Early Church on Scripture & Tradition

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "...[T]he early Church taught that God's Word consists of both Scripture and Tradition..."

Roman Catholics teach error (1 Ti 6:3–5).

"You nullify the Word of God by your traditions that you have handed down (
Mk 7:13)."

See:


False Catholic Traditions

[The Death of Discernment in the Church Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Have you considered the spiritual health of your church in these days of tolerance and compromise? Is the leadership earnestly contending for the faith against the current wave of ecumenism? A.W. Tozer used the illustration of circulating blood to describe the health of a church. "The red corpuscles are like faith - they carry the life giving oxygen to every part of the body. The white cells are like discernment -- they pounce upon dead and toxic matter and carry it out to the drain. In a healthy heart there must be provision for keeping dead and poisonous matter out of the life stream."

Using Tozer's analogy, churches that are dead or dying are the churches that no longer have the ability or the desire to discern truth from error. If they cannot identify toxic doctrinal error, the poison can never be removed from the body. And if it is not removed it will continue to circulate, bringing confusion to believers and false hope to "seekers.""
The Death of Discernment in the Church

[Roman Catholics teach error (1 Ti 6:3–5). :olinger:] "Sectarian anti-Catholics teach error (1 Tim. 6:3-5)."

One of us is lying (Ga 1:6-8).

Let's prove who that is by the word of God (Ac 17:11). God's word is: full and sufficient (Lk 16:29,3), an unerring guide (Pr 6:23; 2 Pe 1:19), able to make men wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Ti 3:15). The scriptures are profitable both for doctrine and practice (2 Ti 3:16,17). Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

Why do you think Roman Catholics attempted to keep the word of God from people?

See:


Reformation Time Line

"We have different authorities, we believe different gospels, we worship different Christs, we are led by different spirits and we are on different paths to eternity. Compare this with the unity the apostle Paul described with those who are in one body and one ......Spirit, with one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, on God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all (Eph 4:4-6)..." Full text: No Idolatry & False Teaching

[The Emerging Church Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Based on the reports we hear from our subscribers all over the world, there are many churches on the edge of apostasy. Many are subscribing to the latest post-modern fad called "the emerging church" which attempts to reach the emerging generation with a new way of "doing church." If you key "emerging church" in your favorite search engine, you will see numerous entries declaring that worship should now be a mystical and holistic experience using images, candles, stained glass windows and even darkness to enhance spirituality. One of the leaders of the movement is Brian McLaren, pastor and author of the controversial and award winning book, A New Kind of Christian. The book expressly argues that the Bible should not be regarded as infallible or authoritative. McLaren seeks unity between Catholics and Evangelicals and applauds Chuck Colson for leading this unbiblical movement.

The emerging church places more importance on mystical and sensual worship experiences that unite rather than essential biblical doctrines that divide. Churches that move from a Word-driven message to an image-driven message only contribute to the "dumbing down" of professing Christians. Few will be able to discern the difference between the true Gospel and a counterfeit gospel. The end result will be unsanctified churches which tolerate, embrace and encourage unbelievers instead of edifying and equipping a new generation of believers."
The Emerging Church

[You nullify the Word of God by your traditions that you have handed down (Mk 7:13).] "2 Thess. 2:15"

See:

Believers Should be Established in the Word by J Vernon McGee

[1 Cor. 11:2]

See:

Women's Dress by J. Vernon McGee

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "[T]he Bible doesn't say that "Roman Catholics teach error""

Does the Bible say "Mormons teach error"? Does it say "Jehovah's Witnesses teach error"?

See:

Cult Toasters

Read your Bible. You will quickly see that Roman Catholics teach error.

You do not need to believe
these lies and you do not need to believe these lies.

Check up on what people say about the word of God (
Ac 17:11). Men lie. God does not (Ac 5:29).

[Emerging But Not Discerning Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Irving Bible Church, located between Dallas and Ft. Worth has emerged into a church without discernment. The pastor, Andy McQuitty, has publicly stated that both John Paul II and Mother Teresa are most assuredly in heaven. In the May issue of the church's monthly magazine Chatter, he featured a 11" by 14" picture of these two influential Catholics who deceived the world with another gospel. McQuitty called the differences between Catholics and Protestants "theological pettiness." He said, "it is just plain silly to write each other off as far as true Christianity is concerned. We'll have plenty of time in Heaven to figure out who was right about Purgatory and Mary." McQuitty can't see why both faiths can't cooperate "in building the Kingdom of our common Lord Jesus Christ." He described John Paul as "a Man of God, not a man of this world, who became popular by testifying to the unpopular truths of Jesus Christ." According to McQuitty, the pope was "a great man whom all Christians should admire, thank and emulate." Finally he wrote, "I confess as a protestant pastor that my spiritual life and faith has been enriched by this Catholic pope who taught me that being a hero isn't about success or power."

Evidently Irving Bible Church (IBC) has a few discerning souls who prompted McQuitty to send out this public e-mail. "A few of you have raised concerns, most of which can be boiled down to this question: 'Is IBC becoming Roman Catholic?' To which the answer is, 'No way, Jose.'" He wrote: "I understand where the question comes from, though. The introduction at IBC of certain elements such as candles and liturgies and communion wafers and the reference to communion as the "Eucharist", combined with the recent death of Pope John Paul II and the attendant recognition that his life received here, has caused some (particularly those who were raised Catholic and had a less than happy experience) to bristle."

McQuitty sounds like many Catholics who think we left the Roman Catholic Church because we "had a less than happy experience." No, we left when our Sovereign Lord opened our eyes to see the true Gospel as He revealed it in His supremely authoritative Word. As with other born-again former Catholics, we all left because we could no longer stay in a false religion that deceives its people on life's most critical issue - "What must I do to be saved?" We all left in obedience to God's word, to worship Him in Spirit and Truth (
John 4:24). If we were a member of Irving Bible Church, we would have to leave that church as well because the pastor has demonstrated no discernment and an unwillingness to be corrected by Scripture. A pastor without spiritual discernment cannot protect his congregation from Satan's continuous attacks on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some will say that I am being judgmental and that I have no right to do so. But how can Christians contend earnestly for the faith unless they make judgments on what "the faith" is? How can Christians defend and proclaim the Gospel without discerning what "the Gospel" is? We see a biblical example of one brother judging another when Paul publicly corrected Peter who was not being "straightforward about the truth of the Gospel" (
Gal. 2:11-14). A.W. Tozer said: "Among the gifts of the Spirit, scarcely is one of greater practical usefulness than the gift of discernment. This gift should be highly valued and frankly sought as being almost indispensable in these critical times. This gift will enable us to distinguish the chaff from the wheat and to divide the manifestations of the flesh from the operations of the Spirit." Full text: Emerging But Not Discerning

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "[A]re you saying that you don't believe in the oral tradition of "Sola Scriptura"?"

I reject false traditions like these. You should, too (Mt 15:9).

"I have to accept your oral traditions to be saved, in your view?"

Don't accept what I say. Accept what God says (Jas 1:21). What does God say?

[Christians Are Exhorted To Judge Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Many Christians are unaware of their responsibility to judge and test all things. Paul exhorted:  "I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:9-10). Christians need to take discernment and judgment seriously in this life because of the great responsibility that awaits us in the future. Paul reminds us: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?  Do you not know that we shall judge angels?  How much more, matters of this life?"  (1 Cor. 6:2-3). Paul even commended the Bereans for rightfully judging his teaching.  "They received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).  The apostle John warned and exhorted Christians: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).  Clearly, all Christians are called to judge righteously by using the Word of God as the plumb line for discerning truth from error." Full text:  Christians Are Exhorted To Judge

[One of us is lying (Ga 1:6-8).] "You are..."

Proof please. I have the word of God on my side (Jn 1:1). You have a guy with a pointy hat on your side (Mt 24:24, Ga 1:6-8, Ac 5:29). There are not two gospels. There is one gospel. It is one of grace not works (Eph 2:8-10).

"...[Y]our personal theological preferences and opinions contradict the authoritative teachings of Christ's historic Church..."

Your church has departed from historical, biblical Christianity (Rev. 3:14–22).

"...[L]et’s examine the Roman Catholic claim that it is the “first church.” Nowhere in the New Testament will you find the “one true church” doing any of the following: praying to Mary, praying to the saints, venerating Mary, submitting to a pope, having a select priesthood, baptizing an infant, observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments, or passing on apostolic authority to successors of the apostles. All of these are core elements of the Roman Catholic faith. If most of the core elements of the Roman Catholic Church were not practiced by the New Testament Church (the first church and one true church), how then can the Roman Catholic Church be the first church?" Full text:
What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church?

[Discernment Is A Discipline Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "New babes in Christ must discipline themselves to go beyond the "milk" of the Gospel and begin chewing on "solid food" by studying the whole counsel of God. "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil" (
Heb. 5:13-14). Spiritual discernment is a discipline and a privilege that only Christians can exercise. Paul wrote: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things" (1 Cor. 2:14-16)." Full text: Discernment Is A Discipline

"The Apostolic Deposit of Faith (depositum fides) consists of all that Christ's historic Catholic Church believes and teaches..."

Including error.

[How Are We To Judge? Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "John wrote: "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment" (
John 7:24). Jesus said: "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you" (Mat. 7:1-5). The instruction Jesus gives for judging others is to make sure you are not guilty of the same error or sin! Paul echoed these words when he wrote: "Do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?" (Rom. 2:3). When we judge, we must judge righteously and with pure hearts!" Full text: How Are We To Judge?

 

We believe the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18). You should, too. Jesus loves you (Jn 3:16). Jesus is willing to save you (2 Pe 3:9). Repent (Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30). Believe (Mk 9:23).

[The Goal of Discernment Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "As we practice the gift of discernment let us question our motives. Is our objective to be obedient to God's word for the purpose of helping, healing, correcting, warning and sharing in the spirit of love? Does our discernment lead people towards truth and righteous living? Are we concerned for the purity of the body of Christ? Have we come to acknowledge that when the gift of discernment is not exercised, the church cannot be purged of error and sin and the name of Jesus Christ cannot be fully glorified and honored as the Holy Head of His Body, the Church.

The critical issue in the Church today is the purity of the Gospel. That alone is the rudder that must guide the Church through stormy waters that have been stirred up by every wind of doctrine. Take away the ability to discern objective truth and churches turn into cafeterias serving whatever junk food people want instead of the disciplined diet they need for spiritual life and health. Without a steady diet of the whole counsel of God, churches become entertainment centers for goats instead of sanctuaries for the Shepherd's sheep (
Mat. 25:32). Unregenerate people, who are never exhorted to examine their faith, will continue attending church to enjoy the music, entertainment and "feel good" messages. Unless these people are confronted with their sin, their need for a Savior and the eternal consequences of a spurious faith, they are destined to hear these terrifying words from Jesus: "'I never knew you; depart from Me" (Mat. 7:23)..." Full text: The Goal of Discernment

Response to comment [from other]: "Jn 1:1 doesn't say that..."

See:

Jn 1:1

 

"God is Infinitely Merciful..."

"One of these days the dam of God's mercy will give way to his justice." ~ Adrian Rogers De 32:4; Isa 45:21

See:

The Best is Yet to Be by Adrian Rogers

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "...[Y]ou simply do not get a vote..."

Truth is truth independent from me (Dan 10:21). We compare scripture with scripture (1 Co 2:13) not men's opinions (Mt 15:9). We have no middleman.

See:

No Mediator

Early Church on Scripture & Tradition