32) If the Bible is the
only foundation and basis of Christian truth, why does the Bible itself say
that the Church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim. 3:15)?
Equivocation Fallacy: The Church Paul speaks of contained the
founding apostles and prophets of the faith, Scripture writers, who were
actively revealing the Word of God.
That Church is not the same as the Church in the conclusion, the Church which
exists today, that lacks these vehicles of divine revelation. Roman Catholics
and Protestants agree, the canon is closed:
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest
know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house
of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the
truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was
manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto
the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Genesis 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How
dreadful is this place! this is none other but the
house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. 18 And Jacob rose up early in the
morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for
a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
KJV Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John,
who seemed to be pillars,
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them
that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of
God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building
fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in
the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for
an habitation of God through the Spirit.
KJV Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of
men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
KJV Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in
them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
It is no argument against that Jesus dwell in His
Church or the Holy Spirit inspire tradition in her, that revelation is inferior
to the "Word of God":
1 Corinthians 14:26-37 26 How is it then, brethren? when
ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a
tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying. 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue,
let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one
interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the
church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two
or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be
revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first
hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and
all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it
is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under
obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will
learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. 36 What? came the word of God out from you? or
came it unto you only? 37 If any man think himself
to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write
unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Stephen Ray/David Palm's error was to confuse the Church God used to "once
deliver" the faith, whose revelatory personnel have gone to be with their
LORD, with the Church of today which is charged to earnestly contend for that
once delivered faith, to uphold and support that precise truth:
Jude 1:3 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 times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth
all men every where to repent:
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.-kjv