Contradictions in the Bible

^{As Christians we must be ready always to give account for what we believe and why we believe it, rightly dividing the word of Truth. When we rely solely on what our denomination teaches, we can be accused of a double standard by the enemies of Christ. Example: We know the commandment to "Honor your father and your mother" is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Then in Matthew 10:34-37 we find this confusing scripture.}

³⁴ Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

³⁵ For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

³⁶ And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

³⁷ He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

What's going on? Is there a contradiction? Not at all when understood in context and with a spiritual mind. Take verse 37... he that loves father or mother's beliefs more than me is not worthy of me. Jesus was preparing His disciples for the conflict that always occurs when we break family traditions.

My father and mother, brothers and sisters were very concerned when I announced I was leaving our family denomination. They could not understand why I no longer loved them enough to just stay put. It took years to heal the hurt, and to this day they wonder why I left churchanity.

The adversary loves to cherry pick scriptures and tries to twist it into something it does not mean. Also, the translators often change or leave out certain words that causes confusion. However, God is not the author of confusion. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33

No Church has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the truth. If you are struggling with a decision to stay put or move on, You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html

 

How to Settle Doctrinal Disputes

 

Disputes and difference of opinion are always going to happen in any Church. When this occurs it means God is calling your attention to the Scriptures. So what if someone disagrees with you... what does God's word say? Your relationship to your Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, is yours and yours alone. Churchanity demands conformity, God simply asks for harmony.

The Apostle Paul's perspective on Jesus Christ and the gospel of the kingdom was different from that of the original twelve. The disciples Jesus called before his crucifixion knew Him as a man. Paul knew the risen Jesus and was taught by Him: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter (aka Cephas), and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. ~ Galatians 1:17-19

The Apostle Peter admitted that some of Paul's letters were... hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. ~ 2 Peter 3:16

The conflict that Peter and Paul had revolved around a letter Paul wrote to the Galatians whether or not people needed to convert to Judaism before they could become Christians. Becoming Jews first would mean that the men would have to be circumcised and they would have to follow the Jewish ritual law. Read the account in Galatians 2. Notice in verse 9 how they resolved this dispute over doctrine without falling out with one another as so many Christians do today.

Don't let difference of doctrine, or opinion, discourage you from searching for hidden treasure. As it is written: The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ~ Matthew 13:44

No individual, or Church, has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the Truth. Let the Holy Spirit guide you, don't allow someone to keep you from what God has for you.

To learn more about your Heavenly Father's plans, You are cordially invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study... https://mlf1070.blogspot.com/2021/01/renew.html