Weeell, the old testament is the Hebrew bible, which as been around awhile...and the New Testament was "probably" compiled by the early church comparing it too the old testament. If it didn't agree it wasn't included. They match up enough that it had to be the case. If anything didn't match up it was probably left out. I wasn't in the synods or whatever...so I don't know, but the New Testament is compiled of authors who were clearly directly connected to God. Mainly the original disciples of Christ. Couldn't have been too difficult. I don't think the early church gets too much credit though...I think the old testament does. The "law and the prophets".
Original:Also where in Scripture does it say that Scripture is "the Pillar and Foundation of Truth" (not just "useful")?
Me: Nowhere ... "the Pillar and Foundation of Truth" from Timothy is referring to the church not the scriptures.
I would like to try to help get your discussion giong but I dont understand your questions? Can you be a bit more specific about what you would like to discuss?
"But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. "
The New and Old Testament question is easy, in your bible you'll notice a page prior to Matthew and on that page it says "New Testament". Start there! Hahaha!!!:yay:
These sound like some of the questions I have had. What about the fact that there are about 40 gospels? Of course many of them are written by the Gnostics and don't follow Biblical thought but how many Christians have read them? Who's to say only the four we have are the only ones that were inspired?
Also, just for the sake of argument what about this passage?
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work.
Clearly there was no New Testament when this was written so it must have been about the Old Testament. Who's to say that all of the what we know as the New Testament is truly inspired? Why not other books and writings written after Malachi?
You Can Never leave out the witness of the Holy Spirit, when you know him and his way you will know what is right and what is not. The inspired word came thru him. The Spirit of Truth.
Ro 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Ro 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Heb 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
1Jo 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1Jo 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The Word of God always comes first then the Spirit of God to confirm the word of God to all who will hear.
The Old Testament originally written in Hebrew was also translated into Greek approx. 200BC. That is called the Septuagint, LXX It should be noted that when this was translated, the only books that existed in the Old Testament are the same ones used in our modern Bibles today like the NKJV.
It should also be noted that whenever Jesus quoted scripture it was only from the books we have today that are considered Old Testament. Never did Jesus quote from any other books like Maccabees, etc. obviously.
When the Apostles quoted the Old Testament, in the vast majority of instances, they quoted from the Septuagint LXX, not the Hebrew and NEVER from any other books than those we have today in like say the NKJV.
Regarding the New Testament, all the Gospels and Epistles were written within the first 95 years of church History. Most of them within the first 65 years. It is believed that Matthew may have been written much sooner. Interestingly enough, all of Paul's Epistles were bundled together including Hebrews. These were considered all of Paul's Epistles so the Church already had decided and had in possession all those Epistles. The Roman Catholic Church did not decide this for anyone. It had long been established.
The Four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were also already established in the Church long before the Roman Catholic Church got involved.
2Tim 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come�and the books, especially the parchments.
The other spurious books out there like the Gnostic Gospels and the Apocrypha are not considered as being trustworthy because of the numerous contradictions and errors in history.
