The Catholics have Scripture,The Apocrypha. Church Tradition and the Pope
James replies:
The put church tradition and the Pope BEFORE anything the Bible says.
Rome is an apostate body, meaning at one time they WERE in the faith, but left it.
The Mormons have Scripture, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, Doctrines and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.
James replies:
Joe wrote three other books that contradict what the Bible says.
They are closer to Hinduism, than any other religion.
The Jehovah Witnesses have Scripture in the New World Translation and the New World Bible and Tract Society.
James replies:
The founders of this group came from the fringe element of Christianity known as "7th day adventism". They re-wrote the Bible to say what they wanted it to say.
The believe in Salvation by works, and are thus non-Christian.
The Seven Day Adventists have Scripture, Ellen White Prophecies and the 7th day worship.
James replies:
It is debatable if they are in Christendom or not. Needless to say, if you are in this group their theology is SO bad, you need to leave and find a church that teaches the historic Christian faith.
The Reformed have Scripture, Calvin, Tradition and TULIP, The Doctrines of Grace
James replies:
The Reformed have 2000 YEARS of Christian HISTORY to back up their beliefs. They are not perfect, because NO group is, but in my opinion they have the collective wisdom of the entire church, and Reformed theology is the most accurate, compared to every other Christian theology. Just to list all the giants of the faith that fall into the Reformed view would take an entire post.
The Non-Denominational Protestant has Scripture only and the Holy Spirit.
James replies:
You have just advocated for Private religious hunches, and IGNORING the Body Christ.
"Non-denominational Protestantism" contains every kind of theology there is from excellent to terrible.
I am a member of a non-denominational Reformed church.
Joel Osteen, who teaches a mixture of self-help and prosperity theology, is also part of "Non-denominational protestantism" and His theology is not even Christian.
You see, twosparrows, when you advocate for private religious hunches, every Christian become their OWN pope.
The Bible says in Proverbs that "There is wisdom in many counselors". And the New Testament teaches that we NEED to Body of Christ. In Jude it says that we are to
"Contend for the faith that was ONCE and for all DELIVERED to the Saints."
Private interpretation of the Bible, while ignoring what Christians have believed for the last two thousand years is UNWISE, and CONTRADICTS Scripture.
"You see, twosparrows, when you advocate for private religious hunches, every Christian become their OWN pope."
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Yeah, you might say that. But I guarantee you when you stand before God you won't be saying "Well Calvin said..." or "According to Church Tradition..." or "This is what all the other big names said...."
James, God wants you to "know" Him, have relationship with Him. None of these other things or people can give eternal life or relationship with God, all they can do is vaguely describe it, they cannot give it, they don't have it to give. Only relationship with the Father through Jesus by the Holy Spirit can give you what you Need!
You are your own Pope, for the day is coming when you will have to answer for yourself, so you better step up now and put on the big boy hat.
Head knowledge and Heart knowledge are completely different. I'm thankful I KNOW HIM. And He LIVES! _____ ____________________________ Oh, and I affirm your first post, Twosparrows.
So the rest of the people in those groups don't have the Holy Spirit? Did I misread or did you leave out some denominations like Methodist,Baptitst ect.. Just wondering.
The non-denominational can be Reformed, Semipelagian, or a mix of the two. Same goes for Baptist. I do not now much about other denominations so I cannot speak for them.
