If the Bible must be interpreted, is it because God didn't know how to give us a clear message that needed no interpretation?

Question

The Bible is supposed to be a very important and dire message for mankind from God, yet the message is so unclear, there are multiple theologies and thousands of denominations resulting from it.

Does God really want his children divided? Did the all-knowing God not know how to give his message clear enough to where no interpretation is needed?

Answer 1

>If the Bible must be interpreted, is it because God didn't know how to give us a clear message that needed no interpretation?<



And in English, too because everything today is exactly the way it was 3000 years ago when the earliest parts of the Old Testament were written, and we're exactly like 1st century Middle Eastern Jews except we have cell phones. There are no cultural differences between various peoples over the past 5000 years in the various parts of the world. Yeah why isn't there a one-size-fits-all Bible for then and now? If there was, then you wouldn't have to think.

Answer 2

The Bible does need to be interpreted, but this does not mean God did not know how to give us a clear message.



Everything on earth needs interpretation of varying degrees, books in writing class needed to be interpreted, even history needs interpretation, but this does not mean they are somehow flawed. Instead, it just means everyone sees the same thing differently.



The science of properly interpreting various types and genres of literature found in the Bible is called biblical hermeneutics. The first law of biblical hermeneutics is that it must be interpreted literally, the second law is that the verse or passage must be interpreted historically, grammatically, and contextually.



Following these laws of biblical hermeneutics would ensure that the verse/passage is properly interpreted, though whatever faulty conclusion a person/group comes to can only be blamed on them, not the Bible itself. Some people reject some things in the Bible, they could study it their whole lives and not truly understand it because it takes the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, this is why satan who studies the Word day and night can never truly understand it, he can quote it, he can pretend to accept some things, but he'll never know God the way we can.

Answer 3

If the Bible is "supposed to be a very important and dire message for mankind from God," then the supposition is the problem, as anyone can tell by reading it. It's not a divine manifesto; it's excerpts from a thousand years of argument.



Just as one example, consider the book of Job--written specifically to point out that the Torah, promising God would always reward good people with health and prosperity, had badly oversimplified things. (And that superficial interpretations had made it worse, concluding that if you weren't healthy and prosperous, you must have done something bad.)



But don't just read the prose beginning and end of that book--they were added by someone else who was trying to undermine the poet's point.

Answer 4

You might want to think about this a bit more. The very act of reading is one of interpretation. So unless God decided to implant the bible directly, along with its interpretation, in our brains there is no way to avoid it. When I was a hungry baby I cried and expected someone to feed me. Now I get up and find something to eat. The Bible is clear enough to understand if you are willing to do the work, but if you aren't that's not God's fault. It's yours.

Answer 5

No. The Bible was written the way it was so that we would require Jehovah's help in understanding and following it (Compare Ecclesiastes 8:9 and Proverbs 18:1). Jehovah wants us to show humility, love and faith in Him and His word. The Bible interprets itself with the help from holy spirit (compare 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; John 14:26). And who has holy spirit, you might ask? Go to one of Jehovah's Witness's kingdom halls and check the following scriptures out: Galatians 5:22, 23 and John 13:35. We are the only religion out there that truly shows those qualities. Holy spirit is not failing. You simply have not found the true religion.

Answer 6

"Dire"? Being a bit of a drama queen there, eh? The bible speaks about the LOVE of God for mankind. Somehow you assume that is "dire"? Kind of takes the mystery out of why you stumble over the word "interpretation". Doing so doesn't mean put your own personal slant on the words of God. That's general good advice, especially when doing so is forbidden by God. I dunno, but God seems to speak pretty clearly to me. Nobody guffaws or knocks me over the head whenever I share God's love with them. Must be understanding something fundamental, there. Right?



What you fail to remember is, doctrinal positioning is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is, to you? Because for all Christians, the Gospel is---Jesus saves, or, Jesus is Lord. Whichever, He is for all believers. If doctrine was the Gospel, Jesus would never have so viciously and so publicly called out the doctrine determiners of his day, the Pharisees and Sadducees. Notice what He says. Their doctrinal positioning was veering people away from God, not leading them to Him. Only the love of Jesus can do that. If there were doctrinal divisions among the Jews even then, why are you surprised that there are within Christianity now? People see things differently. Which is why there are four gospels. Yet they are all true, correct?



God also is not terrified of variety, considering He created it everywhere. Look around you at just the diversity in nature the next time you set foot outside. Hint, hint! it fairly shouts to the distracted, deaf world. If its okay with Him, why are you so bothered by it? Majoring on the minors in your faith walk is bound to turn you into a cultist or turn you off onto a side road you will truly regret. Keep your eyes fixed firmly on the Lord, not on what men assume to know "about God" and you cannot EVER go wrong. Take all what they claim with a grain of salt. All will eventually be revealed---by GOD. Rest assured.

Answer 7

The Bible is very clear. If people would just stop trying to explain it away by saying it is all a metaphor (which it is not) and take it literally as intended they would understand the message. For instance here is a well known verse in the Bible in Basic English version.



Joh 3:16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.

Joh 3:17 God did not send his Son into the world to be judge of the world; he sent him so that the world might have salvation through him.



If the language of the King James with its thees and thous is too difficult, I recommend the Bible in Basic English.



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Answer 8

The Bible is very clear, but it cannot be read frivolously and then expect a proper meaning. If taken out of context, you will of course obtain an incorrect meaning. The OT is a type & shadow, or example, of things to come in the NT. The NT proves the OT. What is important for us today is spelled out in the Book of Acts, which explained how we obtain salvation -- the way Jesus taught the apostles. 10,000 people were saved in the Book of Acts by obeying Acts 2.38. You must understand there is only one way to understand how to obey the Gospel (Jesus saving act for us on Calvary). That is why the Book of Acts is so important as it shows the true doctrine. Every church today should follow the method of the apostles. Those that vary from this teaching are false doctrine churches and should not be followed.

Answer 9

God created the Bible so that it would function as a sieve.



The first sifting of people separate the unbelievers from the righteous believers. The second sifting is more complex, and is why things are as they are. This sifting is of the believers into two groups, the elect (chosen ones,/ saints) and the common believer.



The finding and choosing these elect, the refining of them, is a process that as scripture tells us, 'many are invited but few are chosen' and ' narrow is the road leading to life, and wide is the one leading to destruction.' Thus we find that few are chosen, yet! these must be found for they shall be priest and kings with Christ once the kingdom is established over the earth.



Presently and in the past, most people simply belong to some church or other. Such church demands belief in what it claims is true. The chosen ones have to be strong enough to stand on their own two feet and say, but I believe what scripture teaches! I follow Christ, not men, and so forth.



This is why we see so much disagreement. The reason is not that things are hard to understand, but that if one chooses simple Biblical teachings, the wrath of the church (one belongs to) comes down on the believer.



As Christ said, if a person is so weak that they refuse him, his teachings, etc. - then they will be denied by him in front of God. This is the main purpose of scripture at our times - namely, sifting and identifying for Christ the ones that are to be chosen, and once chosen, to be tested in this to their death just as Jesus was himself.

Answer 10

There is no human condition that isn't addressed in the Bible. Is the Bible a book one can casually read and get the gist? No or why else would Solomon have written that we need to "search for wisdom as for buried treasure ?" There are many things about God we can't understand as finite creatures. Yet that same passage in Proverbs says we can find the " knowledge of God." That's not a contradiction because what we can learn about Jehovah from the Bible , i.e. His name, His likes and dislikes, purpose for creating man, and moral qualities are enough to begin to draw close to Him, even though as Paul stated " God is not far off from each of us."

Answer 11

The Bible is clear if read with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Or with the guidance of the true church, with certain concepts in place. 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us plainly, "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." So you see, you have to be born again to even recognize the things of God (John 3:3-17 also tells us this). But you see, we are in a great cosmic war (Revelation 12:7-9). Satan, the great Enemy of souls, has been quarantined here with us, after usurping Adam and Eve's dominion over this planet. And it is he that has caused all the confusion and divisions and separation. But God has a true church -- Revelation 12:17 and 14:12 tell us what her characteristics are. The majority of people have seemed to have forgotten or ignored the fact that we are in this war. They totally ignore the existence of the devil, and place all blame on God -- much to the devil's pleasure.

Answer 12

I think the Bible is clear enough. It is because many are twisting it to mean what they want it to mean that the need to explain context arises



Before I knew about the popular doctrines out there I was never confused. I read my Bible daily, grew in faith and evangelized at school



From what I've experienced, the Holy Spirit shows us the truth when we read the Bible depending on Him for understanding

Answer 13

so you asked your question...what's all that stuff that comes after it???



The Bible is supposed to be interpreted only by a priest/bishop/pope, ministers, pastors, rabbis, etc. to be accurate since the bible is very old and has references to what was happening in the area at the time each person wrote their part.

Everyday people (like in YA) are interpreting the bible among themselves so coming up with strange answers. Plus there are different bibles (old an new testaments, etc.).

Answer 14

The message of the Bible is quite clear to all those with open hearts and minds who chose not to inject their own prejudices and preconceived notions into the narrative.



There's nothing dire about the message. It's a testimony to the extent of God's love that He would become one of us and give up His life to save us from our own destructive ways. It's a love story from beginning to end.

Answer 15

The fact of the matter NO the bible is it on interpreter because that is why you have to compare scripture with scripture and know that God spoke in parables and without a parable God did not speak. God could have written the bible so a 2 year old could understand it but God did not elect everyone to become saved, that is why it is written oh the last shall be first and the first shall be last, for many shall be called but few chosen.

Answer 16

The Bible says: "Do no interpratations belong to God"? The Bible interprets itself. It's an amazing thing how God has done this.

Answer 17

This is a really good question. The Bible was not written by God, but instead it is a collection of oral tradition, journal entries, and letters. There is definitely truth in the Bible, but you have to ask God questions directly in order to get the full story on certain things. Because of these misinterpretations and the fact that there is a second coming, there are other spiritually led books out there written in "plain" language. Meditate on this.



My blog: Deewimley.weebly.com

Answer 18

Maybe it is because it has been written and re-written, translated and retranslated, interpreted and reinterpreted over many cultures and languages for thousands of years, during times and places far removed from the context we take things in today. Maybe God doesn't have anything to do with it at all, and it's our bad for not listening clearly enough.

Answer 19

Anything so old as that has to be interpreted and then reinterpreted as time goes on. Those who come many years after us are not going to speak our language. And are clearly going to have to reinterpret everything from the past as they learn new things. The Bible itself is a reinterpretation of a past that up to the time of the Bible had been interpreted with the eyes of the past of those times looking towards the future. As so will anything done in such a manner today.

Answer 20

God has no ideas what It is saying, that's why it needs to be interpreted from time to time

Answer 21

People who believe in God and seek Him have no problem at all with the bible. Its the ones that don't believe who don't understand. If you want to seek God and read the bible, God opens your heart to the truth in it. His word is holy and those who just want to mock it will never be given the understanding that believers are given. This in itself proves the existence of God.

Answer 22

No. It is because humanity is so completely short sighted.



Suppose Jehovah wrote in the Bible that he was going to start Armageddon at 3:20pm on August 15, 2111? What would happen?



Humans being what we are would all wait until 3pm on August 15, 2111 before doing anything at all. In fact, do you know what those people would be called who began to make changes to their lives at 3pm? EARLY ADOPTERS! All the billions who died before then would not have done anything to align themselves with God's purposes. So they are completely gone. Never to return at anytime. Puts the human race in a bit of a bind!



How wonderful it is our heavenly Father was NEVER so short-sighted. He sealed up those prophecies until gradually the time was proper for them to be plainly revealed.



All down through history, there have been men and women who did value true, pure worship of the true God. Many recognized that one true God was never Satan nor Jesus, but his name was revealed at Psalms 83:18 in most translations of the Bible. A total of four places in the King James Version. Different amounts in different translations.



All despite Satan's best efforts to hide the divine name and anything else that would be helpful in its understanding. Satan caused the million theologies if the many religions, including the 60,000 in the USA who all "claim" to be Christian.



The severely lazy among us all want the Bible to be entirely plain and open. As we see, they would have still dine nothing about such a plain message either.

Answer 23

The Bible was written by human authors and takes on barriers such as language. These authors also wrote for their audiences not ours. It needs to be interpreted by modern day people because we may not get the metaphors and symbols they used centuries ago.

Answer 24

Jesus often used parables or riddles to arouse interest and attention. Only those who had a real desire to learn would ask for an explanation. He uses this technique to separate the wheat from the chaff , for example: "The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?" He replied, "You ve been given insight into God s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there is no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears. That s why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward receptive insight. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they re blue in the face and not get it. I don t want Isaiah s forecast repeated all over again: Your ears are open but you don t hear a thing. Your eyes are awake but you don t see a thing. The people are blockheads! They stick their fingers in their ears so they won t have to listen; They screw their eyes shut so they won t have to look, so they won t have to deal with me face-to-face and let me heal them. "But you have God-blessed eyes--eyes that see! And God-blessed ears--ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance." Matthew 13:10-17

Answer 25

Get a kjversion bible and believe. Jesus Christ is the truth. Read it! It is clear! Most places you talk about won't even open the Bible! They might put out one verse than an hour of talking. Read Corinthians as well. Jesus loves you.

Answer 26

No



God uses the Bible to remove the goats from his sheep pasture.



It does a grand job in that regard



Mat 25:41 Then shall he say unto the goats on his left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:



You missed the point entirely

Answer 27

The writers of the bible had certain authority and power and to maintain control over the ignorant populace they frightened the masses with lies they made up. To believe in the bible today is to follow the ignorant ancestors imagination.

Answer 28

The greatest commandment in the bible is very clear: "Love God and neighbors as self". Jesus emphasized that it is accomplished by not neglecting the needy. Very simple. Jesus never made a commandment that He did not back up by the examples of His actions. There are many teachings in form of parables which are intended as guidelines. They are metaphors that need to be interpreted. Metaphors are used because it applies to many different scenarios.

Answer 29

God gave us the Holy Spirit to understand the bible.

Answer 30

The Bible was not written by God. It was written and compiled by men. If God had wanted to create one religion that worshiped him in one particular way, he has the power to do so. So we must assume he doesn't care.

Answer 31

Religious books, regardless of a Chumash, a bible or tanack has to be interpreted because the u.s. is fraudulent and coded their bible

Answer 32

If God is almighty or all knowing then where is the need of the bible? Therefore the bible is by men.

Answer 33

God is clear and if you just read the bible you will see the bible more clearly know what it says.

Answer 34

The Bible is designed to remain a closed book to those who would sit in judgment of it.

God has designed to the Bible to judge us, you see. That is its power. As stated in Hebrews 4:12 - 13:

"For the word of God is living and powerful. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

"Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."



The Holy Spirit who inspired its writing determines who He will give the interpretation to, and who will remain fumbling in their spiritual darkness. Interpretation is needed. But only the interpretation given by the Holy Spirit provides God's truth, and God only gives His truth to those humble of heart, who seek to learn from Him.

Answer 35

WHAT part of the ten commandments that man does not understand or the prophecies of JESUS that is unfolding in our world today.IT seams that man is looking for some sort of proof that they will finally believe that there is a GOD.THE good news is we will have such a proof the bad news is we will not be ready for it,GOD will not be mocked.

Answer 36

God spoke through men who were not stripped of their free will. We conclude that they cooperated with God, but we don't think they received special knowledge of future science or even past and contemporary events. The knowledge they had was the knowledge they wrote with. The faith they had was the faith they communicated.



They were men (typically) of a different place and time and culture. What their teaching means to women or the rulers of societies (they typically were not rulers) must be interpreted.

Answer 37

Let me just tell you this:



Christians need the holy spirit in order to fully understand the bible.

Answer 38

It's just a bad as the US IRS tax codes

Answer 39

The "message" of the bible was quite clear and uncontradictory until Protestant rebels invented the ludicrous doctrine of sola scriptura.

Answer 40

It is a great question. It has no satisfactory answer. Why do gods make it so difficult? We are there so many gods? Why do they have such different theologies? Religion only makes sense when you realise that gods are created by man.

Answer 41

I disagree with the premise of your question. I believe the message is clear. Let me boil it down for you in very simple terms.



NEWSFLASH:



Everyone is already destined to go to Hell. Since the curse of sin, and the fact that we are all born with an evil corrupt human nature, and we have ALL SINNED, our destination is already set for us. We are already condemned.



However, there is good news. God has worked out a plan of escape. We can escape the consequences of our sin if we agree to repent, turn from our evil ways, and follow Jesus Christ.



This plan is available to everyone, and it is a FREE GIFT.



It is also a "take it or leave it plan." Nobody is going to force you to accept the free gift of salvation. God decreed that everyone have "free will," so they can decide for themselves.



So, the ball is in your court. What are you going to do?





--- (A Yahoo! User)

Answer 42

The main message is crystal clear.

Answer 43

the way of salvation is clear in the Bible. It talks about Jesus and the spread of the church.

Answer 44

No.

It's because all human language, without a single exception, necessarily requires interpretation to be understood correctly.

It's because God, because he communicates with us through the prophets, communicates with us in imperfect human language, the language that we know and understand (when we interpret it correctly!) It is logically ***impossible*** to understand human language without interpretation.

Answer 45

Your assertion that "the message is so unclear" in the Bible is simply not true. What is true is that there are many theologies that claim to be based upon the Bible. The confusion is understandable, but it is not created by God's Word. The Apostle Paul pointed out that this would happen: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). The key phrase is "abandon the faith". Here is what the Bible teaches, clear and unambiguous:



1. We are sinners: Romans 3:23 (NKJV, New King James Version), “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”

2. Sin and not believing in Jesus brings eternal condemnation: Romans 6:23 (NKJV), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” John 3:18 (NKJV), “He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

3. God loves us and has provided an escape from eternal punishment: John 3:16 (NKJV), “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

4. Jesus is the only way: John 14:6 (NKJV), Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

5. Salvation is by the grace of God through our faith: Ephesians 2:8,9 (NKJV), “For by grace are you saved, through faith - and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works lest anyone should boast.”

6. Salvation is the result of confessing that Jesus is Lord and that He was resurrected from the dead: Romans 10:9,10 (NKJV), “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

7. Jesus is waiting at the door to enter your life: Revelation 3:20 (NKJV), “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

8. Don't procrastinate, seek the Lord while He is near: Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV), “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”



If you have the 8 points above correct, you are on the right path, the straight way and will enter through the narrow gate: Matthew 7:13. Here is a suggested prayer to help you acknowledge your decision to accept and believe in Jesus: “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In your name, Amen.” And, as promised in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV), you will not be disappointed: “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those that love him.”

Answer 46

God is the author of confusion

Answer 47

What if it's because God gave us brains and actually wants us to use them to think critically about the world?

Answer 48

Some christians have told me that god wanted to keep apologists employed.

Answer 49

No. it is because God wanted clergy, who could in turn, fleece Christians for money. EVERY religion has clergy who fleece people. Christianity is no exception.

Answer 50

Obstacles to Having the Right Attitude



What might hinder us from understanding God’s Word? One obstacle is a misplaced feeling of loyalty. For example, you may hold the beliefs and opinions of certain ones in high esteem. However, what if these individuals do not really uphold or value the truth of God’s Word? Under such circumstances, to understand what the Bible really teaches may present a challenge. Thus, the Bible encourages us to assess carefully what we have been taught.—1 Thessalonians 5:21.



Jesus’ mother, Mary, faced such a challenge. She was brought up according to Jewish tradition. She carefully observed the Mosaic Law and doubtless went to the synagogue. Later in life she recognized that the way of worship that her parents had taught her was no longer acceptable to God. Consequently, Mary accepted Jesus’ teaching and was among the first members of the Christian congregation. (Acts 1:13, 14) This was not showing disrespect for her parents or their traditions; rather, it was an expression of her love for God. If we are to benefit from the Bible, like Mary we must place loyalty to God before loyalty to anyone else.



Sadly, many people put little value on Bible truth. Some are content to follow religious traditions that are based on falsehood. Others show disregard for truth in their speech and way of life. Accordingly, accepting Bible truth comes at a price: It may put you at odds with friends, neighbors, workmates, and even your family. (John 17:14) Nevertheless, the wise man wrote: “Buy truth itself and do not sell it.” (Proverbs 23:23) If you hold truth in high esteem, Jehovah will help you to understand the Bible.



Still another obstacle to comprehending the Bible’s message is an unwillingness to apply what it says. Jesus told his disciples: “To you it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted. For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response.” (Matthew 13:11, 15) Most of those to whom Jesus preached were unresponsive, unwilling to change. How unlike the traveling merchant Jesus spoke of in an illustration! Upon finding a pearl of high value, the merchant promptly sold all the things he had to buy it. Understanding Bible truth should be equally precious to us.—Matthew 13:45, 46.



The Challenge of Being Taught



A major challenge in understanding the Bible is that of being teachable. A person may find it difficult to accept new ideas from someone who appears to be lowly. Yet, the apostles of Jesus Christ were “unlettered and ordinary” men. (Acts 4:13) Explaining why, Paul wrote: “You behold his calling of you, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame.” (1 Corinthians 1:26, 27) If you find that being taught by a lowly person challenges your humility, remember that he or she is merely the means used by God to teach you. What privilege could be greater than to be taught by Jehovah, our “Grand Instructor”?—Isaiah 30:20; 54:13.



The Syrian military commander Naaman was someone who found it challenging to receive instruction from a lowly one. Seeking a cure for his leprosy, he went to see Jehovah’s prophet Elisha. But God’s instructions for a cure were relayed to Naaman through a servant. The message and the way it was presented challenged Naaman’s humility, so that he at first refused to obey the word of God’s prophet. Later, Naaman changed his attitude and was healed. (2 Kings 5:9-14) We face a similar challenge when we turn to the Bible. We may learn that to be cured spiritually and morally, we need to follow a new way of life. Will we have the humility to allow someone to teach us what we need to do? Only those with a teachable attitude can enjoy an understanding of the Bible.



A fine attitude was displayed by a man in power under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was returning to Africa in his chariot when the disciple Philip ran alongside and approached him. Philip asked the man if he understood what he was reading. The official was humble enough to reply: “How could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?” Upon gaining an understanding of God’s Word, that man was baptized. After that, he “kept going on his way rejoicing.”—Acts 8:27-39.



Jehovah’s Witnesses in general are ordinary people. Each week they conduct Bible studies in the homes of over six million people. Since the Bible teaches the best way of life, explains the only sure hope for mankind, and points out how to become acquainted with God, millions have found that studying the Bible and understanding what it says is an immeasurable pleasure. It is a pleasure available to you.

Answer 51

Jesus spoke in parables on purpose. He literally says that he came for the few.

Answer 52

We have judges who interpret the laws. Is it because they are too unclear? No.

Answer 53

no

who said the bible needs to be interpreted?

the bible is very clear on what to do.



how is thou shalt not kill not plain?

Answer 54

God gave HIS WORD to us through people. people rarely record inspiration literally, but through their own perceptions.

Answer 55

"..God didn't know.." - How can He be God?

Answer 56

CHRISTIANS who FOLLOW CHRIST as HEAD of the CHURCH...Are TOTALLY UNIFIED..



There is the CHURCH...and the TRUE CHURCH...(don't even worry about it)

Answer 57

Because we are not smart enough to understand....any boob who thinks he is, is a moron

Answer 58

You've picked up on many of the errors of "sola scriptura".



Jesus left us a guide with which He gave His authority to teach. Jesus did not write a book to leave as the sole authority and guide to the Christian Faith. Jesus did not tell His a disciples to write books, make several copies and then distribute them and leave the people to interpret them on their own and decide Christianity to be whatever they make it. He left us a Church - with a hierarchy of appointed teachers to which He gave authority.



(Matt. 16:17-19)And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”



It was the Church that Jesus promised would be led by the Holy Spirit into all truth (Jn. 16:13), that He promised would never be destroyed (Matt. 16:18) , and to which He commissioned to go into all nations to preach, baptize, and make disciples...and the Church to which He promised to remain with always, til the end of time (Matt. 28:18-20)



This Church is referred to as " The pillar and bulwark of truth"( 1 Tim. 3:15). You're right, there is a problem here. Truth cannot contradict truth. There are 30,000 + Christian denominations and non- denom denominations and a growing number of Lone Ranger " Christianity is not a religion" Christians. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of truth, not confusion. All these Christians believe they are led by the Holy Spirit to the truth and the correct interpretations of scripture, but their "truths" often conflict and contradict with one another, leading to endless splintering and division.



Protestants recognize that the Bible refers to a church, so they justify this by saying the "church" is strictly invisible and "we're the church" , but they don't all agree on just who belongs to this invisible, disunited and divided "church". In this sense, the "church" is the "pillar and foundation of relativism", not truth! And a "kingdom that is divided amongst itself cannot stand", so it can't be the "Kingdom of Heaven" either.



The Bible says that the Church is the final authority that we should take our problems to (Matt. 18:15-17), but where would you find it in that chaotic mess? And suppose you have a question about marriage, or contraception, or IVF, or abortion, etc., you should be able to seek a truthful answer from the Church that is the "pillar and bulwark of truth". The answer you get will vary depending on which sect, congregation, pastor, or individual Christian you ask. For these claims about the church to be true, the Church truly has to be one in faith with an objective truth throughout the world.



Jesus prayed that His Church would remain one (Jn. 17:21). It is the will of God that His Church remains one. The Church founded by Christ on the rock of St. Peter has remained one for 2000 years. Jesus is the smart man that built His church on a solid foundation of a rock. (Matt. 7:24-25). He knew that his Church would need a visible leader to keep unity and lead His flock in truth until He returns, which is why He established the office of the papacy with St. Peter. Pope Francis, and every Catholic bishop, priest, & deacon can be traced all the way back to Peter and Jesus through an unbroken chain of apostolic succession.



Jesus changed Simon-Peter's name to Kephas (Rock in Aramiac) said He'd build His Church upon Kephas (Peter) gave Peter the "Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven" and the legislative authority of "binding and loosing". Jesus quoted Isaiah 22 as He did this, to make clear His intentions of re-establishing the office of "prime minister" or "royal chamberlain" with Peter. The Jews would have known what Jesus was doing.



Compare Matthew 16:17-19 to Isaiah 22:

(Matthew 16:17-19) And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”



(Isaiah 22:19-23) "I will thrust you from your office, and you will be cast down from your station. In that day I will call my servant Eli′akim the son of Hilki′ah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house."



Isaiah 22 refers to the office of "royal chamberlain" or "prime minister" to the King of the House of David. The prime minister to the king helped to govern the kingdom and was also in charge of governing the kingdom in the king's absence. The "prime minister" to the king of the House of David, wore the "keys to the kingdom of David" on his shoulder and had the legislative authority of "closing and shutting" or "binding and loosing". This office was traditionally carried on by succession. This is exactly the office that Peter was appointed to.



Jesus is our King, descending from David. Jesus is also our Eternal High Priest. The office of "pope" or "vicar of Christ" is really the office of "royal chamberlain" or "prime minister" to or King and Eternal High Priest - Jesus. Jesus is the actual but "invisible" head of the Church, but the pope is the "visible" governing head of Christ's Church, which is the earthly visible part of the Kingdom of Heaven. The pope's role is to maintain unity and lead Christ's flock in truth, until He comes again.



It is mostly the sin of pride that has caused schism and so much separation away from the Church that Jesus actually founded. Non-Catholics reject the office of pope established by Jesus in favor of their own self-appointed "popes" and man-made "churches". They think their own interpretations of scripture and of the Christian Faith are superior.



Another problem of sola scriptura is that the nowhere in the Bible does the Bible say that it is to be the only authority to the Christian faith.



Also, the Bible is recognized by Christians as the Word of God. Jesus is also the Word of God (made Flesh). The Bible itself tells us that not everything Jesus said or did and taught His disciples is written down and/or included in the Bible (Jn. 21:25), (Jn. 20:30).



In fact, the early Church taught primarily through oral tradition, and still teaches much of the faith through the handing on of Apostolic oral tradition. This is why the Bible says to "stand firm and hold fast to tradition" (2 Thess. 2:15), (1 Corinth. 11:2). Sacred scripture (Bible) and sacred tradition ( Apostolic tradition) go together like interlocking puzzle pieces to reveal the fullness of the truth, and the fullness of the Christian Faith. One without the other is incomplete.



The Catholic Church which is apostolic and was there from the beginning, and has complete historical continuity is like a living witness to Christ and the apostles. The Catholic Church has preserved, guarded, defended, taught, and handed on the unchanging "deposit of faith" which was entrusted to the apostles by Jesus - this is why it is the "pillar and bulwark of truth". And being the source of the Bible, the Church is the most accurate and authoritative interpreter of scripture as well.





It is Biblical to rely on an authoritative interpreter to better understand scripture. When the Ethiopian eunuch was reading and trying to understand Isaiah, the Apostle Philip went over to him and asked if he understood what he was reading. The Ethiopian replied, " how can I, unless someone guides me?" He then invited Philip to sit with him and Philip explained the scripture to him. (Acts 8:30-31) Philip was one of the twelve apostles who had the teaching authority of Jesus.



And the bible tells us that people twist the scriptures to their own destruction. If there weren't many people doing this, the Christian world wouldn't be split into thousands upon thousands of conflicting denominations...



(2 Peter 3:16) "speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures."



If it weren't for the Catholic Church, there wouldn't be a Bible. The NT scripture was written by members of the early Catholic Church. The books of the Bible, with guidance of the Holy Spirit, were compiled and canonized by the Catholic Church abt. 400 AD. In order to have a universally defined set of scripture to be used in Church liturgy and teaching. The Church determined which books would be included based upon which were universally used by the Church since apostolic times. During the Protestant revolution in the 1500s, Martin Luther removed 7 OT books, and parts of Daniel and Esther from the canon. He attempted to remove James, Jude, Hebrews, and Revelation as well, but faced too much opposition.

Answer 59

God's Spirit is sent to us, to comfort us!



God wants to take us out of bondage, The Truth will set us free, yet in this Godly Wisdom is being written within us.. heart and mind... so we Become Beings who truly can discern the Truth, from the falsities.. it's not that God's message is unclear, it is that there are principalities working 24/7 that would cause us to fail if they could in this learning process. God is completely aware of all the schemes, and in HIS PERFECTING TIME >.. we will come out of 'them' (falsities) into the Everlasting Presence of all that God is... in the meantime... God is with us, counseling ....His Spirit is being poured upon all men! Jesus overturned the tables in the thinking patterns then, there, He is continuing in the here and now as well... Tables are *thinking patterns", mindsets, heart sets. He said many things, one that touches me daily, is the message that *he will never leave or forsake us, to have no fear* ~ God is on this, above... the Blessed Spirit is at work as well... removing the splinters and logs out of many an eye. It's wise not to get ahead of God, to Wait ... being mindful of His Providence.

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Please note that Jesus Christ said: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63) He also said... "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." (John 16:12)





the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63) > hence, the Bible is a 'must needs' for all mankind... for Jesus is The Word! please note that he states "the words that I speak to you, are spirit and life!"



The Spirit is in union with God The Father Who Art in Heaven, and Jesus Christ... working together against all that would keep us in bondage, or as children, tossed to and fro!... working in Agreement and One Accord for us, not against us Jereme!



`it is the god of this world who confuses... governing those lessor spiritual entities who collectively try continuously to rob God's work, Word, from being done in us...



In this so great a Salvation; God is pouring out His Spirit unto all men; so this work Will be done in us; God's intention has not changed; (John 3:16)... is clear... Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

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The pouring of God's Spirit:



"I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." The word shaphak, employed by the prophet to express the outpouring of the Spirit, implies the bestowal of the gift in great abundance, shaphak," "does not mean merely to give in drops, but to pour out in great abundance. A beautiful abundance!



Another beauty in this, is that we will come into a much deeper awareness, of how Good God is! As we come out of the ideals that are not significant, for The Spirit counsels us... reasoning with each and every person.... personally... drawing us all into this so as to create bonds as well, and unity as people who come in the spirit of togetherness... who KNOW THE TRUTH< until that time when no longer will the questions need to be asked...exchanging the weapons of war for the plowshares that build true peace and love! This is what God will take us to! Mercifully... As Beings who know the Love of God! When God said: "Let there be Light: He spoke His Light into our lives... As the morning spread upon the mountains.



Furthermore Jereme:

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"The Treasury of the Scriptures"



will be plainly spoken of... through the Comforter...who will make KNOWN in us, all that God has intended... so there is no confusion, In God's Time, through special anointing and appointments with us... as God's Spirit deems fit... preparing us in all our sessions, seasons, *see sons, and daughters*!



God did not pour out the Holy Spirit so abundantly or copiously under the Law, as he has since the manifestation of Christ."



The Spirit was indeed communicated in Old Testament times, but that communication was restricted in two ways in quantity, and in the number of recipients; the former was comparatively scanty and the latter few, whereas the word here applied to its communication implies a rich supply, like a copious rainfall.



After the specification of the time, and the mention of the blessing, with its implied plentifulness, comes its wide diffusion, or general distribution - "all flesh," or "all mankind," as the Hebrew expression denotes; and that without regard to age, or sex, or state.

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There are two verses:



which promise this pouring out... that I am aware of, more than likely there are many that shine and radiate God's Light as well!



And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Joel 2:28)





"And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit." (Acts 2:17)

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Sons and daughters



.... without distinction of sex; old men and young men without reference to age; servants and handmaids without regard to social position. Thus it is with the Spirit of God as with the Son of God, of whom the apostle says,



"There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uucircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."



The blessing of salvation through the Son of God and by the Spirit of God is wide as the world in its offer, and free to all who accept it - without national distinction, for there is neither Jew nor Greek; without social distinction, for there is neither bond nor free; without sexual distinction, for there is neither male nor female; without ceremonial distinction, for there is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision; without intellectual or educational distinction, for the barbarian and even the Scythian, the lowest type of barbarian, are free to share the blessing. (part of a pulpit commentary)...



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You know Jereme: It's wonderful for me to see you asking these questions and it's so True, for the Spirit is reminding me and bringing these words to me, so I can share these gems with you and others... from

the Abundance of God' love, sharing with us that, we are God's earth and hearth...... for these afford us such blessings as we look to God's Spirit... for the Truth, and God's Spirit gathers us in and to abundance:



One last verse for us: for we are being wooed by God's Spirit! In the Scriptures the Spirit is also beautifully spoken of as Wind....



"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." (Song of Solomon: 4:16)... and Jereme, it's good you are bringing forth these concerns to light, even in this we have a change to focus .... on more! God is willing to send the Spirit; are we willing to listen to the Spirit so we can receive the Sound (sound n ess)?





Maybe a pertinent question to ask yourself, might be, "Do I have any faith that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truth out of error? " For it seems, no word (answer given) that says a yes for God, works for you...if that is the case, then ask God to help you out of state of ‘unbelief". Just Ask if you want the help!