We often hear that the test of any comment or doctrine is scripture, and certainly it is a good test. It's just not the last word, nor is it the best test. Nor should it be considered our last line of defense. To do so, is to admit that we do not understand where we are in God's master plan of revelation, and that we do not have the Holy Spirit leading us unto all truth.
you and I will disagree with what you said here. I honestly don't believe what you said is true.
John 16:13
"
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."
That there is a due time to gain understanding of certain features of God’s purposes is clear from Jesus’ words to his apostles: “I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present.” (
John 16:12) This indicates that God gives his servants understanding of his will in accordance with their ability to grasp and make use of such understanding. True, Jesus told his apostles that God’s spirit would guide them “into all truth.” (
John 16:13) But did Jesus mean that from the day they received holy spirit they would discern
all truth, without their needing to get further understanding later? The facts show that this was not the case.
On the day of Pentecost in 33 C.E. the disciples did receive holy spirit and with it a much clearer appreciation of the truth pertaining to Jesus’ resurrection, his ascension to heaven and the significance of the kingdom of God. This knowledge infused them with zeal to tell the “good news” to others. Even though Jesus had said they should make disciples of people of all nations, at first they limited their preaching to the Jews, non-Jewish proselytes and then, in time, to the Samaritans. They did not understand that they should go to the uncircumcised Gentiles. (
Matt. 28:19, 20) No doubt Jehovah withheld such enlightenment, for the prophecy of Daniel had stated that the Messiah would keep the covenant with the Jews in force for the rest of the 70th week.—
Dan. 9:24-27.
When that “week” ended in 36 C.E., Jehovah God acted positively in opening up the “good news” to the people of the nations. Peter truly needed help to adjust his thinking before entering the home of an uncircumcised Gentile considered unclean by the Law. He had to be instructed while in a trance: “You stop calling defiled the things God has cleansed.” So Peter and the other apostles had to change their viewpoint on this matter. Peter did so and was used by God to declare to the Gentiles that the way to God’s heavenly kingdom was open.—Acts 10:9-43.
Hebrews 6:1-2
"
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
Therefore, the scriptures, yes, even the elementary principles of Christ...once they are elementary to our learning - are to be "
left" behind, that we may go on to "
perfection"...which comes by "
the Spirit of truth", or not at all.
If you will read
the 6th chapter of Hebrews from verses 1 to 12, you will see that Paul is trying to get these early Christians to grow, to become mature and to be like himself in the service. He points out that “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering”.—
Heb. 6:10,
NW.
As to those who are kind to Jehovah’s witnesses, giving them a cup of cold water, the Lord Jesus says: ‘These will be blessed.’ They are as sheep being put on the right side of the Master. At least they do not show the goatlike spirit. But do not stop with just giving a cup of cold water. Grow up to maturity. Do not stop when you have learned the fundamental doctrines that lead to life. Go on and gain life. Seek it and you will find it. That is why Paul says, in the 11th and 12th verses
Heb 6:11, 12: “But we desire each one of you to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, in order that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
These scriptures in Hebrews 6:1,2 or John 16:13 no way are saying this: "We often hear that the test of any comment or doctrine is scripture, and certainly it is a good test. It's just not the last word, nor is it the best test. Nor should it be considered our last line of defense. To do so, is to admit that we do not understand where we are in God's master plan of revelation, and that we do not have the Holy Spirit leading us unto all truth".
Are we to grow to maturity yes, but as Christians all of us are preachers of God kingdom and the worldly people out there are ignorant of the scriptures and in order for them to get on the road to spiritual maturity you will need the scriptures to teach them the truth.