INTRODUCTION:

Additional revelation?

Jehovah's Witnesses ... The Bible + The Watchtower

Worldwide Church of God ... The Bible + The Plain Truth

The Mormons ... The Bible + The Book of Mormon,

The Pearl of Great Price, Doctrines & Creeds

7th Day Adventists ... The Bible + Ellen White

Iglesia ni Kristo ... The Bible + Ang Sugo

Roman Catholics ... The Bible + Tradition, The Magisterium

Protestants ... Sola Scriptura

What do you do when additional revelation conflicts with the scriptures?

--- if the Watchtower, Plain Truth, Ang Sugo ... Tradition, the Magisterium, etc., teaches something opposed to what sacred scriptures teach, how will you resolve your dilemma? ... Which is the higher authority?

--- the answer should be obvious ... there can never be such a contradiction ... God is Immutable ... what He said before will never contradict what He says now ... if it truly is from God

But what if there is such a contradiction?

jam 1:17 God is Immutable ... unchanging ...

num 23:19 --- it is on this that our hope is anchored

mal 3:6 --- we live our lives by faith in the unchangeability of God ... He is consistent ... a God of order ... unchanging, not capricious

To resolve conflicting teaching, we need to make up our minds who our final authority is

READ 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-17

KEY VERSES:

All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, correcting, rebuking and training for righteousness ... that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped ... perfect for every good work 2 tim 3:16-17

context:

2 tim 3:1-7 difficult times ... will be characterized by: vv2-4 widespread immorality

vv5-7,13 deceptive godliness in the midst of immorality

2 tim 3:9-10 the prudent believer's defense against 2 tim 3:14-15 deception ... sound doctrine based on the sacred writings

the Bible clearly declares that we should fall back on scriptures ... the Sacred Writings, in the face of conflicting teaching

THE DOCTRINE OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ... HOW DOES IT SQUARE WITH THE SACRED SCRIPTURES?

Pope Pius IX, in Dec. 8, 1854 ... (Papal bull, Inaffabilius Deus)

"we declare and pronounce that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, at the first instant of her conception, was preserved immaculate from all stain of original sin, by the singular grace and privilege of the Omnipotent God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of Mankind, and that this doctrine was revealed by God, and therefore must be believed firmly and constantly by the faithful.

side by side with this doctrine stands the belief that she did not commit any sin at any time during her life

therefore, if some shall presume to think in their hearts otherwise than we have defined, (which God forbid), they shall know and thoroughly understand that they are, by their own judgment, condemned"

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Augustine:

--- acknowledged to be the foremost theologian of the post-apostolic era, said: Mary's flesh was "flesh of sin" ... " Mary, springing from Adam, died because of sin ... and the flesh of our Lord, derived from Mary, died to take away sin " ... ( De Peccatorum Meritis )

Immaculate Conception was opposed by many

--- John Chrysostom

--- Eusebius

--- Ambrose

--- Anselm

--- Bonaventure

--- Pope Gregory the Great

--- Pope Innocent III

Thomas Aquinas:

--- " while Christ did not contract original sin in any way whatsoever, the Blessed Virgin did contract original sin but was cleansed therefrom from her birth

... ( Summa Theologica )

The Dominicans vs. the Franciscans:

--- took opposing positions ... Dominicans for ... Franciscans against

--- their dispute was long drawn and became so bitter Pope Sixtus IV had to intervene, prohibiting further discussion

The Jesuits:

--- it was largely through their influence and persuasion that Pope Pius IX decreed Immaculate Conception in 1854 and it was officially ratified by the Vatican Council of 1870 (together with the equally controversial Infallibility of the Pope when he speaks on matters of faith and morals)

WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH?

rom 3:23 ALL have sinned

rom 3:10 there is NONE righteous, NOT EVEN ONE

rom 5:12 death spread to ALL men because ALL sinned

1 jn 1:8 if we say we do not sin, we lie and the truth is not in us

eccl 7:20 there is not a righteous man on earth, WHO NEVER SINS

isa 53:6 ALL OF US, like sheep have gone astray

isa 64:6 ALL OF US have become like one unclean

What does Mary herself say?

lk 1:46-47 the Magnificat

--- my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior

lk 2:22-24 Mary presents a sin offering

lev 12:6-8 --- why would she need one if she were sinless

--- obviously, she herself recognized that she was not sinless

POINTS TO PONDER

Adding or taking from God's written revelation is fraught with danger

rev 22:18-19 do not add ... do not take away ... clearly deut 4:2commanded

deut 12:32

pro 30:5-6 every word is tested ... do not add ... lest He reprove you

Are there any exceptions to the clear teaching of scripture that all men have sinned?

2 cor 5:21

1 pet 2:21-22 Only Christ was without sin

1 jn 3:5

heb 4:14-15

-- but the scriptures say she was " full of grace "

act 6:8 Stephen too was "full of grace"

act 7:55