EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES? by steve finnell
The Bereans examined the Scriptures to see if Paul and Silas were telling them the truth. (Acts 17:10-12)
Are people examining the Scriptures today to see if their church leaders are telling them the truth or are they examining church creed books, books of commentaries, so-called books of new revelation, church statements of faith, and books written about the Bible.
1.Doctrine: The Father has a body of flesh and bone as tangible as man's.
You cannot reach that conclusion by searching the Scriptures. (John 4:24)
2. Doctrine: Christians are to remember the Sabbath day[Saturday is the Sabbath] and keep it holy.
That cannot be believed by searching the Scriptures. (Exodus 31:12-18, Galatians 5:1-7)
3. Doctrine: Men are saved by grace alone.
There is no Scripture that states men are saved by grace alone. You would have be taught from extra-Biblical sources to believe you are saved by grace alone.
4. Doctrine: Saved by faith only.
No translation of the Bible says men are saved by faith only.
5. Doctrine: Water immersion [baptism] is not essential for salvation.
Only a skilled professional can convince men that water baptism is not essential for salvation. It cannot be learned by prayerfully examining the Scriptures. (Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:27, Romans Chapter 6, Colossians 2:11-14, Ephesians 5:25-27, John 3:5, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Titus 3:5, Acts 2:40-41)
6. Doctrine: The only true, accurate, trustworthy English translation of the Bible is the King James Version.
What verse in the King James Version says it is the only trustworthy translation of God's word?
7.Doctrine: Praying to [in other words worshipping] the Virgin Mary and other dead saints is approved by God.
Where are Scriptures to prove praying to people is not worship and approve by God? That can only be taught from creed books and other extra-Biblical sources.
THE QUESTION? Is what you believe, because you prayerfully studied the Scriptures to find the truth or did your truth come from church creed books, Bible commentaries, books about the Bible, church statements of faith, the teaching of skilled professionals or from books of so-called new revelation?
That cannot be believed by searching the Scriptures. (Exodus 31:12-18, Galatians 5:1-7)
3. Doctrine: Men are saved by grace alone.
There is no Scripture that states men are saved by grace alone. You would have be taught from extra-Biblical sources to believe you are saved by grace alone.
4. Doctrine: Saved by faith only.
No translation of the Bible says men are saved by faith only.
5. Doctrine: Water immersion [baptism] is not essential for salvation.
Only a skilled professional can convince men that water baptism is not essential for salvation. It cannot be learned by prayerfully examining the Scriptures. (Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16, Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:27, Romans Chapter 6, Colossians 2:11-14, Ephesians 5:25-27, John 3:5, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Titus 3:5, Acts 2:40-41)
6. Doctrine: The only true, accurate, trustworthy English translation of the Bible is the King James Version.
What verse in the King James Version says it is the only trustworthy translation of God's word?
7.Doctrine: Praying to [in other words worshipping] the Virgin Mary and other dead saints is approved by God.
Where are Scriptures to prove praying to people is not worship and approve by God? That can only be taught from creed books and other extra-Biblical sources.
THE QUESTION? Is what you believe, because you prayerfully studied the Scriptures to find the truth or did your truth come from church creed books, Bible commentaries, books about the Bible, church statements of faith, the teaching of skilled professionals or from books of so-called new revelation?
Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast.
ReplyDeleteBy grace alone, through faith alone.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Again, believe. Faith. Faith alone. Not in my works, but in Jesus' work.
Greetings Will Dole.
DeleteYou seem to be making a rather common error on the subject of salvation through faith. Your comment on Ephesians 2:8-9 is a classic example of reading too much into a scripture. These two verses are simply expressing the concept that our hope in salvation lies with our acceptance of Jesus as the avenue to the Father. But these verses are by no means definitive. These verses are presented in a general sense as is much of the Bible. Paul is not attempting to use these words in a all-encompassing manner. But you most definitely are. Your comment, "By grace alone, through faith alone" is not being conveyed by Paul. Your six word synopsis may sound good on a bumper sticker but is a false understanding of the verses.
You have inserted a personal bias by adding "alone" into your view of what Paul is saying.
The Apostle Paul was a very intelligent and inspired writer, if he wanted to convey the notion that salvation is confined to the belief that Jesus is Lord, he could have simply wrote it as such. We do not need to second guess or better translate what he meant. And this is exactly what you are doing.
Ephesians 2:8-9 is not expressing the idea of "faith alone" anymore then John 3:16. In both of your comments you inject a word that is not there, "alone". This should give you pause to think. By adding the word "alone" you are changing the meaning of the scripture and turning a general statement into a definitive one. This is poor hermeneutics.
If you believe that the Bible clearly and definitely teaches salvation by faith alone it should be rather easy to find verses that express this view. But if you find yourself inserting words into general statements you should rethink your theology. I look forward to your reply.