Replies

U Said: My point in this discussion is that we have been instructed by Jesus not to base our faith upon a sign, but upon the truth which we find in the Word of God.

I Said: But without his spirit it is impossible to know what is the word of God. "To him that hath ears to hear let him hear" was not just a cute phrase, There are some parts of the Bible that cannot be understood without that spirit. I dare say there are other inspired writings that did not make it into the Bible. Only with the Spirit of God can men discern as they have been commanded to do and ask and receive answers from him.

U Said later: Historic Christianity has always taught that the Holy Spirit is key in the understanding of the scriptures. Jesus, Himself, makes it clear that this is the case ...

I am not trying to score some cheap theological points here, I really want to understand your answer, so I am cutting this out from the whole rest of the post.

I am also not going to quote scriptures at you here because I want to know what you think, not what you can quote.

It sounds to me like you are saying two contradictory things, and I would appreciate clarification.

To me an answer from God through the holy spirit is not a "Sign" in the sense of "seeking for a sign", Those tend to be spectacular, heal someone, or feed thousands with five loaves, or something big and external to the one seeking the sign. You seem to be saying that asking to know if a book that claims to be of God is indeed his word is seeking for a sign.

At the same time that you are saying that, you say that you have the Holy Spirit to Guide, comfort and open the scriptures to you.

It seems to me that you can't reasonably occupy the position that there are no revelations from God, no testimony of his truths (scriptures), and at same time say the Holy Spirit guides and comforts you every day. Please explain how you can hold both positions.

It seems to me that you can't reasonably occupy the position that there are no revelations from God, no testimony of his truths (scriptures), and at same time say the Holy Spirit guides and comforts you every day. Please explain how you can hold both positions.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would bring the ministry of Christ to our remembrance, as opposed to bringing us new revelation.

So, of course, the Holy Spirit does, in fact, unfold already existing scripture to us, and leads, guides, and comforts us with those same scriptures.