Question:
Dear Greg,
I
was wondering why you do not consider the Bible the ultimate authority on all
things concerning religion. It is
obvious to me from reading over some of the Q&A that you do not read the
same Bible that I do. I’m not
going into great detail here, but I just wanted to let you know that people are
out here reading what you put on your website and think you know what you are
talking about. Don’t take this the
wrong way, but if you are going to give biblical examples, you should be
consistent. Just an example: you
stated in one of your Q&A to someone that baptism doesn’t save you.
If not, then how do you explain Mark 16:15-16 and 1 Peter 3:21?
To me the scripture is very clear, but yet there’s no mention of this.
I know…you will try to explain it away, but that still doesn’t take
away from what the Bible explicitly says. Also,
a question was asked about when a person “receives” the Holy Spirit.
How about Acts
In
Christian love,
Dave
Answer: Dear Dave,
1.
We do consider the Bible the ultimate authority on
all things concerning authentic Christianity.
All of it—not just selected texts.
The Bible is the “ultimate authority about religion”.
Well, it is true that some abuse and twist the Bible to suit their own
religious ends. We consider the
Bible to be about authentic Christianity, not religious innovations and
representations that fall short of that.
2.
We usually use the New International Version,
augmented by the New King James, with some citations from The Message, New
Revised and New Living. Those
versions are probably much like the Bible you have.
Perhaps you are alluding to a differing method of interpretation that you
favor over against the one we do? We
have a booklet about understanding the Bible that I would be happy to send you,
free of charge, that explains our Christ-centered grace-based approach to Holy
Scripture.
3.
Your next assertion is that people actually read what
we post on our website and that they “think” I know what I’m talking
about. You then ask me not to take
that statement “the wrong way”. Later
in the note you assure me you are concerned for my soul and sign off
“In Christian love”. Perhaps
you could help me understand in what way I should take your statements, and how
you are demonstrating “Christian love”.
I’m missing something. As
for the fact that people are reading our website, thank you for confirming that,
but we are already well aware of how God is blessing the ongoing work of PTM.
4.
If you really want an explanation of Mark 16:15-16, 1
Peter 3:21 and Acts 2:38, and how they compare with each other, please let me
know. At this point it would seem
that the explanation that I would give you would be dismissed as “explaining
it away.” That is, it seems to me
that you are starting with an a priori conclusion (baptism saves) and then
setting out to find proof texts to prove that conclusion.
Such a methodology can be used to prove many things in the Bible, but
that does not mean they are true and biblical, it merely proves that they were
passages taken out of their context.
5.
You are correct.
The body of Christ is one—it is universal.
That means that no denomination or movement has been given an exclusive
franchise to represent God and speak for him here on this earth.
Not you. Not me.
If
you wish to have biblically-based and Christ-centered help, we are here for you.
However, we do not have the
interest or time to debate you. We
have too many people who want help to engage in endless debates with those who
will never agree with us. We will
give you solid answers, but if you feel that whatever we provide you is just
“explaining away” “explicit” passages in the Bible, then perhaps we
cannot help you, however hard we would try.
After all, a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
May
God bless you.
In
Christ,