The Bible Is Secondary
 

The early Christians didn't have a bible to use but were led by the Spirit. What's the problem today, can't people be led by the Spirit as those in the early Church?

The bible has caused divisions among Christians because most Christians would rather have a relationship with a book than with the Spirit of Good. Lay aside the bible for a few weeks, you may actually learn that God will speak to you personally.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

Cast out the Bible and soon you will start to understand what DIVISION AND CONFUSION looks like. You will find that everyone has his own revelations and beliefs.

We are COMMANDED rather to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Jude 3

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The Bible is our friend. Through it we can check the doctrines and revelations of men......as compared to the apostles of Christ.

AMEN!!!!!

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

Shoot, we have that WITH the Bible. But I agree it would be orders of magnitude worse without it.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

They had the Hebrew/Greek OT. They had the Oral traditions of the Apostles. They had copies of whatever NT book they would get.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

Very true.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

Roughly, for the first 50-60 years they had nothing, just the Spirit leading them.

If one cannot hear or obey the Spirit, following the bible is an option, but is a relatively poor second choice.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

I disagree.

They had the oral traditions from the Apostles and they shared letters written to each church.

Col 4:16 And after you have read this letter, have it read to the church of Laodicea. In turn, read the letter from Laodicea as well.

2Th 3:6 But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition you received from us.

2Th 2:15 Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

Paul went from church to church teaching them

Act 20:7 On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul began to speak to the people, and because he intended to leave the next day, he extended his message until midnight.
Act 20:8 (Now there were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.)
Act 20:9 A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep while Paul continued to speak for a long time. Fast asleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead.

1Co 4:17 For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.


1Ti 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Php 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that — whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent — I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,

2Co 13:2 I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,

1Co 14:6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Rom 15:29 and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of Christ's blessing.

1Th 4:1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.

As did Timothy who was instructed by Paul
2Ti 4:2 Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

1Ti 3:14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you

1Ti 1:3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,
As did John
3Jn 1:10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing — the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!

And probably even Titus
Tit 2:1 But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching.

Tit 2:15 So communicate these things with the sort of exhortation or rebuke that carries full authority. Don't let anyone look down on you.

Not to mention the many other named and unnamed fellow laborers.

They had Teachers

2Jn 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting,

Who Taught the teachings of Christ
2Jn 1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son.

They taught the Truth
2Ti 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

They taught the scriptures (The OT)
2Ti 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1Ti 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

Christian teaching
1Ti 6:1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

Nobody in Paul's church said, open to 1 John, for it had not been written in the early church for example. It was produced about 100 AD. They taught and extorted according to the Spirit. I'm sure those who were with Jesus, in Peter's church for example, would relate the sayings of Jesus but there was no bible as such.

Re: The Bible Is Secondary
 

I never said they had a bible, except for the OT.

Im pointing out they DID have the teachings of the Apostles and others verbally and written which includes some of what are in our NT today