The Bible presents a very broad general narrative many believe and have built varying beliefs systems around. Yet, the book is very ambiguous, at times contradictory, and downright confusing regarding numerous religious subjects that would appear to be of upmost importance. Such ambiguity appears to clearly demonstrate that the writings are the musings of men, however, many still attribute its contents to a deity figure. Why?!
Let me point out just a few of the issues of contention below:
1. The plan of salvation
- By grace thru faith alone (Romans 10:9-10)?
This is true.
- Repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38)?
- is baptism immersion?
- is baptism simply sprinkling
Water baptism is an ordinance for new believers to follow publicly in identifying themselves as His disciples.
Although you will have believers arguing for water baptism due to Peter interjecting that in between Repent and the remission of sins, thinking water baptism is meant for the remission of sins, they ignore this same Peter saying clearly that believing in Him is for the remission of sins to the Gentiles. Thus "repent" as in repenting from unbelief by believing in Him is the call for the Jews to actually receive their remission of sins as they were the Jews that were pricked in their hearts for crucifying Jesus in unbelief.
The irony is that connecting your reference but including Romans 10:9-13 where verse 13 is about all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved, Peter had mentioned that earlier in that sermon to the Jews in verse 21 in Acts 2:14-21.
Some believers are dogmatic that they have it right regardless of the preponderous of scripture saying otherwise, but it is on God to cause the increase to help them see the truth in His words that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
2. The role of the church vs. Sola Scriptura
The good fight is keeping the faith with His help, and so by Jesus Christ, we are to prove or reprove everything the church teaches by the scripture. Individual believers are to do that because a church would never lead itself into a reformation, even though it should in setting the example for other churches to follow. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-25 2 Timothy 3:12-17 Ephesians 4:11-15
3. Should any part of the OT Law be kept? (Matthew 5:18)
For salvation? No. Acts 15:1-20
Those who insist on keeping the sabbath should not do it to obtain salvation by as the Jews were seeking to keep the commandments for under the Old Covenant. Matthew 19:16-26
For abiding in Him as His disciples, these 2 commandments in verse 23 pretty much coves all the rest. 1 John 3:22-24
4. Apostolic succession and the Papacy (Matthew 16:18)
Jesus did not credit Peter for saying that about Him being the Christ, the Son of the living God. He gave that credit to the father that revealed that truth to Peter. A short while later, Peter got possessed by Satan ( Matthew 16:18-23 ) and so hardly a ringing endorsement for Peter starting a church that the gates of hell will not prevail against. It is on what Peter has said is how that Church will be built on that rock which is Christ ( 1 Corinthians 10:4 ) Indeed, it is Jesus that has the keys to the gates of hell and death Revelation 1:17-18
Christ as the Word of God is the Head of every believer and every church, no one else. 1 Corinthians 11:3 & Ephesians 5:23
5. Dispensationalism vs. Amillennialism vs. Preterism
- with each able to use scripture in some form or fashion to support what they promote
I have not wade through all of that myself with the Lord yet, but if that bothers you, one thing you can do with Him is make sure no scripture opposes the truth in other scripture because if it does, they are not rightly dividing the word of truth yet in making full proof of their ministry.
These are but a few internal issues a couple thousand years have not been able to provide clarify on and there are many others. Again, with such doubletalk and ambiguity, WHY Oh WHY would it not be obvious that human authorship is all over the pages. The Bible is just so..................... human
Jesus validated scripture as being of the truth.
John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came,
and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
So believers may take verses out of context for what the truth in His words were intended ad you can discern that when it opposes truth in other scriptures plainly written like they did for believing water baptism was for the remission of sins when believing in Jesus Christ clearly was.
2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 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. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.... 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
So trust Jesus Christ today to be your Good Shepherd & Friend to help you to abide in Him & His words for following Him. He will do it.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:...11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
