Next I will try to explain a point that causes many conflicts and divisions among God’s people. This is private interpretation, defended by the doctrine “Sola Scriptura”.

Is the position of private interpretation of the Bible biblical?

It is necessary to confront the doctrine of “Sola Scriptura” with the Bible, to carry out an analysis of the source that causes the scandal in terms of the difference in doctrines that can be observed in Christianity.

As good Christians we must analyze each point of our faith in the light of Scripture itself. I put tradition aside for the moment so as not to favor, from the outset, a discussion without having established a well-defined conceptual framework.

Let’s look at some concepts cited in books:

“For evangelicals, Scripture is our only rule of faith and practice” (DEIROS AND MRAIDA, Latin America on Fire, Caribbean, USA, 1994, p. 188).
“The reality that the Bible is the maximum authority for Christians…” (ERDELY JORGE, Pastors who abuse, Biblical Restoration Ministries, Mexico, 1994 p. 103).
“Of course we affirm the sufficiency of the Scriptures” and quotes 2 Tim 3. 15-16 and 2 Pet 1.18-21 (Ibid. p. 224).
“Biblical teaching is our only rule of faith and practice” (Ibid. p. 232).
“Protestants believe that the Bible is their only guide to faith and life (II Timothy 3:16,17, Deuteronomy 12:32).”(RIDENOUR, FRITZ, What’s the Difference?, CLIE, Spain, 1967. p. 49).
“The Bible is the model that guides our decisions and helps us form opinions about all aspects of life… (II Timothy 3:16,17)… it is the only true authority we have.”

These concepts are clear, and apparently should not cause as many doctrinal divisions as there are today.Indeed;There is enormous confusion about sound doctrine because there are numerous interpretations that are based on some passages, ignoring many others.

One of the first points I would like to address is that of the ministry of interpretation of the Scriptures, which is expressed from the Old Testament:

“So Ezra opened the book… And the Levites Jeshua, Bani… MADE THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE LAW… AND THEY READ IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF GOD CLEARLY, AND THEY MADE THE SENSE, SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE READING” (Neh 8, 5-8).

God’s people had official interpreters of the Scriptures among the best-trained Levites.These better-prepared Levites agreed in their criteria, and were directed in human matters by the high priest, and God himself guided them in their ministry.

In the OT, when God established the Covenant with the people of Israel, He guaranteed a living and continuing authority with the priesthood of Moses;This ministry is known as the “chair of Moses”:

“To this end, Amariah, YOUR HIGH PRIEST, WILL PRESIDER IN EVERYTHING THAT CONCERNS GOD… YOU ALSO HAVE THE LEVITES AMONG YOU, WHO WILL SERVE YOU AS TEACHERS; take courage and fulfill your duties exactly, for the Lord will fill you with good things.” (2 Chr 19, 11)
“FOR ON THE LIPS OF THE PRIEST SHALL BE THE DEPOSIT OF SCIENCE, AND FROM HIS MOUTH THE LAW SHALL BE LEARNED; SINCE HE IS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD OF HOSTS.” (Mal 2, 7).

WOULD THE LORD HAVE FORGOTTEN TO LEAVE SUCH AUTHORITY IN THE NEW COVENANT, AND IS THE OLD COVENANT BETTER IN THIS SENSE?

The new covenant was made with and in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the shedding of his blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant.God is respectful of his own rules as a general rule.Jesus, before beginning the new covenant, recognizes the authority of the “chair of Moses” to teach, in charge of the scribes and Pharisees:

“Then, Jesus addressed his word to the people and to his disciples, and said to them: The scribes, or doctors of the law, and the Pharisees, ARE SITTING IN THE SEAT OF MOSES: PRACTICE, THEREFORE, AND DO EVERYTHING THAT THEY TELL YOU; but do not adjust your conduct to theirs, because they say what should be done, and do not do it.”(Mt 23, 1-3).

This chair (seat) was not only a metaphor to talk about power.There was indeed a stone seat in front of the synagogue where the leader with authority (usually a scribe) made judgments on doctrinal and legal matters.As the Mishnah Abote (Jewish Commentary) says, the Jews understood that the revelation that Moses received from God was transmitted in unbroken succession from Joshua through the elders, prophets and the Sanhedrin.

“Because as for Moses, FROM ANCIENT TIMES HE HAD IN EVERY CITY WHO PREACHED HIS DOCTRINE IN THE SYNAGOGES, where it was read every Saturday.”(Acts 15, 21).

Since Jesus recognized the authority of the magisterium of the Pharisees to interpret the Holy Scriptures when they spoke “from the chair”, Catholics recognize the magisterium of the Church that speaks, no longer with the authority of Moses, but that of Jesus himself.

“HE WHO RECEIVES YOU, RECEIVES ME” (Mt 10, 40).
“HE WHO HEARS YOU, HEARS ME” (Lk 10, 16).
“AND EVERYTHING YOU BIND ON EARTH WILL BE BOUND IN THE HEAVENS” (Mt 16, 19).

Through this gift of God, it is ensured that the faith received from Jesus will be preserved.The analogy is very clear, and one of the facts that worries any impartial observer is the diversity in “official” interpretations within Protestantism.

Or can supporters of Sola Scriptura agree on basic doctrinal points?

When one analyzes the “Sound Doctrine” that is proclaimed in this forum, one cannot help but be confused.

Could there be division generated by the Holy Spirit within the ranks of the faithful remnant of Israel?

It must be recognized that there are many clear errors in Christian “Churches”.This epigraph is an attempt to grow healthy communication to try to discern in love what the HEALTHY DOCTRINE is.It is clear that there is only one Lord Jesus.This one said to Peter:

“You are Peter, and on this rock I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates or power of hell will not prevail against it.”(Mt 16,18)

It is important to highlight that JESUS ​​TALKS ABOUT A CHURCH, I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH.IT IS SINGULAR.IT IS THE ONLY CHURCH THAT EXISTED AT THAT TIME.JESUS ​​DID NOT SAY “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCHES,” nor do I say “James groups the Baptists, Peter the Catholics, Matthew because he does not build the Nazarenes and John the Mormons…” There are thousands of churches today.

In the OT it is made clear that there is a temple and a place where the true God is worshiped, when Jesus makes clear what the place is and who knows and interprets the OT well.

“The woman said to him: Lord, I see that you are a prophet. OUR FATHERS WORSHIPED GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN, AND YOU JEWS SAY THAT JERUSALEM IS THE PLACE WHERE SHOULD BE WORSHIPED. Jesus answered her: Woman, believe me, the time is coming when NEITHER PRECISELY ON THIS MOUNT, NOR IN JERUSALEMYOU WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER. YOU WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW, BECAUSE YOU KNOW LITTLE ABOUT GOD; BUT WE (JEWS) WORSHIP WHAT WE KNOW, BECAUSE THE SAVIOR COMES FROM THE JEWS, BUT THE TIME IS COMING, WE ARE ALREADY IN IT, WHEN THE TRUE WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN IT.TRUTH. FOR SUCH ARE THE WORSHIPERS THAT THE FATHER SEEKS. GOD IS SPIRIT, AND TRUTH; AND FOR THE SAME THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH SHOULD WORSHIP HIM.Jn4, 19-24.

Now, it is important to grasp the true meaning of these words of Jesus.Jesus affirms that there is no visible physical temple, that if I am Catholic or an evangelist externally, this does not assure me any salvation, only if I worship him in Spirit and truth.Of course, this is in no way exclusive of a physical church, since the apostles and faithful gathered to share their faith in the breaking of bread, and felt with one heart.It is important to remember that Christians were considered Jews by the Romans and sectarians by the Jews, which clearly indicates the union that existed between them, evident in numerous passages of the Bible.

Now, there is certainly a physical temple.The Jews asked Jesus when he expelled the sellers from the temple:
“What sign do you give us of your authority to do these things? Jesus answered them: DESTROY THIS TEMPLE, AND I WILL REBUILD IT IN THREE DAYS.”Jn2, 18b-19.

THE TRUE TEMPLE IS THE BODY OF JESUS.The Jews destroyed that temple, and Jesus rebuilt it;that is, the Jews crucified Jesus, and Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.THE BODY OF JESUS ​​IS THE CHURCH, OF WHICH HE IS THE HEAD.

The church of Jesus and Jesus are one.This became clear to Paul.When he was heading to Damascus to kill as many Christians as he could, he heard the voice of the Lord:

“Saul, Saul! WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME? And he answered: Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said to him: I AM JESUS, WHOM YOU PERSECUTE” (Acts 9, 4-5).
From here came Paul’s revelation: The church forms the mystical body of Jesus, Jesus is not only Spirit and truth, he is also glorified flesh and bone and we can touch, see and put our hands in his wounds, this is clear when he says to Thomas:
“PUT YOUR FINGER HERE, AND SEARCH MY HANDS, AND BRING YOUR HAND AND PUT IT INTO MY SIDE, AND BE NOT UNBELIEF, BUT FAITHFUL.” Thomas answered and said to him: MY LORD, AND MY GOD! Jesus said to him: YOU HAVE BELIEVED, OH THOMAS! BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME: BLESSED ARE THEYTHAT WITHOUT HAVING SEEN ME THEY HAVE BELIEVED.”(Jn 20, 27-29).

Today, since Jesus is alive, there are those who, like Thomas, have believed.

Since Martin Luther, non-Catholic brothers have taught what is called Sola Scriptura (the Bible alone), believing that there is no revelation or authority outside the Bible.If something is not explicitly said in the Bible, it is not from God.The Scriptures are sufficient for the Christian to be his Regula Fidei (rule of faith).The Scriptures themselves are authenticated, self-interpreting, and do not point to any other standard.

This is a diabolical lie, diabolical lies point out a truth and add a lie:

“Then the serpent said to the woman: Oh, surely YOU WILL NOT DIE. (This is the lie). Know, God, that at any time you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, KNOWING EVERYTHING, GOOD AND EVIL. (This is the truth).”(Gen 3, 4-5)

My beloved brothers;To get out of error and enter the full truth, it is necessary to put beliefs in the tapestry of the Bible and abide by the Divine message implicit IN THE TOTALITY OF THE BIBLICAL MESSAGE.That is why I suggest from the outset to review the same Protestant statements USING ONLY THE BIBLE.

The Catholic Church distinguishes between the material sufficiency and the formal sufficiency of Scripture.It teaches the first: that everything we need for Faith is explicitly or implicitly in the Bible.But the Church condemns the second – the formal sufficiency – of the Bible which says that the interpretation of the Scriptures is so clear for each religious aspect that neither Tradition nor the Church is necessary to understand it.

This is the diabolical lie, and it is refuted in the Bible itself.In his second letter, Peter affirmed the Catholic position on formal sufficiency when he warned that prophecies are not of particular interpretation:

“But we still have the strongest testimony than ours, which is that of the prophets, to which you do well to look closely, as to a torch shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star is born in your hearts, well understood, first of all, THAT NO PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE IS DECLARED BY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION; BECAUSE THE PROPHECIES OF SCRIPTURE DO NOT BRING THEIR ORIGINTHE WILL OF MEN, BUT THE HOLY MEN OF GOD SPOKE, BEING INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.”(2Pet. 1, 19-21).

Dear brother, what do you think is the private interpretation spoken of in this passage?

SEE THAT WHATEVER YOUR ANSWER IS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES WITH A PRIVATE INTERPRETATION, WHILE WHAT YOU BELIEVE, YOU THINK IS THE SOUND DOCTRINE, LOOK AT THE ENORMOUS DIVERSITY OF BELIEFS EXISTING AMONG NON-CATHOLICS AND BE HONEST.

The history of so many divisions among Protestants during their history demonstrates that formal sufficiency is erroneous.Well let’s return to the Bible after this comment.

What does “Word of God” mean in the Bible?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and THE WORD WAS GOD. He was in the beginning with God.” (Jn 1:1-2)

The concept Verb implies conjugation, that is, action, but it also implies word, so it can be assured without fear of error that Jesus is God and the word of the Father made flesh.Jesus is the Word of God and he is God.That is why his words have preeminence over the entire Bible, since in the Bible the apostles and prophets speak inspired by the Holy Spirit, BUT WHEN IT IS JESUS ​​IN THE GOSPELS, IT IS GOD HIMSELF WHO SPEAKS, WITHOUT INTERMEDIARIES OR INTERPRETERS.That is why the basis of a safe interpretation is found in his words, and in his desires and gestures, they must be the desires and gestures of true Christians.

This word is transmitted by the apostles and by the fathers of the church: “but having previously been mistreated and insulted, or scourged with rods (as you are not unaware) in Philippi, having put our trust in our God, WE BELONGLY COME TO PREACH TO YOU THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD IN THE MIDDLE OF MANY OBSTACLES. BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT PREACHED TO YOU ANY DOCTRINE OF ERROR, OR OFFILTH, NOR WITH THE DESIGN OF DECEIVING YOU;My beloved brothers, have you thought about where this doctrine is deposited, which is neither error nor filth?Jesus, the Emmanuel promised to be with his church every day until his return, and Jesus does not lie;What do you think is the ONLY FAITH, THE ONLY BAPTISM, THE ONLY LORD desired by God and manifested in Eph.4.4?How many ways to baptize are there in Protestantism?How many times have you been baptized?

The word of God, Jesus has been faithfully transmitted to the present day.Who is this faithful and prudent servant, according to you, my dearest brother, who transmits Jesus today?Where are the other churches that proclaim themselves Christian?Does the Holy Spirit promote division and confusion in the faithful remnant of Israel?Is it possible that sound doctrine, which is only one, can be contained in so many diverse and even opposing beliefs?

From the fierce anchoring and sincere investigation of Puritan Christians, mainly Lutherans and Calvinists, to those who have lost their Christian identity due to evidently erroneous interpretations, such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, the diversity is enormous and contradictory.

Do you think the Holy Spirit is a spirit of confusion and error?

AND ALL THESE DENOMINATIONS WERE BORN FROM SOLA SCRIPTURA!

The word of God is Jesus, and they are also blessings:

“And just as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there, but soak the earth, and penetrate it, and fertilize it, so that it may give seed to sow and bread to eat, SO WILL IT BE OF MY WORD ONCE IT COMES OUT OF MY MOUTH; IT WILL NOT RETURN TO ME EMPTY OR WITHOUT FRUIT, BUT IT WILL ACCOMPLISH EVERYTHING WHICH I WANT, AND IT WILL EXECUTEHAPPINESS THOSE THINGS TO WHICH I SENT IT. THEREFORE YOU WILL LEAVE JOY FROM SLAVERY, AND YOU WILL MAKE YOUR JOURNEY IN PEACE TO JERUSALEM; the mountains and the hills will resound in your sight with songs of praise, and the entire trees of the country will applaud you, swaying their branches.fir, and in place of the nettle the myrtle will grow; AND THE LORD WILL HAVE FROM THEN A NAME AND AN ETERNAL SIGN THAT WILL NEVER DISAPPEAR.”(Is. 55, 10-13).

Amen, amen and amen.

Jesus descended from heaven like rain, and returned to his heavenly throne after soaking the earth with his blood, sowing the Eucharistic Bread for our fortification after leaving the Father.He returned with death and the devil defeated, after descending into hell and rescuing those who died for God before Jesus revealed his Holy Name, that is why every knee bows before the name of Jesus, because he is the supreme victor.He fulfilled all the wishes of the Father who sent him to our rescue.By his precious blood, and in the infinite merits of his passion and death, we are rescued from slavery, and in his resurrection the door of eternal life is opened to us, who were lost by our sins, and who by the infinite mercy of God are rescued by believing in the Holy Name of Jesus.Thanks to Him we can call God by his name: FATHER.

The Jerusalem that we hope for is not on earth, it will descend from heaven and we will dwell in it for all eternity, even the mountains and hills will praise and sing to God along with us, but: WHERE IS THE IMPOSING FIR TREE THAT HAS EMERGED FROM THE SMALL AND FRAGRANT NARDO?THE NAME OF THE LORD IS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, JESUS, BUT WHAT IS THE ETERNAL SIGN THAT WILL NEVER DISAPPEAR?

In the Bible there is mentioned a bastion of truth, and a church that will not disappear even if the forces of hell are unleashed against it.Who do they refer to, according to your interpretations?This is the sign that will never disappear, but what is the church of the Lord?Where are the other churches then?Does Jesus want disunity or one flock?Why does it say that there are sheep in other flocks?Are you a sheep of Jesus?Are you in Jesus’ flock, or are you Jesus’ sheep and he is in another flock?

A point to meditate on.The Catholic Church declares that it is a faithful interpreter of the Bible and that it testifies to it, and recognizes that it has no authority over it.

Another point to meditate on: Review the chronology of the biblical writings and you will realize that there is a gap between the glorious resurrection of the Lord and the writing of the gospels.What existed between these dates?;Furthermore, what was it or how was it transmitted to Jesus before the Biblical canon was determined?(the one you accept).

Another closely related point: Did the Jews, custodians of the old covenant, have more authority than Christians, custodians of the new and eternal covenant, to determine the canon of the Old Testament?What do Jews think of the New Testament?If they consider Christianity, depositary of the new alliance and guided by the Spirit of the Risen One, a great lie, why believe that they are right when determining the inspired books of the Old Testament?

A final point to meditate on.If the Biblical canon was determined after a supposed universal apostasy, how can the fruit of a rotten and apostate church be trusted?Where then is the supposed universal apostasy that is talked about so much located?

I await answers, and I thank God because for the first time in months I will have the opportunity to be connected to the forum for three consecutive weeks, so I ask you in charity for your opinions and comments on the matter.It is very possible that I will not be able to give an immediate response to your comments, I hope for the patience and understanding of a good Christian from the members of this forum who do not agree with me.

In Jesus, our God and Lord, and in Mary, his sweet and holy mother: Francisco Javier.

__________________ God bless you.

Your brother in Jesus and Mary:

Author: Francisco Javier Gutiérrez