Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms (except Psalms 33, 47, 68, 43, 45, 49, 57, 71, 81, 92, 98, 98, 108, 137, 144, 147, 149 which all permit some now-unauthorized musical instrument, and especially 150 which mentions almost all of them), hymns (except the song of Miriam in Exodus 15 because it was accompanied by tambourines and dancing; but Moses’ song is okay), and spiritual songs (except, of course, ones which include clapping like Psalm 47 because that is no longer either fitting nor in order according to I Corinthians 14:40) with gratitude in your hearts to God. ~ Colossians 3:16
I do not (and therefore God does not) permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent (in all assemblies of worship in all places and for all time; except to sing, which is required; or to teach other women only, which is commanded; or to teach children including boys who have not yet become men, which is logical; and men are not authorized to confer the authority to teach upon a woman, only to deny it, except in the case of Aquila and Priscilla who taught together but it was in their home and they taught one person so it was therefore personal work). ~ 1 Timothy 2:12
… women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak (see second annotation in quote directly above – even if it is in a church which doesn’t have a problem with people rudely interrupting the speaker with questions about matters with which they are not familiar) , but must be in submission, as the Law says (because we are still under the Law, but it’s the new Law, the perfect Law of Christ where male dominance is the rule for all time). If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church (forever, in any place, in any circumstance, except as noted above). Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command (forever, in any place, in any circumstance, except as noted above). If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues (but not forever, in any place, except as noted above because speaking in tongues is no longer authorized). But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way (and permitting a woman to speak in a worship assembly, even one at a time with the permission of all present, would inherently cause an un-fitting and disorderly circumstance). ~ 1 Corinthians 14:34-39
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (and has since been conveyed to scripture and thence to every logical, rational-thinking person who will perfectly interpret every detail of it as pattern and law).” ~ Matthew 28:18
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (and legislating the logical, rational-thinking interpretation of it), so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 1 Timothy 2:16-17
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book (and/or all of the other books in the soon-to-be-canonized in a couple hundred years Bible): If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book (and/or all of the other books in the soon-to-be-canonized in a couple hundred years Bible). And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy (and/or all of the other books of prophecy in the soon-to-be-canonized in a couple hundred years Bible), God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book (and/or all of the other books in the soon-to-be-canonized in a couple hundred years Bible).
Look, you’ll get no argument from me that this last one is a wise instruction for any and all of God’s word. Let’s just be clear to make the distinction that it’s a principle that’s found in the closing verses of the Revelation to John in an instruction that is specific to that “book of prophecy” – rather than declaring that it commands and includes what it originally did not.
But let’s face it: a lot of the scriptures that we Christians use to prove our points have unspoken additions like these; annotations that one must presume are there in order for them to “prove” those points. Maybe there isn’t anything wrong with saying, “I know that’s not what it says, but I believe that’s what it means.” That’s more honest than saying, “That’s what it says; that’s what it means.”
Still, those additions are simply un-scriptural. They ain’t there.
I’ve got mine. You’ve got yours. Some of them probably overlap.
We can argue about whether they’re necessary inferences until the Lord returns, and still never impress anyone with the love of Christ which can save their souls; it will still never feed hungry mouths or heal broken bodies that generosity and medical science could aid; it will still never cause even an infinitesimal moment of relief in the blight of sin upon mankind.
Is that what God authorized?
Is that what pleases Him?
Blog In My Own Eye 
At first, I laughed, simply because of all the sarcasm that just oozes from this post!But the more I read, the more sad I became, as I realized that some of those in my closest circle (myself included) have spent too much time in the past arguing about such things.Thank you for so adequately expressing these concepts about adding to scripture and making us more aware of the assumptions that we sometimes approach scripture with.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”And by the way Tim the only writing that has been declared scripture is the Old Testament.for two hundred more years.
Good point, laymond. Don’t know how I missed that ‘un.
Excellent!
Well, it is obvious to me, and I’m sure to others that you are a “change agent”. You can’t possibly be a good Christian and say those things. If you don’t love the church of Christ why don’t you leave it?Comments like these are the scholorly reply to posts like yours. I have a theory. I don’t think many of the legalists have the ability to correctly understand scripture. “The natural man does not receive the things of God neither indeed can he because they are spiritually written and must be spiritually understood.”Great post as usual. His peace,Royce
Paul’s letters were referred to as scripture by Peter in the NT. If you want to get technical!
That’d be < HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%203:15-16;&version=31;" REL="nofollow">1 Peter 3:15-16<>. But, as a general rule, most followers of century one are going to think mainly of old testament passages as scripture, I think.
That’d be 2nd Peter 3:15-16; but the correct verse is linked.
What did they consider scripture? The OT contained in the LXX probably.Did Paul consider it scripture when he wrote it? He did differentiate what was from himself and what was from God in one instance.By the way, great thoughts. I hope more people read this. I will add a link today.
First off we need to learn the difference between just plain scriptures and Holy Scriptures. graphē = scriptures = a writing2Pt:3:16: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.( I don’t see here where Peter refers to Paul’s writings as anything but , graphē / scriptures)2Tm:3:15: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:If you look closely you will find Paul referring to the Old Testament as Holy Scriptures. I can’t see Paul changing horses in mid stream and jumping from the book which Timothy had been taught from a child, to saying all writings were holy.How about elevating scripture.?
PMFJI:The phrase Holy Scriptures is only used twice in the Bible, so we can’t limit our understanding of Scripture to the occurrence of that phrase. And notice that Paul quotes from Luke (or Matthew) in 1 Timothy 5:18 right along with a quote from Deuteronomy, calling both “Scripture.”That being said, I agree with Laymond about the passage from 2 Timothy. Paul is undoubtedly talking about the Old Testament.Grace and peace,TimP.S.–Found your blog through Matt Dabbs.
I suggest Paul’s clear statements in 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 and in Galatians 1:11,12 should end the arguement about his writings. They are as much “Holy Writ” as any other.1 Thess 2:13 is another clear statement that Paul’s words were the “word of God”.There are other proofs as well but what has already been mentioned along with these should be enough for anyone unless they have some bias against God’s plain revelation of truth.Many of those who refuse to acknowledge Paul’s writings as inspired have no problem with making Luke’s words in Acts the bedrock of inspiration.Pick and choose if you like but expect to be accountable to all of it.His peace,Royce
“The phrase Holy Scriptures is only used twice in the Bible,”Tim you are right, both times used by Paul, both times referring to the Old Testament.
I think God has given us great freedom. We are saved by the grace of God. I am thankful that I am saved by the grace of God. I cherish it. Love it. Respect it. I understand that it was given with a high price. But, I know as Christian that I have been set free from the bondage of sin and death. I have freedom from man’s codes and laws. I am saved by the grace of not by works (Eph. 2:10) it is a gift. I believe adding to scripture would be adding to the gospel to Jesus Christ such as the book of mormons, Koran, or any other gospel or any other law that keeps me from enjoying the freedom that I enjoy in Christ. He came to give us abundant life. How many of us enjoy it? In this life? How many of us walk on egg shells trying not to offend anyone? (I mention that in my blog right now 11/27/07). No. Jesus has come so that we might have abudant life. Secondly adding to scripture would include would include: taking scripture out of context to make our opinions sound like the very words of God. Example would be the instrumental music issue. If we take Col. 3 in context he is talking about living a new life in Jesus Christ not corporate worship. God help us not to add to your word but to see and use it in the context of scripture and to love one another. Let us be One as you are One. Amen. I would love for anyone to read the current post on my blog. God bless each of you and especially you Keith. God bless your ministry brother. May his blessing fall on you abundantly. Thank you for addressing topics that need to be addressed. God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ. In HimKinney MabryAkaPreacherman