Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offenses contrary
to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them. For they that are such serve
not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly;
and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple.
Romans 16:17-18
Faith is the main theme of these blogs, to examine your faith and if need be to "Change From The Inside Out." It is in the inner man where lies thoughts and beliefs whether they be good or true, or even bad. The Greek word translated "simple" actually means: "innocent," "unsuspecting" and literally means to be without evil. The Greek word translated "doctrine" means literally "teaching." What is a doctrine? It is a particular principle, a position, or policy taught or advocated, a body or system of teachings relating to a a particular subject. Our faith, in anything, has to do with what we are taught and what we have come to accept. A person who is so involved in their lives, their immorality, or some teaching, as with those who belong to a group like the Ku Klux Klan, or the Progressive Socialist people feel as though they have the truth and the way to a better life. They feel no need for anything else. They are not innocent, or unsuspecting and feel that they are without evil. This is the world, so, what about the Christian Church? What about people who do not have an understanding as to what it means to be Christian, or are suspecting that there is a need for them and are looking for someone to lead the way. Well.....there are plenty of evangelists who are ready to lead them into their teaching, their doctrine. Mormons send out young men, you have seen them probably, on bicycles, in white shirts going about your neighborhood. There are prepared to teach and convince you that their Doctrine, their form of Christianity is what you need. Jehovah Witnesses go from door to door, and stand at corners with their magazines and books at the ready for a person who just might have an interest. They too spend much time in preparation to be able to convince an unsuspecting person that they have the truth. Seventh Day Adventist will insist that we must keep Saturday, the Hebrew Sabbath if we are to be genuine Christians. Presbyterians will insist that only Calvinism is correct, the Baptist will teach some form of Arminianism, the Methodist will insist and teach from the teachings of Wesley. Some will break away, at least they think they have broken away, and start a new Church. Then we have such as the Emerging Church, and others that teach more like the world's culture than from the Bible. Yet, by giving their teaching, doctrine, some evidence to prove their beliefs they convince the innocent, the unsuspecting those who know not to be evil but need to find a better way, a better life.
Whew....... I just broke out into a sweat! All claim to teach true faith. Jehovah Witnesses teach that Christmas is evil, also birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, July 4th, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Valentine Day, New Year Day... what is left? Nothing! Mormons teach that God has a body, and that Jesus is a created being, albeit he is a god. They teach not to drink alcohol, coffee, or any other stimulant and if you do those things faithfully you are good member of Mormonism. The Seventh Day Adventist teach that to eat meat is all wrong, the form of vegetable ham we called "wham." Some Churches teach that only infant baptism is correct while others teach immersion. All teach that they have true faith. All use the Bible, or the Book of Mormon, to give warrant for their doctrines. Some Churches teach that to be a leader of their Church you must adhere to follow some Catechism. Some Churches teach that the gifts mentioned in the Bible are for Christians today and are a mark of a true Christian.
Whew.....I am tired: how about you?
WHAT AM I, AND YOU, ARE TO DO TO FIND, TO KNOW THE TRUTH?
Paul admonishes us to remain faithful to the teachings of the early apostles, that includes Paul, to learn those teachings. All other teachings are of man and are divisive, as we can certainly see if we just look at all those Christian denominations. What teachings can we be sure are the teachings of the early apostles? First: read you Bible without any aids, just allow the words that God inspired for us to lead you into the truth. You will not necessarily know all the Greek, its grammar but those who translated the Bible do know and that is good enough for you to come to the teachings of the early Apostles. Oh....there are so many translations! Yes, and that is a problem! But, the New World Translation was translated from the Critical Text, (by the way, this text has been revised over and over and more of the Textus Receptus translation are inserted as there are more witnesses for this), and the person who translated their form of the Bible, Raymond Franz, had about 2 years of Greek and self taught as to Hebrew. I know Koine Greek, study it every day and that would not be enough time to really know Greek and translate. The NIV, ESV, ASV, are translation from the Critical Text. The Byzantine, and the Textus Receptus, both are from the same manuscripts, have never changed, yes the New King James Bible Version has replace the Old English with our English but there was no change in the grammar. You can but your trust, your faith in those translations. Next: I personally will not sit under a pastor that does not know Greek, not just take a course in college, but know Greek well and preaches from the Greek, or Hebrew. I will not sit under a pastor that does not preach exegetical. Yes, they can and good ones do make good application but never leave Scripture out of their preaching. If a Church, and I am not speaking about immoral things, requires that I must adhere to a doctrine other than the Gospel: I leave! Faith of our fathers, living faith...that is the faith that the Apostles taught, not some "Dr. Phil" ideology, or psychology. I must, you must, do this: Read your Bible, do it daily, take time to ponder what the Bible writer wrote. Here is what is so important: You take the time and the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14). The only way to be truly led by the Spirit of God is to be in His word where the Spirit will lead you through those inspired words to true faith.
As Christmas Day draws close and presents are put under the Christmas Tree, meals are being readied, excitement grows (not just for the children), we remain faithful to the Reason For The Season. We do not allow others to lead us into their doctrines, and if we have not learned true doctrine then you will be one of those unsuspecting and especially when you are so consumed with this holiday. Read your Bible, no matter the day.
I love them that love Me; and those
that seek Me early [diligently] shall
find Me.
Proverbs 8:17
Are you willing to examine your faith?
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment