Thanks bdavidc,
I can now see where you have been taught wrong. The letter too Timothy (your reference to 2 Timothy) are pastoral letters from Paul. They are not instructions for all Christians. They are instructions for Church leaders. Timothy was a Church leader, a successor to the Apostle Paul. Church leaders are taught to "rightly divide the word of truth". Not every person who reads the bible is able to rightly divide the word of truth. That Protestant theory is why Christianity is being destroyed because everyone that reads the bible comes up with their own "truth" from it. Even in NT times SOME were garnering their own truth from Scripture. That is why this warning is written in 2 Peter: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Which takes me to your John 17:17 reference. In that vs Jesus was praying that his Father would sanctify THEM (the Apostles) through the truth. Just a few vs's later He prays for those who will believe in me through their (the Apostles) message. You made my point when you said, "no, this isn’t “my truth” or “my friends’ truth”, it’s simply what’s written." YOU believe it is "simply what is written" which means that YOUR truth from Scripture is THE Truth. What YOU believe/teach/preach appears to be contrary to what men (Apostolic Fathers) who spoke to the Apostles believe/teach/preach. Who should I trust more: YOU or men who spoke to the Apostles?
Where in Scripture does it say that 2 Thessalonians 2 :15 is meant for PAST traditions ONLY and not traditions established by The Church in the future?
We agree. There is not a single passage in Scripture that commands infant baptism. So we have to infer from Scripture what we are to do with that soul that God created. We also have to, as Scripture commands, look at Christian Tradition if infants were or should or should not be baptized. In previous post's I have given evidence that infants were MORE LIKELY THAN NOT baptized when entire families were baptized. You and your ilk ignore that fact. Historical Christian writings, that supports Christian tradition, show that infants were baptized. A fact you and your ilk ignore. Scripture says they were bringing infants to Jesus and some tried to hinder them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” You and your ilk want to hinder them.
Thanks for your opinions. It was a good discussion. I appreciate how you didn't get all nasty with personal attacks like some people do on here. If I said anything that offended you, please let me know.
Mary
Your argument is not based on Scripture but on assumptions and tradition, which God’s Word repeatedly warns against (Mark 7:6–9). Let’s go straight to what is written.
First, the claim that 2 Timothy is only for church leaders collapses under the weight of the text itself. The Scriptures are clear: “
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). That is not restricted to Timothy, nor to pastors only. Every believer is called to study, know, and live by the Word. Paul told the brethren in general to “stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
The verse says nothing about future traditions made up by men or religious institutions. It refers to the teachings already passed on by the apostles, not ongoing traditions invented later. Scripture interprets itself.
No verse gives the church permission to create new doctrine outside the written Word.
Now let’s talk about truth. You say I am teaching “my truth,” but I never claimed ownership of truth.
I said I believe what is written. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” Not tradition, not councils, not opinions. Jesus was not limiting sanctification to the apostles only. Just a few verses later He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). The truth is passed through the written Word of God, not oral tradition.
As for 2 Peter 3:16, yes, some twist Scripture to their destruction.
That is exactly why God gave us His Word in written form, to test all things (Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). You quote that verse trying to argue that only the “qualified” can understand the Bible, yet Scripture says otherwise. The Bereans were not apostles or elders, but they were commended for searching the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). God holds each person responsible to hear, believe, and obey His written Word.
Now to the core issue: infant baptism. You admit there is no command in Scripture to baptize infants. That should be the end of the discussion. You’re trying to patch the silence of Scripture with tradition and inference, which
is exactly how error creeps in. You point to “household baptisms,” but
not once does the Bible say infants were baptized. We’re not told the ages or spiritual conditions of those in the house. To claim “infants were likely baptized” is argument by silence, not Scripture. And Jesus saying, “Let the little children come to Me” (Matthew 19:14) is not about baptism, it is about blessing, not salvation or sacrament. He never said to baptize them. Salvation is by faith in Christ, and faith comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17). No baby can exercise saving faith, and baptism without faith is meaningless.
God doesn’t need human tradition to improve what He’s already clearly spoken. If your authority rests on what men said who “spoke to the apostles,” then you’re already off the foundation. The Word of God alone is the final authority (Isaiah 8:20, Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16). Trust the inspired Scriptures, not uninspired men. That’s not “my truth.” That’s what’s written in the Bible.
