The Book of Mormon is irrelevant for a man to attain salvation because what were written in it were not the teachings of Christ and of the apostles but a mere words of Joseph Smith and his companions. - by Jose Rodelio Retome Rata



This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. - John 21:24-25

Here's Jose Rodelio Retome Rata about the Scriptures as a whole, taking it as the only source of authority, where it seems he loves to translate the Scripture on his own ideology without knowing the context. Let's see what this was all about -

Hebrews 1:1-2 - King James Version
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Ok, so Context muna. Ang Hebrews ay isinulat para ipakita sa early Christians - lalo na sa mga Hudyo - na si Jesus Christ ang sentro at kaganapan ng lahat ng naunang paghahayag. Hindi nito binubura ang mga propeta; bagkus, ipinapakita na iisa ang pinanggagalingan ng revelation - ang Diyos - at patuloy Niya itong ibinibigay sa iba’t ibang panahon at paraan.

“At sundry times and in divers manners.” Ito ang mahalagang parte. Ibig sabihin, hindi lang isang beses nagsalita ang Diyos, at hindi rin sa isang paraan. Sometimes, sa pamamagitan ng mga propeta (like Moses, Isaiah, etc.), or visions, dreams, angels - and lastly, sa pamamagitan mismo ng Kanyang Anak na si Jesucristo. For Latter-day Saints, ito ay isang malinaw na pattern ng Diyos na ang patuloy na paghahayag (continuing revelation).

“Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” May nagsasabi na ito raw ay nangangahulugang tapos na ang revelation pagkatapos ni Cristo. Pero kung babasahin nang maigi, hindi sinasabi ng talata na “last message na ito”, kundi kung sino ang pinakamataas at sukdulang tagapagsalita: ang Anak. Sa LDS teaching, si Jesus Christ ay buhay at namumuno pa rin sa Kanyang Simbahan, at Siya rin ang patuloy na nagsasalita sa pamamagitan ng mga apostol at propeta (Ephesians 2:20; 4:11–14).

So anong Connection sa Latter-day Saints teaching. Oh ito para may idea ka -
  • First, si Jesus Christ ay pareho kahapon, ngayon, at magpakailanman, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, sa madaling salita, hindi siya nagbabago. (Hebrews 13:8).
  • Pangalawa, kung ang Diyos magsasalita o mag-utos man gaya noong panahon ng mga propeta niya, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, walang Biblical reason para tumigil Siya sa parehong paraan sa panahon ngayon. Baka ikaw pa ang unang makadiskubre na may biblical passage na nagsabing tumigil na ang Diyos sa pagtawag ng mga propeta o sugo sa panahon ngayon, gaya ni Felix Manalo. Ang problema nga lang, wala namang nagsugo sa kanya, di ba, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata.
  • And also, ang “latter days” mismo ay panahon ng restoration at additional revelation, hindi ng katahimikan ng langit.
Kaya ang modern prophets and apostles ay hindi kapalit ni Cristo, kundi Kanyang mga saksi at lingkod, tulad ng ginawa Niya noong New Testament times (Acts 3:21).

So, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, bakit hindi ito Sola Scriptura? Ang sola scriptura ay ideya na ang Bible lamang ang final at exclusive authority, at wala nang bagong revelation. Pero Hebrews 1:1–2 did not teach that, in fact, in summarising the context, ito makikita mong issue dyan Jose Rodelio Retome Rata -
  • Hindi pa kumpleto ang New Testament noong isinulat ang Hebrews.
  • Walang sinabi ang talata na “mula ngayon, lahat na turo at sa nakasusulat lang.”
Magkaroon ka ng problema sa Pasugo Magazine niyo niyan, Jose.

https://bustillo-family.blogspot.com/2021/02/pasugo-magazine.html

Again, and to make it short, at intindihin mo mabuti ang stand ko: Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, Hebrews 1:1–2 is not a proof-text for sola scriptura. Sa halip, ito ay patunay ng living God na may living voice, na nagsalita noon, nagsalita kay Cristo, at patuloy na nagsasalita sa huling mga araw - lahat ay patotoo kay Jesus Christ, ang Anak ng Diyos.

According to apostle Paul, God speaks through his Son Jesus Christ in these last days or in the Christian era meaning the teaching of Christ is the teaching of God.

No question to that at hindi naman yan ang point ng aking commentary.

John 7:16 - King James Version
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

So again, hindi ito about sa sola scriptura. Ang sinasabi ni Jesus Christ dito ay ang source at authority ng Kanyang turo, hindi kung saan lang ito dapat mabasa. Klaro ang punto ni Cristo: ang doktrina Niya ay galing sa Ama, hindi personal opinion, hindi sariling idea - kundi divine authority.

Ipinapakita dito na si Jesus ay sinugo ng Ama at may kapangyarihang magturo sa Kanyang pangalan. Ang bigat ng Kanyang salita ay dahil confirmed ito ng Ama, hindi dahil naisulat na agad sa isang aklat. Sa madaling salita, ang authority ng salita ni Cristo ay nanggagaling sa Diyos, hindi sa isang text na makikita dahil nasabi at naisulat na.

At sa Latter-day Saints, consistent ito sa paniniwala na ang Diyos ay nagsasalita sa pamamagitan ng mga sinugo Niya. So, si Felix Manalo mo ba nakatanggap ng salita ni Kristo na galing sa Ama? So, kung sinugo siya, dapat ’yang ang dapat niyang matanggap na salita galing kay Cristo na nagmula sa Ama, meron ba? Kung si Cristo mismo ay nagsabing ang Kanyang doctrine ay galing sa Ama, then malinaw na revelation and divine authority at hindi Sola Scriptura ang foundation ng tunay na doktrina.

Before Christ ascended into heaven he sent his apostles to preach the words of God into the world. 
Matthew 28:16,19-20 - King James Version
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Which I do agree na ito'y direct na utos ni Cristo sa Kanyang mga apostol para maikalat ang Kanyang Ebanghelyo. Pero importante ring tandaan ang historical context. Una, ay sa panahon na ’yan, wala pa ang buong New Testament, at pangalawa, mas lalong wala pa ang compiled Bible na hawak natin ngayon. Ay! Iwan ko na lang sa 'yo, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, baka sa isip mo dyan completo na ang Bible eh hindi pa nga nakilala si Pablo sa panahon na 'yan.

Ang ginawa ng mga apostol ay hindi pamimigay ng isang aklat, kundi personal na pagpapatotoo or testimony kay Jesucristo - kung sino Siya, ano ang itinuro ni Cristo, at ano ang ginawa Niya. They were commanded to preach the gospel Christ taught, baptize, and teach people to observe His commandments. Ibig sabihin lang nito Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, sila ang living witnesses, at hindi merely readers or distributors of the scripture story.

Dito rin makikita na ang mga apostol ay also special witnesses of Christ - tinawag, sinugo, at binigyan ng authority ni Cristo. Ang pananampalataya ng unang mga Kristiyano ay naka-angkla sa apostolic testimony and authority, hindi sa completed Bible with Old and New Testament. Kaya malinaw: ang Great Commission ay tungkol sa Witnessing of Christ and His Gospel, hindi tungkol sa Sola Scriptura.

So therefore, the teachings of Christ and of his apostles which were written in the Bible should be the one that should be preach in all the world.

Wrong! Just where in the world did you get that idea, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata? Nasabi ko na kanina, baka magkaproblema ka diyan sa Pasugo nyo na nagtuturo ng Pure Gospel.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 - King James Version
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Again, ulitin ko ha Jose Rodelio Retome Rata. Ang talatang ito ay hindi tungkol sa “Bible in General” na pareho sa hawak natin ngayon. When Paul wrote this, wala pang compiled New Testament. Kaya nang sabihin niya kay Timothy na alam niya ang “holy scriptures from a child” (v.15), malinaw na ang tinutukoy ay ang Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) na itinuro sa kanya ng kanyang ina at lola (2 Timothy 1:5).

Let's add some other reference para makita mo at baka magamit mo na feeling mo Complete Bible na, ito basa -
  • Luke 24:27 - Jesus explained “in all the scriptures” the things concerning Himself - again, Old Testament pa rin ito.
  • Romans 3:2 - “unto them were committed the oracles of God” - referring to the Jews and their scriptures, before the New Testament existed.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:15 - Paul tells believers to hold fast to teachings “whether by word, or our epistle” - showing that oral teaching and authority mattered, not text alone.
Kaya ang 2 Timothy 3:16–17 it teaches that scripture is inspired and profitable, yes—but hindi nito sinasabi na scripture lang ang authority, o na ang Bible ay naka-completo. Sa LDS understanding, this supports the idea that scripture works together with living teachers, apostles, and revelation, just like in Timothy’s time—not sola scriptura.

Apostle Paul says do not be carried away by a divers and strange doctrines or teachings.
Hebrews 13:9 - King James Version
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, paglilinaw lang ha para ma-gets mo and stand ko. Ang verses na ginagamit mo, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, ay hindi nagsabi sa sola scriptura. Kung paulit-ulit lang ang verses nang hindi tama ang context, magkakaroon ka lang talaga ng maling interpretation n'yan, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata. Unawain muna kung kanino, kailan, at bakit ito sinabi bago ito gawing bato, o isang doktrinang wala naman sa mismong teksto. Hindi lahat ng quote ay automatic na suporta sa sola scriptura, especially na kapag hindi iyon ang subject ng talata. Hebrews 13:9 is a warning to be aware, but it doesn't mean the scripture you have now ay completo na dahil hindi yan ang pinagusapan.

The teachings of the apostles and of Christ are the true teachings.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 - King James Version
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

No problem with that, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata. Oh ito basahin mo para malaman mo kung ano nilalaman ng Book of Mormon -

2 Nephi 25:26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

So, sa palagay mo, problema ba, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata? Huwag ka kasi basta-basta manghusga kung di mo naman pala alam ang kabuuan. Copy-paste ka ng copy-paste pero hindi mo naman pala alam an historical background and context. Nagmumukha ka tuloy na wala kang alam, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata, o baka totoo na wala kang alam.

The teachings of the apostles and of Christ were all written in the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:15-17 - King James Version
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Wrong! Only Few Apostle wrote the Bible; there were about 5-7 authorship on the bible that were written by the Apostles, and even questionable pa ang origin. For example, the Gospel of Mark and he was known traditionally as the author of the writing and one of Peter's companions, but not the apostle, also Luke was a companion of Paul and also not an apostle. The Book of the Hebrews was debated and was traditionally attributed to Paul. Also, Paul is not even the Original 12 but rather the Apostle to the Gentiles as his commission. Overall, we only have Matthew, Peter, James, John, Jude (or Judas not Iscariot) of the original twelve, of whom we know who wrote their own writings, and that was about 41.67% who happened to just write their own testimony about Christ in a short epistle. And to think it is complete is totally absurd, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata. This simply shows you don't know the data of the scriptures. Ang kaya mo lang kasi gawing copy-paste ng tekstong na ang haba-haba pero walang laman. Diyan pa lang sa history na 'yan, bagsak ka na.
  
You will be saved if you obeyed all the teachings of Christ and of the apostles written in the Bible.
1 Corinthians 15:1-3 - King James Version
15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Seriouly? Yan ba ang context sa binasa mo? So, noong nagsinabi pala si Cristo about "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" - John 5:39 (KJV), and FYI, sa panahon na yan, ang scriptures na gamit pa nila diyan ay Old Testament or TaNaKh (תַּנַ״ךְ), composed of - Torah (Law/Instruction), Nevi'im (Prophets), at Ketuvim (Writings), so ibig sabihin ba nito ay basahin lang natin ang Old Testament at para makaroon ng buhay na walang hangan? Ganun ba, Jose Rodelio Retome Rata? Sige daw assignment mo yan para may bago kang Kaalaman. Balikan mo ako kung may sagot ka na. Again, you're quoting a wrong scripture kung basihan natin yan, dahil kakasimula palang ng New Testament sa panahon na yan at hindi pa tapos, so basically you are refering the Old Testament Scripture.

So therefore, the Book of Mormon is irrelevant for a man to attain salvation because what were written in it were not the teachings of Christ and of the apostles but a mere words of Joseph Smith and his companions.

Again, you can not sustain that in the scripture. Nowhere in the Bible that says they don't need a revelation, and in fact, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God will never change his ways. Kung sa tingin mo mali ’yan, mas ’di mo dapat paniwalaan ang salita ni Felix Manalo at sa mga ministro mo na nagsasabi ng kung ano-ano para lang ipakilala si Manalo n’yong Angel ng Pinas. Bakit ako maniniwala, eh wala naman siyang authority o salita na galing kay Cristo para paniwalaan ko, at isa pa, kung sa nakasulat lang tayo, babasi, bakit niyo pa bigyan ng iba't ibang interpretation ang banal na kasulatan para lang i-exhibit si Manalo?

Again, you don't have proof sa pinagsasabi mo at wala sa tamang context ang pinaglalatad mo, so therefore, as I have said, you fail. Thank you and Good luck!