Sola Scriptura

That still does not prove that the Scriptures is the sole authority on all religious/spiritual matters. They are authoritative for sure, but authority can only be wielded by living and breathing people.

As for Jesus speaking, it was the the OT that he was he was referencing. The fact is, the OT leaders were never given the authority to "bind and loose" or to "forgive sins" as the NT leaders were. Thus, while the NT scriptures are authoritative, authority resides in the Church established by Jesus Christ and the Bishops who lead the Church.

Look, I am a foreman in an electric company and I send out my workers to fix some power units somewhere. These things will be fixed according to the authoritative repair manuals that we have. Now sometimes, a problem will arise that requires some new thinking and my workers come to me for that advice since I am the head engineer. I use my authority to instruct them on what to do, taking into account the information that we have in our manuals and the information in my head. I hope that analogy helps to clear up your misconception of the Scriptures.

 

Hebrews 4:12. 'For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword......and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.'

The 'leaders' of O.T. Israel had enormous powers as a glance through the O.T. will reveal. The power to "bind and loose" is given to all disciples (Matthew 18:18. Reference it back to 'disciples in v,1). The authority of church leaders is dependent on their faithfulness to Christ and His teaching as seen in the Bible (c.f. Matthew 15:12-14). One of the great tragedies in the churches today is people sitting under a unbiblical ministry because they have an unwarranted respect for their minister. But if he does not preach the word of God, then mot only may they leave-- they must leave. '"Come out rom among them and be separate," says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you"' (1 Corinthians 6:17).

Not at all, I'm afraid. Your repair manual is the word of men, however clever and qualified they may be, and you are, I suppose, at liberty to disregard it if you wish, if permitted by your employers. The Bible is the word of God and you are not free to disregard or modify it, nor to supplement it by your tradition.[/QUOTE]

 

The reason that Scripture is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice is that only scripture is Θεο πνευστὁς (God-breathed). The human authors of scripture wrote as moved and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and only those written words inspired by the Holy Spirit are considered as part of the written revelation of God. The last human authors of the New Testament, having fulfilled their ministry and gone on to glory, have not been replaced, either in whole or in part, and thus, there is no more authoritative word of God to be given unto men other than what has already been given. It has not been given to any single office within the Church to interpret Scripture or bind the conscience of believers to follow human proclamation. This is the error of Rome which has vested authority in the church itself, through the papacy, to bind both practice and conscience in violation of scripture itself. While not inspired words, the framers of the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith penned words that should serve to encourage all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ:

1.1 The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.

1.4 The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.

1.6 The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed.

1.9 The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.

1.10 The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved.

 

Scriptures are the only inspired and authoritative source for us today...

 

The Bible is the only revelation that God has given to us to be able to judge and discern all theology/doctrines and practices with today!

 

All Scripture is God-Breathed
…15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine , for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.…

It would have to be true then that the scriptures are the sole authority for it is God Breathed. Interpretation too can only come by the third part of God- the Holy Spirit, which precedes from both the Father and the Son and is the mutual love between them both . It is by the Holy Spirit that the interpretation of prophecy can come. For men of God inspired by God received it not by their own power. It is profitable for doctrine= making, for conviction , for correction and for training in righteousness. It would seem if the Protestants believed their own anthem cry "Sola Scriptura" they would not be attacking true doctrine in other denominations.

 

This idea of Sola Scriptura never raised it's ugly head for almost 1600 years. Being that God is about all truth, one would think that He in His wisdom would have brought this idea forward much, much, earlier in time, thus leading His people to be truly enlightened. He didn't, therefore such a thing should be rejected just like the Mormon or JW way of thinking.

When did Jesus ever say to just write a book and let everyone figure it all out by themselves? Never! In point of fact He established a Church, a real tangible institution here on earth to guide the faithful through the spiritual plane while we walk this earth as physical beings.

Your "Sola Scriptura" idea has brought nothing but division, with the first Sola Scriptura devotees disagreeing with each other and separating into different sects within the first 20 years. Sorry folks, but you are 1600 years too late on this one.

 

And so many get it so wrong with their misinterpretation of it. Thousands of new Christian sects, so which one has the God honest truth?

 

Well I have to disagree that the the Lord said just write a book and let everyone figure it out as the meaning of Sola Scriptura. The way I understand it is, the scriptures are needed to test men's doctrines it is a compass if you will, which gives direction. Guided by the Holy Spirit one can learn if that doctrine can stand or not. But there has to be a foundational teaching in which to measure that doctrine otherwise men can say whatever they want and call it REVELATION from God without any proof.

My point is, the Protestant anthem cry is used against them concerning truths of other denominations like Catholic and Orthodox . Their true doctrines can be supported by the scriptures ALONE if one simply reads without bias. God HAD TO LEAVE BELIEVERS a basis in which to measure all men's doctrines, SOLA SCRIPTURA is true in that fact.

Christ Our Foundation 1 Corinthians 3:10-12
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,…

What is the foundation Paul is laying? It is the teachings of Christ put to paper, a document to guide future believers. That foundation is the Word Jesus Christ so that believers will NOT be lead astray.

The Protestants cry Sola Scriptura , but attack the Blessed Mother and any veneration of her as not scriptural, IRONIC! They try to use the very scriptures which have within them the exalting God bestowed upon her -against her and those who love her.
She is revered and loved by both Catholics and Orthodox because scripture teaches this yet because of twisting scripture the Protestants attack and dismantle fundamental doctrine because they miss the KEY COMPONENT of Sola Scriptura, THE HOLY SPIRIT'S GUIDANCE! So, Sola Scriptura is used against them by The Lord Himself. I hope you get this. Sola Scriptura also tweaks minor doctrinal flaws of both Catholic and Orthodox thinking. They Are Minor more so concerning definitions of Dogmas not befitting Titles given to Mary. The Protestants do not preserve the Dogma of the faith, they protest against it all. They will protest themselves right off the foundation.

 

Your whole post is a non-argument.

 

This simply isn't so. If you knew your Church Fathers as well as a good Roman Catholic should you would know better.
Here is just one quotation, but I have a ton of them if you want them:

When Athanasius had listed the canon of Scripture (which BTW excluded the freestanding books of the Apocrypha), he wrote, These are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take aught from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees, and said, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." And He reproved the Jews, saying, "Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of Me"' (39th Festal Letter).

 

I just joined this site and this was my first read. Wow, the non-baptists seem real snarky. I thought this was a place to calmly state the proof of your belief. Turns out the non-baptists just hurl insults. Why should I stay?

 

We covered Mark 12:18-27 this morning. Isn't it wonderful how God reinforces His message to His children through the words of other chosen people. Thank you for your words.

 

Well, that is what happens when opposing views meet. Baptist will rally around one another regardless of snarky comments or true ones by an outsider. Even among its other Protestant brothers and sisters Baptist will be condemned and vice versa. That is the problem with all denominations, each wants to be better than the other and never fulfill this:
1 Peter 3:8

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind.

One in Christ Philippians 2:2-4
…2then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…

It is selfish ambition which has created rifts between the Three major denominations Orthodox ,Catholic and Protestant. each rejects the truth of the other and thinks its own truth better than the others. The scriptures ALONE could resolve the rift but each is too prideful to humble its self to a truth another might bring to the table. It is clear all hold truth, one may hold more truth than another but that makes no difference to the fact the scriptures can resolve all doctrinal rifts. But again the selfish ambition of each, the empty pride and lack of humility to consider others more important than yourselves, prevents a meeting of the minds.

Thank you Lord for the foundation.... that regardless of the pride of the many , the few you will preserve in the end will hold to all the truth of present denominations and reject the lies. What are some lies one believes another denomination may be clinging to, put some down and let's test them one at a time and let us see which will remain standing. We know the day will bring forth each man's works. What do you all consider to be hay, wood or straw?

 

The Early Church Fathers?

But of course I know the Early Church Fathers. In a sermon to the newly baptized, St. Athanasius said this: "You shall see the Levites bringing loaves and a cup of wine, and placing them on the table. So long as the prayers of supplication and entreaties have not been made, there is only bread and wine. But after the great and wonderful prayers have been completed, then the bread is become the Body, and the wine the Blood, of our Lord Jesus Christ". "Let us approach the celebration of the mysteries. This bread and this wine, so long as the prayers and supplications have not taken place, remain simply what they are. But after the great prayers and holy supplications have been sent forth, the Word comes down into the bread and wine - and thus His Body is confected." (Sermon to the newly baptized 373 AD).

So my learned friend, are you on board with him on this?

 

I offered a point of view, so where did I insult anyone?

 

Adonia I have to say you and I may have a few differences ....they are small, but I am on the same page with you concerning the Lords real presents in His supper. It baffles me how people teach as least a great mystical blessing in grace. And even worse than that teach He is not even present in the instituted life giving sacrament .

The Fulfillment of the Law Mathew 5:18-20
…18For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.…

Those who break the LEAST of His commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called LEAST in the kingdom of heaven. This for breaking the least of His commandments. Think what they are called for breaking one of the greatest of the Lords commands.
John 6:53-54
53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. 54Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.…

SCRIPTURE ALONE! Sola Scriptura! Funny how they can not see this glorious life giving COMMAND a great one at that. To be given LIFE through eating His flesh and drinking His blood would mean the LIFE giving Lord is present.

 

Oh wow, what a statement! You are going to get yourself in big trouble with some people here on that one.