Okay - first of all - you'll never get 99% of all credible Protestant scholars to agree that we are ALL Apostles.
MOST of them will say that it was the Twelve- along with Paul and maybe Barnabas.
Secondly - nobody here has been able to answer the question I have asked now about a dozen times - worded about a dozen different ways.
There are tens of thousands of disjointed and perpetually-splintering Protestant sects - ALL teaching different doctrines based on their different interpretations of God's Word. Many teach essential doctrines that are as different as night and day.
WHICH one is correct??
They can't ALL be correct or the Holy Spirit is the Father of confusion.
God spoke in parables and without a parable He did not speak (Mk 4:34).
A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly/spiritual meaning. This makes the whole Bible a parable.
When John the Baptist cried, “Behold Jesus the Son of God which takes away the sins of the world.” No. John did not say it that way but I would have. Actually John said, “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world.” Wait a minute. Jesus is not an animal? What does an animal have to do with taking away sins? So we search the Bible and discover, in the Old Testament, the Jews sacrificed lambs to atone for their sins. Ah, now we understand Jesus is to be the ultimate sacrifice to atone for the sins of His people (Mt 1:21).
Now we come to the “meat” part where you claim it is easy for you to explain why there are so many different sects, if the Holy Spirit is the one who dispenses truth? A classic “put the blame on God” cop-out. At this point you must be wondering where I am going with this, and what has Mk 4:34 have to do with the subject at hand? Well, I am going to show through Scriptures the question you raised on this thread.
Mark 4:9-13 reads:
9. And He said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
10. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
WHY? Now Jesus gives the reason.
12. That seeing they may see, and not perceive, and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at anytime they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
13. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables?
“
Get it now?” The key passage is verse 12 which is likened to that of John 3:1-12. Plus, to top it all off God said He will send them a strong delusion that they will believe a lie.
The heart of man is desperately wicked! He would rather accept a lie than to receive God. By nature he is evil (Jo 3:19). Shall I continue?
Every denomination has what it calls "presuppositions." Therefore, they will read Scriptures according to their doctrines! Hence the Baptist will remain a baptist according to his church's doctrine, a Buddhist will remain a Buddhist, according to what Buddha dictates, a Catholic according to the infallibity of the Pope and church, plus other books and extra sayings, a Protestant according to the Bible and in its entirety is the word of God, in other words, S
ola Scriptura.
..etc...etc...etc,; and I'll chellenge anyone in these forums as to the meaning of "Sola Scriptura" the biblical way.
As ByGrace said it as she "hit the nail on it's head" - so to speak - it is, "PRIDE."'
And pride goeth before a fall.
Perhaps Pia was also correct to say that the Catholics should have their own forum. So they can wallow in their intellects how great they are in their interpretation of scriptures. Believe me when I say this is NOT a Catholic bashing, rather a bashing of the false Catholic Church's doctrines.
1. God is no respecter of persons.
2. Holy men of God spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them.
3. What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only?,
So you see the Catholics does not have a monopoly on Scriptures.
In this country (USA) we have the freedom to choose what religious affiliation we want to belong in, but we do NOT thave the power nor the ability to choose for God.
In short, now you know why there are so many denominations and sects in the world. If you know of an
easier way as you've claimed bring it on so we can look and discuss the scriptures you will post along.
Indeed I am excited and curious in anticipation to learn from the mind of a Catholic.
Waiting...
To God Be The Glory