Why do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?

[Reformed]

Do you believe that the Bible is the Word of God because

1. God the Holy Spirit revealed this truth to you personally.
2. The Roman Catholic Church taught you that the Bible is the Word of God.

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. - 1 Thessalonians 2:13

 

[ralphinal]

Everyone’s answer should be the same, but I do not see the Choice on the poll.

I cannot answer it

 

[cfrancis]

Everyone’s answer should be the same, but I do not see the Choice on the poll.

I cannot answer it

Good point. Also, the verse Reformed added speaks to the preached (spoken) word Paul spoke to the Thessalonians, not the written word.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Can’t answer it based on those two choices.

 

[ralphinal]

I need one that says “The Holy Spirit, through the Catholic Church, says it is.”

That verse also makes it look like we should accept it because it is from Paul. In other words, the Church gave it to you, so it is to be accepted.

 

[Reformed]

Okay, what is the third choice? I would add it if I could, but I think the time limit is up. There are many Roman Catholics who have been baptized who do not have the inner conviction that the Bible is the Word of God. Externally, they may profess it. But without the Holy Spirit, they really do not believe that the Bible is the Word of God. The exact same thing can be said about Protestants too. Being baptized in water does not mean a person is converted and born from above. I heard a Catholic Priest teach this on a Catholic radio station too.

 

[Reformed]

Good point. Also, the verse Reformed added speaks to the preached (spoken) word Paul spoke to the Thessalonians, not the written word.

When Paul preaches or teaches, there are two responses and reaction. Many reject it or do not receive it as truth. Some receive it as truth. What’t the difference between the two groups? Who is working in their hearts to receive this truth?

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. - 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Please please join us in our bibile study together as Christians.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthrea…=273731&page=9

 

[ralphinal]

Okay, what is the third choice? I would add it if I could, but I think the time limit is up. There are many Roman Catholics who have been baptized who do not have the inner conviction that the Bible is the Word of God. Externally, they may profess it. But without the Holy Spirit, they really do not believe that the Bible is the Word of God. The exact same thing can be said about Protestants too. Being baptized in water does not mean a person is converted and born from above. I heard a Catholic Priest teach this on a Catholic radio station too.

We have the Holy Spirit in our souls because of baptism and confirmation. At some point, faith requires an ascent of will to make our understanding, actions, and professions the same as the faith given to us by God. The Bible in Acts shows how you need both sacrements.

The option that I would want is that the Holy Spirit, through the Catholic Church, has shown this to be true.

 

[Reformed]

We have the Holy Spirit in our souls because of baptism and confirmation. At some point, faith requires an ascent of will to make our understanding, actions, and professions the same as the faith given to us by God. The Bible in Acts shows how you need both sacrements.

The option that I would want is that the Holy Spirit, through the Catholic Church, has shown this to be true.

Sounds like Roman Catholic teaching and not Scriptural truth. Please show me a biblical case for confirmation. Baptismal regeneration needs a thread all by itself to debate. Infant baptismal regeneration contradicts your view of free will.

 

[cfrancis]

I need one that says “The Holy Spirit, through the Catholic Church, says it is.”

I second that emotion

 

[cfrancis]

Sounds like Roman Catholic teaching and not Scriptural truth. Please show me a biblical case for confirmation. Baptismal regeneration needs a thread all by itself to debate.

Let me fix this for you:

Sounds like Roman Catholic teaching and not my opinion of Scripture.

There, that reflects the truth much more.

Please show me a biblical case for confirmation.

You mean the laying on of hands?

 

[Reformed]

The option that I would want is that the Holy Spirit, through the Catholic Church, has shown this to be true.

Us Protestant Christians cut out the middle man (Roman Catholic Church). The Holy Spirit reveals to our hearts and minds that the Bible is truly the Word of God. We don’t need the Roman Catholic Church to affirm that truth. I think you will find that testimony throughout the Scirptures. Let’s start with Lydia:

The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the [4] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. - Acts 16

 

[ralphinal]

Sounds like Roman Catholic teaching and not Scriptural truth. Please show me a biblical case for confirmation. Baptismal regeneration needs a thread all by itself to debate.

Thank you for asking for one. I am always happy to help.

How about Act 8:14-17

14 Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 15 Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 16 For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost.

Or how about Acts 19:1-6

1 And it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples. 2 And he said to them: Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? But they said to him: We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost. 3 And he said: In what then were you baptized? Who said: In John’s baptism. 4 Then Paul said: John baptized the people with the baptism of penance saying: That they should believe in him, who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus. 5 Having heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them: and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

And for you Epistle Lovers out there, Hebrews 6:2 mentions the laying on of hands as being as basic as baptism.

 

[cfrancis]

Us Protestant Christians cut out the middle man (Roman Catholic Church). The Holy Spirit reveals to our hearts and minds that the Bible is truly the Word of God. We don’t need the Roman Catholic Church to affirm that truth. I think you will find that testimony throughout the Scirptures. Let’s start with Lydia:

The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the [4] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. - Acts 16

Excellent! Lydia believed what Paul preached! Amen! We agree with that!!!

And your point is…

You STILL have not provided Scriptural evidence for the canon of Scripture you accept and believe.

 

[Reformed]

Let me fix this for you:
There, that reflects the truth much more.
You mean the laying on of hands?

Please help me understand the Catholic teaching on confirmation.

 

[ralphinal]

Us Protestant Christians cut out the middle man (Roman Catholic Church). The Holy Spirit reveals to our hearts and minds that the Bible is truly the Word of God. We don’t need the Roman Catholic Church to affirm that truth. I think you will find that testimony throughout the Scirptures. Let’s start with Lydia:

The Conversion of Lydia
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the [4] district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. - Acts 16

And how wise you were for cutting out the middle man! Oh, who put the middle man there? Could it be God Himself? Yes! So, the wisdom of man exceeds that of God.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

The Holy Spirit (you think) has led the hundreds (if not thousands) of Protestant denominations to thousands and thousands of cases where some groups say Scripture means A, and others Scripture means ‘not-A.’

Since A and not-A cannot both be true (by definition), you have the scenario of a group of people claiming the Spirit led them to truth–but the truth each claims is contradictory to the other.

The Holy Spirit guides to unity, not disunity.

You didn’t ‘cut out the middle man’. The original protestasnts cut themselves off from the church for many and varied reasons, most of them venal (related to the grabbing of property and/or power of some sort) or related to pride in thinking that they ‘alone’ had the ‘power’ to interpret Scripture.

Their descendents are reaping the whirlwind and paying the price of this rejection.

 

[cfrancis]

And how wise you were for cutting out the middle man! Oh, who put the middle man there? Could it be God Himself? Yes! So, the wisdom of man exceeds that of God.

Good point! Why did God use the middle-man of Paul, when He could have revealed the Truth to her Himself?!?!

 

[Reformed]

Good point! Why did God use the middle-man of Paul, when He could have revealed the Truth to her Himself?!?!

The Bible does not reveal Paul as the middle man. He was chosen before his birth to be God’s chosen instrument to bring the gospel of God’s grace to the Gentiles (most of us). Here is the testimony of the Scriptures to support what I am sharing. Scripture removes the speculation, and gives us the grounds for our Faith. It is revelation from God to us. The whys are answered in the Scriptures and not by the magestrium.

**
Paul Called by God**
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. [3] 12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, [4] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to [5] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; [6] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me. Gal 1

 

[ralphinal]

Did you see my verses on confirmation?