Of course, this is what the Jesus "of the Bible" and the Apostles taught me to do.
Matt. 6:
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2 Tim. 2:
15 Study to shew thyself approved "unto God", a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rom. 2:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world (or it's religions): but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Tim. 3:
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.
Matt. 4:
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
1 Cor. 10:
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Luke 16:
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
If I listen to a Pharisee, I will become "Learned of the Pharisees" If I listen to Catholic Priests, I will become "Learned of the Catholic". If I listen to Protestant preacher, I will become "learned of the Protestant". And so on.
Jesus Himself told me;
John 6:
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all "taught of God". Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
So yes, God knew there would be "many" deceivers in the world we live in. He warned about them being "Many" who call Jesus Lord, Lord. "Many" deceivers will come in Jesus Name preaching that HE, Jesus, is the Messiah. "Many" deceivers will "Transform themselves" into Apostles of Christ. So God, knowing this would come to pass, had HIS Truth, HIS Righteousness, HIS Judgments written down for anyone interested in knowing Him. We all have the Oracles of God in our own hands. Why would I, if I believed in the Jesus "of the bible", listen to another voice in the garden God placed me in, given all the warnings about doing that very thing?
And you know the Scirptures better than priests who are in college/seminary for 8 years before becoming ordained!
LOL, which seminary? A Protestant Seminary? An SDA Seminary? The Moravian Theological Seminary? No, they must attend a Catholic Seminary. In which they are taught Catholic Theology, and Catholic traditions and Catholic doctrines created by "many" men, who "transformed themselves" into Apostles of Christ.
Do I know Catholicism better than an ordained catholic Priest. Of course not. Why would I? I am not interested in this world's religions, rather, I am interested in what the Holy Scriptures actually say. Do I know the Scriptures better that a Catholic Priest? Of course I do. I don't study catholic doctrine, I study god's Word, and they are pretty much opposing views. Even the thought that a man must first be taught by Gamaliel or the St. Mary's Seminary & University, or the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to know God is one of the most Faithless beliefs there is. That God can't guide me through the Holy Scriptures HE created for me "
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" is foolishness. Eve had the Word of God, but chose to listen to a preacher of this world, who "
profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate". It didn't end well for her, why would I believe that I can do the same thing and the outcome will be different?
ok, whatever
I have studiedCatholicism. I don't just accept it because I was "raised Catholic" which I kind of wasn't... (?). We went to Mass on Sunday and the rest of the week lived like .. everyone else. But I studied it and am still studying it. So much for the ubiquitous notion that Catholics do not know what they believe. Sorry, I am not an ignorant rube who can be knocked over w/ the first argument from a non-Catholic! Sorry for the disappointment.
Surely you misunderstand the point I am making. I have no doubt that you are a Catholic of Catholics, which
profited in the Catholic religion above many others in the same religious sect, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of your Catholic fathers.
I am simply pointing out that Jesus and Paul warned about this world's religious businesses and sects, especially those who come in Christ's Name.
I don't even know what YOUR interpretation of Scripture looks like! But I do know that Christ established a Church and part of the mission of said Church was/is to interpret Scripture infallibly. I somehow doubt you are infallible.
This is true, the Christ "of the Bible" established HIS Church, and interpreted and selected 12 Apostles to continue the interpretation of the Law and Prophets, where the Gospel of the Christ "of the bible" is found, according to Paul in Rom. 1.
And I do believe God, the Prophets HE chose and Inspired, His Son, the Jesus "of the bible" and the apostles His Son chose, interpretated God's Word infallibly. I am told to question those who "
profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate". Or those who call Jesus Lord, Lord, but transgress God's commandments by their own religious traditions. Or those in long flowing robes, who sit in the Chief seats of the manmade shrines of worship made of wood and stone, that God doesn't dwell in.
On the other hand... Christ's Church
no problem!
Every religious business of this world who comes in Christ's Name, claims to be "Christ's Church". Just because the religion you have adopted has made the most money, created the most political power, and has made so many merchants of this earth wax rich, even has her own Stock Market symbol, doesn't automatically make your religion God's Church.
Listen to what the Jesus of the Bible teaches;
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Can you not read this for yourself?
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
When you see a huge manmade shrine of worship, with bells ringing and people yelling and shouting praises to God, whose ears are they trying to reach? God's, who can hear them in the closet with the door closed? Or are they trying to grow their religious business.
The Jesus of the Bible warned you about these religions. I am posting these warnings advocating that you place your trust in the Scriptures and the God who inspired them. Even Abraham was told to leave his father's religion. You will probably just get offended and close your eyes and ears to the Light regarding these things, as the mainstream preachers of Christ's Time did, and as I also did in my youth.
My hope is that you would believe in the Christ of the Bible enough to question this world's religions, and "
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." as opposed to the will of the Catholic or Protestant religion.
