jcob

The Bible says not to believe every spirit. When I read Galatians 1:8 it seems apparent that that even an angel from heaven could preach something false. How did he tell you? Was it a feeling? The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? - Jeremiah 17:9

Thats a fair statement.

Thats fine. Again, I only wanted to talk doctrine. But one last sincere question for everyone. What if anything would it take for you to no longer believe that your organization is true? Does evidence even matter once you begin to trust in your feelings?

No, just the opposite actually. I think we should all be reading the scriptures. Its just someone told me that only a prophet can interpret Gods word. But the evidence shows that Gods word is open for everyone to understand. Of course you need to have Gods wisdom at the same time, which he promises to those who ask (James 1:5).

So you would actually put your trust in a man? "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" - 1 Corinthians 2:5 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." - Psalm 118:8

I couldnt get the first URL to work. The second one used Mathew 23:34 & Amos 3:7 as justification for modern prophets. Mathew 23:34 Jesus is speaking to the Jews. He said that he would send them Prophets who they would persecute and kill. He did send them the apostles who were persecuted and killed. Read vs 36 for context. Amos 3:7 The word "nothing" must be interpreted by the context. Amos 3:1-7 refers to God bringing judgment against His people Israel because of their sin. And He says He will do "nothing" (to punish or judge them) without warning them through his servants the prophets first.

Actually I only had about 4 people in the entire congregation say hello to me, so I wouldnt say I was the "goto" person. I wouldnt trust me either, Jesus said "let no man decieve you". Rather then sidestepping the issues can we talk about the doctrine.

Agreed, but they were still interpreting the Old Testament without a Prophet.

I dont do it to bring anyone down. Its becouse I am genuinly interested in comparing the doctrines of the Bible with what I learnt growing up. Im happy to answer questions anyone else has about my faith to. I prefer if we talk about the doctrine rather than my reasons for comparing the doctrine.

No, the people at my Church are amazing, they arnt bashing anyone. They glorify the Father. When I look at them I see tax collectors (see Luke 18:9-14) when I look at LDS I see people trying to make themselves righteous (see Philipians 3:9). Im just interested to expand my knowledge, but I do recognize I am bringing up touchy subjects.

I acknowledge that this was my error. Always good to learn. But still interested to hear your take on the rest of the scriptures. I understand the Church was built on a foundation of prophets and apostles, but does a foundation keep building? When the apostles replaced Judas, they specifically chose two disciples who were witnesses from the time of John the baptist to the resurection (see Acts 1:15-22). When Paul was called to be an apostle, he became a witness of the resurection. It seems that their testimony was very important in their roles. Should not everyone who claims to be an apostle share the same "eyewitness" testimonies so that we know they arnt following cunningly devised fables? (see 2 Peter 1:16)

Thanks. I didnt realise this. The only thing is I left the LDS church a month or so ago and only attended another Church for the first time last Sunday. So it would appear that it was rather the mormon curriculum which failed me. Also love how you make the distinction between Christians and Mormons. I thought you were supposed to be Christian? Looks like the Church teaching failed you aswell. : )

I believe the unity of the faith is reffering to the Jew and the Gentile (see Galatians 3:26-28). If you believe that Prophets are needed until their is only one denomination, how do you reconcile this with the idea of a total apostasy. If Prophets were given forever then surely you must have to throw the total apostasy doctrine out?

Mathew 21:33-37 "he sent his servants" "But last of all he sent unto them his son" Luke 16:16 "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached" Acts 2:18 "And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy" Ephesians 2:20 "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" Ephesians 4:11- "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets" "Till we all come in the unity of the faith" (See Galatians 3:28) Hebrews 1:1-2 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son"

Just to summarize my arguement, see below. Please let me know your thoughts on each point. Somebody said to me that I can’t interpret Scripture and that only the Prophet can interpret Gods word. They used 2 Peter 1:20 to support their argument. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” Personally I believe that if Peter was telling us that we could not privately interpret scripture he might have said: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is [for] any private interpretation.” Context supports the idea that he was speaking of the origin of prophecy (not the apostles own minds and ideas, but inspired of the Lord through the Holy Spirit). “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” – 2 Peter 1:16 “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” – 2 Peter 1:21 - In Acts 17:11 a group of people were commended for searching out the answers in the scriptures. - The Bible teaches us how to discern who a false prophet is by the way of various tests (Deuteronomy 18, Isaiah 8:20, Jeremiah 23:14, Jeremiah 28:9, Mathew 7:15 etc) What use are these tests if only a prophet can interpret the meaning of them? - Peter affirmed that Pauls writings were scripture (2 Peter 3:16). What gave the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, etc. the right to interpret Pauls letters, since none of them were Prophets? Perhaps you dont need authority to understand Gods word? - I would like to hear how you might interpret James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6? Personally I see this as: God gives us his wisdom (ie. the capacity to comprehend) but we gain knowledge and understanding through God's word. - Most Christian denominations agree on interpretations of the majority of Biblical scripture to do with the essentials (Salvation). The Churches which usually disagree on doctrines are: - Churches that claim to have a man or Prophet who is the exclusive interpreter of scripture - Churches that claim the Bible is full of errors / mistranslations - Churches that claim that the writers were not all inspired by God