It is the God given scriptures that define all reality, and revealed God's eternal plan to the Church.
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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The Scriptures are the Greatest Gift God has given to Mankind.
- Thread starter Iconoclast
- Start date
This gift is given to all of humanity so it is crucial that it be distributed worldwide
The Greatest gift God has given to all mankind is the scriptures.
The wisdom of God is seen in this. many would say that salvation is the greatest gift.
Quite a few would say That Jesus is the greatest gift.
Upon careful examination...it has to be the scriptures.
It does not take long to become obvious why this is so if carefully thought out.
The wisdom of God is seen in this. many would say that salvation is the greatest gift.
Quite a few would say That Jesus is the greatest gift.
Upon careful examination...it has to be the scriptures.
It does not take long to become obvious why this is so if carefully thought out.
Jethro Bodine
Member
My Bible is the most valuable possession I own.
I believe we need to establish this before any really solid evangelism that is effective can take root in a person.
All the major confessions of faith went out of their way to list the scriptures as front and center.
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I. The Direction given to stand in or on the ways, etc., to do as men do
when they are come to a place where two or more ways meet; make a
stand, and view the roads, and see which they should take; they look about
them, and consider well what course they should steer ; they look up to the
way-marks, or way-posts, and read the inscriptions on them, which tell
them whither such a road leads, and so judge for themselves which way
they should go. Now in religious matters, the way-marks or way-posts to
guide and direct: men in the way, are the scriptures, the oracles of God,
and they only.
John Gill sermon Jer.6:16
when they are come to a place where two or more ways meet; make a
stand, and view the roads, and see which they should take; they look about
them, and consider well what course they should steer ; they look up to the
way-marks, or way-posts, and read the inscriptions on them, which tell
them whither such a road leads, and so judge for themselves which way
they should go. Now in religious matters, the way-marks or way-posts to
guide and direct: men in the way, are the scriptures, the oracles of God,
and they only.
John Gill sermon Jer.6:16
ibid;
1] I know it is a grievous thing with some persons to forsake the
religion they have been brought up in; but upon this foot, a man that is
born and brought up a Turk or a Jew, a Pagan or a Papist, must ever
continue so.
Sad would have been the case of the apostle Paul, if he had
continued in the principles of his education; and what a shocking figure did
he make whilst he abode by them? thinking, according to them, he
ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus.
(Acts 22:3, 4 26:9).
2]
Nor are the customs of men a rule of judgment, or a direction which way
men should take in matters of religion; for the customs of the people are
for the most part vain; (Jeremiah 20:3) and such as are not lawful for
us, being Christians, to receive or observe; (Acts 16:21) and concerning
which we should say,
We have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
(1 Corinthians 11:16).
Custom is a tyrant, and ought to be rebelled against, and its yoke thrown
off.
3]Nor are the traditions of men to be regarded; the Pharisees were very
tenacious of the traditions of the elders, by which they transgressed the
commandments of God, and made his word of no effect; and the apostle
Paul, in his state of unregeneracy, was zealous of the same; but neither of
them are to be imitated by us: it is right to observe the exhortation which
the apostle gives, when a christian; (Colossians 2:8)
beware lest
any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ.
Take care you are not imposed upon, under the notion and pretense of an
apostolical tradition; unwritten traditions are not the rule, only the word
of God is the rule of our faith and practice.
The scriptures are the only external guide in matters of religion; they are
the way-posts we should look up unto, and take our direction from, and
should steer our course accordingly:
To the law and to the testimony: if men speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them; (Isaiah 8:20)
1] I know it is a grievous thing with some persons to forsake the
religion they have been brought up in; but upon this foot, a man that is
born and brought up a Turk or a Jew, a Pagan or a Papist, must ever
continue so.
Sad would have been the case of the apostle Paul, if he had
continued in the principles of his education; and what a shocking figure did
he make whilst he abode by them? thinking, according to them, he
ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus.
(Acts 22:3, 4 26:9).
2]
Nor are the customs of men a rule of judgment, or a direction which way
men should take in matters of religion; for the customs of the people are
for the most part vain; (Jeremiah 20:3) and such as are not lawful for
us, being Christians, to receive or observe; (Acts 16:21) and concerning
which we should say,
We have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
(1 Corinthians 11:16).
Custom is a tyrant, and ought to be rebelled against, and its yoke thrown
off.
3]Nor are the traditions of men to be regarded; the Pharisees were very
tenacious of the traditions of the elders, by which they transgressed the
commandments of God, and made his word of no effect; and the apostle
Paul, in his state of unregeneracy, was zealous of the same; but neither of
them are to be imitated by us: it is right to observe the exhortation which
the apostle gives, when a christian; (Colossians 2:8)
beware lest
any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ.
Take care you are not imposed upon, under the notion and pretense of an
apostolical tradition; unwritten traditions are not the rule, only the word
of God is the rule of our faith and practice.
The scriptures are the only external guide in matters of religion; they are
the way-posts we should look up unto, and take our direction from, and
should steer our course accordingly:
To the law and to the testimony: if men speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them; (Isaiah 8:20)
3]Nor are the traditions of men to be regarded; the Pharisees were very
tenacious of the traditions of the elders, by which they transgressed the
commandments of God, and made his word of no effect; and the apostle
Paul, in his state of unregeneracy, was zealous of the same; but neither of
them are to be imitated by us: it is right to observe the exhortation which
the apostle gives, when a christian; (Colossians 2:8)
beware lest
any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ.
Take care you are not imposed upon, under the notion and pretense of an
apostolical tradition; unwritten traditions are not the rule, only the word
of God is the rule of our faith and practice.
The scriptures are the only external guide in matters of religion; they are
the way-posts we should look up unto, and take our direction from, and
should steer our course accordingly:
To the law and to the testimony: if men speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them; (Isaiah 8:20)
Many do this very thing on these discussions , they cannot answer the scripture, and put their own philosophy out there as a replacement, but it fails all the time.They do not believe the scripture is the greatest gift.
tenacious of the traditions of the elders, by which they transgressed the
commandments of God, and made his word of no effect; and the apostle
Paul, in his state of unregeneracy, was zealous of the same; but neither of
them are to be imitated by us: it is right to observe the exhortation which
the apostle gives, when a christian; (Colossians 2:8)
beware lest
any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not
after Christ.
Take care you are not imposed upon, under the notion and pretense of an
apostolical tradition; unwritten traditions are not the rule, only the word
of God is the rule of our faith and practice.
The scriptures are the only external guide in matters of religion; they are
the way-posts we should look up unto, and take our direction from, and
should steer our course accordingly:
To the law and to the testimony: if men speak not according to this
word, it is because there is no light in them; (Isaiah 8:20)
Many do this very thing on these discussions , they cannot answer the scripture, and put their own philosophy out there as a replacement, but it fails all the time.They do not believe the scripture is the greatest gift.
Do you believe in Jesus' God?
The Father is God
Jesus is God
The Holy Spirit is God
There is one God who has revealed Himself as three co equal, 3 co-eternal persons.
Spoken like a Catholic!
And the 'protestants' who took this Dogma with them....
Do you deny any one of these persons are God?
Could you clarify what you see as a wrong statement?
I was raised Roman Catholic but I am a Reformed Baptist by choice, God's choice.
So I am not an RC, I am not a protestant.
As a bible believer, I can agree with the RC people, or the protestant as both have the correct understanding of the bible.Feel free to express your view, with biblical support.
Anytime people depart from the infallible word of God they are left to their own devices.
Scripture tells us exactly what we can expect when people turn to wild speculation.
1Cor.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:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Recently we are being offered anti biblical ideas and speculation. I will post such foolish ideas to show why Gods word is the Greatest gift given to mankind.
I will post such unbiblical ideas for your examination. The identity of the posters does not matter so much, as we are discovering what packaging such falsehoods come in.
Such posts betray a lack of trust in God and His Word.
Confessional reformed believers would never suggest such profane ideas
Thankfully several came forth and answered these foul ideas.
Scripture tells us exactly what we can expect when people turn to wild speculation.
1Cor.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:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Recently we are being offered anti biblical ideas and speculation. I will post such foolish ideas to show why Gods word is the Greatest gift given to mankind.
I will post such unbiblical ideas for your examination. The identity of the posters does not matter so much, as we are discovering what packaging such falsehoods come in.
Here God's actions are called into question as if we can help Him out. As if we know better.
Such posts betray a lack of trust in God and His Word.
Now the suggestion is made that We cannot trust what is written....God might be telling stories....He might be in trouble...we have to come to our own conclusions??? One we could live with???What if it's not?
Does this mean it's all just a story and God is in trouble?
You see.....we all have to come to our own conclusion.
One we could live with.
Confessional reformed believers would never suggest such profane ideas
Thankfully several came forth and answered these foul ideas.
When people turn from scripture to carnal thinking we can get such statements;
God has already clearly revealed He does whatever He wants to do. Notice this is said to answer the heathen.
Psa.115:
115 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Turning from the great gift of God's word leads to darkness
We have another profane suggestion...God is perverting His own gospel???
God has already clearly revealed He does whatever He wants to do. Notice this is said to answer the heathen.
Psa.115:
115 Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?
3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Turning from the great gift of God's word leads to darkness
When people turn from the greatest gift of scripture: they question the character of God Himself. Like this;
What if this continues? Suggestions that God Himself can sin?
1jn1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
They suggests God sins? I cannot believe someone would liken our Holy God to be hypocritical but they did; Look;
The scriptures protect us from such error, over and over.
What if this continues? Suggestions that God Himself can sin?
God's rules/laws are perfect in Holiness. To suggest that God could do such a thing is in itself sinful as it denies revealed truth.
1jn1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
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What a person believes has a direct correlation to what they believe or do not believe according to scripture.
That is why confessional churches have always put scripture first in all of the valid confessions of faith like this;
1689 Confession of Faith;
1. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Ephesians 2:202. Romans 1:19-21; Romans 2:14-15; Psalms 19:1-33. Hebrews 1:14. Proverbs 22:19-21; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-20 People object and say.
People object and say I just have my bible and then they take promises made to the Apostles out of context and say things like....The Spirit will guide me into all truth. It is not long before they drift into serious error.
The scriptures are God's greatest Gift to mankind.
Here the person claims we could love and believe in Him without bible truth???
That is why confessional churches have always put scripture first in all of the valid confessions of faith like this;
1689 Confession of Faith;
Chapter 1. Of the Holy Scriptures
1. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. 1 Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. 2 Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; 3 and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceased. 41. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Ephesians 2:202. Romans 1:19-21; Romans 2:14-15; Psalms 19:1-33. Hebrews 1:14. Proverbs 22:19-21; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19-20 People object and say.
People object and say I just have my bible and then they take promises made to the Apostles out of context and say things like....The Spirit will guide me into all truth. It is not long before they drift into serious error.
We will examine more examples of such error as we find them.
The scriptures are God's greatest Gift to mankind.
Here the person claims we could love and believe in Him without bible truth???
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5. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts. 8
8. John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20, 27
You would think people would like to be instructed by the word of God studied in such a fashion, but no...they come up with their own errors and some actual drift into attacking those who reverence scripture :like this
You might have to wonder if such a person has actually read psa.119? ,and actually read and meditated on what the psalmist says; Psalm119:
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
As the psalmist writes and extols God's word He is clear that in doing this with his whole heart he is seeking God Himself with his whole heart. He does not think in honoring the word of God, it somehow divides him from God???
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
8. John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12; 1 John 2:20, 27
You would think people would like to be instructed by the word of God studied in such a fashion, but no...they come up with their own errors and some actual drift into attacking those who reverence scripture :like this
This kind of post seeks to divide God from His Holy word. This attitude is soon to discover error upon error.
You might have to wonder if such a person has actually read psa.119? ,and actually read and meditated on what the psalmist says; Psalm119:
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
As the psalmist writes and extols God's word He is clear that in doing this with his whole heart he is seeking God Himself with his whole heart. He does not think in honoring the word of God, it somehow divides him from God???
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
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6. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men. 9 Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, 10 and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed. 11
9. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Galatians 1:8-910. John 6:45; 1 Corinthians 2:9-1211. 1 Corinthians 11:13-14; 1 Corinthians 14:26,40
7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; 12 yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. 13
12. 2 Peter 3:1613. Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130
9. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Galatians 1:8-910. John 6:45; 1 Corinthians 2:9-1211. 1 Corinthians 11:13-14; 1 Corinthians 14:26,40
7. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; 12 yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them. 13
12. 2 Peter 3:1613. Psalms 19:7; Psalms 119:130
Chapter 2. Of God and of the Holy Trinity
1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; 1 whose subsistence is in and of Himself, 2 infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself; 3 a most pure spirit, 4 invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; 5 who is immutable, 6 immense, 7 eternal, 8 incomprehensible, almighty, 9 every way infinite, most holy, 10 most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, 11 for His own glory; 12 most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, 13 and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, 14 hating all sin, 15 and who will by no means clear the guilty. 161. 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Deuteronomy 6:42. Jeremiah 10:10; Isaiah 48:123. Exodus 3:144. John 4:245. 1 Timothy 1:17; Deuteronomy 4:15-166. Malachi 3:67. 1 Kings 8:27; Jeremiah 23:238. Psalms 90:29. Genesis 17:110. Isaiah 6:311. Psalm 115:3; Isaiah 46:1012. Proverbs 16:4; Romans 11:3613. Exodus 34:6-7; Hebrews 11:614. Nehemiah 9:32-3315. Psalms 5:5-616. Exodus 34:7; Nahum 1:2-3
2. God, having all life, 17 glory, 18 goodness, 19 blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, 20 but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, 21 and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever Himself pleases; 22 in His sight all things are open and manifest, 23 His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain; 24 He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, 25 and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men, whatsoever worship, 26 service, or obedience, as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them.
17. John 5:2618. Psalms 148:1319. Psalms 119:6820. Job 22:2-321. Romans 11:34-3622. Daniel 4:25, 34-3523. Hebrews 4:1324. Ezekiel 11:5; Acts 15:1825. Psalms 145:1726. Revelation 5:12-14
3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, 27 of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided: 28 the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; 29 the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son; 30 all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence on Him.
27. 1 John 5:7; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:1428. Exodus 3:14; John 14:11; 1 Corinthians 8:629. John 1:14, 1830. John 15:26; Galatians 4:6
Carry_Your_Name
Member
The gratitudes are owed to king James I and Martin Luther. Without the reformation and the english translation, nobody would have access to it, and nobody would understand it, as it had been written and preached in Latin.