I'm done.


Yes there were denominations and schisms, even with teachers...

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
(1Co 1:11-13)

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
(1Co 11:18-19)

Now, can you answer my point without assuming I am for denominations?

"So each person would be their own denomination? Each having their own understanding of Scripture?
In light of the following verse, how would there be any edification or unity?

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: "
I didn't assume you were for denominations.
What is it with some here? You fill in the gaps with your own idea and then accuse another of what you invented?
Let's just leave it where it is.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#65
No, not true. It’s NOT only to me - it’s ONLY to the Truth.

The Holy Spirit in every believer will bear witness to Truth when spoken in others - no matter who they are. BUT, the Holy Spirit ONLY bears witness to the Truth - no respecter of person.
Got to ask the Holy Spirit questions while you read the Word of God.......seeking God, not just reading....seeking.

Just like those writers- be lead by the Holy Spirit into the depth of understanding of God’s Word.

BSF International is a wonderful global bible study I have always loved to attend that would encourage me to depend on the Holy Spirit for help with my Bible Study homework questions.

After homework, I could read commentaries if I wanted to but, they STRONGLY encouraged asking the Holy Spirit FIRST for understanding.

I’ve always been amazed at the depth of insight the Holy Spirit gives - so life giving! :love:(y)

Go checkout BSF! :love:(y)
I am sure everyone agrees with that approach. If I catch myself having started my bible study without praying I always stop and spend a few minutes acknowledging my dependence on the Holy Spirit to give me illumination. I think the objection from everyone is that if someone were to sit with their bible and ask the Holy Spirit to teach them because they don't want to get it from any man, they are confused as to how the Holy Spirit has chosen to use men to teach the scripture empowered by the Holy Spirit so that whether I got the illumination sitting in my special chair by the fire place with my bible after praying or I got the illumination by listening to a Holy Ghost anointed preacher exegete a portion of scripture or I got the illumination by reading from a gifted and educated bible scholar who also is depending on the Holy Spirit to use him, in a commentary that he wrote, I am still getting it from the Holy Spirit.
 
L

lenna

Guest
#66
She came after you?

Maybe we could all return to the words of Christ and have no denominational conflicts. Many people when defending their understanding of scripture, and a member of a denomination, are defending what they've been led to understand in that church.
maybe you could try to keep up instead of simply picking a side

this is not about denominations. you cannot overwrite scripture which tells us that there is only ONE Way, ONE Truth and ONE life and that is in Christ


Billy Edwards is not the truth and the truth is that we are all members of the body of Christ, are supposed to have different gifts and are supposed to be accountable one to another. we are unique perhaps in our DNA, but we are not special or unique in the sense that God says it is ok for someone to go beyond what is written and refuse instruction and refuse to be accountable

yes, this is 'just' a forum and not a teaching platform but to state we need no one but the Holy Spirit is to misinterpret because of a lack of understanding and a lack of proper exegesis. the Holy Spirit is not going to jump in front of someone when they are in error. we have entire churches that are practicing occult things because they believe they know better than scripture and they think that 'no man needs to teach you' means they can never be wrong


a personal understanding of scripture is not what is required. most of the NT was written to correct error and or teach. what is actually needed, is the exegesis and all the other words that have been scoffed at, understanding given by God through His Spirit that does not CONTRADICT what is written and agrees with the truths held by those who UNDERSTAND what doctrine is and are in agreement with it
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#67
maybe you could try to keep up instead of simply picking a side

this is not about denominations. you cannot overwrite scripture which tells us that there is only ONE Way, ONE Truth and ONE life and that is in Christ


Billy Edwards is not the truth and the truth is that we are all members of the body of Christ, are supposed to have different gifts and are supposed to be accountable one to another. we are unique perhaps in our DNA, but we are not special or unique in the sense that God says it is ok for someone to go beyond what is written and refuse instruction and refuse to be accountable

yes, this is 'just' a forum and not a teaching platform but to state we need no one but the Holy Spirit is to misinterpret because of a lack of understanding and a lack of proper exegesis. the Holy Spirit is not going to jump in front of someone when they are in error. we have entire churches that are practicing occult things because they believe they know better than scripture and they think that 'no man needs to teach you' means they can never be wrong


a personal understanding of scripture is not what is required. most of the NT was written to correct error and or teach. what is actually needed, is the exegesis and all the other words that have been scoffed at, understanding given by God through His Spirit that does not CONTRADICT what is written and agrees with the truths held by those who UNDERSTAND what doctrine is and are in agreement with it
A definition on my final examine that I took today:
The goal of exegesis is to let the Scripture say what the Spirit intended it to mean in its original context.
I got a 100. Not boasting, just Happy!! Woo Hoo!!
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#68
A definition on my final examine that I took today:
The goal of exegesis is to let the Scripture say what the Spirit intended it to mean in its original context.
I got a 100. Not boasting, just Happy!! Woo Hoo!!
*exam. Not sure what happened there. :)
 
L

lenna

Guest
#71
A definition on my final examine that I took today:
The goal of exegesis is to let the Scripture say what the Spirit intended it to mean in its original context.
I got a 100. Not boasting, just Happy!! Woo Hoo!!

you would hope this becomes a popular truism now

congratulations on your exam! :giggle:
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#72
Okay fair enough, but what you say here seemed to contradict what you said in post#18 where you said...

"Nope. What I know, no man has taught me.

Man teaches what he knows but, the Holy Spirit teaches what He knows.......

Who do you want to listen to?" :unsure:
I think the clearest example of what she meant by "the Holy Spirit is my teacher" is given in this thread here which she created

https://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/god-whats-water-baptism-for.193814/
 

bojack

Well-known member
Dec 16, 2019
2,309
1,006
113
#73
To name a couple
Zola Levitt, Jewish Christian was one of my favorites .. deceased
James Kennedy ... deceased
Lester Sumrall .. deceased
Jonathan Cahn, Jewish Christian ..

And I used to love all no-nonsense preaching on the radio late at night when I was working out of town on the way home on weekends .. Off subject but I used to prefer college football on the radio Saturdays ..
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,886
3,631
113
#74
I am sure everyone agrees with that approach. If I catch myself having started my bible study without praying I always stop and spend a few minutes acknowledging my dependence on the Holy Spirit to give me illumination. I think the objection from everyone is that if someone were to sit with their bible and ask the Holy Spirit to teach them because they don't want to get it from any man, they are confused as to how the Holy Spirit has chosen to use men to teach the scripture empowered by the Holy Spirit so that whether I got the illumination sitting in my special chair by the fire place with my bible after praying or I got the illumination by listening to a Holy Ghost anointed preacher exegete a portion of scripture or I got the illumination by reading from a gifted and educated bible scholar who also is depending on the Holy Spirit to use him, in a commentary that he wrote, I am still getting it from the Holy Spirit.
Nope. Scribe you’re “only getting it” if the Holy Spirit is bearing witness that it is True.

Our minds need to be renewed so we can know the perfect Will of God - the renewing of our minds happens with the Word of God and Holy Spirit.

All the different denominations and divisions are because we’re trying to renew our mind with the Word and human reasoning which just makes us argue and divide.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity - we’re to all be of one Spirit. If the Holy Spirit was truly teaching all of us, we would agree.

I’m trying to encourage all believers in Christ to seek to understand the Word of God with the Holy Spirit. :love:(y)
 

Mii

Well-known member
Mar 23, 2019
2,082
1,329
113
#75
Nope. Scribe you’re “only getting it” if the Holy Spirit is bearing witness that it is True.

Our minds need to be renewed so we can know the perfect Will of God - the renewing of our minds happens with the Word of God and Holy Spirit.

All the different denominations and divisions are because we’re trying to renew our mind with the Word and human reasoning which just makes us argue and divide.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity - we’re to all be of one Spirit. If the Holy Spirit was truly teaching all of us, we would agree.

I’m trying to encourage all believers in Christ to seek to understand the Word of God with the Holy Spirit. :love:(y)
There's some gold in this. Another factor for myself in explaining away disparity/disagreement in denominations or even non-denominational believers that still disagree (sometimes only minorly) is perhaps our own uniqueness causes this.

Tell me that diversity does not cause not seeing eye to eye sometimes. I think it "can" and does. Even peter and paul didn't see eye to eye on something or even paul and his ministry partners. If we can't at least agree to disagree THEN we have some problems...otherwise? We are all maturing at a different rate. Me at 10 vs me at 25 it could be that I agreed with you later and I'm at a different growth stage when we actually met and discussed something possibly?

I have a general consternation when it comes to not being of one spirit (that I can tell) for sure. It's concerning, so that's why I give the benefit of the doubt fairly conservatively with caution.
 
R

Ruby123

Guest
#76
lenna - one way God speaks to us is in our mind - in our thoughts.

There are lots of voices- we have to learn to recognize who is speaking to us.

God the Father - pure unconditional love

God the Son - as a friend, brother and lover of our soul

God the Holy Spirit- as a teacher, counselor, comforter, guide

Satan/demons/etc - always condemning you or telling you you’re better than everyone and condemning others, they want us to hurt ourselves and hurt others

Us - our own voice is trying to reason and make decisions, remembering memories, creating solutions to problems
I get it. You don't put God in a box. I try not to do this too and you are open to what he says to you. That in my opinion is the only way to go. I think people are so afraid of "what not to do" that we miss out on what God is saying. That is why the church is so weak.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#77
It would be nice if we could just 'learn from the Holy Spirit and be led continually by Him", but the problem is our remaining flesh which abides until we have our new bodies will do all it can to prevent that relationship...

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Gal 5:17)
 
R

Ruby123

Guest
#78
It would be nice if we could just 'learn from the Holy Spirit and be led continually by Him", but the problem is our remaining flesh which abides until we have our new bodies will do all it can to prevent that relationship...

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Gal 5:17)
I agree but it doesn't help when people continually shove it down your throat that you are most definitely wrong about your interpretation or understanding because it doesn't line up with this or that commentary and then want to argue about it for the next few years. It switches from "I think that interpretation is wrong because of......" to a blood bath. The motive changes. I don't know if it has always been like this on here or if it has just worsened this year.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#79
Nope. Scribe you’re “only getting it” if the Holy Spirit is bearing witness that it is True.

Our minds need to be renewed so we can know the perfect Will of God - the renewing of our minds happens with the Word of God and Holy Spirit.

All the different denominations and divisions are because we’re trying to renew our mind with the Word and human reasoning which just makes us argue and divide.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity - we’re to all be of one Spirit. If the Holy Spirit was truly teaching all of us, we would agree.

I’m trying to encourage all believers in Christ to seek to understand the Word of God with the Holy Spirit. :love:(y)
Ah! Just when I thought we were making progress. :( No, I don't think I am "getting it"

It sounds like an idealist concept that you are suggesting that all we have to do is pray and we will get some kind of "light bulb" moment, or a warm fuzzy telling us that the Spirit is confirming with some sort of inward peace that our understanding is what the Spirit intended.

I disagree. I think that the reason we know that our understanding is what the Spirit intended is by following sound rules of hermeneutics. Others who also follow those rules will agree and come to the same interpretation "that which the Spirit intended when the author wrote it in it's original context."

This is not human reasoning unless you are referring to the humans that God used to write the scripture but in that case it is verbal, plenary inspiration meaning that God used the personality and writing styles of the individual humans but guided them in such a way that even the words they used were inspired.

For example, your previous idea that demons can see into the future because the future is all laid out in the spiritual realm and they operate in the spiritual realm contradicts the scripture in Isaiah 41 that says that knowing the future is a divine attribute only and their idols could not do that, (and Paul said that we know that their idols are demons) so therefore demons cannot see into the future and do not possess this divine attribute) Your insisting that they can means that you are thinking that you are being taught this by the Holy Spirit but you are wrong because Isaiah 41 says that you are wrong and so your theory about being able to listen to these thoughts that you claim are from the Spirit has failed you in this regard as to demons seeing into the future and you are in need of a bible teacher that can walk you through the scriptures that prove to you that only God can tell the future and not demons in the spirit realm. You are demonstrating just how dangerous your belligerent adherence to your devotion to warm fuzzies can be. :) Your best option at this point it to examine Is 41 and submit to the scriptures and deny your false teaching that demons can see into the future and that you were wrong that the Spirit did not show you that, but you made it up out of your own "leaning on your own understanding" :) There is no shame in admitting when we have made a mistake in be willing to change our views. The Spirit is telling you what He told Isaiah in chapter 41. The Spirit has not changed his mind on this.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#80
I agree but it doesn't help when people continually shove it down your throat that you are most definitely wrong about your interpretation or understanding because it doesn't line up with this or that commentary and then want to argue about it for the next few years. It switches from "I think that interpretation is wrong because of......" to a blood bath. The motive changes. I don't know if it has always been like this on here or if it has just worsened this year.
I hope you didn't take my comment as being directed at you or anyone else in particular. It was just me throwing in my 2¢.