CharliRenee,
Perhaps I may insert some thought here on this oft quoted passage generally directed at individual interpretation of Scripture. I don't believe, if you take a look at it, that is what is intended, at least here in this passage.
Is this what the passage is speaking of, that we aren't to have our own individual interpretations? (I would agree we should compare the with those who are learned).
Or, could it be that he is speaking of the writers of the OT Scriptures, that what they wrote was not their own private interpretation, but was instead God breathed theopneustos that they penned, devoid of any admixture on their part? I believe when we look at it, this is exactly what is intended. (I know, I'm such a stickler!)
Look at the next verse:
"For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 1 Peter 1:21
We can see plainly this has to do with the OT prophecies or Scripture and the authors. In other words they didn't just write what they wanted to say.
And you coupled the above with this wonderful passage:
But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Matthew 23:8-9 NASB
I hear what you're saying, but we must be careful to not think that we are off on our own, that we only need God to teach us as some may well do. There are many who say this, this we know. But many false doctrines arise due to this, and many are seen on this site, taking Scripture out of context is generally the culprit.
Some believe this is to be spiritual though, that only God taught them. Yet, is this really true? Well sure, somebody somewhere got everything they believe all on their own without consulting anyone, and said teaching will generally be way off track.
But God gives insight to those grounded in truth and they come up with clear, contextual accurate and consistent interpretations: Not pitting Scripture against Scripture.
There is safety in how God decreed teaching to happen; Ephesians 4:11-15 (and note the reason in verse 14, these are there from God so we don't get tossed around with every wind of doctrine, like on here). There are many other Scriptures in the NT and the OT that deal with our godly teachers, how we should honor them, be taught by them.
We see that God has set this order for protection, unity, sound doctrine.
We also need to take heed here, of the "unlearned" and the Biblical warning about this.
Note 2 Peter 3:14-18 &c:
"Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
You'll probably think I'm just being ugly again, but the fact remains many just should not be teaching, they do not know what they are talking about, and they introduce destructive teachings into the church due to ignorance and taking Scripture out of context.
There is much more to this, but just some food for thought.
Now I'll just go back to being ugly, divisive...or...maybe it's just my being relentless for proper, sound, consistent, and contextually exegeted Scripture.
Oh, we love this song, It goes along with your thread title:
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