quote: Originally Posted by Aeneas:The definitions that are relevant all seem to indicate that if the Bible is the "sole authority" for salvation and Christian living, then Bill Gray is clearly not an authority on said topics...and neither are the various pastors and "historians" he likes to quote.
Hi Aeneas,
You are absolutely correct! Neither Bill Gray, nor anyone else is a "sole authority" on God's Word. ONLY the Bible holds that distinction. And, that is why we are always studying to gain more knowledge of His Word.
Christian knowledge is like a building. A foundation was layed, i.e., the knowledge which began back with the first apostles and disciples of Christ, those who walked with Him personally. They were the cornerstones of our Christian knowledge building.
Then, in each generation of believers, there were teachers and scholars who devoted themselves to studying and interpreting God's Word. So, each generation is like adding a new layer of stones to make the building grow taller. With each generation adding to the knowledge passed on to it by predecessors. And, each generation passing on their increased knowledge to the next generation.
In this way, we do not reinvent the wheel -- and we all take advantage of the work which has gone before -- and, then we add our building stones.
That said, no one, not one single teacher or scholar, is perfect. Only God is perfect. So we are taught to test the teachers. That is what the apostle Paul was telling us in Acts 17:11, that we should always, daily, test the teacher and the teaching -- against Scripture.
But, the one solid foundation we do have is -- that God's Written Word, His Bible, has no errors in its teachings, nor in its history. God's Word is Holy Spirit inspired, Holy Spirit inerrant, and should be taken as the literal Written Word of God -- His full revelation to man -- the SOLE AUTHORITY for salvation and for Christian living.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
