I am not going to argue that we shouldn't read the Bible! I am saying that it is not absolutely necessary for eternal salvation. A person can be taught everything they need to know orally - this has been the mode of teaching for billions of Christians throughout the ages.
Not many teach in that manner today. It is easy to make scripture fit your doctrine if a verse is cherry picked but difficult to do if you "rightly divide the word"
That can be done even by the most ardent of Protestant bible believer, as you know. It is not a matter of reading, but of interpretation. We can read the same exact verse, and take away a different meaning. For example, "he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood shall have eternal life". That means something to me and something else to you. Bible reading alone doesn't tell us the Truth about what that verse means. Thus, we absolutely have to have a living Body, a community, the Church, to tell us what these verses mean.
How does one know those "vain babblings" or if they have "rightly divided" unless they read themselves?
!!! Does reading the Bible prevent Protestant denominations from multiplying daily?
Regards
No it doesn't. Isn't it strange how there can be one God and that one God's letter to us can splinter into such an assortment of groups with all the various groups believing they are correct?
I am not going to argue that we shouldn't read the Bible! I am saying that it is not absolutely necessary for eternal salvation
I agree with that Jo kus. Although it isn't necessary for salvation we must be certain we don't do something that takes or keeps salvation from us. (Heb.13:5)...for He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. He won't leave us but we can leave Him and not even know we have.
In Ezekiel 8, God showed Ezekiel things He considered "wicked abominations". Those things were being done in His house and He was "provoked to anger" and said, (vs.l8)"Therefore will I also deal in fury: Mine eye shall not spare,neither will I have pity: and though they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them"
9:6. Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house
10.And as for Me also, Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.
God does not want false teaching in His House. Many may feel they are being very religious, as I'm sure those in Ezekiel 8 were being. It was no excuse to God. He starts with those "ancient men", those that teach in His sanctuary but He does not absolve the others that listened to them, even the little children. He "will not hear them"
So to me, upon reading those verses, I would not trust my eternal life, nor that of my family, friends or anyone I come in contact with, including those on Free Republic, with the teachings of any man or church or religion. This has nothing to do with Protestant or Catholic
It is not a matter of reading, but of interpretation. We can read the same exact verse, and take away a different meaning
I wish I knew the answer to that. I suppose the different interpretations just make it all the more interesting. Perhaps we should remember, as we search the scriptures and listen to our teachers, that if it does not agree with His Word - get away from it, no matter how much you love the interpretation or the one giving it.
A person can be taught everything they need to know orally - this has been the mode of teaching for billions of Christians throughout the ages.
In one way, it is much easier for us as we are forgiven upon repentance where they were not before His Advent. However, if we are the last generation, as many think is highly possible, we must know what is expected of us as we will face the "time of Jacob's trouble". If our churches teach us we are blessed but if they don't we must get that information on our own. It's there.
........Ping