I'm just curious what makes you so sure of this?
Because it's there. We're told how to obtain salvation and how to live within the Bible. I already know what I need to do to be reconciled with my Father. He already told me. And via the Holy Spirit...the Word is brought to life and I'm shown in further detail HOW I'm to apply the Word to my personal circumstances.
Within the Word...we're told WHY we needed Christ. We're shown HOW we are to live and commune with our Father. We're told what to believe to obtain salvation and Christ teaches us how we are to die to live. It's all there. And the Holy Spirit is my comforter, my teacher and my intercessor.
I personally, need no more. I attend church to nurture my spirit...to praise with others...but I have what I need within me and right in front of me.
The Bible itself does not tell us that it contains all of what we must know.
It doesn't have to, as far as I'm concerned.
That's merely an assumption on your part, but it doesn't seem to have much of a basis in reason.
Is faith really rationale? Christians in general assume quite a bit.
As a matter of fact, we're told in the Bible that Jesus did so many things that were not even recorded that, if they had been recorded, "even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written."
And I think we were given what was essential to come to Him.
Okay, I'm curious how you'd answer this one. Let's say...you are a non-denominational Christian and you know nothing of your current religion...so everything that is specific to your current religious denomination...you have no knowledge of.
But you've heard the gospel. You know that everlasting life is found only in Christ. You're not yet a member of a church but you have a Holy Bible in your posession.
Is that enough to live your life as a Christian...in confidence of your salvation?
Even if you apply this to your life now. Okay, crazy scenario. You're put under a scary looking machine that wipes out your memory. But before you're placed under the scary machine...you're told that you can keep ONE tangible book or object from your faith. What would you keep with you...to find your way back to God?
(Golly gee whiz...I think I'll start a thread with this one.)
unless you figure that the vast majority of what He said and did was not of any particular importance, it would not make much sense to insist that one relatively brief (especially if we're only talking about the New Testament) collection of writings covers everything God would have us know. I realize this is what you believe, and I respect your strong convictions. I just don't understand the rationale behind them.
I believe that God reveals mysteries and truths to us in our personal lives as we learn and grow spiritually. And I would prefer to receive this from the Holy Spirit as opposed to a prophet. It's all part of establishing a personal relationship with Christ. I'm not to forsake the assembly and I'm supposed to fellowship with other Christians but if I didn't listen to a word that another Christian said and instead focused my time and energies to establishing a personal relationship with Christ...I'm no less saved. I may be one lonely Christian girl but I'm still saved.
There doesn't have to be any rationale behind what I accept on faith. And I know that this goes both ways.
Ah, now we come to the issue of the cake. Personally, I think that the frosting can add a lot to even the best cake!
Yeah...but frosting is a bonus...not a necessity.
Here's where I'm starting to get lost. I believe I know you well enough, Dawn, to know that you are not trying to be insulting with this comment. I don't want to respond until you've clarified in plain, straightforward English what you mean with the reference to "the secret ingredients to change the cake recipe." Would you mind addressing that issue? Then I'll give you my comments.
Please, forget my analogy. It really wasn't the best.
To address the issue...I personally could not trust any prophet from any faith who claimed truths that aren't already mentioned within the pages of the Bible. And this would be anyone revered as or claiming to be a prophet...this isn't denominationally specific.
I believe that a true prophet would edify the church. Christ died so that we could receive Him. And I believe that He speaks to us each individually and gives us what we need to live our lives. And I'm reluctant to seek answers beyond the Word and beyond the Holy Spirit. I don't need men to speak to me when God is speaking to me personally.
That doesn't mean that I don't think He speaks to us through people. I've stated before...I totally believe that there are prophets but I believe their purpose is to edify the church by reiterating the events that have already been foretold within the Word.
Of course it makes sense, but why do you think Christ specifically warned against "false" prophets? If He had wanted us to reject all prophets, He would certainly have put it that way, particularly since He personally called prophets whom He would speak to after He'd left this earth.
I think that my view of what a prophet's role may differ from yours. (Correct me, if I'm wrong.) I don't believe that the job of the prophet is to foresee events and truths that we've never been told about as much as I believe their purpose is to reiterate events and truths that have already been established and foretold.
And if you ask me for proof...I don't have any. I just don't understand the need for prophecy that hasn't already been established. I don't understand what more we need.
Here are definitions of the world "prophet". (Taken of course, from my trusty Corel Word Perfect 12 dictionary)
prophet >noun (fem. prophetess) 1
an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. 2 a person who predicts the future. 3 a person who advocates a new belief or theory.
I could consider my Pastor a prophet. And he doesn't predict the future...he reiterates what's within the Word. And if he advocated a new belief or theory...I might leave the church.
It may be done, Dawn, but it's better with frosting.
(My silly cake analogy.
) And the wrong type of frosting could ruin the cake. The cake is the foundation...the cake is the meat...the bulk. You can't have cake without the cake. You can have cake without the frosting. (And I promise, I'll never use analogies. I'm not that good with them. LOL!)
Well, for starters, it appears the Bible is unclear as to whether or not we still need prophets today. I strongly feel that we do; you feel just as strongly that we don't. Plus, it appears from the number of threads you can find on the Christian forums of RF, quite a few other topics would qualify as being "unclear," too.
I agree.
Those are obviously missing.
They may be missing but I have a very strong hunch...with or without them...God's plan for our salvation is the same. Christ Jesus.
Well, He probably gave the Christians of Christ's day pretty much everything they needed to know. Unfortunately, not all of what He gave them has endured through two millenia.
I guess I just can't understand dissatisfaction in what we do have. If we had every single book that was inspired by God and pertains to the teachings of Christ...John 3:16 still stands.
I do believe that God reveals truths and mysteries to us through the Holy Spirit. But I don't believe that there will be new revelation beyond what we've been given. I think the true knowledge is found in the Truth...which is Jesus Christ. He does speak to us!
However, if someone claimed to have recieved a divine revelation that isn't covered within the Bible about the future...I'd have to raise my brows. Even IF I'm 100% wrong and Rev. 22:16 ONLY applies to the book of Revelations...still...no man should add or take away from any of the prophecies contained within the book of Revelation which clearly God did want us to know in its entirety without adding to it or discounting any of it.
If any man claimed something that wasn't remotely outlined for the end times of mankind in the book of Revelation...I couldn't believe it.
As far as learning from prophets such as Pastors and teachers...that's a bit different. And it depends on how one defines prophet.