The Church decided the canon. How do you know you have the correct canon?

[One 2 question]

Because people invent sin very creatively. It's human's defining characteristic.

The "Talmud" is a term to reference Jewish religious fiction. This is the bulk of what people wish to add to the Scriptures. It has stories, songs, and tales and all kinds of stuff...Jesus referenced the literature and the book of Jude exclusively quotes and references this stuff...because it was common literature.

The Book of Hebrews references many extra biblical literature as well but it references theological works and sermons of settled theologies written by past former great Rabbi that they all gave credence to. The commentary most noted for being familiar with extra biblical literature is Westcott and Horts commentary on the book of Hebrews. Then Eadie and Lightfoot (Eadie was Westcotts apprentice while Hort and Lughtfoot were financiers of their works).

But we don't use Judaism theological books today as scripture...nor corrupt and innacurate history books as scripture...or even accurate history books.

Scripture is different, has a different purpose, is not a history book. (Even if it contains history)
Nor is SCRIPTURE an entertainment book for entertainment value...although some of the music and poetry can be quite entertaining.

All of these "removed" books were never considered scriptures. They do have value but are NOT SCRIPTURE. And that's what the advocates of these books never ever address. They discuss conspiracy theories and make mountains where there never was one. The last book accepted was Jude and those who brought it were from a fairly remote village. When voting to accept it they abstained from voting because they believed they were biased and didn't want to influence the vote. Conspiracy theorists blow up this abstaining into all sorts of lies.

They love the book of Enoch written @ 150-100 BC. Because the book addresses all the myths and old wives tales surrounding Judaism that had come about by syncreticism with various other religions....especially Mazdaism/Zoarastrianism (The precursor to Gnosticism) that came from the Medo-Persian Empire with Cyrus. The book of Enoch in the very first chapter declares itself NOT to be scripture in the first paragraph in a backhanded fashion but people today don't know the difference so liars gain ground constantly by promoting it.
(They do not fear God when doing so....which means they have zero wisdom)

Handling scripture the way people do today, because it's so common, is a serious egregious error that is often overlooked.

Sure, I extend grace like God has granted me when dealing with misinterpretation but that doesn't mean that it might even be blasphemy of God's name. (Not good)

Just because some books like Revelation might be out of reach of perfect comprehension by no means is license to create theologies out of whole cloth as a result of bad hermeneutics.

This was once my focus and even a priority, to defend the bible as I knew it. I was born into the practice of studying it every day. I actually became obsessed with this book.

Until my eyes were opened and God showed me that I had replaced my relationship with Him, with a relationship with the bible.

I spent so much time with B (bible) and when I wasn't with her, I was thinking of her. When I need comfort, I went to B to find it. When I needed answers, I went to B. Even to the point where objects I encountered in every day life reminded me of what B had said.

I was caused to repent of my relationship with the bible and to get back to making the Spirit of God my go to. He was to be my Comforter, my source of Truth, the One I talk to, listen to, praise and worship. Yes, God, Whom happens to be my Companion comforting me as He guides me into all truth. He is awesome. He is my God.

 

[JohnDB]

This was once my focus and even a priority, to defend the bible as I knew it. I was born into the practice of studying it every day. I actually became obsessed with this book.

Until my eyes were opened and God showed me that I had replaced my relationship with Him, with a relationship with the bible.

I spent so much time with B (bible) and when I wasn't with her, I was thinking of her. When I need comfort, I went to B to find it. When I needed answers, I went to B. Even to the point where objects I encountered in every day life reminded me of what B had said.

I was caused to repent of my relationship with the bible and to get back to making the Spirit of God my go to. He was to be my Comforter, my source of Truth, the One I talk to, listen to, praise and worship. Yes, God, Whom happens to be my Companion comforting me as He guides me into all truth. He is awesome. He is my God.

I'm not going to claim innocence for studying so much that my head was always in the clouds and I was no longer capable of reacting the way that I should when in an easy basket range for the two point basket. (Unguarded too....basket ball metaphor)

But....stepping back the Bible indeed has EVERY answer to how to have a positive relationship with God and how to have positive relationships with others.

But if your head is in the clouds you can't have either....because relationships require actions. And if you can't act, open your mouth and say something or do something....at least have your emotions appear on your face of how you feel seeing someone you know and like....well.....you are failing the OBJECT OF THE EXERCISE.

 

[Dash RipRock]

at least have your emotions appear on your face of how you feel

So the just shall walk by emotions?

 

[NotTheRock]

The Bible rings true to me, in spite of some versions having translation errors. Many of its books repeat the same message, which indicates divine guidance. As a believer in universal reconciliation, I know that knowledge of scriptures is NOT necessary for salvation. I believe that it's obvious that it is God's plan for his creation to be temporarily "lost" from him for a period of time as part of our lesson and development, which includes being allowed by God to believe things that are untrue. I also think that members of many faith systems get too hung up on doctrines rather than focusing on having a loving relationship with God and one another. To me, THAT is what is "Canon".

 

[Ronald Nolette]

There is no specific role description of an apostle here. But the duration of its function is.

Who - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
What - For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
When - Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ
Eph 4:11- 13

The Church is far from being perfect (complete, of full age). So until then, the Head, Christ still requires apostles as much as evangelists, teachers, prophets, pastors along with encourages, administrators and many other functions.

My bad- it is Ephesians 2:

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Apostles, prophets and jesus are the foundation. The church has been building on that foundation for ovr 1900 years now.

The work of laying the foundation is over- hence the office of apostle is over. Just like the canon of Scripture is closed.

Besides the 9 words mentioned in this account (The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you) of Jesus's act of sending these guys out, we aren't told what they specifically taught through each day.

I'm not convince that the only spoke 9 words then were silent til the left for the next village.

Well they were not building the church. that wasn't born until Pentecost . and they were not sharing the death and resurrection of Jesus for sins. that did not happen until after Pentecost as well.

If you want to deny, reject, grieve the Divine Person Jesus and His Father sent then go ahead. But for me I'm going to thank, praise and worship God. That is, the God parts in heaven (Father and Son) and the God part on earth (Their Spirit).

You are doing that from human reason and not divine decree. But hey you do not believe teh bible is the authoratative final Word of God for man on earth either. So...........

How can I be outside of God's Word? I am in Christ Jesus (the Word become flesh Who was from the beginning, the ). This is elementary truth my friend.

Praying to the Holy Spirit is outside of Jesus. We can be saved but outside the will of God in areas.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

In the New Testament, there are also three levels of Priests:
- Jesus, our High Priest (1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 7:22-25)
- The Ministerial Priests (James 5:14-15)
- The General priesthood of all Christians (1 Peter 2:5-9).

Just as with all New Testament fulfillments, the fulfillment is always more glorious than the Old Testament type.

James 5:13-15 says that if a person is sick to call the presbyters of the Church so that they can pray over the person. And if the person has sinned they will be forgiven. This is the priestly practice of Extreme Unction (Last Rites)

Wow you Romanists never cease to amaze me! You take a command for the elders to pray for the sick and make that a sacrament of holy orders! With all the trappings that Romanism falsely endows them with. And if you bothered to look at James, it is not the last rites, but an anointing for healing!

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

And as for having ot confess to a priest for absolution?

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

[One 2 question]

The Apostles, prophets and jesus are the foundation. The church has been building on that foundation for ovr 1900 years now.

The work of laying the foundation is over- hence the office of apostle is over. Just like the canon of Scripture is closed.

Have you come across this statement or conclusion in the bible, 'hence the office of apostle is over'? Would this be your assumption?

 

[One 2 question]

You are doing that from human reason and not divine decree. But hey you do not believe teh bible is the authoratative final Word of God for man on earth either. So...........

I really do believe that God's words are found in the bibles. They have absolute authority because of Whose mouth they proceeded from. I'm not sure what you mean by your use of the word 'final' here.

 

[One 2 question]

Just like the canon of Scripture is closed.

Has it been confirmed who actually wrote the scroll of Hebrews?

 

[One 2 question]

The work of laying the foundation is over- hence the office of apostle is over

In your opinion, which apostles are these? What's their names?

 

[One 2 question]

Praying to the Holy Spirit is outside of Jesus. We can be saved but outside the will of God in areas.

What do you mean here, talking to the Holy Spirit is outside Jesus?

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Have you come across this statement or conclusion in the bible, 'hence the office of apostle is over'? Would this be your assumption?

Answered this already. From Acts the requirement to be3 an apostle and from Ephesians 2 the fact the office of Apostle was to lay the foundation for the church to be built upon. If we still have apostles, the church is not being built, but the foundation is still being laid down.

What do you mean here, talking to the Holy Spirit is outside Jesus?

We are never told to pray to the Holy spirit. We are to pray to the Father alone. We Worship the Father and son, and it is the Spirit who empowers us. To pray to the Holy Spirit is to do something we are not told to do. Jesus commanded us to pray to the Father alone.

In your opinion, which apostles are these? What's their names?

It was the eleven, then Matthias and Paul. No one else is ever called an apostle in Scripture.

Has it been confirmed who actually wrote the scroll of Hebrews?

Alot of scholars theorize it is Paul, but I think we may not know conclusively in this life.

I really do believe that God's words are found in the bibles. They have absolute authority because of Whose mouth they proceeded from. I'm not sure what you mean by your use of the word 'final' here.

Do you believe the entire bible is God breathed?

2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Have you come across this statement or conclusion in the bible, 'hence the office of apostle is over'? Would this be your assumption?

Yes it is Scripture. eph2 and Acts 2. No one else is called an apostle and Paul and Titus appointed Pastors, not Apostles in the churches.

Once again all the Apostles were taught by Jesus Himself. they carried the doctrines Jesus gave for the church to be built. they are the foundation w/ Jesus.

All leaders since the Apostles are merely what Paul instructed Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Believers jobs is to preserve protect and pass on the teaching of the apostles which is the NT. We are not to create new doctrine and we will not get any new revelation that contradicts the present teaching of Scripture.