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To: annalex; bkaycee; metmom; The Theophilus; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; blue-duncan; boatbums; ...
But you believe the scripture. Who told you that truth?

According to 1 Corinthians 2:14, the natural man cannot receive the things of God because they are Spiritually discerned. That means that the Bible is a closed book to all the unregenerate. The natural man considers the things of God as foolishness. It is for this reason that man can go one of two courses, he can either (1) mock and ridicule the Scriptures as atheists and your garden variety misotheists willing and openly do, or (2) wrest Scripture so that by mishandling the texts by adding Traditions (Rome), new Revelation (Mormons), or ignoring the parts that offend (American Religion) and overemphasizing the parts that appease man's sense of vanity (social gospel).

Every Scriptural error can be reduced to imposing a carnal template upon the Inspired Word. Therefore, it is logically impossible and thus a logical requirement that the one true Gospel can only be properly discerned, not by man, but by the Spirit. Evidence for this is found Acts 2:4; 4:8; 6:5; 13:9 where being filled with the Spirit preceded the Gospel being spoken boldly. Notice that Stephen was "full of faith and power" before he began his great sermon in Acts 7 that brought offense to the Jews who unable to bear these words killed him.

Rome doesn't care too much for the Paraclete, and therefore assumes that Divine Role and Rome claims that knowledge and wisdom come from the Church. Contrast what Rome claims to what we read in Exodus 31 and 35

Ex 31:3-5 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.

In this case the LORD filled the artisians with the Spriit of God. We see here a expansive list of fruits of being filled, and we all see to what ends the equipping creates. That is, an Old Testament confirmation to the same Spirit born Spiritual Gifts described by Paul in Ephesians 4. The Spirit fills certain apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers with the tools "equipping of the Saints" for the ends of edifying the body of Christ.

So to answer your question. It is neither the role nor the duty for Rome to cause anyone to believe the Scriptures - that role is the sole possession of the Paraclete, and God bestows His gracious gifts upon those whom He desires to edify the body of Christ. It is every man's role to faithfully preach the Gospel and have a ready answer to all who ask in and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2) And thus we are exorted to "Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" and let the Paraclete fulfill His Divine role.

4,403 posted on 12/02/2010 7:06:05 PM PST by The Theophilus
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To: The Theophilus
Great post Theophilus. Thank you for this clarity that all might benefit.
4,425 posted on 12/02/2010 8:37:29 PM PST by caww
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To: The Theophilus; bkaycee; metmom; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; blue-duncan; boatbums
It is neither the role nor the duty for Rome to cause anyone to believe the Scriptures

Yes, I agree with most that you wrote. Faith is not something that the Church ("Rome", to you) can give you. Nor was it my point. I simply pointed out that since it so happens that you find the Scripture believable you then in that particular instance believe the Church. That you don't believe the Church otherwise is something for you to ponder.

5,007 posted on 12/08/2010 4:57:12 PM PST by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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