Who is the final authority?

Who holds the truth?
1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The true church is the pillar and ground of truth. Does that mean the church is the truth?
4769 stulos {stoo'-los}piller
from stuo (to stiffen, properly akin to the base of 2476); TDNT - 7:732,1096; n m
AV - pillar 4; 4
1) a pillar 2) a column 2a) pillars of fire i.e. flames rising like pillars 3) a prop or support
1477 hedraioma {hed-rah'-yo-mah}ground
from a derivative of 1476; TDNT - 2:362,200; n n
AV - ground 1; 1
1) a stay, prop, support
Both of these adjectives say that the true church supports the truth. Yet many churches make that claim. Does Paul get anymore specific?
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
These are signs of the true church in that true church has the true Christ.
A. God was manifested in the flesh…
Catholics and liberals have this phrase erased from their Bible. They claim to believe that Jesus is God in Human flesh, but how can they be the pillar of truth if they can not even preserve this basic verse?
Other groups (muslims, mormons, Jehovah’s Witness etc.) deny this entirely
B. Justified in the spirit…
Jesus was righteous and the spotless lamb. He was a perfect sacrifice and not the smart aleck hippies teacher of the liberals.
C. Seen of the angels…
Jesus was not inferior to any spiritual entity not Allah or Lucifer, no one will ever esteem himself higher than the Savior Jehovah. (Jesus is short for Jehovah saves)
D. Preached unto the gentiles...
Salvation is free and by his grace even the pagan unclean gentiles were offered eternal life in Christ.
E. Believed on in the world...
Christ is the historic man and Son of God spoken of 2,000 years ago. There is no knew gospel.
F. Received up into glory…
Christ did not die and spiritually ascend to Heaven. He in fact physically resurrected.

Jesus is the truth
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus is the Word of God
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Word of God is essentially God
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
If you are working and your boss gives you a comand you can not really make a strict distinction between the person of your boss and their command. The only way that you are to not follow your boss’s command is if they give you another command. The difference between a person and their message may exist yet it is insignificant.

The Bible or scriptures is the word of God
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Luk 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Is the paper God?
A: Of course not, but the complete revelation is the Word the second person of the trinity.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
As we compare these two passages we can see a pattern. Man lives by the complete revelation of God. In other words the word of God. Jesus himself comes down from heaven to feed mankind. In other words Jesus is the word of God and Jesus is the revelation from scripture.
Deu 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
Deu 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
Deu 30:14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
The logos is by nature God manifested upon the earth; The Word is the manifestation of God upon the earth.


What is the biggest difference between the word of God and the Word of Man?
A: The word of God endures forever
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Is Jesus talking about his words in general?
A: If that were the case then John has contradicted him!
Joh 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
So if this were the case then Jesus is speaking of the scriptures and not general phrases.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
The Bible is not only to be preserved but it is linked with the gospel and evangelism. No version of the scriptures has made it’s way around the world like the King James Version and as a result, Peter’s prophecy finds it fulfillment in the canon of the authorized version. Catholics never cared enough to spread the word of God to the masses and fought against it. Yet the supposed Pope Peter teaches that we are born-again by the incorruptible seed of the wor
d of God and not by the sacraments of the priest.

If scripture is authoritative, who is the authority?
Catholicism’s interpretation is atheistic. They claim to need a man to interpret the Bible. If God’s Word needs a man to print it and then needs a priest class to identify it and then needs a papal man to interpret it for other men. And future councils and to span across and untold millennia then the revelation of God is flawed. Because as the Catholic Church teaches, man is sinful and therefore could misinterpret the Word of God.
New Testament Christianity leans toward the Bible to reinterpret itself. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the authority to guide us in interpreting the word of God.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
The power of Paul’s preaching had nothing to do with his ability, his asuthority was entirely based upon the power of the Holy Spirit.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
The revelation of God is not based upon natural wisdom. Natural wisdom has no authority. So why did the Roman Catholic scholastic theologians based their teachings upon the writings of pagans like Plato and Aristotle instead of the word of God? For the princes taught of this very philosophy crucified Christ.
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The instrument of interpretation lies in the hands of the Holy Spirit. It is in the Holy Spirit that we find the truth of Christ. Notice that spirit revealed them unto “us”?
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
In and of themselves, no man may interpret the word of God. Unfortunately this includes Popes, councils and the other cult leaders.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
The Christian is indwelt not with the spirit of Satan but the Holy Spirit.Most all protestants and catholics recognize this fact. Paul teaches that this indwelling allows us to interpret the scriptures. The apostle John agrees with this.“1Jo 2:19-22 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 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. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
We are to teach the things which were inspired by the Holy Spirit and not that which is secular. Those who are secular will reject the scripture. Without the Holy Spirit the scriptures are always rejected. The saint has a christian mind and only Godcan judge the Christian. Not to say that people can’t make judgements but that only God can do so objectively.

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
There is a since in which we should lean towards the Christians which are more mature. At least until we can obtain that maturity. Many Evangelicals and Catholics like to have the hierarchy obtain knowledge while leaving the young members in an easily manipulated state of immaturity.

1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Here we see that that this fleshly immature state is linked to the dependence upon the ministry of men instead upon God.

1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Even Christian men of the Highest Caliber are simply servants of the one true living God. God is our source of strength; not man.

1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
We are all the work of Christ. Yet we must be very careful to how we fit in the body.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
We need our fidelity to be based not upon religious leaders and man made theology. We need to be faithful to Christ and Christ alone. Jesus gave up his life for us, not His Sovereignty. When churches are based upon people, no matter how devout, they are not going to survive the judgement of God.

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
We are the temple of God and therefore have a personal relationship with God. Therefore the Holy Spirit can counsel us and illuminate the scriptures as we read them.

1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
To follow the advice of man as oppose to God is foolishness.
1Co 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
1Co 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
Notice “Cephas” which means Peter. Even Peter is not our Father, but God is.
1Co 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
1Co 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Our head is Christ alone.
1Co 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
1Co 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
1Co 4:4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
We are therefore not accountable to man, but instead to God.
1Co 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Here we see the action of religious liberty. We focus on ourselves in order that we not get in the way of God.


But can Paul be understood?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 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;
2Pe 3:16 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.
2Pe 3:17 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.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen
Now Catholics use this passage to argue against the common man’s ability to read the scriptures. Let’s look at this passage a little closer.
Verse 13 states that we long for the New Heavens and New Earth where in it righteousness dwells. We see that righteousness in vrs. 14 is something we are longing for. Yet this sounds strange if the catholic is internally righteous. We are to prove that we have lived this way by the fact that as vrs. 15 we give an account of the patience of Christ as the source of our salvation. This is identified as the message of Paul. The reformation claims that it is Christ righteousness which our salvation. But the Catholic view does not make a difference between the righteousness of Christ and the righteousness of the Roman Catholic.
Verse 16 claims that some things by Paul were hard to understand. Yet the theme of salvation by grace is obviously the understandable message of Paul. Peter does not say this is the weakness of everyone. Instead it is only they that are both unstable and unlearned who twist them. Were Calvin and Luther and Erasmus unlearned? Both calvin and Luther were trained catholic priest. Luther was in fact a roman Catholic monk and doctoral Professor of Biblical studies. So according to catholic standards they were not unlearned. Both of these men were in fact very staunch in their views their entire lives, as opposed to instability. They were neither destroyed even with the threat of death constant both lived a healthy life. Though I do not endorse everything in their theology (just read past articles) They were obviously able to discern the writings of Paul.


Is scripture within tradition or is tradition within the scripture?“113 2. Read the scripture within the living tradition of the whole church “ According to a saying of the fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the churches heart rather than in documents and records, for the church carries in her tradition the living memorial of God’s Word , and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture (according to the spiritual meaning which the spirit grants to the individual.”
Catholic Catechism 1996


a. Church tradition based upon church tradition is circular reasoning.
Here the catechism has based the authority of tradition based on the church fathers. Bit how do we know that the Church fathers had this authority. At which point their have been two options: an appeal to scripture or an appeal to fascism. Either they based their on the scriptures, or they would resort to violence. (for instance the inquisition)
b. The “father” quoted was Origen who would be considered a heretic.
Origen was not allowed to be a catholic Saint, because he resorted cutting his penis off in the tradition of the gnostics. He has been identified by most scholars as heretical since he taught universal salvation possibly including the devil. He denied the full deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. He edited the Old Testament LXX to conform to Platonic philosophy. ( we see this in the Hexapla) yet this is the “father” whom they cited to ground the doctrine of tradition.
c. The OT scripture belonged to the Jews before it was ever delivered to the Catholic church.
d. The concept of church fathers is contrary to Christ teachings
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Mat 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Now let’s consider this vrs. 8 states that Jesus teaches against any exaltation of religious leaders. It also states that all Christians should refer to themselves as brethren. He then explicitly orders Christians not to refer to themselves as father. Now some may want to argue that this was just referring to lay people; but let’s look at the context.
Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Here we see the context is quite clear. It is obvious that this admonition is for apostles and followers alike. So this concept of a fatherly and priestly class to rule churches was always in contradiction to Jesus teachings.
e. Christ is Lord without any competitors.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
f. Christ opposed traditions that got in the way of scripture.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
g. Since the scriptures are sufficient for salvation and perfect living then they must include apostolic traditions.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

What is the church based upon?
Many of us remember that famous passage on how Jesus will build his church. Let’s do something unusual and find the context of this verse fully revealed through the entire chapter.
Mat 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
We see in the scene, the Pharisees and Saducees who do not have faith that he is messiah, and therefore, are asking him to prove it by signs are tempting Jesus.
Nottice that what is essential to the enemies of Christ is that they lack faith.
Mat 16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
Mat 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Mat 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
After rebuking them Jesus tells them that the only sign that they will know Christ has came is the sign of Jonahs. This sign was the sign of a man risen from the dead after thredays and nights of death. Faith in the Messiah is proved by faith in the risen Messiah.
Mat 16:5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Mat 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mat 16:7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Mat 16:8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Now here we see that Jesus is still rebuking the disciples for a lack of faith build a cumulative case for faith as essential to Christianity. Also we see the disciples with a fleshly understanding. Jesus taught in parables so that only those who wanted to understand would do the homework to understand. Yet the disciples are thinking without faith and thereby misunderstanding the words of Christ.

Mat 16:9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Mat 16:10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Mat 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Mat 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Now they have been humbled enough to understand Jesus warning that they should avoid the faithless philosophy of the Pharisees.

Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
So here we have the question concerning Christ identity, in others words who should we have faith in?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
So Peter gives what is known as the good confession. Notice if you will that this is the subject of the moment who is Christ. This was the type of Faith by which the disciples are required. It is something obtained by the power of God and not by man.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Now we come to the verse. This is the “rock” upon which Christ will found the Church. The rock is the subject of the sentence. So what was the subject of the previous sentence? “it” was the subject; and what is “it”? That Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God”! So this confession of Faith is the foundation of the Christian church and everything else stands or falls upon it.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
So Christ has given Him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now some may think that Peter has writes over Heaven and Hell. The Pope even assumes the write kick people out of the church and condemn them to Hell. However, that is the exclusive right of Christ. “Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Let’s look at the context, Peter had confessed faith in Jesus. This would be the “rock or foundation of faith. He was then given a name “peter” “Joh 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”
This would imply that Peter is a part of the “Rock” or a member in the body. Yet not the foundation. Peter’s keys refer to the authority he had in the initial proclamation of the gospel. However we see in the NT that he did have accountability. “Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.”

Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Here is a good test for the Catholic interpretation. If Peter has the infallible authority of Pope then can he rebuke Christ?
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
It is obvious that Peter only had the Authority that Christ had given him. Peter has no power over the gospel. Instead he must apply it as God has allowed him. Such is with the Apostles and prophets. 2Pe 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 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.
Yet Bishops and Popes contradict each other all the time. How could John Pall II be against the death penalty when every pope has had an army?
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The true church does not assume earthly authority. Instead it dies to it’s own passions.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.


The reason behind the scripture
“He is making a circular argument. A circular argument is an argument in which the conclusion is found in the premise.
“Person A: ‘I am George Washington’.
Person B: ‘How can I know it’s God’s Word?’
Person A: ‘Because I George Washington, just told you so’
“Atheist correctly accuse Protestants of using this type of argument to defend the Bible of using this type of argument to defend the Bible.
“Protestant: ‘The Bible is God’s Word’
Atheist: How can I know it’s God’s Word?
Protestant: “because it says so”
Atheist: ‘So does the Koran’”
This is a retort from a Catholic critic of mine. He argues that Biblical authority is a circular argument. Catholics however use a circular in determining their authority. They claim to have inspired authority because they can draw up a supposed geneology of Popes. Much like the evolutionist Haekyl convince academia that species are related simply because he could draw pictures of different embryos in a way to where they looked the same.

Let me finish this conversation.
“Protestant: ‘The Bible is God’s Word’
Atheist: How can I know it’s God’s Word?
Protestant: “because it says so”
Atheist: ‘So does the Koran’”
Protestant: “the problem with that argument, is that the Koran basis itself upon the Old and New Testament but then departs on Key points so it contradicts iteself.”
Athiest: “But couldn’t it still be a subjective point of view?”
Protestant: “Anything is possible, but the proof is in the putting. I told you that the Bible is God’s Word. So it will be totally true and match the world we live in.”
Atheist: That’s a little far fetched. When I was growing up I went to Catholic schools. They would claim that the Bible is the Word of God one minute and then tell me that evolution is true the next. But now I have come to realize that that’s just bull@#$% because the Bible says there was no death before Adam sinned. So God spent millions of years killing dinosaurs and cavemen before he got into Eden. That makes God look like a murderer and a %^&*ing hypocrite.
Plus, I don’t think even the popes and priests really believe all that junk in the Bible. If they did then what about the Inquisition?
Protestant: Well, first things first. Evolution is a bad joke that’s why I don’t believe it. Secondly, you are talking about Roman Catholicism and not my religion of Christianity. We have a personal relationship with God were we ask and receive the Holy Spirit of God in our spirits to make us born again. They just drip water on babies heads and say that they are born-again. By the way as a child were you confirmed?
Atheist: Yeah when I was 8
Protestants: Do you remember what you had say?
Atheist: Not a &^%* thing! Well, I guess I remember some thing about one and some bull@#$% like that.
Protestant: So do you think you had personal relationship with God?
Atheist: No, a couple priest and nuns, and their nice, but that God stuff isn’t for me and I mean I ain’t no saint..
Protestant: Problem is neither are they, they think that happens after you die. Secondly, the Bible unlike the Koran actually authenticates it’s miracles. We have archaeological proof the Jews were in Egypt and that the pharaoh’s oldest son died and they escaped the worlds most powerful empire at that time. Yet what proof is there that Muhammad came to Jerusalem on a flying beast? This sounds stupid yet the West thinks that Muslims should control Israel’s historic city of Jerusalem because of this garbage!
Atheist: Hey what about you not believing in evolution? What kind of crap is that?
Protestant: Oh, that’s just a scam? I mean how do these people know how the earth was formed?
Atheist: Well there are scientist, I mean they ought to know!
Protestant: Did you know that Darwin was not a trained scientist, but instead a trained theologian who never got access to a microscope strong enough to show cells? Besides how old is the Earth?
Atheist: uh… 3 billion years?
Protestant: how long is human history?
Atheist: About 5-20 thousand years.
Protestant: So how do we know about the billions of years
Atheist: Carbon Dating
Protestant: But you know that has been criticized and how do you really know what started the big bang or life on earth or the human brain or any of that?
Atheist: just what we think would naturally happen.
Protestant: Doesn’t that mean you are imagining what would happen without God?
Atheist: Yeah.
Protestant: Isn’t that circular reasoning?
Atheist: you have a point.
Protestant: Well, let me just tell you about Jesus…”
It is in the perfect Word of God which we find life. It is in man that we find death. The true church is fed by the word of God and supports it alone.

In Christ,
Matt

The Bible’s case for Sola Scriptura and the regulative principle

Regulative principle) “The theory of church government and worship that stipulates that not only church doctrine but also church practice must be based on clear scripture warrant. That is we must have a clear Biblical command or precedent, expressed or implied, for all we introduce into the work and worship of the church. It is the position laid down in the Westminster Confession of Faith and is the opposite of the normative principle espoused by Lutherans and Anglicans.” Alan Cairns Dictionary of Theology


Authority of the scriptures
Psa 33:4-19 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Many of us who read the Word of God don’t understand just who is talking to us. The authority of the Word of God created the universe we live in six days. Yet we think it is not authoritative over man!

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2Pe 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
2Pe 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Liberal Protestants and Catholics who deny the fact of God’s creation have started their gospels blaspheming God and specifically Jesus Christ.
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
The way we view the authority of the Word of God is going to reflect on the way we understand God and Christ. If we truly believe in God we will understand his omniscience and omnipresence. Once we have truly understood the sovereignty of God we respect his deity and reject the religious sovereignty of man.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.


The word of God is pure

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.



Regulative instruction
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
The proponents of Catholicism and the normative principle interpret this in a very ignorant way. They simply spout off that that if this passage were to be taken literally we could have no more books than the torah. However, the text is not concerned with whether there would be any more revelation or not. We simply look at the clause “word which I command you” and also “that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD” it is obvious this was a prescribed hermeneutic. Since the words of God are pure we must give all of the message authority and not simply shrink back from difficult laws or passages. We should not reinterpret the revelation brought to us from Jehovah but instead receive them.

Make it plain.
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
It is the contention of all God mimicking false religion that the Word of the Lord is not understandable. That God has went about the effort of preserving Bible and the faith of billions throughout the millennia but only to give us a mysterious code which most Christians will be incapable to understand.

Cain and abel
Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Gen 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.


Aaron’s Sons
Lev 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
Lev 10:2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

Saul’s disobedience of the regulative principle
1Sa 15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
1Sa 15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
The phrase “repenteth me” basically means that God is going to change his relationship with Saul. Since Saul has not followed Jehovah’s commandments.

1Sa 15:12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
1Sa 15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
And here we see Saul greeting Samuel with the claim that he has indeed been obedient to Jehovah. This is interesting because it appears Saul may really believe he has done this; since he has made the claim before even asked on the subject.

1Sa 15:14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
1Sa 15:15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
So here we see Saul reinterpreting a commandment. He has decided that he may take away from the commandment of God; since has decided not to destroy everything of the Amalekites. Then he has decided to add to the commandment of God by instituting a sacrifice of the meats from there cattle. Both of these are a contradiction to the regulative principle.


1Sa 15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
1Sa 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
1Sa 15:18 And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
1Sa 15:19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
1Sa 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
1Sa 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Here Samuel starts his case with reminding Saul of his humble beginning. This reminds us of how small human authority is. There is also the possible indictment that Paul was not simply motivated by God but by greed since he kept their treasures. Saul believed he obeyed in a “normative” sense. He did not contradict the commandment outright he simply made a few adjustments to it. Then he argues that this was made up for anyway because he had the people sacrifice unto God.

1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
This is a key point toward true and Godly Christian faith. Man’s worship is nothing if it is brought with the hypocrisy of disobedience. Worship is a statement of faith. Yet obedience is proof of faith. The fact of disobedience disproves the statement of faith in worship.

1Sa 15:24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
1Sa 15:25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
1Sa 15:26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
1Sa 15:27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
1Sa 15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
1Sa 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
The indictment sticks. Saul tries to persuade Samuel to forgive his sin. He does not however petition the Lord as David later would and as a result; we see the “straight talk” of Samuel. The Lord is not like a man who can be manipulated. The Lord is unchanging and His word is unchanging. Therefore obedience to God must be complete, where we neither add nor subtract from his holy commands.


The Wisdom of the Regulative principle
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Here we have a very obvious admonition in the book of proverbs not to add to God’s word. Here we will here the echoes of mindless pigs snorting “if that’s true then we should stop the Bible at proverbs!” The only question is, if we are not supposed to add to God’s word then what does this passage mean???


The uniform lordship of the law
Deu 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;
Who are we to declare the word of God null and void? If God’s Word tell us that a command does not apply, then that is one thing. But when we think that man has the authority to change the Word of God we are quite frankly degenerate idiots. We are like toddlers who are screaming at mommy and Daddy “NO!!!!”, when in fact we have no authority. The problem when a toddler traditionally does this they are asking for a spanking. This is what the religious world is in for. We have played the whore and have ruined the family name of God. So now we are in for a spanking.



The temptations of Christ
Of the necessity of Scripture
Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Jesus proclaims that the authority of the word of God is so essential that one may live by it even with out bread. Yet many sacramental churches practice the giving of bread with out the complete word of God.
Of manipulating God’s authority
Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
To save his life and reveal himself to be who he is Jesus would isolate and abuse one verse from the word of God.
… of other authorities
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Mat 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Jesus would not bow to any other authority than God even if it lost him the adulation of the world. Yet today preachers will revere pagan doctrine for just an ounce of popularity.


Jesus on the Pharisees and traditions of men
Mat 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
Mat 15:2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Mat 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Jesus is specific here in making a distinction between God’s Word and it’s authority against man’s word and it’s authority. Those who claim the power of human tradition are assaulting the Sovereign Lord. This type of worship of God is empty and worthless. It is truly pitiful to see these dead churches waste so much energy.

Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Mat 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
When the religious authorities degrade the authority of the word of God they are able to magnify themselves to God-like status. When ever we approach a minister of God and they give us a sense of superiority or celebrity. They also have the hypocritical tendency to have higher standards for the disciples than for themselves.




No other foundation
1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
When we claim Christianity and try to produce our own works and traditions and impose them upon His church we are building the house of God with wood hey and stubble. These are useless hindrances to ministry and they will be burned up in the Day of the Lord.



Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus wants build our lives upon him and his teachings. Man made teachings will not last. Remember that, manmade teachings will not last.

Authority for the church
2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
If Peter was the 1st Pope, then it would be wise for Catholics to adhere to his teachings. Specifically, to follow the teachings of the OT prophets and the NT apostles. We may have no record of the invention of apostolic succession. Yet we have clear testimony of the authority of the scriptures.


Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 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 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
One thing that many forget is the past tense nature of this record. By “gave” we see that the ministers put in place were able to accomplish the perfecting of the saints without the future offices of new popes, prophets, cardinals, Apostles, priests and so on. God had equipped the saints of the NT.


Prohibitions on will worship
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Col 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Col 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Col 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Without the authority of scripture we are simply using our imaginations as it concerns the spiritual realm. Religion becomes manmade. Yet man has no qualifications for true religion and spirituality.


Prohibitions on legends
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Fables 3454 muthos {moo'-thos}
perhaps from the same as 3453 (through the idea of tuition); TDNT - 4:762,610; n m
AV - fable 5; 5
1) a speech, word, saying 2) a narrative, story 2a) a true narrative 2b) a fiction, a fable 2b1) an invention, a falsehood
Here we see that the idea of following fables is ludicrous to Paul. This contradicts the liberal attitude about the Bible. If legends are prohibited then Scripture can not be legend.


Prohibitions on philosophy
Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Here we see again that neither traditions nor philosophy may be added to the Word of God. Yet in the Catholic Church, the priests were trained in pagan philosophy as soon as they controlled the Roman Empire. In the case of the Alexandrine churches the pagan philosophy was instituted almost initially. The New Testament church is based solely on the scriptures. Not to say that NT are impervious to error. But their foundation is in the divine.


Revelations curses
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
So here we see the regulative principle in action for the book of revelation. Now the apologist for liberal and Catholics argue this principle is only commanded of this individual book. Yet these same characters treat all the scriptures including revelation without applying those same principles. The liberals and Catholics deny the tribulation. The liberals deny the final judgement. The Catholics want to add millions of years of purgatory. The Mormons want add two other heavens deny hell and make Joseph Smith a judge in a panel with Christ and Elohim. The Muslims want to add 70 virgins, deny the Deity of Christ, change the name of God to Allah, and claim that Muslims will take the world over by force. The Jehovah’s witness want to only admit 144,000 who will no longer be Jewish, deny the reality of hell and have the power to claim the date of Christ return even though they have failed a dozen times.


If we want a true relationship with God then we must listen to him and be careful that he is not misrepresented. Ultimately we must ask our selves as we worship the only wise Jehovah. Is it about him or us? Who gets the glory?

We must remember the great request of our Lord’s recommended prayer. (The same one omitted by liberals and Catholics.)
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

In Christ,
Matt