One question I’ve been asking is why didn’t they all get together and write one neatly organized book with a separate section on each topic. Something like:
That certainly seems reasonable and understandable.
When you say “all” are you referring to the apostles or their successors?
There is no division. There is only one group of Christians made up of everyone who follows the Bible. Everyone who follows something other than the Bible isn’t a Christian.
Yes, I meant “not one of the Twelve.”
If we needed to know more than the Bible for salvation, the Bible wouldn’t say “Do not go beyond what is written.” The fact that it says not to go beyond what is written implies that everything necessary for salvation was included.As a former sola scriptura advocate, not going beyond what is written, I would have to ask you: where in scripture does it tell sola scriptura advocates, that the apostles wrote everything down that was important and included it in the Bible for Christians to follow after the apostles passed away?
2 Tim. 3 tells us that all scripture is inspired…Not only scripture…
I agree in the sense that all Christians are united regarding the faith that Jesus is our Savior. Doctrinally speaking, (teachings found in the bible) Christendom is definitely divided, as I am sure you would agree?
The original apostles. Why didn’t they write everything down clearly? Why didn’t they write something similar to the Catholic Catechism so there wouldn’t be any confusion?
Ok…
Again, as a former sola scriptura advocate, not going beyond what is written, I would have to ask you: where in scripture does it tell sola scriptura advocates, that the apostles wrote everything down that was important and included it in the Bible for Christians to follow after the apostles passed away?Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, etc., all follow the bible. Did it not strike you as peculiar that some non-denominational “bible-believing” pastors claimed to have the authority to divide Christians into “those who follow the bible” and “those who don’t” when no scripture exists to bestow these pastors with such exceptional authority?
Great news, because you have been deceived. Who is the father of lies? (See John 8:44).
I agree now. The church I first attended where I learned about Jesus taught that ALL denominations were unbiblical. I was told that basically all Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc. were false Christians who were going to Hell and that only those who follow the Bible instead of a denomination and only those who believe God is one person (modalism) are going to Heaven. After I moved, I couldn’t find anyone who agreed with that so I suspected that what I was taught was wrong. I went to probably 20 other non-denominational churches and they taught a variety of beliefs that contradicted each other. So you can see how I became confused and why I’m interested in the Catholic Church.
During the apostolic era, the normal mode of teaching, I think, would have been accomplished via oral communication for the simple fact that very few people would have been able to read back then, but you do make a good point regarding a 1st century catechism. It was called the Didache and it came somewhat close:
That’s a good point. I have a computer program that has the Didache but it is listed under “Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries.” I think the date and authors of it are disputed.
As a former non-catholic I can totally relate, which was why, as a former protestant, I set out to find the historical church that began on Pentecost and had Jesus as it’s founder. Historically, the only two churches that can trace their lineage back to the apostolic age, was the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, so my choices were reduced considerably, which made my selection a lot easier. Obviously I think you are on the right path. Of course, my conversion didn’t happen over night.
You are right. Some say the latter part of the 1st century while others suggest the 4th century.
The ECFs were critical to my conversion. Soak up as much as you can…
Well then we are obligated to help you, in all charity, on your journey of discernment!
But not everyone that “follows the Bible” is truly Christian …
That would have been nice, but that is not what Christ commanded. He made them “fishers of men”, and their primary mission was to spread the Gospel - the Good News. They were not asked to write it down first.
