One day while reading up on what’s considered heresies in certain denominations, I stumbled upon one from the Catholic church’s site that states Protestantism as a heresy on their list. So what are their main arguments?

1. Protestantism is described as the unbelief of the infallible authority of “the [Catholic] church” to teach and interpret the Scriptures
2. Protestantism teaches that individuals are to interpret the Scriptures for themselves or what they call “private judgement”. 2 Peter 1:20 is their sole verse to debunk such a practice.

Let’s unravel whether this heresy is in alignment and context to the verse stated as well as what the bible teaches regarding this topic.

Here’s our foundational question: is the bible God’s Word?

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

Scripture is sourced as being breathed out by God so the simple answer is yes. It teaches everything that the man of God needs to “completely” serve Christ. Knowing this should already put the weight of authority and truth in the bible. But it’s not that simple in the eyes of imperfect man who can’t trust a perfect God. So let’s now read 2 Peter 1:20 with some context to its surrounding verses.

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21 ESV)

So what does verse 20 actually mean in its context? The background context behind 2 Peter is a warning to the believers regarding false teachers and doctrines. In the verses above, it states and affirms that scripture is not sourced from human interpretation but given by God, through human authors moved by the Holy Spirit. So does this verse restrict the believer from personally studying and understanding God’s word? On the contrary, it actually re-confirms the validity of where we should be getting our foundational truth from; the Scriptures.

Dare I say we’ve stumbled on a misinterpretation and misuse of the original context here? Just goes to show, the only infallible authority is God alone. Now that we’ve debunked the foundational argument against individual believers personally studying the scriptures, let’s look at what God’s word has to say about how believers are able to study the scriptures.

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)

No human can understand the truths of the bible without the power of the Holy Spirit. So who is given the power of the Holy Spirit? All true believers in Christ, when they are saved. (Acts 19:1-6, Acts 2:38, Ephesians 1:13, etc.). As Paul states in 1 Corinthians, believers are given the Spirit from God so that we may understand the things given by God. Let that fact sink in for a moment, true believers are not to interpret the Word of God out of their own understanding but through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:10-12)

The Berean believers were commended for their diligence in studying the word. Why? Because they didn’t just get spoon fed what some “church leader” told them but they themselves studied the Scriptures daily and checked to make sure the validity of what was being preached to them aligned with God’s word. This allowed the believers to distinguish between false teachers and doctrines. This also gave accountability regarding what was being taught and done by all believers, no matter their position. When people interpret God’s word for selfish and humanistic reasons, it gives way to false doctrines, teachings and practices no matter what their title maybe. Whether they are considered a spiritual leader or not.

If you are a follower of Christ, I pray you would deepen your love and relationship with Christ by diligently studying His word and truth in a personal and intimate manner like the Bereans so that you may be able to equip yourself to defend and uphold the faith.

That’s all it took for her to express thankfulness. Hugging her as she started to cry, allowing her to let out her shock, fear and account of what happened, and continuing to show her kindness and comfort was what she really needed during a time where she felt alone, being from outside the city. Even after knowing it was my brothers she got into an accident with, she called me her angel and blessed God just for receiving comfort and knowing that I was not angry at her and was genuinely concerned for her.

I could have reacted a lot differently and have directed anger at her for endangering my brothers. We could have been annoyed about the inconveniences of the seat belt inflicted pains on my brothers, insurance premium hikes, a totaled car and all the processes that will follow to straighten everything out. But at a time when people are quick to draw out blame and anger towards others who hurt or inconvenience them, I was reminded that what’s truly important is the ability to be able to love them. That’s why I thank Christ for the wonderful love and wisdom he has blessed my family with. That love that has become an example for us to share with others in the toughest situations, and the wisdom to act accordingly in a Christ-like manner is what allowed my family and I to act the way we did.

We know that car was only a temporary item in this world. No point in getting angry over it since that won’t get our car back. Though the woman was at fault, we know that as imperfect humans living in an imperfect world, things like this will surprise us along the way. Holding anger and resentment to the other party will neither help the situation nor will it allow us to move on. Though the situation seemed quite bad, it was another reminder to me about the life and heart transformation from Christ’s love. Thank you Lord for keeping my brothers safe, for allowing us to share your love, for allowing my family to act in a peaceable Christ-like manner, and for showing us that you are in control of all things and teach us from all things if we were only willing to see and learn.

I leave you with some funnier highlights that came out of this accident (yes we even got a laugh or two out of it).

After looking at the car again my dad said “If I knew this car was gonna get into an accident, I wouldn’t have replaced that windshield fluid tank!”

Also, the tow truck driver was impressed about how well my dad maintained our 1999 van. When my dad invited him to pop the hood and look at the engine, he exclaimed “I’ve gotta instagram this!”

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Corinthians 1:2-3 ESV)

Paul’s greeting to the Corinthian believers uses the greek word for saints, Hagios (hag’-ee-os) to addressed those who have been sanctified and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord. So the exclusivity of the term saints applies to all of God’s true believers.

The Jewish word Qadowsh (kaw-doshe’) mentioned around 116 times in the Old Testament, is used to describe that which is sacred, holy, set apart and is used for Holy One and saint.

Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
(Deuteronomy 33:3 KJV)

Deuteronomy 33 is in context to Moses’ final blessing to the children of Israel before his death. Studying verse 3, we can see some basic parallels and points regarding the saints.

1) Set apart only by the love of God.
Israel was not special or different in any way from other people. In fact they were the least in number from the time God chose them (Deuteronomy 7:7).
“Yea, he loved the people;…”
Only because God showed his mercy and love to them personally did the Israelites become his chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:8).
In the same manner, all believers (saints) are still sinners and fail like everyone else. The only thing that sets true believers apart is God’s love and mercy which redeemed all his saints from the wages of sin through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23) and allows them to experience God’s love on a personal level. We’ll come back to this point shortly.

2) They are eternally secured.
“all his saints are in thy hand:…”
Though we cannot say for sure if all the Israelites were true believers despite being given the truth, the ones who were God’s saints had assurance that they were in God’s hands, meaning eternal security. Just imagine, the all powerful and all knowing God of creation is holding his children close to him and keeping them in his protection. Can there really be anything more comforting? Can there be any fear of being snatched away from his grips? (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:35, 38-39)

3) Hearers and doers of God’s word.
“…and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.”
Anyone can say they believe, but the heart of a true believer will desire to learn more about God intimately through his word and walk in his truth not out of obligation or grudgingly, but out of an understanding of the truth and a desire/willingness to please the wonderful God we love.

Let’s go back to point one since that may have brought up the most questions.
Some question how the old testament saints were saved despite the fact that Christ had yet come to earth to sacrifice himself. The summarized answer is that the old testament saints had the same faith and hope of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ who was prophesied to them. (Romans 4). That faith in the living God was imputed to them for righteousness. The long answer will have to wait for another post.

Another question is how believers can be considered holy if they still sin? This is where we must distinguish a believer’s position in Christ and a believer’s practice. The root word of Qadowsh is Qadash (kaw-dash’) meaning to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate, etc. In context to its definition, saints are to be sanctified, set apart and holy. A believer is holy because of the sacrificial atonement and salvation of Christ that has cleansed them from all there sins (1 John 1:7-9), not because of the way they behave. This is God’s mercy in full swing. Though it is true that a believer will outwardly manifest the fruits of their faith (James 2:14-16), because we are still in our imperfect bodies, we still war against our flesh (Galatians 5:17) even when we desire to walk in Christ.
Judging a book by its cover isn’t a full-proof way to know if a person is a true saint of God. This is the folly of any church that tries to single out people because they believe from an outward perspective, they are saints. A person can easily do good works in there life yet still not have a heart that is right with the Lord. Because of sin, all our good works are filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6) and those who trust only on those things will be in for a rude awakening.

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
(2 Peter 1:1-4 ESV)

So who are the saints? They are those who have a true saving faith in Jesus Christ which gives them rebirth into a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) and enables them to walk in a manner pleasing to God; being partakers of the divine nature and escaping the shackles of sin because of the atonement and forgiveness of Christ.

If we all could get to heaven through any way besides Jesus, He would have never needed to be born as a man, to be the spotless sacrifice to die for our sins, suffering such cruel treatment for our sakes. So why do some so-called Christian denominations accept that there are other ways to get to heaven? It’s like they glazed over every truth about Christ being the only way to salvation and decided it wasn’t applicable for everyone, thus rejecting him completely.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:11-12 ESV)

I had first heard this “many paths to heaven” concept from my religion teacher in the catholic high school I attended. Mind you, when I brought up John 14:6 to his attention, he simply taunted me as if I was a bible know it all and failed to refute the truth I had shown him. If you don’t accept God’s word as truth, do you truly know God? Those who advocate the broad way are in for a rude awakening.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

Favouring to disregard doctrines that are considered a conflict because God’s truth isn’t “liked” by everyone, is like telling a terminally ill patient they are healthy because you are afraid that the patient won’t like the diagnosis. Truth isn’t always easy to swallow but unlike opinions, you cannot escape truth just because you don’t agree to it. Those who are true believers in Christ will be hated by the world because the world rejects God’s truth.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19 ESV)

Putting a heretical bandage over the truth that Christ is the only way of salvation is misleading and unloving towards those who don’t know Christ because God wishes that all may be saved and come to repentance through the truth of Christ (2 Peter 3:9). Sounds narrow minded? Jesus said the gate is narrow and the only reason it’s so narrow is because the world continues to reject the truth, hating God and loving their sins more than light.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (John 3:19 ESV)

I pray that those who are being spoon fed this fluff may look closer at who they are really trying to please. Man or God? Who’s word will you believe? Someone who claims to be a man of God or God himself through his word? It maybe easier to be spoon fed lies than it is to study and accept the truth, but that is one of the distinguishing factors of true followers of Christ vs the world’s religions.

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25 ESV)

The phrase “knew her” is a term used in the bible regarding sexual intercourse (Genesis 4:1; Genesis 4:17; Genesis 4:25; 1 Samuel 1:19; etc.). Paired with “until” in the above verse which indicates that sexual intercourse was only delayed for a period of time.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7 ESV)

Jesus is indicated as the firstborn child of Mary. The mention of this numerical count only makes sense in context to the fact that Mary would have more than one child.

Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” (Matthew 13:55-56 ESV)

Along with other verses such as Mark 3:31; John 7:3-4; Galatians 1:19, we have references of actual mention to Jesus’ half siblings (since Jesus himself was not conceived through Joseph and Mary).

Logically, we can see the harmonization of the facts in these verses which strengthen the context of each as a whole. However, some argue that the word “until” in Matthew 1:24-25 does not prove Joseph and Mary ever had intercourse and some argue the term “brothers and sisters” mentioned in these verses have a different meaning outside of family relations. In all these instances, outside references are elevated over God’s word to not only try to disprove these accounts but also add things outside of God’s word which, is strongly warned against. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19)

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6 ESV)

True believers are to use God’s word as the base to disprove external false doctrines and teachings, not the other way around. When the reverse is done, it not only undermines the authority of the bible that shows the ultimate truth by inspiration of the perfect God of all (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but it opens up a floodgate of scriptural misinterpretations and elevation of humans above Christ. Are you elevating teachings taught by other sources above the true word of God? I pray that those who are truly seeking to worship the Lord have an earnest desire to learn the truth from His word, being mindful and ready to reproof and correct anything that tries to undermine His truth.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Christians should be aware and cautious of this factor because if we truly believe in God, we should also know that He uses His word and fellow siblings in Christ to teach, correct, convict, and edify us. We must remember that His truth really is meant to help us grow in Him, and as stubborn, forgetful people, many times tough love is the only way to knock some sense into us. Just remember, it’s only tough because we make it that way. The more we let go of our imperfect nature, the more we can humbly submit to God’s perfect nature and wisdom for us, which will manifest in our lives.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

Lord, I pray you may keep me humble and eager to receive your correction and truth with open arms, so that through humble submission, study, understanding and application of your truth, my life may be glorifying and honouring to you alone.