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John 10:14-16

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knowth me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice; and there SHALL BE ONE FOLD, AND ONE SHEPHERD."

I don't know how much more clear it can be....................either the Word of God is Truth or all is of no avail.  I choose to believe the Word of God, the Book of Truth.  There is ONLY ONE FOLD AND ONLY ONE SHEPHERD.

Should any wonder who are the one fold, please read John 3:16

Quote from: p.rehbein on Fri Apr 15, 2011 - 22:16:10

John 10:14-16

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  As the Father knowth me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice; and there SHALL BE ONE FOLD, AND ONE SHEPHERD."

I don't know how much more clear it can be....................either the Word of God is Truth or all is of no avail.  I choose to believe the Word of God, the Book of Truth.  There is ONLY ONE FOLD AND ONLY ONE SHEPHERD.

Should any wonder who are the one fold, please read John 3:16

To me this sounds like a clear refutation of protestantism.

I don't really see how it could be otherwise.

What's your take?

Thank you for the question.  I believe just as Jesus stated that He has sheep (those who believe in Him) of different flocks, and when they hear His voice they will know Him.  Simply put, I believe that there are true believers, true followers of Christ, true Christians in all of the various flocks around the world.  The Baptist, Methodist, CoC, Nazarene, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox,etc.
and when Jesus returns to call together His fold (The Church) believers from all of these will answer His call.

I am truly saddened and puzzeled as to why it is necessary for the various flocks to war with eachother, for if they are true believers then they are of the one fold.  I'm not sure why we can't accept the different way our flocks worship Him and celebrate that we are still of the one fold.  Instead of warring with one another, why don't we learn from each other?  Why don't we respect one another?  Why don't we display Christian love towards one another?  Instead of cutting off the hand extended in Christian love and fellowship, why don't we embrace it? 

As you stated, this scripture may well be a refutation of protestantism, but, if it is, then it is also a refutation of all religions that man has established......that would have to be the logical conclusion if we accept your thought.  However, I believe that it points out that Jesus is well aware that there will be different flocks, but He will stablish one fold, His sheep (Church).

That would be the "otherwise" you wondered about............ 

Just wondering here, so keep that in mind.  Are you saying that Jesus established the Catholic Church?  As opposed to establishing Christianity?  Christianity being the Church and that being all who believe in Him as stated in John 3:16?  As I see the Catholic Church, it was established by man just as was the other Churches/denominations based on each of their theoligical ideology.  I do not read in the Bible where Jesus said My Church will be the Catholic Church.  Not dissin Catholics because I believe that they as others are one of the flocks that will make up the one fold.  When man starts claiming that his Church is the one true Church is when division happens IMO.  Now, if I misunderstood what you said, then I am sorry for that, did not mean disrespect. 

Jesus gave us Christianity, that is the opportunity for eternal life (God's salvation plan) and whosoever believeth in Him will not perrish but have everlasting life and this salvation is not dependent on being part of a particular Church/flock, but, rather being part of the one fold.