Protestants: how do you know that your interpretation of the Bible is the right one?

[MrS]

well by you alls statement to my answer of interpretation, which should be yours as well cause Jesus said, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).

well if you don’t believe this then i can’t say much cause this is a promise to all believers. now go ahead with your argument who is right? you be the judge.

God bless you all

You are probably right Jerry.

The Holy Spirit will not divide. So He will unite us in One Truth, if we cooperate.

Long after these truths were given to the Apostles… long after they received the promise that the Holy Spirit would come to lead us into that Truth… long after the Reformers decided their truth was THE truth…

we still have our separated brethren rejecting the TRUTH in John 6 (re-emphasized by St Paul the Catholic Apostle to the gentiles)

“… unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, you have no life in you…”

I would contend that one who strives to be a believer in Jesus Christ would strive to believe, in faith and in full trust, ALL that Jesus proclaimed.

If one calls himself a believer… but cannot or will not believe all the Truth… is that one fooling himself or God.? Well, ya can’t fool God.

Perhaps it is just that the grace to fully believe has not YET been given by God.

Perhaps it is just that the grace to fully believe has not YET been asked for.

One who chooses to walk away from that Truth of the Real Presence (found ONLY in the Catholic Church), will simply walk away. And Jesus will let him…

 

[Graubo3]

well by you alls statement to my answer of interpretation, which should be yours as well cause Jesus said, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).

well if you don’t believe this then i can’t say much cause this is a promise to all believers. now go ahead with your argument who is right? you be the judge.

Jerry,

Where in the Bible does it say that the scripture verse you quoted was a ‘promise to all believers’? It is my emphasis in Bold added to your quote. My understanding is that Jesus is speaking to His faithful eleven during the Last Supper. Have a nice weekend.

Peace, Graubo

 

[SteveGC]

Originally Posted by **Jerry Marino **
well by you alls statement to my answer of interpretation, which should be yours as well cause Jesus said, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).

well if you don’t believe this then i can’t say much cause this is a promise to all believers. now go ahead with your argument who is right? you be the judge.

Jerry,

Where in the Bible does it say that the scripture verse you quoted was a ‘promise to all believers’? It is my emphasis in Bold added to your quote. My understanding is that Jesus is speaking to His faithful eleven during the Last Supper. Have a nice weekend.

Peace, Graubo

Graubo, I’ve consistently attempted to demonstrate this type of thing to well-meaning folks like Jerry here. They simply don’t get it, I’m afraid. Their theology which permits them to believe that it’s reduced to themselves and their Bible reinforces the belief in them that the intended audience of every statement in Scripture is whoever happens to be reading it at that moment. Problem, as you know, is that sometimes they ARE supposed to be the audience, but more often, they are not. But they sadly miss the distinction, and therefore, miss the Church completely (among other things). Oh well.

To Jerry, I’ll try this one more time with this verse you use to prove “all believers” receive the Truth directly from the Holy Spirit and Scripture…let’s look closely at it…
**
The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).**

Nevermind the fact that it is clear that Jesus is speaking to the Apostles here, but rather pay attention to the last part…remind you of all that I TOLD YOU. Now, can this be YOU? Did you walk with Jesus 2000 years ago? I didn’t. But this part of the verse clearly demonstrates that the YOU is the apostles, and therefore all the YOUs in the verse are the apostles…not YOU the reader. Holy Spirit comes to you through following the 12, who follow Christ. But He doesn’t endow you directly and uniquely with this specific gift of knowledge and teaching that He is giving to the apostles.

God Bless.

 

[josie_L]

Graubo, I’ve consistently attempted to demonstrate this type of thing to well-meaning folks like Jerry here. They simply don’t get it, I’m afraid. Their theology which permits them to believe that it’s reduced to themselves and their Bible reinforces the belief in them that the intended audience of every statement in Scripture is whoever happens to be reading it at that moment. Problem, as you know, is that sometimes they ARE supposed to be the audience, but more often, they are not. But they sadly miss the distinction, and therefore, miss the Church completely (among other things). Oh well.

To Jerry, I’ll try this one more time with this verse you use to prove “all believers” receive the Truth directly from the Holy Spirit and Scripture…let’s look closely at it…
**
The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).**

Nevermind the fact that it is clear that Jesus is speaking to the Apostles here, but rather pay attention to the last part…remind you of all that I TOLD YOU. Now, can this be YOU? Did you walk with Jesus 2000 years ago? I didn’t. But this part of the verse clearly demonstrates that the YOU is the apostles, and therefore all the YOUs in the verse are the apostles…not YOU the reader. Holy Spirit comes to you through following the 12, who follow Christ. But He doesn’t endow you directly and uniquely with this specific gift of knowledge and teaching that He is giving to the apostles.

God Bless.

This is what I wrote concerning the Apostles and Truth in a previous post on this thread:

Jesus promised that he would lead his apostles into all truth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But this promise was specifically directed to the apostles, that is why when we say the Nicene creed we state "I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic (not everyone in the body of Christ) church. Therefore that very Church which has apostolic roots, is the one, holy and Catholic Church that will be preserved from all error. The first Pope was such an apostle, and as such when Jesus spoke to him and the other 10 he meant what he meant, all truth means no error for the apostles and their successors.

---

 

[Graubo3]

well by you alls statement to my answer of interpretation, which should be yours as well cause Jesus said, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).

well if you don’t believe this then i can’t say much cause this is a promise to all believers. now go ahead with your argument who is right? you be the judge.

God bless you all

Nevermind the fact that it is clear that Jesus is speaking to the Apostles here, but rather pay attention to the last part…remind you of all that I TOLD YOU. Now, can this be YOU? Did you walk with Jesus 2000 years ago? I didn’t. But this part of the verse clearly demonstrates that the YOU is the apostles, and therefore all the YOUs in the verse are the apostles…not YOU the reader. Holy Spirit comes to you through following the 12, who follow Christ. But He doesn’t endow you directly and uniquely with this specific gift of knowledge and teaching that He is giving to the apostles.

God Bless.

SteveGC,

I get it now. Jesus spoke with a Southern U.S. accent and John was able to record it as such in the Holy Scriptures. Have a nice weekend. (snow!)

Peace, Graubo

 

[Howie01]

Graubo3:

Where in the Bible does it say that the scripture verse you quoted was a ‘promise to all believers’? It is my emphasis in Bold added to your quote. My understanding is that Jesus is speaking to His faithful eleven during the Last Supper. Have a nice weekend.

Peace, Graubo

John 6:4545 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

 

[josie_L]

John 6:4545 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

That part you put in large caps means that we will all learn and be taught the Word of God, not that all will be able to teach the Word of God. Big difference.

 

[Howie01]

josie L:

That part you put in large caps means that we will all learn and be taught the Word of God, not that all will be able to teach the Word of God. Big difference.

You’re straying from what was stated in Jerry’s post, and Graubo’s question, and you’re straying from what’s said in the passage itself.

I find the point Jerry to be making is that the Spirit teaches all whom He indwells, and scripture supports that point.

 

[SteveGC]

John 6:4545 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

Yes, but WHO is teaching ALL of us? If God is, and that’s it…then we still have a problem, for it is painfully clear that if I come to God without his intended means of teaching me, I have no assurance of getting taught properly. What are the MEANS of transmitting God’s teachings? This is the fundamental question. It’s not the Bible. And I know, Howie, you don’t claim this either. You agree it’s humans. But we disagree on WHICH humans.

 

[Jerry_Marino]

for you all who don’t seem to understand the Holy Spirit is only promised to believers, it’s there in the bible, read it, i am not making this stuff up, these are promises from God, now there may be some who would not want some to know this so they withhold it from one who is seeking God’s truth.

 

[Howie01]

SteveGC:

Yes, but WHO is teaching ALL of us?

According to God, it’s God (Jn 6:45), as His prophets prophesied it would be.

SteveGC:

If God is, and that’s it…then we still have a problem, for it is painfully clear that if I come to God without his intended means of teaching me, I have no assurance of getting taught properly.

You may have a problem being taught by God, but I don’t.

SteveGC:

What are the MEANS of transmitting God’s teachings?

The preaching of the word—the scriptures.

SteveGC:

This is the fundamental question. It’s not the Bible.

Yes it is. Faith from hearing, and hearing by the word concerning Christ, (Rom 10:17).

SteveGC:

And I know, Howie, you don’t claim this either. You agree it’s humans.

I’ve said both, Steve.

SteveGC:

But we disagree on WHICH humans.

Php 1:15-20

 

[MrS]

John 6:45
45 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

and then… from Jerry:

for you all who don’t seem to understand the Holy Spirit is only promised to believers, it’s there in the bible, read it, i am not making this stuff up, these are promises from God, now there may be some who would not want some to know this so they withhold it from one who is seeking God’s truth.

First comment… IMHO a believer is NOT one who self interprets, or strays from the only legitimate authority as the final arbitrator.

Second comment… there is a qualifer in both the above statements which many protestants (and sometimes Catholics too) tend to either ignore, or discredit to their own distruction.

Pat Madrid clarified this problem once, by offering this example…

I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that** you** stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.

Reading this same sentence with emphasis on the red word changes the whole meaning of the statement.

So how do we know,

Catholics ask the one who wrote it. If he is dead, we can ask the one whom he taught. If that person is also dead, we can ask the next student. etc etc etc.

Only the Catholic Church is the direct link to the human writers of the NT, those who actually wrote it, heard it, and were taught the OT too.

No other faith community has that gift. Yet they use our book, the Book of the Catholic Church, the Bible, and their own self serving interpretations, to tell the Church what is what.

There is only one Church. All others are not churches, they are at best, faith communities lacking in the fullness of Truth, and lacking in the ability to correctly interpret.

so
to answer the OP… how does the protestant know…?? He knows he is correct when he is aligned with the Catholic Church.

.

 

[Graubo3]

well by you alls statement to my answer of interpretation, which should be yours as well cause Jesus said, "The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name–he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you (John 14:26).

well if you don’t believe this then i can’t say much cause this is a promise to all believers. now go ahead with your argument who is right? you be the judge.

God bless you all

Jerry,

Where in the Bible does it say that the scripture verse you quoted was a ‘promise to all believers’? It is my emphasis in Bold added to your quote. My understanding is that Jesus is speaking to His faithful eleven during the Last Supper. Have a nice weekend.

Peace, Graubo

John 6:4545 “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

Howie01,

Sorry. I fail to see how John 6:45 explains Jerry’s quote and interpretation of John 14:26 that Jesus is talking to ‘all believers’ and not just the eleven faithful Apostles at the Last Supper. Why do you answer for her? Have a nice weekend.

Peace, Graubo

 

[josie_L]

You’re straying from what was stated in Jerry’s post, and Graubo’s question, and you’re straying from what’s said in the passage itself.

I find the point Jerry to be making is that the Spirit teaches all whom He indwells, and scripture supports that point.

No, I have not strayed from that part of the passage you capitalized, for it is quite clear in what it states. It is you who has strayed by reading way too much into that bit of scripture.

 

[josie_L]

Faith from hearing, and hearing by the word concerning Christ, (Rom 10:17).

**For faith to be heard it must have been transmitted by word of mouth (Oral Traditions), by someone who had the authority to do so. **

 

[Jerry_Marino]

the Bible the book of the catholic church?

read the Bible people, read.

afterwards compare with what you are being taught to see if it is truth or not.

read hebrews 1.

what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?

remember God is Father, Son, and Spirit. the Father and Son is not what is being talked about here.

the question is for us that how we know that our interpretation is correct. i’ve stated that i don’t interpret cause my opinion could be in error so i depend on God’s Word to interpret His Word.

i believe that once a person knows the unique duty of the Holy Spirit then one would become more dependent of Him.

you all say i make stuff up, i’ve put scripture out there but you close your eyes to it and i wonder why?

is because i am protestant and maybe i took it from a protestant bible cause i’ve heard that from my catholic friends and family.

why?

 

[Howie01]

MrS:

and then… from Jerry:

for you all who don’t seem to understand the Holy Spirit is only promised to believers, it’s there in the bible, read it, i am not making this stuff up, these are promises from God, now there may be some who would not want some to know this so they withhold it from one who is seeking God’s truth.

First comment… IMHO a believer is NOT one who self interprets, or strays from the only legitimate authority as the final arbitrator.

Every believer indwelt by the Spirit has within him the legitimate authority.

MrS:

Second comment… there is a qualifer in both the above statements which many protestants (and sometimes Catholics too) tend to either ignore, or discredit to their own distruction.

Pat Madrid clarified this problem once, by offering this example…

I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.
I did not say that you stole the money.

Reading this same sentence with emphasis on the red word changes the whole meaning of the statement.

That’s a very elementary exercise which everyone should engage in while studying through verses and passages.

MrS:

So how do we know,

Catholics ask the one who wrote it. If he is dead, we can ask the one whom he taught. If that person is also dead, we can ask the next student. etc etc etc.

Noted.

MrS:

Only the Catholic Church is the direct link to the human writers of the NT, those who actually wrote it, heard it, and were taught the OT too.

Yeah, I’d say the Scripture’s the direct link.

MrS:

No other faith community has that gift. Yet they use our book, the Book of the Catholic Church, the Bible, and their own self serving interpretations, to tell the Church what is what.

The scripture, both the OT, and the NT, is a Christian book belonging to all who are in Christ. It’s not the exclusive property of the RCC, unless of course it’s your position that those in Christ are found exclusively in the RCC and nowhere else.

MrS:

There is only one Church. All others are not churches, they are at best, faith communities lacking in the fullness of Truth, and lacking in the ability to correctly interpret.

so
to answer the OP… how does the protestant know…?? He knows he is correct when he is aligned with the Catholic Church.

That’s definitely your position.

 

[Howie01]

**For faith to be heard it must have been transmitted by word of mouth (Oral Traditions), by someone who had the authority to do so. **

So written scripture is excluded from being preached; is that what you’re saying?

 

[josie_L]

the Bible the book of the catholic church?

read the Bible people, read.

afterwards compare with what you are being taught to see if it is truth or not.

read hebrews 1.

what is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?

remember God is Father, Son, and Spirit. the Father and Son is not what is being talked about here.

the question is for us that how we know that our interpretation is correct. i’ve stated that i don’t interpret cause my opinion could be in error so i depend on God’s Word to interpret His Word.

i believe that once a person knows the unique duty of the Holy Spirit then one would become more dependent of Him.

you all say i make stuff up, i’ve put scripture out there but you close your eyes to it and i wonder why?

is because i am protestant and maybe i took it from a protestant bible cause i’ve heard that from my catholic friends and family.

why?

One of the key features of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into (one) Truth, but don’t you think that our human stubborness and/or pride (intellectual or otherwise) can lead us to believe things which are not coming from the Holy Spirit but something other than, don’t we have a passage in the Bible that states we must test the spirits before we accept things as true. Many people claim it is the Holy Spirit that has led them into this or that denomination or faith, but they cannot all be right.

Trust me, when I say that I do believe that the Holy Spirit will lead each person to the Truth, has long as it is the Holy Spirit which guides the individual and no other factor interferes.

 

[josie_L]

So written scripture is excluded from being preached; is that what you’re saying?

Howie, I am stating the obvious which is if the faith were heard (as opposed to read) then it was done so by word of mouth, the Bible was not yet complete or compiled.