How readest thou?

[jari]

Lately I have encountered many people's versions of the gospel and even many people claim they know something others don't. And while this maybe Bible wasn't ever meant to be book of secrets but simple message of Christ dying for us and saving us. Sometimes however people mix their experiences and snippets of knowledge with the simple message trying to override the message.

If you ask me the fact that we have salvation by believing in Jesus doesn't change by anything nor there is any requirement added to salvation that was not included in the actual message of the gospel in the first place.

2Co 11:3-4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

But we are all humans and err - so its expected from all of us. But lets not all become teachers

Jas 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

These days there's a lot of teachings going around that aren't really backed up with the Bible and the teacher's dont even seem to care. Not even if it would directly contradict the Bible.
I wonder why, why are we expected to believe something that's not backed up? What happened to the old saying "You need to back up everything with Bible"?

Sometimes people replace factual knowledge from the Bible with their experiences as Christian and this may seem right, after all your spirit filled and the guy next to you is too, right?

Often I see people thinking they just have knowledge found no where except by them self because they have seeked and they dont find it nessary to use Bible to convince others. They have made their mind because it suits them and their feeling of being christian.

It's understandable on the other hand but don't close your mind.


However what does Bible say about all this?

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Even if angel from heaven preached another gospel that we know from the first 4-5 books of the New Testament in the bible is not to be listened.

How can this be and what about spiritual workers of God who teach you new and important things?

2Co 11:14-15 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

These angels and these ministers appear as from God due to their light but they aren't.

And even spirits are not all from God:

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Beware of the false prophets, apparently they have spirits of some sort that are not of God! Who knows what miracles they can also perform.



So backup everything with Bible and don't jump to quick unrational conclusions and preach that before knowing Bible well.

Truth is simple and available to us from our loving Father.

2Ti 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Thanks for taking time to read.


Some intriguing verses:

Luk 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

 

[Coconut]

They say without sleep we all become tall two year olds....I daresay without the Holy Spirit we all do as well :crazy:

 

[james1523]

Paul's gospel was less around John 3:16 and more around the book of Acts, focussing on the resurrected and living Christ, and the power of the Spirit. A john 3:16 gospel preaches a crucified Christ and forgiveness of sins, but an Acts gospel preaches a resurrected and living Christ and salvation from sins (Acts 19, 1 Cor 12:15-20.). Salvation from sins does not depend upon the crucifixion alone but on the resurrection (1 Cor 12:17). Therefore those who hear only a John 3:16 gospel will know they are forgiven of sins, but may not know how to be saved from sin. Such a John 3:16-only gospel is actually a John the Baptist gospel, concerning repentance and forgiveness of sins, and not the gospel of Jesus Christ that the apostles preached, concerning resurrection and power and hope in the second coming of Christ. Paul preached the whole gospel not just part of it (Acts 20:27).

 

[clark thompson]

There will always be more than one gospel out there, I accept the one that is in scripture.