Do you mean those who explicitly state they are speaking on God's behalf and, therefore, everyone should listen and adhere to what that person says? (that inquiry is intentionally as a yes or no question)
That is certainly part of why John was able to write a gospel, multiple letters, and an apocalyptic prophecy. That's, however, not all of the why.
What are those criteria? Please list them. If there are more than ten then please list only six.
I am unaware that a gospel requires a person to be a first-person witness. Where did you find that stated as a necessity? Do you also discard Mark's gospel?
I'd be interested in reading your evidence.
The eyewitness who documented the Gospel of Matthew
Did any of those witnesses with Paul testify? Did Luke say he witnessed Paul state that? Did Luke even write the Gospel of Luke? There is no proof that Luke wrote that Gospel other than words from people who lived generations after that book was written. BTW, when was it written?
So when did Paul prophesy Jesus arrival to the world? When did Paul prophesize anything that came true?
So Paul claimed that apostles are performing miracles. What does that prove?
So I'm to change the meaning of what was written because other people said so? I reread it and John is writing to men, fathers, brothers, young men, and little children. Sure seems like evidence that John was writing to EVERYONE.
You can try to read into it what you want to support your point of view, but to do that you need to twist the meaning. Read every word slow...what does it say? Not try it again and take out your biases.
I never said he was inditing ALL THE OTHER APOSTLES. John was describing a church coup so who was it? Everyone they selected to replace them. Who were the apostles and was John referring to them?
Outside of OT prophets and Jesus I reject any of those claims/
Yes. They do not represent God. I don't represent God. God is perfect so how can I, a mere man represent him? I can't. God may have given me a job to do just like he gave others a job to do, but we are workers. God did not ask me to represent him to others. I have a message, that I humbly try to share, but that is it.
I've presented them several times already. Deuteronomy 18:20-22, 17:6 and 19:15
Take a look at Jesus' response to the testimony confrontations he had documented in John. Eyewitness testimony is clear from the Law and it is clearly required today to prove someone's guilt or innocence.
I never challenged your faith. Your faith is your heart. I challenge that belief based on the Law of God. You still don't see how you are rejecting the Law of God to believe the Bible in its' entirety, is the word of God.
You have not understood what I've written. THE BIBLE IS NOT A HOAX. THOSE ARE YOUR WORDS, NOT MINE. How can I be more clear than that. The Bible contains the inerrant word of God.
www.blueletterbible.org
Hmmm.... You mean outside of the OT prophets, Jesus, and the gospel writers, yes? My inquiry turned out unexpectedly to be a sort of trick question because are you not telling everyone here your personal opinions that you believe you have garnered from scripture?
But here you are telling everyone who and what to believe and I have yet to read a single sentence of scripture stating what you've posted.
The OT prophets were not perfect. Neither were the gospel writers.
What do you make of....
Yes, you did post those verses, but you have misused all three texts and by that misuse proven you are unqualified to tell anyone anything. The Deuteronomy texts are explicitly about prophets. None of those passages says anything about a priest or a Judge. None of those texts say anything about a gospel writer. Nor do they say anything about an apostle, an evangelist, a pastor/preacher, or a teacher. It appears the Deuteronomy texts have not been properly exegeted and, as a consequence, they have been treated with the exact same kind of legalism Jesus decried in the Sadducees and Pharisees.
That is not an answer to my question. I asked a very specific question.
Yes the words of Jesus are recorded in testimonies. No personal opinions; strictly based on God's Law.
I've presented the Law references numerous times. I also presented the words of Jesus that confirmed the Law.
God says they were inspired therefore I believe that the word of God through those sources is perfect.
Are you am ambassador? I consider myself one--I will spread the words of Jesus whenever I can.
Yes they are. I agree and I think I've always stated that.
Jesus stated he was the Messiah and he was God. That alone gives him the authority to speak from God. But it's nonsense unless he is proved through eyewitness testimony to be the Messiah and God. Jesus addressed this three times in the Gospel of John. Jesus also assigned his eyewitnesses (Mark 13:9-11), promised them the Holy Spirit to help them get the details perfect, then breathed the Holy Spirit into them on his first day of his resurrection. Jesus set in motion the eyewitness testimony to prove he was God.
There is nothing approving any of those people to speak for God.
I've provided all that you need. Dig into the details and if you have any questions I'll be happy to address them. You have all the citations necessary. I didn't give you the citations for Jesus addressing eyewitness testimony but all you have to do is search and read them from John. Jesus validated that the Law requirement for eyewitness testimony was required, then he went through the process, and took his eyewitnesses everywhere with him, told them they were going to be his eyewitnesses, then promised and gave them the Holy Spirit. I don't know what additional evidence would be needed.
The author of the Gospel of Matthew copied from Mark because he knew that author was an eyewitness. That's one reason to believe he was an eyewitness. There are also a few additional details in the Gospel that help identify the author and it is one of those Jesus assigned.
I quote the word of God to prove my point, but it hurts your feelings because you love theology more than the word of God, so you are trying to get me thrown off. Am I reading this correctly? Why don't you prove me wrong? I've never threatened you or your faith, and I believe in the word of God and Jesus as my savior. That's not good enough for you?
^^^^ forum statement of faith
Westminster Confession of Faith 1646
Chapter I. Of the Holy Scripture
I. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable, (Rom 2:14-15; Rom 1:19-20; Psa 19:1-3; Rom 1:32; Rom 2:1); yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation, (1Co 1:21; 1Co 2:13-14). Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church, (Hbr 1:1); and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing, (Pro 22:19-21; Luk 1:3-4; Rom 15:4; Mat 4:4, 7, 10; Isa 8:19-20): which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary, (2Ti 3:15; 2Pe 1:19); those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased, (Hbr 1:1-2).
II. Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testament, which are these:
All which are given by inspiration of God to be the rule of faith and life, (Luk 16:29, 31; Eph 2:20; Rev 22:18-19; 2Ti 3:16).
III. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inspiration, are no part of the canon of the Scripture, and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God, nor to be any otherwise approved, or made use of, than other human writings, (Luk 24:27; Luke 24:44; Rom 3:2; 2Pe 1:21).
IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or Church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God, (2Pe 1:19; 2Pe 1:21; 2Ti 3:16; 1Jo 5:9; 1Th 2:13).
V. We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture, (1Ti 3:15). And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts, (1Jo 2:20; 1Jo 2:27; Jhn 16:13-14; 1Co 2:10-12; Isa 59:21).
VI. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men, (2Ti 3:15-17; Gal 1:8-9; 2Th 2:2). Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word, (Jhn 6:45; 1Co 2:9-12): and that there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the Church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of the Word, which are always to be observed, (1Co 14:26; 1Co 14:40).
VII. All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all, (2Pe 3:16): yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them, (Psa 119:105; Psa 119:130).
VIII. The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which, at the time of the writing of it, was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and, by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical, (Mat 5:18); so as, in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them, (Isa 8:20; Act 15:15; Jhn 5:39; Jhn 5:46). But, because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, (Jhn 5:39); therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, (1Co 14:6; 1Co 14:9; 1Co 14:11-12; 1Co 14:24; 1Co 14:27-28); that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner, (Col 3:16); and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope, (Rom 15:4).
IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly, (2Pe 1:21-22; Act 15:15-16).
X. The supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture, (Mat 22:29; Mat 22:31; Eph 2:20; Act 28:25).
Of the Holy Scripture - Westminster Confession of 1646 - Study Resources
'Chapter I. Of the Holy Scripture I. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and...'
Well, you have said that when John is talking about false teachers and anti-Christs that he is talking about all the other apostles. And I am asking where it says that? And don't now try and say again that you never said that or I will re-post the quote from you again. Also, I said a specific group of believers and is that not the same thing as you have given.
Read all the surrounding text. I have said nothing but what the book itself says. One does not even have to have a bias (though all people do including you, so take your bias out of it) to understand the plain words and circumstance in which they were written. And there is historical evidence of a particular false teaching that was plaguing the church. As I said!
https://christcentered.community.forum/threads/welcome-just-the-facts.2732/post-115851
Your answer to the "eyewitess who documented the Gospel of Mathew" is "the eyewitness who documented the Gospel of Mathew?" Great. That clear it up beautifully.
Paul was an apostle not a prophet. But if you investigate the biblical meaning of Prophet you will find that is not always about fore telling future events but is forth telling the word of God that is in the Bible.
That's a very general claim. Please reference the scripture to help me understand the "biblical meaning of Prophet." In addition, the claim is that Paul can speak for God, therefore there must be some word of God that gives this authority. Please provide that reference too.
I have provided the reference for Paul's authority and all the other apostles. So have others participating in the thread. If you actually pay attention to the Prophets in the Bible they are not always telling of future events but are giving a message from God. That is the most basic meaning of prophesy. Give a message from God. Look it up. I cannot help you understand what you cannot or will not understand.
Which is a personal opinion. God's Law never stipulates the Law is the only measure. By adding something never stated in the Law to the Law (the Law is the only measure) a huge paradox has occurred: The Law has been violated!
By no personal opinions I mean the testimony for Jesus fulfills the Law Requirements to prove Jesus to all future nations and people.
