"Prove all
things; hold fast that which is good"
(1 Thessalonians
5:21: KJV; 1611 edition)
Beloved, do not
believe every spirit,
But trie the spirits,
whether they are of God:
Because many false
prophets are gone out
into the world.
(1John 4:1: KJV; 1611
edition)
Finally, brethren,
whatever things are true,
Whatever things are
honest,
Whatever things are
just,
Whatever things are
pure,
Whatever things are
lovely,
Whatever things are
of good report:
If there bee any
virtue, and if there bee
Any praise, think on
these things.
(Philippians 4:8:
KJV; 1611 edition)
I chose the
1611 edition of the King James version Bible because their choice of words is
closer to the Greek then our English words especially since many of us don't
really understand our English grammar.
In first Thessalonians 5:21 where the word in the new King James's "test"
the Greek word which is: δοκιμάζετε, and is also the same word can be found in 1John 4: 1 is in the second
person plural present indicative active and carries the meaning to prove by
trial; to test, to prove, try, examine, scrutinize, to put to the prove, a
prove after trial, to judge worthy, to decide upon after examination to
discern. Therefore, due to its
grammatical structure we are to be at all-time testing and examining all things
especially those things that are being taught as true Christianity. As believers in Jesus Christ we are to prove
or test all things. And this will
include, those things in which I have been writing about, the use of gifts, and
that which the modern charismatic movement has come to believe is what the true
Church ought to have and be doing, those things that have brought great
contention within the Christian religion.
We are to test all things by the Word of God because the Word of God is
our only infallible rule and measuring device.
Of course for this to be true, one must believe that the holy Scriptures
are the providentially preserved Word of God and has the same force and
authority is that which the writers of the Bible wrote and not just as some
believe that the only inviolability of Scripture is with the autograph, or the
original writings. This is a
fallacy! Take for example the original
Constitution of the United States, the very piece of paper with the very words
written by the very ink by the men formed and wrote this document. Now take it down to Kinko's and make a copy
of it. Does the copy have the same
force and authority as the original?
Yes! Therefore that argument
does not hold water. Due to the
contentions in contradictions within the Christian church over the charismatic
movement we need to see whether or not that movement lines up with the inerrant
Word of God. Now I have examined the
Scriptures and especially in writing about the Corinthian church and about Paul
speaking about the gifts of the Spirit.
And I have not found in one case anywhere in the Bible where Christians
were ordered or commanded to act as the Corinthian church acted and the fact
that we find that same exercise within those churches who believe in the
special unction of those gifts: the modern charismatic movement or Pentecostal
movement. In discussing this many
people will have their "hackles" stand erect and may even avoid to
read or examine what is being written and to test by the holy Scriptures, rather they will
continue to say that what is being written is wrong therefore they ignore what
the Bible has told us to test and prove.
The approach must be a doctrinal approach: that is as Paul instructed:
"For what does a Scriptures say..."
(Romans 4: 3a). Therefore as
we study about the Corinthian church in all the problems that Paul was having
to address we are then attempting to find out whether not any teaching is in or
out of harmony with the Word of God which plainly contradicts what the
Scriptures teach and if so then we must label that as erroneous and false. Our conclusions that we form must be based
upon objective truth, that is upon the plain facts of God's Word. We must not base our conclusion upon our
subjective feelings and personal experiences.
We cannot simply say, "it must be true because it happened to
me"; "I know that speaking in tongues is for today because I have
spoken in tongues"; "I know that speaking in tongues is valid because
I know someone who speaks in tongues"; "I know that God has special
healers today because my best friend was healed by one of them." How often have I been told the very things
and expected to believe that what I have been told is true which is so often
nothing more than subjective experiences but not based upon the objective truth
of God's Word. Well here it is: if I am
a true authentic Christian desiring to ensure that what I believe and teach,
and demonstrate, regardless of my personal experiences, I am going to test all
things by the Word of God and I am going to agree with what God has said even
though what I have found seems to contradict what I have experienced or felt or
what has happened to me or others whom I know.
I may be
stepping on toes here but please don't walk away from God's Word and if you
feel as though I am writing in error I accept all comments in our comments
section and will diligently study what has been told me before I make any
conclusion of that conclusion will be made upon the word of God. I look forward to what anyone may say that I
look forward to studying the Word of God.
Beloved, while I was very diligent
to write to you concerning
our common salvation, I found it necessary
to write to
you exhorting you
to contend earnestly for the faith which
was once
for all delivered to the saints.
Jude
1: 3
Contend for the faith
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