To fellow Christians.?

Acts 9:5-6 - it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks

Honestly, I don't know Scripture well enough to be able to pull out quotes to fit every situation. Scripture memorization is very difficult for me. Though I read it and understand concepts, I need to do a lot of research to find exact quotes. For example, I know that II Kings tells the story of Israel's capture by Assyria due to the persistent disobedience of the Northern Kingdom, but I can't come up with chapters and verses that explain this without looking it up, which can take a while. If I feel that a specific verse is necessary, I will look it up, but if I can get the point across I don't feel the need. As I read and study more, it will come more naturally - I know there's a verse in Proverbs about having the Word of God in your heart, for example, but I can't remember which one - but for now I am a new Christian and I have some studying to do.

Also, sometimes, especially for non-believers, answers that use Scripture do not convince. I believe that the important thing is to get people to understand. Often, a nonbeliever will see Scripture in an answer and be immediately turned off to the content. So, I sometimes explain Scriptural truths without direct reference so that the answer will be heard and understood.

The Old and New Testament Scriptures are the divinely-revealed, written Word of God, Catholics venerate the Scriptures as they venerate the Lord's body. But Catholics do not believe that God has given us His divine Revelation in Christ exclusively through Scripture. Catholics also believe that God's Revelation comes to us through the Apostolic Tradition and teaching authority of the Church.

Scripture reveals this Church to be the one Jesus Christ built upon the rock of Saint Peter (Matt. 16:18). By giving Peter the keys of authority (Matt. 16:19), Jesus appointed Peter as the chief steward over His earthly kingdom ( Isaiah. 22:19-22). Jesus also charged Peter to be the source of strength for the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:32) and the earthly shepherd of Jesus' flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus further gave Peter, and the apostles and elders in union with him, the power to bind and loose in heaven what they bound and loosed on earth. (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). This teaching authority did not die with Peter and the apostles, but was transferred to future bishops through the laying on of hands (Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).

By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures on the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (Ephesians 3:10).

As I'm typing this answer your question is half way down the page and there are only two answers. You can check my profile. I use scriptures and am criticized for being offensive. I know that I have been rather rude on about three occasions. I am so concerned for people that want to be Christian but don't have much chance because they are so ignorant of scriptures. THERE'S a word people get offended by "ignorant". One person emailed me and was very angry because, as he said, I called him "stupid". It's really hard to help them. My concern comes from the fact that we're entering the beginning of the tribulation and I'm afraid that they don't know enough

Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Greek word for "Peter"= Petros, meaning a small stone, a pebble The Greek word for "Rock" is Petra, meaning a massive stone, a boulder. Jesus could not have been calling Peter the rock. Further scriptural proof as to the identity of the "Rock":

1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

By means of pretense people tried to take over Christ's church from within. True christians had to flee and were persecuted. Edward Gibbon made the remark that the church that emerged in the early 2nd century was very different than what it had been. See "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

The Apostle Peter never went to Rome. There was a man that knew him and that man went to Rome and pretended to be the Apostle.

Act 8:9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Act 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Act 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Act 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Act 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

See Encyclopedia Britannica article; Simon Magus.

If one doesn't know the scriptures well enough to incorporate them into everyday conversation without copying/pasting them verbatim, then perhaps one should read and ponder them more?

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

well, scripture is truth and survival, I like to answers question with scripture!even if it takes me awhile to look them up!

Hey Joe!