Who or what is the arbiter of truth?

Who is the arbiter who of truth? Or What is the rule of faith?

The source of faith and truth…that can vary with people and religions.

For myself ....the Word of God is my source of faith, practice, and Truth

The arbiter would be the author (God) not religion not external sources or people.

With the utilization of various keys and principles my biblical research is based on the Bible interpreting itself.

The Holy Spirit will guide Christians into all Truth, and the Truth is found in the Bible.

The Holy Spirit.

Jn 3:5 says water and the spirit
What the water for? Thanks

Are you referring to Jn 16:13? That refers to the apostles and they must teach the people.

is the word of God limited to scripture?
where does the Bible say the Bible interprets the Bible?
Where does the Bible list what books are the Bible?

It does say that but not in the context of truth... the OP's question.

No. That has universal application although addressed first to the apostles: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

How do we know that has universal application? We go to 1 John 4:13; 2:20, 27: Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit... But ye have an unction [anointing] from the Holy One [the Holy Spirit], and ye know all things... But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

What’s the context of truth pray tell?

Context of Jn 3:5 “born again”

John1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (John prepared the way by baptism)

John 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (Old covenant prefiguring of baptism, purification from sin)(His disciples believed because the ever Virgin mother of God interceded Jn 2:11)

John3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Baptism)

(Key verse! Actions speak louder than words: verse 22)

John 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.(Baptism / water)

John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.

Born again means Baptismal regeneration!


baptismal regeneration!
A new creation in Christ! 2 cor 5:17
Jn 1 JTB prepared the way by baptism!
Jn 2 the waters of purification are OT prefigurement of baptism!
Jn 3:5 born again means baptism
Jn 3:22 they immediately went to the river! Not to preach “accept Christ as personal lord and savior”
But to BAPTIZE!!!

is the word of God limited to scripture?

That question has variables … *

*The Word of God can be spoken or written.

*It can also be revelation from God as per word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, & gift ministry of prophet → but it will never contradict the written Word. I would also include worship manifestation of prophecy, interpretation of tongues.

*In its original form as given by inspiration from Jesus Christ or God breathed…. without the addition of scribal notes interpreter’s additions and deliberate forgeries .



where does the Bible say the Bible interprets the Bible?

Word for word → it does not…................nor does it state that we should interpret the Bible.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Rightly dividing is the word orthotoméō used only once … here in Timbo land 2:15

orthos means “perfectly right” or “perfectly straight” toméō means “to cut”.

Its intricate nuance meaning is, that there is only one way to rightly cut the Word, all other ways are wrong. Everybody who reads the Word, divides it….. the question is….. is it rightly divided; because the converse to rightly divide is wrongly divide ….But who better than the author knows.... how it should be orthotoméō.

With that in mind, I have laid for myself a format for doing so. It’s not extensive, but I believe it covers all the basics for allowing the Word to interpret itself. However, I am always open to additional input. If you want it, I would be happy to post it.



Where does the Bible list what books are the Bible? ….. Most often in the front……………………………sorry

Lol
Who is this workman that is referred to, apostles or bishops or priest maybe? Certainly not the lay people?

Arbiter of truth?
Or
Harbinger of argument?

Everyone has their own "truth" that they claim is derived from the scriptures as they understand them. Hermeneutics is a blend of art and science to derive what they wish to perceive from the scriptures.
However, the wildly varying theologies are anything but unified. No two people here actually agree with each other across all Theological positions...maybe on some points but not all.
So who is right?

I might be right...but that rightness exists only in my mind. The real question is how right am I with what God really thinks?

And that is the crux. Sure we have the scriptures but again....genethe anothen has a translation and definition based upon what people want it to say instead of what it really says...and the two are completely unrelated.
Which brings me to the point....

God relates to each of us (those of us who actually know God and aren't just faking it) in an individual manner with a completely unique relationship. What one person sees is not the same as another. Both are right...but different at the same time....AKA a paradox.

So the real question should be:

"What does a particular scripture mean to YOU?"

Then we get to judge your relationship with God based on the questions and answers you provide. Such as "Are they a true child or are they an imposter?"

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

While Timmy is written to leadership in the Church (called of God) The use of the noun ergatēs means “work in the sense of job or task”… it does not categorize the type of person. Ergatēs is used of the apostles, and common laborers, …so anyone who expends the energy to do something… which is where we get the word energy.

In answer to your question…It includes everyone and anyone who is born again.



The word approved (dokimos) is interesting.

In the ancient world the coins were comparatively soft, and many people shaved them. In fact, at one time more than eighty laws were passed in Athens to stop the practice of whittling down the coins that were in circulation. Some of the moneychangers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit shaved money; men of honor who put only genuine, full-weight money into circulation. These men were called dokimos, and this word is used here for the Christian showing himself approved (honorable with integrity) before God as that type of workman handling the Word.