Hello Mike. I do appreciate your comments. I’m bit confused over your conclusion though. Why would you think that the fact that we need God’s authority for what we do and what we believe, has any bearing on interpreting the scriptures? It’s a simple matter of God being in complete control, and requiring us to do only what He says. Do you think that the fundamental idea of God requiring us to obey the rules that He has established, is a matter of interpretation? I realize that some people don’t believe that the bible is the word of God, and therefore what it says doesn’t matter. But assuming that you DO believe the bible is God’s word, and seeing how it clearly states that Jesus has been given ALL authority, isn’t it simply a matter of common sense that we need to obey what He says? The whole point of the article about needing authority for everything we do and for everything we believe, is that none of us has any right at all, to add to His word, or leave out parts of His word, or change it in any way! It’s not up to US to dictate God’s will. God has already done that. It’s up to us to recognize that what He has said is binding upon us. That’s why, since God desires us all to be united in believing the bible and in practicing what it says, we have no right to divide ourselves into different groups, each one teaching and practicing different things. It’s simply up to us all to be willing to study together and to discus His word, so that we CAN see it alike. It’s the responsibility of each and every one of us to “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, correctly discerning the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15.

I’m curious as to what postcard invitation you received? Are you referring to an invitation from the congregation in Buffalo, Wy.? Are you referring to a “House to House, Heart to Heart” publication? I’m sure that anyone is always welcome to visit any congregation at all, at any time.

I don’t know what type of information you might have found on the internet, but I can assure you that the only authority that any congregation has, no matter where in the world they’re located, is to follow Christ precisely. The whole point is that we have absolutely NO right to do anything except what God has authorized. And if everyone would live by that standard, then we would all be in agreement. The religious world is so “out of agreement” now, because people don’t WANT to stick to only what God has authorized. People want to do things THEIR way. You’ll find that this entire website is based on the fact that nothing matters except what God says. Our opinions make no difference at all. We don’t have to agree with the way God has chosen to do things. But we do have to obey what He has said, because we have no authority to do anything other than that.

Please let me know how you feel about this. I hope that I have at least clarified the fact that having authority for what we do is simply a basic bible principle that has been around since the beginning of time. And no GROUP of people has the authority to interpret scripture for anyone else. We all as individuals have the same responsibility to correctly interpret the scriptures for ourselves. And the way we do that is to STUDY, so that we can know God’s word, and as He says, “reason together with God”. Isaiah 1:18.

Hello brother. Thanks for your comments. Yes we CAN all agree, but only if we agree with God’s word! The scripture that teaches that God’s Spirit will lead the apostles into all truth is John 16:13. “But when He the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth: For He will not speak of His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak, and He will disclose to you what is to come.” Now this promise of the work of the Spirit in revealing what He has heard from the Father, was a promise to the apostles, not to everyone. The apostles then wrote down in letters, what was disclosed to them. And of course those letters, when all assembled together, became the bible. That verse in 1 John 2:20, that says. “But you have an anointing from the Holy one..”, means that all of us who believe His word are “chosen”, and thus “anointed” by God to receive His promise of eternal life.

As far as our pride goes.. “But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14.

Joining ourselves to a local congregation of believers should not make us feel odd at all. If we have already been added to His congregation (His church), then we should feel obligated to join ourselves to the local body of those who are “of like precious faith”. 2 Peter 1:1. Then we can all “boast in the cross” together, which is the way God meant it to be.

Thanks again for your comments and I pray that you’ll keep reading from this site and keep giving God the glory.

Hello to you sir. I’m very glad that you’ve taken the time to comment. The concept of ONE church is difficult for people to understand, isn’t it? But if everyone would just stop and think about it, Jesus died for ONE church. And His word condemns division. So what else is there that makes any sense at all, except for us to do everything we can to be united in the word of God, without anything else added to it? Please let me know if you have any questions that I could help you with. And your comments are always welcome. May God bless you sir.

God shows us that he gave us 12 Apostles and his son JESUS CHRIST. They are the only Brand of CHRIST. So anything else is a counterfeit. As Jude says in the above passage that these people have wormed their way into our churches…. We must defend the faith. That was Jude ‘s message as well as many other Apostles at the beginning of this race. But we continue today to warn others of the counterfeit church that leads people away from God. This is a very strong message that you send sir thank you!
It is also very deep. I have to go back and read it again to absorb it all. Thank you!