Are There Contradictions in the Bible? - Conclusion of the Bible's answer

 5. Principle 5: Attribution

In Capernaum, who brought the centurion's request to Jesus? Matthew 8:5. 6 says that the centurion (army officer) himself came to Jesus, while Luke 7:3 says that the centurion sent older men of the Jews to make his request.   This apparent Bible contradiction  can be understood in that the army officer initiated the request, but he sent older men as hs representatives. 

Principle 6: Accurate translation

Do we all sin? The Bible teaches that we all inherit sin from the first man Adam. ( Romans 5:12)   Some translations seem to contradict this by saying that a good person "does not sin" or "sinneth not." (1 John 3:6, The Bible in Basic English: King James Version) In the original language, though, te Greek verb for "sin" at 1 John is the present tense, which in that language normally indicates a continuous action.  There is a difference between inherited sin, which we cannot avoid, and the deliberate, continous practice of disobeying God's laws. Thus, some translations clear up this seeming contradiction by accurately using phrases such as "does not practice sin" or  "does not habitually sin." - New World Translation; Phillips. 

Principle 7: The Bible, not dogma

Is Jesus equal to God or lesser than God?  Jesus once said: "I and the Father are one" which contradict his statement that "the Father is greater than I am." (John 10:30; 14:28) To understand those verses correctly, we must examine what the Bible really says about Jehovah and Jesus rather than try to harmonize the verses with the Trinity dogma, which is not based on the Bible.  The Bible shows that Jehovah is not only Jesus' Father, but also Jesus' God, the One whom even Jesus worships.  (Matthew 4:10; Mark 15:34; John 17:3; 20:17; 2 Corinthians 1:3) Jesus is not equal to God. 

Note: Also what that phrase means that he and God are one  is that they have the same qualities and same determination to do what is needed to get done.  They have a purpose.

The context of Jesus' statement "I and the Father are one" shows that he was talking about the oneness of purpose that he shared with his Father, Jehovah God, Jesus later said:  "The Father is in union with me and I am in union with the Father."  (John 10:38) Jesus shared this unity of purpose with his followers as well, for he prayed to God about them:  "I have given them the glory that you have given me, in order that they may be just as we are one.  I in union with them and you in union with me." - JOHN 17:22, 23. 

Next time: What Is Forgiveness?

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