Bible isn't self-interpreting
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A - B - C
Response to E-mail.
The fact that the Bible is not self-interpreting is as easy as A-B-C.
A) We know that the Bible is not self-interpeting because it says so in the Bible.
2 Peter 1:20 "First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation"
B) The Church, founded by Jesus Christ on the Apostle Peter, not the Bible, is the "pillar and bulwark of truth".
1 Timothy 3:15 "if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth."
C) Only St. Peter was given the 'keys'.
Mat 16:18 "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.""
We see here that, not only is Jesus founding His Church on the Apostle Peter, but He is giving him all authority. Jesus never gave the 'keys' to anyone else.
Jesus is fulfilling a prophecy here that was made in Isaiah 22. He leaves nothing to guess work since He uses the same terminology.
Isa 22:21 "I will clothe him with your robe, and gird him with your sash, and give over to him your authority. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open."
When a wealthy man, in the time of Jesus, has to leave home on business, he would leave the 'keys' with the head steward. The head steward would have all authority in his master's absence. He, unlike each subordinate steward, would have all the keys. Whereas each sub-steward would only have the key to their particular duty.
If you ever wondered where the term "Pope" came from, it comes from the Bible. Following the Bible [Isaiah 22:21- father], it is correct to call the head of God's people father or as the Italian people refer Pope, which is translated Pa-Pa.
I don't know your particular situation. You might have been taught by someone you know and trust. So, when I show you Scripture and present history to you, you are not willing to accept my information. But God expects each individual to know Him to the extent that they are able.
If you never knew the truth before, you were not responsible, but now that the truth has been revealed to you your responsibility has changed. It is up to you to research what you have been told and determine if it is God's Word or man's.
So, I give back to you what you have given to me... Who do I believe, you or Jesus?