Bible Discussion Thread

Hi

I wanted to elaborate on a topic that was recently posted but I didn't know the context so I didn't want to attach it to no one particular.

It was concerning John 14:26.

I believe it was said this teaching wasn't given to the individual but rather to a congregation to perform.

Meaning these are gifts.

But yet was stated if these were given to individuals separately everyone would be in agreement in their theology.

Here's where I believe the confusion is in this reply or post.

When we look at John 14:25 "These things have I spoken unto you, BEING YET PRESENT WITH YOU." along with John 14:26 we see the Lord was speaking specifically to his disciples.

Meaning ( The Holyspirit will give clarity/revelation to the things he taught them. )

I'm not sure he's talking about gifts here.

I don't believe he taught them gifts. However he gifted the Church preachers, teachers ect ect. when he led captivity captive.

And these preachers and teachers are individuals and their spiritual gift followers them because he gave them CHRIST.

We are to grow in Christ as we mature therefore we don't all agree. We're all not growing at the same rate.

"Whatever truth" is expounded is given by the Holyspirit whether you're a babe or a mature Christian.

Paul mentions this in 1 Corinthians 2:7-11. "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

BUT GOD HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US BY HIS SPIRIT: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."

Then Paul double down on this in

1 Corinthians 2:14.

God bless.

Well said, Giannis,

We need each other to become mature and to remain steady and true in our doctrines. My concern is that even in congregations, there is so much diversity of doctrines being promulgated, some true and some false, that even in a congregation, one can be led astray from the true revelation of God in His Word. So, I think we do need to grow together in our faith and learn what is that which was passed down by through the apostles. And we should definitely pray for discernment and knowledge of what is truly true.

Yes, that's right dear GiGi. GBU

When we are saved the Holy Spirit enters us. He guides us, convicts us, comforts us, and gives us the power to go on when we falter. He prays for us with a connection to God we do not have--always with the will of God in mind.. He disputes the devil's lies.

Amen Cindy.

Well stated.

God bless you.

Good Afternoon S. Spencer.

I agree with you that Jesus was speaking directly to His disciples present with him at the Last Supper. It is a promise for them in particular that the Holy Spirit will assist them in recalling all that He taught them and did among them. The Holy Spirit will teach them even more than this recall. He will lead them to a deeper and more precise understanding of both the O.T, Scriptures and the words and actions of Jesus. Jesus called each of these disciples individually. They did not "join the club" of those who followed after Jesus in crowds. They were handpicked, not only for Jesus' earthly ministry , but especially so for the ministry of the early church that will grow as they preach and teach "all nations". Many of these disciples wrote Scripture such as Matthew, Peter, James, and John. Others most likely wrote letters to the churches they started up from their preaching ministries. These letters are long lost, but I am sure that they contained what the Holy Spirit caused them to recall and what He taught them. These disciples passed on what was given them by the Holy Spirit either orally or in writing or had someone scribe their teachings for the churches as congregations and for those they personally evangelized individually.

Although these words of Jesus are primarily to the disciples at this supper, His Words are truly timeless and true in all generations, especially His promises of what the Holy Spirit will do in building His church over the ages. So thankful for God's wise and wonderful promises and plan for His elect!

Hi Gigi.

Thanks for your reply.

John 16:12-14 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.

He shall glorify me: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE OF MINE, AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU.

When Christ first came he came for the lost sheep of Israel, When they were commissioned by Jesus and "by revelation of the Spirit" they were to take the message to the world using the old testament uncovering the mystery that was later to be revealed.

Paul elaborates on this in Colossians 1:25-26 "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Also;

Ephesians 3:9-11 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

In acts when they received the Holyspirit they expounded from the old testament, Which was the promise to Abraham, Blessing to the Gentiles and the mystery of the Church.

These are the same scripture they had all along!

Truth is revealed to us in that same manner. By the Holyspirit.

Apart from the Holyspirit we can read the scripture all day everyday and never get to the debt of the meaning of scripture.

Also;

Christ "in us" gives us a new heart also causes us to walk as he did.

What ever is not done in the spirit is dead works.

God bless.

God bless.

Hello brother Spencer.

It is me who started that topic but I have no time to get back to you before the weekend. But anybody else who wants to share his/her opinion with us is welcome.

God Bless.

Thanks Giannis.

I knew it was you, I didn't read the entire thread. I just didn't want to be off topic.

I'm also busy throughout the week and mostly post and reply using my cellphone which have a mind I'd its own. I prefer being in front of my desktop where it don't change spelling of words I select.

God bless.

Hello Spencer.

A bit late but I just got some time to reply to your post to me last week..

Yes those words of Jesus were directed to apostles.

Paul writes to Timothy. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 "... And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." So apostles taught others ... and sometime later on all those things were written in what we call the New Testament. In Corinthians and Ephesians Paul writes about the gifts and ministries God appointed to His church to serve the believers. So there is an order and an hierarchy in God's church. It is not a vague thing where everybody acts the way they like and think it is proper.

What I wanted to point out in my posts is that it is wrong for christians to stay out of any congregation. One can not grow spiritually that way. They need to integrate themselves in a congregation where they will be taught the proper teachings by people who God selected and annointed (or we hope so) to do that work. As I read in posts some people believe that they can stay alone and figure out the right teachings by reading themselves, by taking part in sites like this one etc believing that the Spirit of God will lead them to the whole truth. I wanted to point out that this is a wrong attitude, it is not how God planned it to work. God's plan is (if practically possible) to be a (an active) part of the church. And when I say church I don't mean the vaguely figured universal church, but a specific congregation of which they should be a part. To offer their work to fellow christians and receive work by them in a post where God places them. To be a part of the Body of Christ in that specific congregation.

In my church we often use the following example:

Acts 2:42 "And they (the believers) continued stedfastly in the (1)apostles' doctrine and (2)fellowship, and in (3)breaking of bread, and in (4)prayers". These four things are essential for our spiritual growth.

GBU