FK, this is very nonTriniatrian. I am surprised you even chose to quote this. Here John makes the Holy Spirit, God Almighty himself, into a third fiddle—an obedient angel, who can't speak on his own. Obviously John's idea of who or what the Holy Spirit is was vastly different from that of what the Triniatiran Church believes HolySpirit is.
[1 John 16] "14. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." So if Holy Spirit guided a CHRISTIAN down the wrong path then it would not bring glory to Christ.
My question was: How do you know it's the Holy Spirit guiding you? Did he whisper in your ear? How do you know it's not the satan when the Bible says he can disguise himself as the Angel of Light?
Because the desire and actions moved in opposite directions. My desire started off wrong and then changed to a Godly one according to scripture. Yates' started off fine and then changed to a decision that served satan according to scripture.
No, FK, she "knew" it was the "right" thing to do because "God" told her so, and you seem to say that the scripture is true because the Spirit guides you (i.e. "tells" you so). Both of you claim God told you so.
[And where does the word Christian appear in the Bible?]
The NIV, NKJV, and the ESV all have it in Acts 26:28 : 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Good try. The word means "anointed." Also older manuscripts say "to play an anointed one."
[And where is December 25 noted in the Bible as the day Jesus was born?]
Nowhere
Then why are Protestant Christians celebrating a lie that is not in the Bible?
[Traditions of men, right?]
Absolutely.
So, then Protestants also hold on to traditions of men. How does that differ from the Church?
I don't think things like whether the words "Christian" or "Trinity" are in the Bible or whether one believes Jesus was actually born on 12/25 has anything to do with whether one is a Christian. A Christian is one who has been graced and has come to faith.
The why are Protestants relentlessly attacking the Church for following traditions?
I don't see how that could be since virtually all Christians of every stripe interpret John's Gospel as support for the Trinity. For you to be right, Trinitarian Christians would all have to judge John as a madman, liar, etc., and no one does that.
My question was: How do you know it's the Holy Spirit guiding you? Did he whisper in your ear? How do you know it's not the satan when the Bible says he can disguise himself as the Angel of Light?
I think one can be aware of an idea or choice not normally coming from him. When I notice this happen I see it as a distinct possibility of leading. If the idea or choice gives glory to God or is otherwise in accordance with scripture, (and for example, I wouldn't normally want to do it), then I believe it to be from Holy Spirit. If it does not give glory to God or leads away from scripture then I chalk it up to my Adamic nature or satan. Incidentally, Yates would fail this test in claiming her idea was from God because scripture strongly condemns what she did.
[And where is December 25 noted in the Bible as the day Jesus was born?] --- Nowhere
Then why are Protestant Christians celebrating a lie that is not in the Bible?
We aren't celebrating a lie since no one thinks that is His actual birthday. We are celebrating the event of His birth and since we can't know it we choose the day chosen long ago having become the traditional day among all Christians. While I'm not sure of any scripture calling for the celebration of personal birthdays, of course the scripture is full of God-approved celebrations honoring past events. I'm sure Christians as a whole see honoring Christ's birthday in the same light.
However, I will mention that I saw a show the other day that noted that there was some movement among the early Puritans to ban Christmas because it was pagan. It didn't last long and I for one am glad it didn't. Of course Christians should be thinking about Christ all the time, but I think reminders like Holy days are still good things. History has proved that we need all the reminding we can get. :)
So, then Protestants also hold on to traditions of men. How does that differ from the Church?
Yes, Protestants have some traditions, but one difference from the formal ones that are dogma is that they are not commanded of us by any higher earthly authority and our salvation has nothing to do with complying with them. My church's altar call is a tradition, but we certainly don't think it is a necessary ingredient of salvation. And, we surely would not look down our noses at any church for not having an altar call for that fact.
Finally, I would say that the Protestant traditions I can think of off of the top of my head either agree with or do not contradict scripture. I cannot say that of all the traditions of the Apostolic Church. Our (Protestant) strongest criticisms of the Latin and Orthodox Churches almost always involve a tradition we believe is in violation of scripture, or is based on an interpretation of scripture with which we strongly disagree. We see many of these as leading away from the worship of God, even as they see them bringing them closer to God. Marian beliefs would be one example.
Jesus said...."You nullify the Word of God for the sake of your traditions. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain. Their teachings are but rules taught by men." Matt.15
That's why....as well as:
"See to it that no one 'takes you captive' through hollow and deceptive philosophy which depends on human tradition and the basic pricnciples of this world....rather than on Christ". Col:2
"The reality however is found in Christ."