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Encounter Messages  /  A Recovering Calvinist Reads Romans 9 Again  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 7
Many Christians today speak of "me and my Bible and the Holy Spirit" and say they need no one else to teach them. How does that assumption compare with the early Christian reading of John 16:13 and with the faith once delivered to the saints?
Another way to ask: Many Christians say they need only their Bible and the Holy Spirit, with no one else to teach them. How does that compare with how the early Christians saw John 16:13 and the faith once delivered to the saints?

Direct Answer

The two do not match. Jason found no early Christian who read John 16:13 that way, and he presents the faith as something delivered through Christ, the apostles and the church.

Support from the Message

- Jason says he has heard over and over that we need no one because the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. - He says he could not find a single early Christian who interpreted the verse to mean each Christian relies only on the Spirit. - He affirms that the Holy Spirit does lead, guide and help us. - He reminds listeners that the gospel went from Christ to the apostles to the church, the faith once delivered to the saints. - He says all of us reach and grab for something to help us understand unclear passages, and he encourages looking to the early Christians.

Discussion Follow-up

What do you actually lean on when a passage is unclear? How would you explain to a friend the difference between the Spirit's guidance and interpreting alone?

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