Don't misread what I said Kosta. In no way did I satanize or ridicule your Church, or any other. What I did say was to hold what churches say to the light of God's word. That has to be the deciding factor, not holding His word to what the churches say, any churches.
I don't identify you with Luther or Calvin, but with your own selves.
Thank you Kosta, I appreciate that.
It would be proper to leave the Church out of this and direct your comments at my opinions.
I'm trying to. That is what I have been saying in my last few posts to you.
You personally refuse to know more about the Bible but take the pretty bound volumes that you have at home as the "original" product. That's fine with me. But don't try to peddle your own conviction as universal truth.
No I don't. I understand there have been errors in translation. However, what I have to work with is my KJV Companion bible, in which corrections are pointed out. I also use the Concordance to try my best to understand what the original meaning of the words are. Even with mistakes in translations I can see that overall the Bible is Divinely Inspired and is there for us to study.
If you really do not believe and follow any man, then how can you follow your own convictions?
Again, I never said that. You learn from your church, from your teachers but what they teach you should be held against His Word. That is all I'm saying. If it isn't in the Word, or if it's against what God taught then it is false.
Why is what you believe any more true than that of any other human or even the Church?
I try to base what I believe only on the written Word but, being human and in no way a scholar, I will be wrong on some issues, perhaps many. If and when I am I expect to be corrected and shown the truth of the matter. That is what I have been asking for on this thread. If I have misunderstood the meaning of the scriptures about the 3 ages and what happened in the Garden I certainly expect someone to step up and tell me where and how I am in error. I will listen.
It is placing yourself above everyone else while claiming you don't follow any man.
I try to follow those that teach what is contained in the Bible, including you Kosta. There are some things that I have learned and believe and it seems wrong to not tell others.
There is a scripture (I can't find it) but essentially it says, "To whom much is given, more is expected". To me that means if you are given an understanding you should tell others. If you don't, if you keep it to yourself, then how are you helping God or others? Will He continue to bring more understanding of scripture to you if what he has given stops with you?
.......Ping
Here it is:
Luke 12:47-48 : 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. KJV