CHRISTIAN: Does the Bible address individuals or the Church? If the Church & you disagree, how is it resolved?

Question

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I'm interested in understanding how those who feel they have to go to the Bible as an individual and discern its teaching in solitude also engage in congregational discernment.

For reference, you can see answers to my earlier question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiZLfK1kHdK2iq8m7O_YuvHsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20071007151441AA4znyQ

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CRAIG R: If this weren't an issue, I don't think that there would have developed thousands of denominations, many sitting on the same street corners, with no dialogue going between them.

Answer 1

The Bible addresses both the individual and the church itself as a whole. As Christians, we need to be seeking the LORD individually because He has a different plan for each of our lives and that plan is special and unique to us. But we also need to fellowship with other believers to build each other up and keep each other in line. Grow deeper as an individual and grow deeper as a family of believers.

Answer 2

The Church and I cannot disagree. The Catholic Church has a divine guarantee of truth. Whatsoever it binds upon earth is bound in heaven. The Holy Spirit guides it to all truth. Therefore, if I have some doubt about something the Church teaches, I study the issue and find out where I was wrong. Obviously going to the Bible is not the solution, since thousands of conflicting Protestant denominations do so, yet can't agree on a single point of doctrine. If you use that system it just comes down to your own unauthoritative personal interpretation vs. your pastor's unauthoritative personal interpretation, which both could very well be wrong.

Answer 3

The bible and its teaching is both for individuals and church. The church is merely a gathering of individuals that form a group of like minded believers that agree on the core or center of this belief. Disagreements in regards to extensions of this core leads to different denominations but not different core beliefs. Since no two people will be at the same level of spiritual growth it is not expected for everyone to be in the same place of understanding at the same time. It is expected by the group and individual to agree on the core.

P.S. this was a good question NH

Answer 4

The Bible addresses individuals and the church. You have to read it and apply it appropriately. The New Testament gives certain commands to the churches and certain to individuals. Our relationship with God is certainly an individual relationship.

At the same time, the individual Christian is said to be a member of the body of Christ, which is manifested locally in the local church. Participation with other Christians is fundamental to the Christian faith.

So maybe I don't get your question. This really isn't an issue if you just read the Bible.

Answer 5

Both.And the church is the Body of Christ,meaning all Believers.Also,discernment is a gift from God and not everyone gets it unfortunately.Else,we wouldn't have a gazillion denominations and sects.Resolution is a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.It's not a feeling,it is reality.One studies medical textbooks to become a doctor.Likewise,one studies God's Word to become a Christian.A religion can't do that for a person or group.

Answer 6

The Bible is for a lot of things. It is for showing us what is the very best way to live, what to eat, how to treat our bodies, how to treat others, how to be better people and lots of stuff. The Bible is also written to different groups of people. Some is for believers, some for non-believers, some is for men, some for women, but all in all it holds infinite wisdom for all of us if we would but realize that there is a big picture to it and not just pick out the instances where God showed His wrath or whatever. He showed His wrath when people were needed to follow the law of Moses to gain salvation. His people were not doing as He wanted them to. It angered Him at times, just like your children anger you sometimes.

Answer 7

. yet, did you already know that the command at Exodus 20:8-11 grew to become into given just to the Jews? you're maximum suitable in asserting that it grew to become into to be stated on Saturday. The Sabbath grew to become right into an afternoon of relax and worshiping of God. It grew to become into to make the Jews relax from all their hard artwork and not be working for fabric benefit all week long. The covenant God made with Moses and the Jews have been executed to set them different than for the encompassing international locations. The rules God gave Moses have been diverse than what the different international locations believed. those Jews had a definite association with their author. This specific association grew to become into between God and the rustic of Israel. yet, as you examine the OT you spot the place the Israelites, for the main area, weren't obedient to God. They have been making a mockery of God and his rules. whilst Jesus got here, he additionally stated the Mosaic rules. however the Jews condemned him and finally crucified God's in basic terms begotten son. The night formerly Jesus died, he set up a sparkling covenant with the Apostles that secure all of us who would be obedient whether they weren't Israelites. Jesus' loss of life grew to become into an end to the Mosaic regulation and those rules have been replaced by skill of two. To lo

Answer 8

The OT is more directed toward the individual while a lot of the NT is a compilation of letters to the church.

Answer 9

hmmm... can't say I 'must' discern in solitude... but where I interpret scripture one way, and another interprets it a different way, the Bible does give direction on conflict resolution, in Matthew 18:15.

Answer 10

The bible address believing christians of the faith! Who else would it address surly not non-believers. The bible is the christian soul rule of faith.


God loves you.....God bless