Is there anything in the Bible that states we need a degree or have to go to a school to learn the word of God. If my memory serves me correctly, the pharisees and saduccees went to schools and learned great knowledge of the Bible. But what did Jesus say to them in the gospel of John? "You believe that through knowledge of the scriptures you have eternal life." Jesus was pointing out that knowledge of the Bible is not salvation.
Seminary where is the Bible?
- Thread starter ushalk
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Acts 8:31 ""How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."
Eph 4:11 "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,"
Teachers and teaching is important. Bible study and biblical knowledge is important.
The attitude of many Christians today, would be to give someone a bible, and tell them to study it for them self, and the Spirit would guide them into all truth. This is not what happened in Acts 8. Phillip was needed to teach and explain the scriptures. Contrary to what some believe.. the Holy Spirit does not teach us theology and correct understanding and context of Scripture directly. He mostly does it through teachers. It is not the Spirit's job to teach us this way..the Spirit's job is to bring us through life experiences and make us into the image of Christ. I have never known anyone who after being filled with the Spirit, is suddenly an expert in Hebrew, or Greek, or any other matter important for understanding the Scriptures. But I do know a number who are filled with the Spirit, love the Lord and love others, but think this makes them an expert in theology, and the interpretation that "the Spirit taught me", is the only correct one in their mind.
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Boanerges
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Is there any verse that says it is bad to have a degree by studying to show ones self approved (2Ti 2:15)? It seems appropriate to pick at a few less nits. Perhaps more time sharing the gospel vs. the woe is us they are a little different approach.
If Jesus wants everything done by a perfect person He will have to wait till He comes back and do it all His own self....
B-A-C
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Acts 22:3; "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.
Acts 5:34; But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.
Mark 12:35; And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
Gal 6:6; The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
Acts 5:34; But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.
Mark 12:35; And Jesus began to say, as He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
Gal 6:6; The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
Boanerges
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Eating cereal from a bowl, where does the bible tell us to do this?
Sending our children to school, where does the bible tell us to do this?
Using the toilet and not sleeping outside in the snow, where does the bible tell us to do this?
Handing out gospel tracts, sitting on a chair, air conditioning, surely those things are not biblical and must be rejected. Do not even get me started on canned vegetables and microwave ovens.....
Sending our children to school, where does the bible tell us to do this?
Using the toilet and not sleeping outside in the snow, where does the bible tell us to do this?
Handing out gospel tracts, sitting on a chair, air conditioning, surely those things are not biblical and must be rejected. Do not even get me started on canned vegetables and microwave ovens.....
yes you are right, but you are not told that you have to do those things in order to become something thank you.
so there is nothing in the word of god that states that you have to get a degree in order to be a minister for our lord jesus christ. therefor if anyone tells you that it is a must is a liar and not telling you the truth of the word of god. thank you very much.
ushalk: Luke was a Doctor, and no where in Scripture does it say we have to go to school to be a Doctor. However I doubt any hospitals would want you to doctor with them. No one has to go to school beyond what ever the State the lives in requires.
Learning the history and cultures at the times Biblical events took place is so exciting and even proves the validity of what Scripture says. We may believe every word, but many come to Christ because evidence is there to prove what Scripture says. Without education in the Hebrew language and someone who knows how to read and write Herbrew the Dead Sea Scroll's would be just marks on old paper bits.
Has anyone ever told you that you needed a degree to be a minister of Jesus Chris? If so you have every right to disbelieve them! Blessings.
farout
sintheticg
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hi there, first post.
i have an issue with this statement. Are you suggesting that a teacher should speak Greek and Hebrew? God gave us an English version of the Bible and many of our past brothers and sisters were martyrs to obtain that Bible we hold in our hands today. I question people who have to constantly go back to the Greek and Hebrew i can see going back to prove the text is correct to scoffers, but if a teacher is implying that the English version is not perfect, they are a liar. This is what Catholics used to do with their Latin bible, the people of England had to rely on the priest to do their bible reading because they did not speak the language. William Tyndale gave his life for an English bible.
All of that said, to the OP. I too have been wrestling with the issue of a piece of paper that says I'm certified to teach the word of God. I do believe in sitting under teaching, I've had a discipler for years, and constantly listen to preaching in church and on the internet. I welcome teaching, but why should I have to pay money so someone can say I am learning and give me a little performance cookie in the form of a diploma.
My testimony
I was saved around 2006 may-ish i suppose, I have a hard time pin pointing a moment, as His Spirit called me I suppose at some point it clicked and I knew I was accepted by God after recieving his free gift in the form of atonement for my sins. I knew I was called to preach a few years ago, I ran from my calling and back slid, until one day I prayed a simple prayer "God, if im really called to preach why dont you prove it to me so ill quit wasting my life." I was fired from my job of 6 years the next day. I had to laugh. Now I'm broke, jobless, no vehicle, living at my dads house. Tell me, how am I supposed to get a special piece of paper that costs thousands of dollars without going into debt and owing man money, which is a no no?
I've asked a few preachers what they'd advise, and I'm just not sure how the Spirit is leading me. Get a job flipping burgers, save my pennies, go to school, wait for my pastor to pass on the torch? Doesn't sit right. One pastor simply said "I'm not the holy spirit" which was probably the best advice I've been given on the subject. Sometimes I feel like I have too much sin to preach, but then I'm reminded that none of us will be perfect until glorification. So where is the line? How do we start without the degree?
Hello, thanks for your post. Well firstly.. there is no perfect translation of a bible into English or any other language, just some translations are more accurate than others. If there was, there would not be so many different English versions saying different things in different ways. I don't believe a teacher has to speak Greek and Hebrew. But one who doesn't is limited. A teacher who does not know it can only teach so much. Like the difference between a first grade school teacher and a university professor. Both can teach math, but the first grade school teacher cannot teach calculus. There are many different English versions, and Greek and Hebrew doesn't always translate nicely into English. Sometimes there are multiple words in Greek which are translated into the same word in English. An example of this is the word "hell" in the KJV .. but in the Greek it is Hades and lake of fire which are two different places, not a single place called "hell". The Apostle's creed says Jesus descended into hell... what? the place of burning sulfur fire and brimstone? No.. the place of the dead.. Jesus said He would be in Paradise.. Contradiction here if we think hell means hell. Actually hell can mean Hades.. not always fire and brimstone And there are times when a Greek word has no English equivalent, and vice versa..so they find the closest English word with equivalent meaning. An example is KJV translated pascha into Easter (Acts 12:4)....other translations use correct word Passover. Anyone who knows basic history knows that there was no Easter in bible times. For this reason, despite the best efforts by translators, we sometimes have to go back to the original Greek or Hebrew to uncover the more accurate meaning.
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Boanerges
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You have not answered my question friend, is there any scripture that says a degree disqualifies (in any way) a called person from preaching?
Paul the Apostle had the equivalent of a Master's Degree, this neither qualified him nor did it disqualify him.
you are right with paul, but where did paul say he went and learned the gospel. not from men nor was he given it by man but through the revelation of jesus christ. perhaps we should discuss teachings coming from seminary schools? however the point i was making is the fact that it is not a rule written in the bible that you have to do in order to minister the truth to people and anyone that says it is a rule is a liar and the truth can not be in them.
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amadeus2
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We are, all of us, qualified by God to do whatever it is we are called to do... but part of our qualification certainly could include what we gained from the elementary school we attended or the university, or the seminary. Having said that many of the things I learned in secular school, especially college, had to sifted by the Holy Ghost to know how or when to use what... or even, what to discard. The scripture does include the following already mentioned or alluded to verse:
"Too often, it seems people who use that verse are unfamiliar with this verse:
This is, of course, OT, but it rings true still for carnal man. Study is good thing... or can be, if used properly. Study itself as per II Tim 2:15 is to done as a matter of obedience, NOT to learn God's Truth, which comes as per this verse:
The reading and the study are I believe the "eating" of the flesh of Jesus. Then comes the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, to quicken (bring to Life) what we have eaten.
The Spirit that quickens what we have consumed of the flesh of Jesus is the Blood (the life is in the blood as per Lev 17:14). Natural blood is the life of our carnal bodies, but the Life of the new man, the born again man, is the Holy Spirit, the quickening Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. So then go ahead attend a seminary if that is where God is leading you, but be certain that the Holy Spirit is leading you, rather than any man or the doctrines of any man or men.
There's an old saying "those who can, do, those who can't, teach"
Paul was perhaps well educated and this was useful at times, but he ultimately rejected his background: Phil 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men who had "been with Jesus":
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
The majority of the early church were unlearned:
1 Cor 1:26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
God has chosen the unlearned people of the world to shame the wise:
1 Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
I can't remember the last time I saw a pastor or priest with a theological qualification heal the sick or raise the dead. They seem to spend too much time proving why the miracles and spiritual gifts are not for today and conducting wedding and funeral services. But I know of a few ordinary believers who know Jesus who have.
Paul was perhaps well educated and this was useful at times, but he ultimately rejected his background: Phil 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men who had "been with Jesus":
Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
The majority of the early church were unlearned:
1 Cor 1:26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
God has chosen the unlearned people of the world to shame the wise:
1 Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
I can't remember the last time I saw a pastor or priest with a theological qualification heal the sick or raise the dead. They seem to spend too much time proving why the miracles and spiritual gifts are not for today and conducting wedding and funeral services. But I know of a few ordinary believers who know Jesus who have.
Just wanted to expand further on this point. To eat something is to take it into your being (put into your mouth), chew it for a while, swallow it, and then your body digests it, breaks it down and then your body extracts the nutrients and the goodness, and then what you have eaten becomes part of you.
Three things we must do:
Eating: Reading and studying gets the Word into our mind,
Chewing: Dwelling upon it, meditating on it, with prayer, gets it into our deeper parts, our heart and spirit.
Swallowing: Take the Word deep into your being, apply it to your life. Natural food goes into the stomach, the Word of God must also get into the center of our being.
Three things our "stomach etc" (i.e. the Holy Spirit) does for us:
Digestion: the Word will sit inside us for a little while and linger around, as it's gradually digested
Nutrients extracted: the Holy Spirit will take what we have received, and apply the Word to the areas in our being where it is required. This is to apply the life and light to our deadness and darkness so that we can be more alive and more filled with light.
Becoming part of us: When the Spirit applies the Word to our being and this becomes part of us, we will look more like Christ, in His image.
Mere theological knowledge is like putting the food in the mouth but then spitting it out instead of swallowing it.
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DHC
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1 Corinthians 1
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world
to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify
the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
No qualifications are required to preach Christ crucified.
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world
to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify
the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
No qualifications are required to preach Christ crucified.
Boanerges
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So then, does a degree disqualify the called? Or is this just your preference? We know that anyone called will be equipped by God, but dos that degree cause harm and/or revoke that call? In so, why? If not, does it really matter at all?
Going to school, not going to school....neither does any good if God is not in it.
God will equip as He sees fit, whether that be through school or not.
My brother went to school and he preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I did not go to school and I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
By their fruit you will know them, not by their education or lack thereof
God will equip as He sees fit, whether that be through school or not.
My brother went to school and he preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I did not go to school and I preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
By their fruit you will know them, not by their education or lack thereof
Thiscrosshurts
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Matthew 23:15 "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!
I suppose a person who has a desire to seek God might be able to get through man's indoctrination because with God all things are possible.
this is an excellent verse. thank you for sharing the truth with us.
Boanerges
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That was simply a show of religious prejudice and no answer to the question. If you choose to be insulting to the body of Christ instead of giving an intelligent answer you will get what you want; a bunch of bigots agreeing with each other. Jesus dos not approve of hypocrisy nor blind hatred.
