Did the Bereans Practice the "Bible Only" Theory? No, but the Thessalonians did.

According to the Holy Bible, Did the Bereans Practice the "Bible Only" Theory?
No, but the Thessalonians did.

Please email me with your questions, objections or comments.

INRI33AD@aol.com

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Modern Christians often say:
"The Bible tells us that the Bereans checked out what the Apostles taught to make sure that their teachings were Biblical. This tells us that the Bible is all we need. " modern Christians try to use the Bereans to bolster the Renaissance era doctrine of Sola Scriptura ("Bible Only") because the Bereans "searched the scriptures."

Sola Scriptura is an unbiblical doctrine invented in the middle ages and is most commonly defined as,
"Scripture: the SOLE infallible rule of faith." Meaning that one's personal interpretation of the Holy Bible is sufficient to the exclusion of the historical teachings and interpretation of Christ' ancient Church.
(Although there is no agreed upon definition of this Protestant only doctrine because Protestantism has no central/final authority to define it for all denominations).
"Click here: If you have been taught that Sola Scriptura or the "Bible Only" theory is taught in the Holy Bible"

Did the Bereans practice Sola Scriptura or "Bible Only" because they "searched the Scriptures?" No, surprisingly they didn't. The answer is no because they accepted "extra-biblical" ideas/doctrines. Case in point is that the messiah, i.e., the Christ, was he the "Jesus of Nazareth," verse the "Jesus living in Antioch" or the "Jesus of Berea" etc. Which Jesus was the Messiah? Only extra-biblical information told them that they had the correct Jesus or that it was a man "named" Jesus at all. The scriptures didn't teach them this. The Apostle Paul did. Thus they "accepted" Paul's NEW revelation to them that "Jesus of Nazareth" was the Messiah, AND more importantly, that this Jesus was "GOD!" The Jews believed (and still do) that the Messiah would just be a man. A mortal. Not the Son of God and the Second person of the Holy Trinity. In fact the idea OF a Trinity is another extrabiblcial refelation taught to the Bereans (and the Thessolionions). These are three NEW revelations not believed by the Jews of ancient Palestine. Nor even the Jews of today.

It was only through the teachings of Christ's Church that they received these revelations. When they "searched the scriptures," they found the former not there and the second two revealed to them only through Paul's teachings. It was only through the teachings of Christ's Church that they came to realized the truth in them. "Sola Scriptura" or the "Bible Alone" idea excludes the teaching authority of Christ's Church, and unbiblically, (see 2 Peter 1:20) leaves interpretation of the very Word of GOD up to each and every individual. If the Berean's had embraced this this idea, it would have left them believing (through their personal readings of the OT and a rejection of the teachings of Christ's Church) , that Christ was NOT God when the OT Scriptures actually proved he was. Hence the teaching authority of Christ's Church is again proved to be essential in echoing the Words and intent of our Lord Jesus Christ. A Biblical example of the guidance needed and afforded by Christ's Church is found in the Book of Acts: The Holy Scriptures tell us the function of Christ’s Church is to teach and guide Christ’s flock:

“ Philip ran up and heard him [an Ethiopian eunuch] reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
31And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.”  Acts 8: 30-31

 

The purpose of Christ's Church is to teach and guide. Just as Our Lord told us commanded His Church to do in his last words of the Gospel of Matthew:

"Teach them to observe all I have taught you and behold I am with you always until the end of the world"

Math 28:20.

(Since his disciples would not live forever, this promise is to his Church he commissioned in Matt 16:16-19.)

Did the Bereans embraced a primitive form of Sola Scriptura, or Bible Only? Absolutely not, and fortunately they didn't.
But who did?
The real believers of Sola Scriptura (if it were to exist in apostolic times), were the hard headed Thessalonians, who REJECTED St. Paul's message. (Acts 17). For Scripture tells us that they ALSO "searched the OT Scriptures" (as did the Bereans), only they found Paul's message wanting for their interpretation of the OT Scriptures (and their rejection of the guidance offered by Christ's Church) failed to point to Jesus "of Nazareth" as the Messiah, it failed to instruct them on the Holy Trinity and it failed to lead them to the belief that this Messiah was GOD!

 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them,
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"       They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Acts 19: 1-2

Read the chapter again my friend. Regardless of what your pastor has taught you, the Bereans embraced extra-biblical ideas/doctrines and accepted the guidance and teachings of Christ's Church over their personal interpretations of Scripture. This renders Sola Scriptura or the unbiblcial "Bible ONLY" theory, null and void because Sola Scriptura rejects the teachings of Christ's Church as authoritative. Why would Christ start His Church if He would allow you to reject it?

The Bereans upheld the words of the Apostle Paul when he said:
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15

"Click here: Acts 17, the whole chapter."

"Click here: If you have been taught that Sola Scriptura or the "Bible Only" theory is taught in the Holy Bible"



14 SOBERING BIBLICAL QUESTIONS
FOR THE DEVOUT CHRISTIAN
The Catholic Faith comprises the verses not underlined in your personal Bible nor taught in modern Christian seminaries or churches.


Read the Bible verses not underlined in your Bible.

“Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21


Suggested reading:

Catholic Answers: "Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth" A compendium of basic Catholic beliefs and the Biblicism behind these beliefs. http://www.catholic.com/library/pillar.asp

 

14 Questions for the Earnest Believer:

1. Are you a Bible Believing Christian? Does your pastor preach " Bible Only?"
Click Here: 40 modern Christian Practices and Doctrines not found in the Holy Bible...
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/unbiblical.html

2. Three Questions your pastor can't answer... http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/formypastor.html

3. Seven Reasons Christians go to church. Which one is yours? ... http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/forchurch7reasons.html

4. THE ORIGINS & AUTHORS OF THE PROTESTANT THEOLOGIES.
Do you know who authored Protestantism's distinctive beliefs and in what century? You might be surprised.
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/dates.html


5. "The 7 Stages of Christian Spiritual Development."
What stage you are in?...
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/7stages.html

6. Faith Alone (Sola Fide): It is a Catholic position.
Has your pastor taught you that Catholics must "work their way to Heaven?" Another misunderstanding of Catholic theology.
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/faithalone.html

7. "Who is the Bride of Christ?
What does the Holy Bible say?
...http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/bride.html

8. Non-Catholics often ask: "WHAT ELSE IS THERE?"
"What else has Christ's Infallible Authority besides the Holy Scriptures?"
Read the verses not underlined in your Bible nor taught in your seminaries or present church.
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/whatelse.html

9. Is Sola Scriptura or the "Bible Only theory" even Biblical?
Where does the Bible teach the "SOLA" in Sola Scriptura?
Click here to read what the Bible says about God's Word and how it is to be taught...
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/ss.html

10. Did the Bereans "Search the Scriptures" and thereby follow the "Bible Only" theory?
Many claim they did, but not if you read the whole chapter, i.e., the verses not taught in non-Catholic churches. Read the story again and then decide.
http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/bereans.html

11. The 3rd Unanswered Challenge for Non-Catholic Theologies: Is the Catholic Faith Apostolic?
Name just one Catholic doctrine that isn't. Name one doctrine the early Church believed,,,, that the Catholic Faith *no longer does*. Why can't the modern Christian theologies make the same bold claim? http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/3challenge.html

12. Biblically, did the "official teachings or doctrines" of the Catholic Church become corrupt or apostate? Are there verses in the Holy Scriptures that forbid this? What does the Holy Bible really say about: "The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth" 1 Tim 3:15? http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/gatesofhell.html

13. Is Praying to Saints Biblical? Is the "Hail Mary" prayer Biblical? (Read the Verses not underlined in your Pastor's Bible.) http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/saints.html

14. HOW NON-CATHOLICS ARE COMPELLED TO USE AND EMBRACE AN UNBIBLICAL AND ANTI-BIBLCIAL DEFINATION AND CONCEPT OF CHRIST'S CHURCH http://www.angelfire.com/home/protestantchallenges/onchurch.html

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Email: inri33ad@aol.com