SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION?  by steve finnell

Is the reason why there are so many different denominations, is that the Bible is a matter of interpretation or because extra-Biblical information has influenced interpretation?

How would you interpret the following Scriptures without the influence of a trained professional?

Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (NKJV)

A. He who believes is saved and then he is baptized into a local church.

B. He who believes has been saved because God selected him for salvation and then he should be baptized as a testimony of his faith.

C. He who believes is saved by faith only, and water baptism is not essential to salvation.

D. He who believes will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned, however he who rejects baptism will not be condemned.

E. He who has a parent believe for them and is baptized as an infant shall be saved.

F. Just believe what Mark 16:16 says.

Subject for your interpretation.

Romans 6:3-7.......  4 We were, therefore, buried with him by immersion into death; that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, thus we also should walk in newness of life.....(The Better Version of the New Testament by Chester Estes)

A. We were, therefore buried with him by immersion, sprinkling or pouring into death; that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, thus we were walking in a new life the very minute we believed.

B. Just believe what Romans 6:3-7 says.

Subject for your interpretation.

Acts 2:37-38 ....."Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 The Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

A. "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Peter said, you do not have to do anything because you have been saved by grace alone, God will give you the gift of faith so you can believe and be saved.

B " Men and brethren, what shall we do? Peter said, nothing at all, your sins were forgiven the minute you believed.

C. "Men and brethren, what shall we do? Peter said, all adults must repent and be baptized for  the forgiveness of sins that they have committed, as well as for Adam's sin, but infants need not repent, nor believe, however, all infants need to be baptized because they are guilty of Adam's original sin.

D. Just believe Acts 2:37-38.

Are there  hundreds of denominations because men believed the Scriptures and the Scriptures alone or because men have let trained professionals interpret the Scriptures for them?

The Bible needs to be read and believed.