I don't know of any other way to be saved than the gospel. Is there another?
I am honest with myself when I study scripture and I do my very best to make sure they all fit together. I see harmony with all. I don't really see thing that differ. Maybe you can help me see from your perspective.
For example, the church. Paul said the church is the body. He said he persecuted the church. I don't see how the body and the church are different.
I'll say this to you turbo, well aware by now from you yourself, that you do not easily crumble to having a possible error on your part, being pointed out to you.
I wish more were like that.
Anyway, what you say there is merely because you are reading a Bible that was first translated into English long, long after the traditions of men had set in them, and from within which they then translated those passages into English.
Even with the KJV - there had been a huge conflict back then between the Puritans and the Anglicans, over whether the word "congregation" or the word "church" was "the better translation."
Obviously, the Anglicans not only won that one out, but so persecuted the Puritans for their stance on the Geneva Bible, that they were foreced to end up "scattered abroad" - to the so called "New World" - which is why we will all be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few days - those Puritans and their Geneva Bible, and Plymouth Rock, and all the rest.
Yum, Turkey and cranberry sauce, and stuffing, and great, Tam type Thanksgiving decorations!
But anyway, all this shows that merely going by ANY translation alone, will very often end one up at more of the same - the traditions of men.
Fact of the matter is that throughout the Scripture, the study practice followed is that of their example of their studying out HOW words are used, WHERE they are found being used BY WHO, as to THE WHOM, concerning WHAT, in light of THE WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, and HOW of one thing or another.
Daniel 9:2 In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
Get yourself a good collection of THOSE kinds of passages, carefully study them as to what they indicate as to what those men looked for, and THEN simply follow THEIR SAME practice.
In the above passage, as in the ones that immediately follow it, for example, it is obvious that Daniel is not only going by the Law and the Prophets or "the books" - but in accordance with some sort of a Time Line, and so on.
Not only that; if you know your history, you know those "books" were actually Scrolls.
So much for merely relying on a translation.
Also, you'll find that where you yourself ARE crystal clear on one thing or another, that is because you YOURSELF have INADVERTENTLY followed the above, same, BASIC Principle.
As in Nehemia 8:20; and Luke 24:44; etc.
There is a pattern of properly studying a thing out in Scripture, in accordance with Certain Basic Rules behind sound Reading Comprehension that passages like those illustrate those men were basically following.
In fact, actually, over relying on dictionaries and or one translation or another, is the mark of the newbie.
It is obvious throughout the Scripture that such had not been the practice of the more astute, back then - that their practice back then, is all that is needed now also.
Consider this here - all probably said in the same language, back then. Why then did it go right past them - what had been their obvious failure?
What, within the above basic principle, had they failed to follow?
John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
Rom. 5:8; 14:5.
