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Something else that bothers me. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel. That is the death, burial, and resurection of Christ right? So why do so many churches use the letters that some of "the guys" wrote as gospel? They'll pull something out of an epistle, like the stuff about women being silent in church, and say that just because it was written by an apostle that it must be true for all eternity....This drove me nuts when I went to church!
Something else that bothers me. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel. That is the death, burial, and resurection of Christ right? So why do so many churches use the letters that some of "the guys" wrote as gospel? They'll pull something out of an epistle, like the stuff about women being silent in church, and say that just because it was written by an apostle that it must be true for all eternity....This drove me nuts when I went to church!
Those of us who believe that the Bible is the word of God believe that the epistles are also inspired by God. It was promised by Jesus that all that He had taught the disciples would be revealed to them, by the Holy Spirit. It was revealed, and is recorded in the epistles. They contain the doctrine of Christ, as does the book of Acts, and the 4 'Gospels'.
Yes, we are to obey the gospel, then we are to go on and continue in the doctrine of Christ, just as the early disciples did.
I take it you do not think the epistles were inspired ?
There is a lot of gospel (good news) in the epistles. People were just as prone to bend the rules then as we are now. The apostolic guidance we have on record in the New Testament still helps keep church order, discipline and effectiveness in today's world. That's part of the 'make disciples' commission given in Matthew and carried out in Acts and the epistles.
I understand the conflict over keeping women silent in church, though. I believe those exhortations were written specifically to a church leader facing a specific obstacle in his congregation. How many churches today have problems with their female membership speaking out of ignorance? Not too many! In fact, if some churches didn't have active women, they'd wait forever for their men to step out in a leadership role.
......... The apostolic guidance we have on record in the New Testament still helps keep church order, discipline and effectiveness in today's world............
This "church order, discipline and effectiveness" is what Jesus was talking about doing away with.........He didn't demonstrate church order or discipline when He lost it and cast out the authorized merchants.......His message was to get to know God, rather than get "right" with the churches in power.
This "church order, discipline and effectiveness" is what Jesus was talking about doing away with.........He didn't demonstrate church order or discipline when He lost it and cast out the authorized merchants.......His message was to get to know God, rather than get "right" with the churches in power.
Indeed, Jesus cast out the moneychangers and rebuked them for turning "a house of prayer" into a den of thieves. It's that kind of focus we need from the epistles. I know some people post here because they hold some grievance against organized religion being practiced at the building down on the corner. That kind of church wasn't what I was talking about. I'm talking about you and I - as believers in Jesus - who are part of the Church, who need the truth in the epistles to guide our steps.
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.
Jesus taught relationship, the epistles teach rules......big difference
Ever read the book of Romans?
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