Jesus' prayer that 'they may be ONE'

[stevehut]

if the bible has 'sound doctrine' (which I do believe it does), WHY don't all Christians who have the Holy Spirit guiding them come to the same conclusions

Because we all have our own particular biases and pre-existing opinions. That includes you, and that includes me.

[ServingHim]

One to me means pure fellowship with God The Father, through Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit.

I agree, ALLforJesus...YET what do you think Paul meant by this:

10 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Cor 1:10

and these?

that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:21

16 And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16

[ServingHim]

if the bible has 'sound doctrine' (which I do believe it does), WHY don't all Christians who have the Holy Spirit guiding them come to the same conclusions

Because we all have our own particular biases and pre-existing opinions. That includes you, and that includes me.

so then how can you tell me that I'm wrong (because I believe what the Church teaches) and that you're right?

[ServingHim]

steve, are you saying then that whatever we as individuals think is true, then it must be true? doesn't matter if we're wrong, as long as we believe it?

[stevehut]

how can you tell me that I'm wrong (because I believe what the Church teaches) and that you're right?

As I have said previously, I have no interest in proving you wrong or me right.

I just want to find the truth.

What's important, is not who is right, but what is right.

[stevehut]

are you saying then that whatever we as individuals think is true, then it must be true?

Nope. But that wasn't your question.

What you asked, was how could so many people end up with so many opinions?

So that's the question I answered.

[ServingHim]

in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'" Matt 15:9

18 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 1 Cor 11:18-19

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

I don't know about you but I want to ENSURE that I know where ALL Truth is taught...

11 Command and teach these things. 1 Tim 4:11

I want to know ALL of what was commanded of Timothy to teach...and that is found through apostolic teachings handed down through the generations, me thinks...

Why else would Clement, a disciple of John the Apostle, say this: "Through countryside and city [the apostles] preached, and they appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be the bishops and deacons of future believers. Nor was this a novelty, for bishops and deacons had been written about a long time earlier. . . . Our apostles knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife for the office of bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received perfect foreknowledge, they appointed those who have already been mentioned and afterwards added the further provision that, if they should die, other approved men should succeed to their ministry" (Letter to the Corinthians 42:4

[stevehut]

Serving Him, I certainly understand your zeal. In this, you sound a lot like me.

But it looks like you're not particularly interested in defending the truth. Instead, you're defending a particular institution.

Whether I agreed with you on your doctrines or not, I would still be concerned about this approach that you have chosen to take.

[ServingHim]

Serving Him, I certainly understand your zeal.  In this, you sound a lot like me.

But it looks like you're not particularly interested in defending the truth.  Instead, you're defending a particular institution. 

Whether I agreed with you on your doctrines or not, I would still be concerned about this approach that you have chosen to take.

steve, the CHURCH, the BODY OF CHRIST, IS TRUTH! You are more interested in defending what YOU PERSONALLY believe...frankly, steve, I'm defending what I believe, and it just so happens to match up with what the Church teaches... I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. Romans 16:17 ... I believe your doctrine on a few things are in opposition to those taught in the bible, and the early church, through the early church fathers which I've been studying now for several years...so again, I agree to disagree with you. In the end, we'll ALL know...I can rest in that peace knowing that Christ knows ALL... :il:

[ServingHim]

for anyone interested in knowing more,

READ THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS and THIS.

This should keep anyone busy for several hours, so I'll stop for now...perhaps at a later time, I'll point to more good reading regarding the Church, authority, and the Bible ... God bless. :il: