How to Know (in part)

Part 2

If you think you know - you don’t know...

We know in part

Different people have different parts so we look for the connections

Love, and know you know someone

Think you know something?

10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.

Eph 4:10-13

The Orthodox Church is primarily the Church of tradition, in contrast to the Catholic Church, which is the Church of authority, and to the Protestant Churches which are essentially churches of individual faith.

Right in what they affirm, wrong in what they deny…

15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thess 2:15

Tradition

What was passed on

(2 Thess 2:15)

18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Matt 18:18-20

17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Heb 13:17

Tradition

What was passed on

(2 Thess 2:15)

Authority of the Church

What ever you bind on

earth (Math 18:18)

7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Tim 2:7

Tradition

What was passed on

(2 Thess 2:15)

Authority of the Church

What ever you bind on

earth (Math 18:18)

Reason

Think carefully and

God will give you

understanding (2 Tim 2:7)

11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 17:11

Tradition

What was passed on

(2 Thess 2:15)

Authority of the Church

What ever you bind on

earth (Math 18:18)

Reason

Think carefully and

God will give you

understanding (2 Tim 2:7)

Personal faith

Inner witness

What I understand of

Scripture (Acts 17:11)

Tradition

What was passed on

(2 Thess 2:15)

Authority of the Church

What ever you bind on

earth (Math 18:18)

Reason

Think carefully and

God will give you

understanding (2 Tim 2:7)

Personal faith

Inner witness

What I understand of

Scripture (Acts 17:11)

Traditions of men Infallibility of a

Church leader

Reason

Natural theology -

or empty philosophy?

“Sola Scriptura”

What I understand

Scripture to mean

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

11 For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,

1 Cor 3:10-12

No one can lay a foundation other than Christ

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

1 Tim 3:14-15

The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth

No one can lay a foundation other than Christ

The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth

Bible rests on authority of Jesus given to the Church

God given traditions are different than man made ones

No one can lay a foundation other than Christ

The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth

Bible rests on authority of Jesus given to the Church

God given traditions are different than man made ones

No one can lay a foundation other than Christ

The Bible does not mean what I decide it means

2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

Gal 2:2

11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Gal 2:11

The Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth

Bible rests on authority of Jesus given to the Church

God given traditions are different than man made ones

No one can lay a foundation other than Christ

The Bible does not mean what I decide it means

Submission + persuasion + agreement