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To: taxcontrol
Actually, Church-wide revelation is central to the Bible and is supported by scripture.

There must be an authority beyond the Bible. Else, why accept the Book of Joshua when you already have the Torah?

Which Nevi'im and Ketuvim should we add to the Torah and why?

Why accept the New Testament when we already have the Tanakh?

Why add Acts and the epistles since we already have the Gospels?

Some authority decided all that before you were even born. Which part of that authority do you deny today and why?

The Bible calls for authority and an organized Church. Anarcho-Christianity isn't Christianity at all, at least not as described in the Bible.

Please keep in mind that I'm not a Catholic, nor to I accept Rome's authority.

234 posted on 12/22/2014 2:08:47 PM PST by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: 1010RD

>> “The Bible calls for authority and an organized Church. “ <<

.
It calls for the sheep to recognize a teacher’s calling to teach, but it definitely does not call for any hierarchical organization. Only local..


238 posted on 12/22/2014 2:16:35 PM PST by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: 1010RD

If you reject the concept of individual revelation then you reject Paul and reject the spiritual gifts. For how can an individual have a calling to a task without the individual revelation and gifting by the Holy Spirit? As to the authority beyond the bible, you are confused. The bible is the text and testament of the Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The bible needs no other authority as it comes from God.

The Nevi’im and Ketuvim were added because they contained the continuing revelations of God to the sinners as to how God will would make up for man’s failings and falling away. They lay the foundations for how Jesus would come and would make the ultimate sacrifice .... and fulfill the Torah.

Following that pattern, the Gospels, like the Torah, show the mercy of God by sending his Son. Can one live their life according to the Torah, yes. Can one live their life according to the Gospels, yes. However, just as the other books of the Tanakh help individuals to take comfort and strength from examples both good and bad, the Acts and Epistles help man relate to the message of God. They provide examples to guide the foundling and floundering Christian.

The Bible clearly lays out the authority of Christ as head of the Church. Not pope, pastor or priest or other worldly authority. The Bible does NOT lay out a structure for the Church. There are only gifts of the Holy Spirit that are to be used to fulfill the mission of the church. Those roles are:
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Pastor
Teacher

To that Apostles added the roles of Deacon and Bishop. To the Deacon was given the role of the distribution of charity. To the Bishop was given the role of steward of the local Christians. The Bishop is not given the role of interceding on behalf of others. The Bishop is not given the role of inserting themselves between the flock and Christ. There are no rulers nor kings nor princes nor masters of Christians. There is no authority of one Bishop over another Bishop or Popes over Bishops. All first century churches were local churches serving and worshiping in their local communities.

What is clearly stated in the bible is that we as individuals are all responsible for our own walk. That we must approach our own salvation with fear and trembling because if we get it wrong, the price is terrible. On the day of judgement, no person will stand before God on our behalf ... unless, and only if we have a personal relationship with Jesus.


243 posted on 12/22/2014 2:47:52 PM PST by taxcontrol
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