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Annalex, you blew right past the most important part of the quote. None of us CAN discern what is authentic OUTSIDE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S AGENCY. But, as Christians, we have the Spirit's leadership as a matter of birthright as God's little children. You miss that, you've missed the whole thing. Through prayerful submission to the Holy Spirit's teaching, we can discern what is authentic, else Jesus and all of the apostles lied in Scripture and our faith is in vain. You dont' really want to call Jesus a liar?

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 Corinthians 2:13-15 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 John 2:27 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.

John 16:13 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.

Hebrews 5: 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The last Scripture portion is particularly signficant. Babes in Christ do not necessarily understand everything. They are babies. They can only take in baby-appropriate food (i.e., milk); but, as that baby continues to take the food (which in this case is the Spiritual food of God's Word) in, he grows. As he grows, he begins to understand more, until by reason of being so closely associated with the Genuine, he immediately spots the counterfeit. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit as our guide. I take Him at His word.

The criteria for discernment were formulated by St. Vincent of Lerins. The doctrine is valid if it has been believed historically by nearly all nearly everywhere, and always. If someone reaches interpretations that are widely off the mark in comparisons to what the Church has always taught, then he is not lead by the Holy Spirit, and if he feels strongly that there is inspiration in his views, then it is demonic. Your quotes do not show otherwise. Are all doctors?

Thanks for your well thought out answer. Love, Mxxx

Annalex, you blew right past the most important part of the quote. None of us CAN discern what is authentic OUTSIDE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S AGENCY. But, as Christians, we have the Spirit's leadership as a matter of birthright as God's little children.

You miss that, you've missed the whole thing. Through prayerful submission to the Holy Spirit's teaching, we can discern what is authentic, else Jesus and all of the apostles lied in Scripture and our faith is in vain. You dont' really want to call Jesus a liar?

INDEED! INDEED! INDEED!

Thanks. Refressing that precious folks like you GET IT!

My own bias, assumption, inference, understandings . . . are . . .

That God knew what was in the heart of man from the beginning. The Old Testament era depicted in vivid detail what happens with RELIGION vs RELATIONSHIP . . . how man compulsively twists everything spiritual into a dead, power-mongering, authoritarian, brutal RELIGION within a rather short time.

So, Paul clearly in I Cor 12-14 is outlining the normative Christian life for the local congregation--and there's not a pontifical office to fill and bow down to.

None.

Humility and wisdom are what's to be sought out and submitted to.

Pure and simple, by Holy Spirit's design, operation and leadership.