Posted by Searcher
on 8/7/2009, 12:22 pm, in reply to "The Seven Ecumenical Councils"
99.197.64.56
Dear Ray,
Human authority at it's best is fallible and can never give us a sure foundation. It is not our province to judge His Word. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one", Ro 3:10)
The Nicene Creed is "a summary of christian faith composed by the council of Nice (a town of Asia Minor) against Arianism, A.D, 325, altered and confirmed by the council of Constantinople [old name of Istanbul, Turkey], in A.D. 381."
Arainism- "The doctrines of Arius, who held Christ to be a created being, inferior to God the father in nature and dignity, though the first and noblest of all created beings; and also that the Holy Spirit is not God, but created by the power of the Son. [Arius was a presbyter of the church of Alexandria in the fourtth century]"
a presbyter is "an elder or a priest or a person who had the pastoral charge of a particular church in a congregation. In the primitive church, the elder was a person somewhat advanced in age, who had authority in the church, and whose duty was to feed the flock over which the Holy Spirit had made him overseer."
These are all meanings found in a dictionary. Do I think that God depends on ecumenical councils to "establish traditions from God" or to "reveal truth"? No, Ray. We are clearly told that Paul fulfilled the word of God. No further writings were needed. The Word stands complete and perfect. "Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." (Ps 119:89)
The Lord's constant attitude towards the written Word was one of reverence and acceptance. The Scriptures are divinely authoritative. He said, "Thy Word is Truth". The Word itself is the source for all light and blessing.
2Tim 3:16.17
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Eph 1:16,17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.
I put my hope in the Word of God, not in the traditions or creeds or councils or commandments of men.
Ps 146:3
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
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The word "kingdom" has regard to sovereignty, rather than territory. The "kingdom of heaven" is used only in Matthew and is found 32 times. "Father in heaven" occurs fifteen times. (twice in Mark and not once in Luke) In parallel verses in other gospels, it is called "the Kingdom of God". Compare Matt 11:11 with Luke 7:28, for example.
"Heaven" is used as a figure of speech for God Himself, Whose dwelling is in heaven. See Matt 21:23-25 and 2Chron 32:20. Jesus spoke in Aramaic, not Greek. Matthew retains metonomy of "heaven" which is a figure of speech used when one word is used to stand for another. It is in keeping with the specific character of Matthew. The Kingdom of Heaven has Messiah for it's King, it is from heaven and will be under the heavens on the earth, is Jewish in it's national aspect, and is the subject of OT prophecy. There are 60 references to the OT in Matthew. It is limited in it's duration.
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The answer to your question about James 1:5-8 is yes. There are no contradictions in the Word. We are to compare scripture with scripture to see what is true. Much misunderstanding comes when someone focuses on a particular scripture rather than the Word as a whole. All scripture is for our learning and is profitable, but it is important to always consider who is being addressed and at what time and for what purpose as well as what comes before and what comes after.
The truth comes to those who trust in Him only and seek Him with their whole heart. Truth will not be given to the proud.
Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest? For all these things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor [humble] and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word. (Isa 66:2,3)
Searcher
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