Originally posted by Matt Black:
Originally posted by DHK:
[qb] Matt your position is illogical and indefensible.
1. Private interpretation is not permitted. Correct.
Then why does the Catholic Church practice it. That is what the verse means. Any organization that claims a private interpretation for itself is wrong.
Er...it doesn't mean that. I'm not quite sure why this isn't blindingly obvious to you but here goes: 'private' means 'personal, individual', as opposed to 'public, collective, corporate' Thus the Catholic Church cannot be guilty of 'private interpretation' since its interpretation is both public, collective and corporate. That is even more true when you consider the mind of the whole historic Church. Thus we can see that the verse condemns individual interpretation of Scripture ie: one man and his Bible alone and, by implication commends corporate interpretation by the whole Church which is, as others have pointed out, the "pillar and foundation of the Truth".
Private does not mean personal as you contend. The RCC organization is a private organization, not a personal organization, as is any private corporation. Your church is able to hand out tax reciepts for income purposes because it is registered with the government. For all intents and purposes it is looked upon as a business, and in some cases must pay business rates. It is a corporation--a private one. And its "magesterium" has given a private interpretation to the Bible which it forces upon all of its adherents, that which the Bible condemns.
The Bible commands personal and private Bible study.
The Bible conmens private interpretation of organizations to indoctrinate others.
Let's look at a couple of examples.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3
Forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Verse one says that in the latter times (these times, these days) some will depart from the faith and they will give heed to doctrines of demons.
Now, what are these doctrines of demons. Paul goes on and he gives two examples of doctrines of demons, both of which go against sola scriptura. The very fact that sola scriptura is ignored makes these doctrines of demons.
1. Forbidding to marry is one doctrine of demons.
It is a private interpretation of the Catholic Church that the clergy ought not to marry. They "forbid their priests to marry." "Forbidding to marry," is a doctrine of demons, a doctrine of the Catholic Church, a private interpretation of the Catholic Church that is taught to all the adherents of the RCC.
There is no private or personal Bible study on the part of a Catholic required here. The command of 2Tim.2:15 (Study to show yourself approved unto God) is completely ignored. This doctrine of demons, a privated RCC doctrine must be accepted without question by all Catholics. It is decreed by the magesterium, and incorporated into the catechism. You don't question it. You accept it.
It is a doctrine of demons.
2. Abstaining from certain foods.
In another translation it says:
1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding marriage and
commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
The Catholic Church used to command its adherent to refrain from eating meat on Fridays (except for fish--because it wasn't really a meat
)
However, the Mormons command their adherents to abstain from coffee and tea.
The SDA command their adherents to abstain from Pork.
But here the Bible says that God has declared all food to be clean. Any organization that has this private interpretation of the Bible that commands its people not to eat any kind of food whatsoever (i.e. pork, coffee, etc.) is giving heed to a doctrine of demons.
Forbidding your followers, your congregation to abstain from food, as a part of your faith, is a doctrine of demons. The Levitical law is no longer in effect. Christ fulfilled the law. All food is clean. Forbidding food (religiously) is a doctrine of demons. The Catholic Church used to do this when I was younger. I am not sure that they have kept the practice up. But the Mormons and the SDA do. God calls it a doctrine of demons.
The expression "private interpretation" relates directly to leaders of churches, denominations, etc. Every person has the right, yea, even the responsibility to study the Bible on their own and come to their own conclusions
privately. Jesus was NOT rebuking this Godly practice which he encouraged. In fact he condemned the Sadducees for not doing so.
"Ye do err not knowing the Scriptures neither the power of God."
Their error was not searching the Scriptures personally. Let us not fall into that same error.
Private study is good, and it is commanded of each and every one of us.
DHK
