Bible Discussion Thread

Hello my brothers and sisters,

Though I believe many of you on here would agree with me on this. I feel there may be some that are a bit confused on this matter. There is only ONE Gospel of Christ. No matter who preached it or who it was preached to. Christ is not divided.

I understand how some may think Paul had his "own" gospel. Which is not true. Of coarse everyone is unique and special in the Lord in there own way God made them. All are special and unique in the body of Christ.

What I would like to share is the three places Paul states "my gospel". Twice in Romans once in 2 Timothy. When reading these verses in the Textus Receptus all three verses have the same three words that they translate to "my gospel" in English. Which can lead to this confusing I totally understand. The three Greek words are, in English, "the, gospel, of me". "Of" is the expression or indication between things. Paul and the Gospel of Christ he preached.

God Bless and have a wonderful day!

Dear Richard, Amen!

There is only one Gospel. I truly believe that the infallible rule of interpreting scripture is that scripture interprets itself. All we can do is share our own understanding. We are all fallible human beings capable of misunderstanding. What scares me the most when I share my knowledge with people is that I might mislead someone by what I share, because in the back of my mind, I know I could be wrong. And that is a scary thought knowing that I will be held accountable for everything I share, even if I think "I know."

But you gotta love Paul. He was even bold enough to say that if anyone preached any other gospel than that which I have preached, let him be accursed. How can he make such a bold claim? I believe that it is because he was taught personally by Jesus Christ Himself for three years out in the Arabian Desert. You can't get any better teaching than that. Paul never contradicts what Jesus taught.

God Bless!

Jesse, may the Spirit grace us with his wisdom and understanding. You stated that Paul was bold in his teachings; but could be so because he was taught by Jesus in the desert. Scripture says we are taught the same way.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received of him abideth in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Revelation 12:14 And to the woman (symbolic of the church, which is us) were given two wings of a great eagle (symbolic of the kingdom of heaven), that she might fly in the wilderness (the desert where you are taught by the Holy Spirit, which is Christ), into her place, nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (symbolic of the day of the Lord which began at John the Baptist crying as a voice in the desert and has continued now for 2000 years.

Ezekiel 17:1-24

Mark 1:3

John 1:23

Daniel 12:7

Daniel 12:11-12

BE BOLD, fear not it's Christ words, it's his WORKS.

Earl,

You alleged, "he [Paul] was taught by Jesus in the desert. Scripture says we are taught the same way."

I humbly disagree. Paul had direct revelation from Jesus. He heard and saw things that were not previously known to him.

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Gal 1:11-12

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2Ti 3:16-17

Paul got revelation and wrote under the guidance of The Holy Spirit what we get to read today as Scripture. The Holy Spirit does guide us to understand The Scriptures, but exactly HOW is puzzling when you see good Christians differing on baptism or eschatology and lots of other doctrines that I would not classify as MAIN things that are the PLAIN things.

I would claim that when Jesus said this to His disciples, that He meant it ONLY for them, until they wrote what God wanted them to write for us...

"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."Joh 16:12-13

If this was directed to us, The Holy Spirit has failed, and God does not fail. So I suggest that this was NOT written TO any other believers than The Apostles.

Hello Skip, The Holy Spirit will interpret the Word and Will of God to the true believer.

Carleton

Oops, my last post went off sooner than I anticipated. But I'll leave it there for now.

But "true believers" differ on lots of points of doctrine and practice that are not the MAIN and PLAIN things. I'm positive that if you and I were to have a friendly discussion about our views of Christianity, were would disagree on some points. Although I have strong opinions about lots of doctrines, I grant that on some things I could be wrong.

There is ONE correct interpretation, the one that the author and Author intended. THAT is what we attempt to do.

What do you think of this for direction from God?

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer 29:11

Come on over Skip, or perhaps visit with some of my brethren closer by. I am in Northern California in the farm area, almonds, walnuts and rice.

Carleton,

Almonds, walnuts and rice: sign me up! However, there are more Californians coming to Texas than Texans migrating to California.

I've spent several months in your great state over the years at Mare Island and Edwards Air Force Base on assignment. Even called some Little League tournament games in Lancaster several decades ago.

So do you have any thoughts on how The Holy Spirit leads your interpretation on Jeremiah 29:11?

Hi Skip, Texas seems to be the home of many Christians. I have Mennonite brothers and sisters there who are a lot like me only with likely better Bible understandings. I would believe that I could at least understand a little about being a captive made free. We know John reminded the well versed that God could raise up Children for Abraham out of the stones. I believe I am one. I like any one, who has been captive or may become captive find comfort in God's desire to free captives that desire in their hearts to be made free. Coming back out of Babylon was the beginning of Synagogues for the sake of the freed captives having to live with less than they had before they were taken away captive. The same freed began to consider their neighbors and teach them by their own life story how God separated them from Himself and re-gathered them by Faith. Brother Luke was a neighbor that may have never been able to enter the Temple but understood the Church by the Holy Spirit's leading. I know my thoughts are a little outside of your exact question. This one part as I write, I feel that I have Peace with God and man, the best I understand.

Carleton

I think many people have read a scripture and found more in the same scripture sometime later and later again. The truth is the same but the interpretation can speak to the current condition of the person reading or listening. Spoken Gospel messages and Gospel Songs are the same way. The Holy Spirit reveals what we can understand at the moment. No two persons are in the exact same place at the same time hearing or reading scriptures. The scriptures are not limited by time or space, the Word of God is eternal.

Carleton,

You are correct if you're talking about APPLICATION rather than INTERPRETATION.

The Holy Spirit can APPLY a Scripture passage to your specific circumstance, but I am referring to the INTENT of the author, the message the author intended. THAT can't change. The reader ought to strive to first find the meaning that the author intended to convey and then go on to an application.

Hello Earl,

Indeed we are taught by God's Spirit. Thanks for sharing John 2:27. One word that stands out to me in that verse is the word abideth/abide, MENO in the original language. MENO is a word that denotes permanency, God's Spirit permanently abiding in us and us in Him. I agree that He is our teacher.

You and I have a different understanding of Revelation 12:14 on who this woman is and the other symbolisms in that verse, but that's okay. I know there are different theories as to who this woman is. One group says this woman is Mary Baker Eddy, which I totally disagree with!

Thank you Jesse for this definition of Meno. It reminded me that there once was a Catholic Priest by the name Meno that was well privileged, was taught to read and write. He did read just enough to realize that he remained a sinner and had no peace. He had seen the persecution of the defenseless Christians who would not fight back even in unkind words as they were punished by death by all kinds of tortures. This Catholic Priest left the Roman Church and joined bu repentance and faith in one accord with these defenseless brethren. I never knew until now that his name meant permanency. It is amazing that some Christians hundreds of years later, who have not taken their neighbor to court, or far worse, can still live in this world by their faith in Jesus Christ as lambs.

Richard,

I agree that there were NOT two gospels, one for Jews and another for Gentiles, but ONE gospel encapsulated in 1 Cor 15:3-4.

Acts is not a particularly good place to ground fundamental doctrine, which is where some go to justify, baptismal regeneration and "The Apostles" gospel for instance.