Many today seem to be buying into the idea of Bible being beyond human comprehension and understanding. It is often said that the Bible is subject to the interpretation of the reader, and we all will see it in a different light. Each will be as correct as the other and there is no "right or wrong" interpretation.
What is your thoughts on this in light of John 15:14-16? As the friends of Jesus, doesn't he promise to share ALL that he has received of The Father, with his friends?
What is being said in Amos 3:7? Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. What is said in 1 John 1:5-7? Walking in the light seems to be an absolute for fellowship one with another, and to receiving cleanseing from all sin.
Doesn't Deut 29:29 answer the question about the Old or New Testament prophets, (Amos)when it says to "us and our children forever"?
When Jesus said, "For all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you". Did he mean "ALL" things? When he said I have made them all known unto you, was he speaking to the church both present and future? If he was speaking unto the church, did Paul receive something that Peter had not already received in Matt 16:17?
you are correct Snooky..he gives his friends understanding..in the Old testament he refers to them as "His servants the prophets."
We never will understand al on this side of glory..The Word is "Spiritually discerned and must be understood with the aid of The Spirit.' Certainly we should not wait till we we see the writing on the wall.We should act on the Word with the knowledge that we have ...until the Lord opens ours eyes..We should be learnging new things daily..The purpose of this ever increasing learning is to bear more fruit..to know God more so that we can clearly and simply lead others to Christ..It's hard explaining something that one doesn't possess themselves..This growing knowledge Snooky is learned from spending time with God..our friend.
CHuck7
There are parts that are easy and there's the difficult passages. The Holy Spirit is supposed to reveal the meaning of God's Word to you if you prayerfully meditate on the more difficult verses and passages. I find that some versions are harder to understand than others too. Without trying to start a debate, I find that the 16th century language used when the KJV was written often makes parts of that version more difficult. We have several different translations and I haven't found the differences in language to cause me any disagreements doctrinally.
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Doesn't Deut 29:29 answer the question about the Old or New Testament prophets, (Amos)when it says to "us and our children forever"? I think it means God will reveal things on his own time table. Paul states in his writing that what he received was kept secret until it was revealed to him.
When Jesus said, "For all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you". Did he mean "ALL" things? Who was Jesus speaking to: When he said I have made them all known unto you, was he speaking to the church both present and future? He was speaking to the Nation of Israel. If he was speaking unto the church, did Paul receive something that Peter had not already received in Matt 16:17? Paul did receive something that Peter did not receive. Peter said himself that Paul's doctrine was hard for him to understand.
Dave,
I don't think many of us have problems with understanding the Word at face value..it's the hidden meanings that Snooky has talked about .Actually Jesus spoke this about His parables..he purposely said he has hidden the secrets from the world..And if we are part of the world..we will never learn the secrets things ..these secret things I believe are the things that really set us free..The world has a very shallow understanding of the Word..God shares the deep secrets..with those who truly love Him..those who live in and for the Word..
In this case ..it doesn't matter what version one reads..It's not so much as the version as getting the nugget. ..the truth that sets one free,
Chuck; You are right on the same trail I am on here. The carnal VS the Spiritual. IMO this is the root of all the differences in doctrine among the churches and their memberships. The ability to discern the spirit we are of. The bible says "there is a spirit in man". In that there is no question. The question is what spirit is in US? He that is of God, heareth Gods word. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. One filled with the Spirit of God, will speak the things he hears from his Heavenly Father, just as Jesus our example gave us the pattern for us to live by. One filled with the spirit that is in the world, will speak accordingly as that is what is in his heart.
It isn't about knowing all there is to know about God, It's about walking in that which we do know about God. Stewardship in the mysteries of Godliness. It is about our exceptance, or rejection of any new revelation that God is presenting unto us. The Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, (what does it do as it appears), teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, that we should live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present life.
You are correct when you say that it is the Spirit that gives us understanding of His word. How many time have you read a passage over and over and then all of a sudden, you read the same passage and see something there that you never saw before. That is the Holy Spirit enlightening your heart. I too, have had people say to me that's it's all just a mans interpretation and you are correct when you say that that is the reason forso many denominations. But when people say that to me, I ask them if they are a parent. Then I ask them if they ever instructed their child on how to do something. Then I ask them did their child ever get their instructions wrong. I explain to them that it is the same way withGod's word. He never had different meanings to what He told us in His Word, it's just that many times, we, as His children, don't understand what He meant I believe the Word of God can be understood but it takes more than just reading it, it takes study. We need to understand the context in which it is being spoken, the people whom it was being spoken to, and the culture at the time it was being spoken. It is also very important to understand Jewish customs and law to really get the full meaning of some passages. It is really a life-time quest and then there is still not enough time. God bless you Snooky in your quest, you seem to have agreat handle on things so far. One thing we all need to remember is this; the Word of God is alive, it is a living entity. It will come and live in us and change us completely if we will only allow it.
Blessings.....Pastorjim
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Mere religion is just hanging around the cross.......True Christianity is getting on the cross.
Pastor, I wish we could set down over a cup of coffee one AM and watch the sun rise over the mountian as we exchanges some nuggets of truth and shared experiences together.
The truth is we all get Gods instructions confused at times. IMO if our Spirit is in tune with His Spirit, he will repete the sequence again for us slow learners.
On the other hand, if our spirit is of the world, we tend to totally dismiss anything from God as irrelevant and continue on in our old ways of rebellion and disobedience. If our Spirit is right, we rejoice as Bro Chuck with his recent revelation. If Our Spirit is of the world, we criticise and dismiss it as "personal" convictions, mans interpretations, ect.
Friends, families, fellowships, and churches, have been desolved because of no other reason that someone who had a wrong spirit, and could not except the truth that God gives to his Friends.
My purpose isn't to establish who is right, or wrong, as none of us have the handle on total truth. My purpose is to encourage honest and sincere searching for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The man who seeks God with ALL his soul, mind, and strength, will be found of him.
One thing we all need to remember is this; the Word of God is alive, it is a living entity. It will come and live in us and change us completely if we will only allow it.
Is the Bible to be understood?
