““It’s only when people pass off these speculations that go beyond what is clearly revealed in scripture that I get troubled.”
I agree.”
Your skepticism is very wise. Be careful when someone is extrapolating beyond scripture. However, when someone is yielding the “Fruits of the Spirit” listen carefully and pray on their words that the truth be revealed to you. The scriptures have many levels of understanding. That is why Jesus taught in parables and said “Let those who have ears hear.”
Your statement is exactly the position the Pharisees took when debating with Jesus. I too am a skeptic as I have seen many people who were sleeping led astray by people claiming to have the answers. The “Truth” will never be inconsistent with the scriptures. However, it may lead you to a different level of understanding that interprets the same scripture in a completely different perspective with a completely different meaning.
Well, not quite. They were debating with Jesus. They were not reading stuff written by a guy whom we know is NOT Jesus. When Jesus comes again, we know it will be really obvious. Every knee will bow.
That said, I'm Pentacostal. So I'm comfy with the rest of the things in your post. The gift of prophecy, for example, still exists. But it must be consistent with scripture.