Where in the bible does it say: to believe in scripture and scripture alone

For those who claim Sola Scriptura to be "the" authority, or the BIBLE and THE BIBLE ALONE, can you answer some questions;


If the authors of the New Testament believed in sola Scriptura, why did they sometimes draw on oral Tradition as authoritative and as God’s Word (Matt 2:23; 23:2; 1 Cor 10:4; 1 Pet 3:19; Jude 9, 14 15)

I believe God is smarter than you and me.
I also believe that if God wanted truth to be known to mankind, He is capable of preserving it.
The holy bible may not be all but it is sufficient. Denying such puts you at odds with God.

Anonymous Coward 140
USER ID: 131140
2/24/2005
4:57 pm EST Re: Where in the bible does it say: to believe in scripture and scripture alone

I believe God is smarter than you and me.
I also believe that if God wanted truth to be known to mankind, He is capable of preserving it.
The holy bible may not be all but it is sufficient. Denying such puts you at odds with God.

Thank you for your response, as you state that "The holy bible may not be all but it is sufficient. "

Well, if it is sufficient, for you and I, yet, I want the TRUTH and THE WHOLE TRUTH. And you?

Another question; If the Bible is the ONLY foundation and basis of Christian truth, why does the Bible itself say that the Church is the foundation and basis of Christian truth (1 Tim. 3:15)?

Where in the Bible does it say that the Bible as assembled is divinely inspired or is this just man´s assumption?

Another question; If the Bible is the ONLY foundation and basis of Christian truth, why does the Bible itself say that the Church is the foundation and basis of Christian truth (1 Tim. 3:15)?

--------------

The church teaches the Bible. It is their responsibility.

Jesus said to Peter, "Peter do you love me?"
and Peter said, "Yes, Lord". And Jesus said, "Feed my flock".


Jesus also said, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

Texas,

The Koran explicitly claims inspiration, but the New Testament books do not. How do you know that the New Testament books are nevertheless inspired, but the Koran is not?

If the early Church believed in sola Scriptura, why do the creeds of the EARLY CHURCH always say “we believe in the Holy Catholic Church,” and not “we believe in Holy Scripture”?

I also remember God saying to check all things and hold fast that which is true...To check all things you need to look beyond the Bible..However you check everything against the Bible to seek truth or to weed out deception..

Ah Kay,

If the meaning of the Bible is so clear, so easily interpreted; SOLA SCRIPTURA, and if the Holy Spirit leads every Christian to interpret it infallibly, then why are there over 33,800protestant churches/ denominations in existence today, with millions of individual all interpreting the Bible differently?

*Encyclopedia of Christianity, April 2001, a Protestant publication.

Another question;

Isn´t individual interpretation of Holy Scripture by non-Catholics, in effect, allowing each one to call himself or herself their own pope? And who gives you the INFALLIBILITY?

Because man has free will and can be as obtuse as he wants to be.

Also, many divisions are due to the way a culture choses to worship, but that is just MHO.

"The Koran explicitly claims inspiration, but the New Testament books do not. How do you know that the New Testament books are nevertheless inspired, but the Koran is not?"

My understanding of the Koran being divinely inspired goes along the lines that since Muhammad was unable to read and write, he could not have prepared the Koran without divine inspiration. I will leave that for followers of Islam to decide and debate.

While I do believe there are good stories and rules to live by in the Bible, I do not believe it is divinely inspired. How else can one explain the differences between the gospels in something as pivital and important as the Easter story? Divine inspiration would not have had those glaring differences, but works of man would.

Isn´t individual interpretation of Holy Scripture by non-Catholics, in effect, allowing each one to call himself or herself their own pope? And who gives you the INFALLIBILITY?

---------------------------


Yes, you could say that each person is his own Pope, or rather each person has an individual relationship with God, apart from any relationship to his pastor/priest. And, that God alone will judge the rightness of his thought/acts.

Protestants do not believe in the infallibility of the Pope, and I believe this is one of the major reasons why the Protestant movement came about.

-----------------------------

As far as unacceptability of the Koran as a source of inspired scripture, I think that the Koran would widely contradict the New Testament teachings. Especially in regards to vicarious sacrifice - Jesus dying for a sinner´s sins and thereby making that person righteous in God´s sight. I think this is anathema to the Muslims. Also, there is the whole "God has no son" thing. Very upsetting for us Christians to hear.

Another question; If the Bible states that the Church is the foundation and basis of Christian truth (1 Tim. 3:15)?

Does this not make SOLA SCRIPTURA; THE BIBLE ALONE, a false doctrine.

And by the way, if you do believe in this scripture 1Timothy 3:15, which church HOLDS the foundation of Christian TRUTH.

Keeping in mind the the bible is SUFFICIENT, but not HOLDING ALL THE TRUTH. Who of you wants to know the TRUTH?

As I said before, because the Church is the teacher of the Scriptures.

Here is an amplified version of this scripture from the Living Bible:

"I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that you will know what kind of men you should choose as officers for the church of the living God, which contains and holds high the truth of God."

So, as I said, the Church is the librarian, so to speak, of the library of God. The caretaker of God´s truth. Most other versions of the Bible call the church "the pillar and bulwark" or "upholder" - you get the picture - the church is the entity that keeps the Word of God safe and supported like a beam in a building.

Tou know, when you read the Bible, you have to take it in CONTEXT. It is called proper EXEGESIS.

The book of I Timothy is a letter written to Timothy by Paul, giving him instructions on what to do in his absence. Timothy evidently had to choose deacons, elders, and other leaders in the church and Paul is giving him instructions on how to do so. We used these teachings today to tell us how to be a godly man. If you can hold up to these standards Paul is giving Timothy, then you can believe you are doing OK.

The purpose of the book is not to say, the church is more important than scripture. That is ridiculous.

This small passage quoted is saying, "Here is how to choose godly men so that the church will not be ashamed." and then goes on to say that this is important because the church is the edifice that houses the very truth of the world. Therefore, these men should be chosen with very exacting standards.

Read the Bible as it should be read. In context.

If you want to know how God judges a man and how to be godly OR if you want to know if you qualify to be a deacon, elder or other lay leader in the Christian Church, then read I Timothy. You will get the information there. However, you will NOT what OP is trying to tell you is there.

KayMichelle
2/24/2005
5:48 pm EST
Re: Where in the bible does it say: to believe in scripture and scripture alone

As I said before, because the Church is the teacher of the Scriptures.

And I ask this again, if you state that THE CHURCH is the teacher and you also state that each individual is their OWN POPE, interpreting scripture, is this not contradicting 1 Tim. 3;15, where it states that the CHURCH holds the TRUTH TO CHRISTIAN FAITH, nowhere does it state that each individual holds the TRUTH and btw, which CHURCH, would that be? Which one of the 38,000 sects of Protastantism?

Nowhere in 2 Timothy 3:16 does it say that the Scriptures Alone are to be used to determine doctrine.

The passage states only that the Bible is "Useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

That is the highest claim this verse, or the Bible in general, makes for scripture.

We know that Scripture has a high status as a means of handing down God´s message to man. But as for written scripture being the SOLE means of transmission, THAT DOCTRINE APPEARS "NOWHERE" in the bible, NOWHERE.

That makes the doctrine THE BIBLE ALONE; SOLA SCRIPTURA, a false DOCTRINE.

I will check back later. Here is one question I ask Protestants that always corners them:

If Sola Scriptura is accurate,then how is it possible,when the Bible was NOT compiled as one until 397 A.D.?

That is the highest claim this verse, or the Bible in general, makes for scripture


------------------

No, I think that Jesus saying that man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, is the highest claim made regarding the Bible.

It is food for the flock.

John in Revelation, give a curse to anyone to takes from or adds to the Word of God.

If Sola Scriptura is accurate,then how is it possible,when the Bible was NOT compiled as one until 397 A.D.?
-----------------
The principle has always been there, even before God´s Word was written down. Notice Gen 15:5-6

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. [God´s word]
6 And he [Abraham] believed in Y´hovah; and he counted it to him for righteousness. [trusting in God makes you righteous, rather than following what men have invented and teach at church]

www.EscapeAllTheseThings.com

Ive never really read the christian bible just bits and peices,but it seem to be this endless circle of self contradiction.I read things like "If your hand causes you to sin your better to cut it off,and throw it away because it,s better to enter heaven with one hand than hell with two".Stuff like that makes me wanna ask-Well what if your mind,heart or overall existance causes you to sin;should you remve these things also,knowing that suicide is an undeniable position in hell. The christian bible also talks about confession,repent,and foregiveness.Again it makes me wanna ask-So does that mean we can dissregaurd every rule,outlook,orguideline in the bible,and just say;Forgive me father I have sinned? Why would we ever resist temptation,orpray{not just when were in trouble},follow general worshipping guidelines.We could just be as ignorant,greedy,hateful,blasphemous,or just plain evil as we wanted untill weve done as many wretched deeds as we could,then say "Fogive me father I,m a f..king idiot",and god would be cool with that.

In John 17:20, Jesus says:
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;"

HE has previously prayed this to The Father:
14. "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

If you have eyes that see, you can understand that in John 17 HE says those The Father gave HIM out of the world accepted HIM, and those who The Father has called in the future will also come to Believe from the words, they will record, Their witness.

The Bible is not The Way. Jesus is The Way.

Scripture gives confirmation and comfort, but Scripture is the basis for our relationship with God. God´s Love For US is that basis.

Christ Jesus became man in order that God could Know US Directly.

John the Apostle says in 1st John 2: Verses 20, 21, and 27 that God enables all our Knowing:

20. "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

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


If we have a relationship with God, by surrendering our lives to HIM totally, and being then Re-Born IN-HIM; we actually Know HIM personally. God will abide with us, guide us through life to live in HIS Accord; whether we read Scripture or not.

A.D.D.,

Your heart is discerning some of HIS Truth!
Having a relationship with, Knowing God is indeed just what you say "Self-contradiction".

When you surrender your life to God, you are indeed going contra to Self!

Self is what is propelling you through life now. Some people who Love Jesus, seek HIM strongly and actively; yet being In-Self, carnal of nature, they cannot achieve what they think they should have.

You betray some of this frustration in your posted reply. If you really Love Jesus, would like to serve God; you can ask HIM, the Lord Jesus, to show you how to Come To The Father.

We have to turn our will and our life over to God. This is the plain and simple truth. Only God makes our victory over Self possible. We have to simply Love and Trust God enough to make our Leap of Faith to HIM.

The Leap of Faith occurs when you finally decide to Trust God Fully and Completely. Truly able to know that whatever HE ordains for you, will be all right because it is HIS Will.

You don´t have to know any great amount about HIM to have HIM accept your offering.

If you Know Jesus is HIS Son, God who became man to redeem us from our sins, and who is victorious over death; then your heart has been Called.

You understand what sin is. Are you sorry for your sins? Do you want HIS Help not to sin anymore? Then tell HIM that.

Ask HIM for your share of HIS Grace and Mercy,
Give HIM control over your life and promise that you want to do HIS Will not your own,
Finally, Ask HIM to send HIS Holy Spirit to live with you and guide you as you live your life.

You can Know HIM Personally.
May The Father Bless your way.

ADD has said:


Ive never really read the christian bible just bits and peices,but it seem to be this endless circle of self contradiction.I read things like "If your hand causes you to sin your better to cut it off,and throw it away because it,s better to enter heaven with one hand than hell with two".

----

Did you know that it is Jesus who said these words? He was a real fire and brimstone guy. Some people don´t know that! He is basically saying ´Don´t compromise with sin!´ and saying it quite colorfully too. Jesus spoke in allegory and in parables. Saying this shows how serious sin in your life is. With these words of Jesus in the Bible, no believer can say, ´Let´s sin it up, God will forgive´, will they? Which is your basic objection here:


The christian bible also talks about confession,repent,and foregiveness.Again it makes me wanna ask-So does that mean we can dissregaurd every rule,outlook,orguideline in the bible,and just say;Forgive me father I have sinned? Why would we ever resist temptation,orpray{not just when were in trouble},follow general worshipping guidelines.We could just be as ignorant,greedy,hateful,blasphemous,or just plain evil as we wanted untill weve done as many wretched deeds as we could,then say "Fogive me father I,m a f..king idiot",and god would be cool with that.

----------------

So, this is why Jesus gave us these dire warnings against sin. Sin will enslave you.

This is what the good news of Jesus Christ is: You don´t have to be a slave any longer to destruction. You can be free to live a life with God. You can live a life of joy and peace with God. Because Jesus Christ has had the victory over sin and death. These things no longer have any power over a true Born again Christian so this would never happen:

------------------

Stuff like that makes me wanna ask-Well what if your mind,heart or overall existance causes you to sin;should you remve these things also,knowing that suicide is an undeniable position in hell.

--------------------

And, absolutely yes! This is the condition of men! To be miserable without God, and without the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Without Him, we are completely given over to our sinful natures, that part of our being that wants to hurt, steal, overindulge, lie, cheat, control those we love. All these sins cause harm to us and those close to us. Thanks be to God, who sent Jesus Christ to be sin so that we can be free from it.

Please read your Bible, I would suggest the book of John, to see what Jesus came to do. Maybe after that, the book of Romans, which explains it pretty well.

God bless you and sorry Christians can be such a pain - we don´t do so well at explaining these things sometimes. If you have any other questions, please just post them. We´ll be more than happy to answer.

Second Timothy 3 verse 16... " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

If God can wipe out man with famine, plaque, flood and other means, and can destroy us with fire and brimstone, and we are his beloved children. If he is so powerful and loves us so much, why can´t he destroy satan. If satan is truely a being, why would he allow someone like satan torment us. It makes you think if this myth is true, like God is no where near as powerful as satan. Like he is scared to go toe to toe with him.

And if God would kill us , and leavea a being like satan, I´d have to say he really doesn´t love us.

And if he wants to see us beg and suffer for his love, he is a sadistic sob.

If all you christians want to be second rate to satan go right ahead, but God favors satan over you.

I myself could care less for either.

"Like he is scared to go toe to toe with him."

In the Book of Job, God called all the lesser beings in the heavenly realm, including Satan, to a meeting with him. During that meeting God dared Satan to go toe to toe, as you put it, with Job. Job won.

Every time someone get´s the urge to steal something and decides not to, they beat the Devil. Satan gets beat a million times a day every day by people supposedly not half as tough as he is.