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DNick already answered on my behalf, but I'll speak for myself this time.
I was not referring to the Torah at all, because that's not what CG was referring to. Yes, I realize the Torah existed. I'm in no way discounting it. Yes, Jesus read the Torah. Yes, they were the Scriptures of the time. But NO, that's not what I meant when I referred to the Bible not existing in the early church. I was talking about the New Testament Scriptures. The church didn't formulate the NT canon until several centuries later. Up until that time, the epistles and gospels were in existence, but not compiled into one set of authoritative Scripture we know as the New Testament in the Bible. By and large, the gospel and teachings of Jesus were spread via word of mouth from the apostles and later entrusted to those whom the apostles could trust to maintain the spreading of true doctrine. The thing is, not all of Jesus' teachings were written down. They were only spread via tradition, which is why some people think the Catholic Church teaches false doctrines. There WERE false teachings going around, butby the authority of the church, they were declared to be heresies. Now, John himself said that not all of Jesus' teachings were written down, because if they COULD have been written down, the whole world would not be able to contain the books that would be filled. So there HAD to be some way of determining what was heresy and what wasn't. That came through holding church councils, in which the pope and bishops discussed the matters and made an authoritative ruling. A LOT of so-called "gospels" were floating around before the canon of the Bible was formed....Gospel of Peter, Gospel of Jude, Gospel of Thomas, Gospel of Mary...but they were declared BY THE CHURCH to not be authoritative. Therefore, it stands to reason that the Catholic Church does teach things that are valid, though they may not be written down in the Bible - and likewise declares certain teachings to NOT be valid, whether they are written down or not.
Does that clarify my point? I sure hope so, because I'm getting tired of arguing with people about denominations and who is right and who is wrong.
We are to be of one accord, so I will never believe it is God's will that we have different denominations. And no, I do not believe the Catholic church is the "one". None are.
We are to be of one accord, so I will never believe it is God's will that we have different denominations. And no, I do not believe the Catholic church is the "one". None are.
So then which body of believers holds to true doctrine?
So then which body of believers holds to true doctrine?
All believers. What they think doesn't matter...what the Holy Spirit teaches them and guides them to do does. It's just that sometimes people follow a preacher they believe knows all from the Holy Spirit when he just depended on another human to teach him in seminary school. The trickle down effect.
All believers. What they think doesn't matter...what the Holy Spirit teaches them and guides them to do does. It's just that sometimes people follow a preacher they believe knows all from the Holy Spirit when he just depended on another human to teach him in seminary school. The trickle down effect.
So where did you get the basis for what you believe? Where did you learn it? How did you acquire your beliefs?
So where did you get the basis for what you believe? Where did you learn it? How did you acquire your beliefs?
Just the Bible. And I don't know it all...I'm aware of that. lol
I look around my little town at all the churches we have here. How do I pick one? I have brothers and sisters in Christ in each one...I pick a few? And I pick one that thinks less of another group, right? I can't participate in that. It's a sad situation.
So I ask any of you. How do you explain the thousands of denominations all believing in different things, all claiming that they are led by the Holy Spirit. All claiming the truth.
The Truth is not necessarily related to or found in any particular demonination.....Some demominations have some truths and some falsehoods mixed in.....others have little if any truths and twist and complicate the scripture to suit their agendas...........The denominational differences rest in the fact that men focus more on doctrinal differences than on the teachings of Jesus Christ.....Bottom line for all Christian demominations are that they MUST believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to die on the cross for the atonement of the sins of mankind.........That we are all sinners in need of a Saviour....and that they "MUST REPENT" of sin and turn to the Lord for the remission of sin.....And that we must..... love (OBEY) God with all our heart soul and strength and love our neighbor.........this is the central core beliefs of all true Christians......denominational labels mean nothing to God......He wants us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth
Just the Bible. And I don't know it all...I'm aware of that. lol
I look around my little town at all the churches we have here. How do I pick one? I have brothers and sisters in Christ in each one...I pick a few? And I pick one that thinks less of another group, right? I can't participate in that. It's a sad situation.
So are you saying it doesn't matter what we believe about true doctrine...that what matters is how we interpret things? That each person is allowed to believe what is "right in their sight"...?
So are you saying it doesn't matter what we believe about true doctrine...that what matters is how we interpret things? That "each person is allowed to believe what is right in their sight"...?
Hmm. No. I don't think that's what I'm saying. I don't know, Aquila. I don't have tangible knowledge about any of this...I just know what I feel.
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