There were
guide lines that the early fathers used as they were led by the Spirit of God
in compiling the books of the Bible. The main guideline was the inherent
harmony of truth, meaning books that contradicted earlier truths were left out
of the compiled work. This same guideline can be applied to any tradition that
is found outside the Word of God.
If a
tradition or teaching that is not definitely stated in the Bible does not
contradict the whole of the Bible, it is safe to keep. However, if it does
contradict the Bible, than it is error. We believe that the Lord will reveal
the meaning of His word to all those who prayerfully and humbly seek to learn
from it with God being their tutor. “If any man will do
his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself.” John 7:17.
The Old
Testament existed at Jesus’ time and was often freely quoted by Jesus and the
disciples (Luke 24:44, Matthew 13:52, 2 Timothy 2:15, John 5:39). Later Holy
Spirit inspired the early church leaders to compile the books of the New
Testament.
The Catholic
Church did not compile the Bible. The Bible gave rise to the church and not the
church, the Bible. “Of his own will begat he us with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
James 1:18.
Sadly, the
Catholic Church does not follow the dictates of the very book they helped
compile. For example, the Catholic church changed the ten commandments. This has been foretild in Bible prophecy. Click here for Bible proof.
God created
Adam and Eve to live righteously but they chose to leave their calling and
disobey God. He called Noah’s children after the flood but they did not all
remain in their calling. God called the children of Israel
out of Egypt, but they soon
lost their way so that God had to let all those who came out of Egypt to die in
the wilderness (all except Joshua and Caleb). Their children then entered into
the Promised Land. God called the Israelites to be His people, but they
crucified His Son.
Just
because a person (or a Church) is called does not assure that they will remain
faithful to their calling. For more information, click here on what needs to be done now that the truth of His world has been revealed to us.
