But when it pleased God, who separated
me from my mother's womb, and called me by
His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might
preach Him among the heathen; immediately
I conferred not with flesh and blood
Galatians 1:15-16
There is something in this verse that we must not mistake: yes, this is Paul speaking about himself, but God had this recorded for you and I so that we remember that it is God by His pleasure that has called you to be a witness to the Gospel. We must allow God to break into our every day life in whatever way He chooses, not the way we would like Him to reveal His pleasure. We must keep in close contact with God and make room for Him to come and come in His way. Yes, it is not wrong to go to an elder and ask Him questions about what you feel revealed to you, but this can only be truth if that elder goes to the Bible and not from his own presupposition or opinion.
I have been and will for a while keep writing as to the history of the early Church fathers. Christians have a special interest in history because the very foundations of the faith that is professed are rooted in history. Our English word "history" came down to us from the Greek word historia, which is derived from the Greek verb "historeo". This verb used by the Attic Greeks originally meant to learn by inquiry or investigation. This word is about the activities of one seeking knowledge. This word is used by Paul (Galatians 1:18) where the English translation is about acquaintance and is a good translation but the word means to ascertain by inquiry, to visit, an examination so one would in order to inquire to become acquainted with something or someone. The Greeks began to use the word "historikos" a noun, for history and there is a difference we must note: It indicated the product of inquire, the record, and the first, the process. History is absolute and cannot be changed once it happens, but history as sources, process and product is relative and subject to change. Therefore we must study history to find the truth. Church historians must be just, impartial in their collection of data of history. We must remember that Church historians are not neutral and will approach the data differently with a framework of interpretations (presuppositions).
Church history, then, is the interpreted record of the origin, progress and impact of Christianity upon human society, based upon organized data gathered by scientific method from archaelogical, documentary or living sources. Only if we take the time to study Church history will we have an accurate record of the story of Authentic Christian Faith. We must lag behind on this study: our faith is are risk!
"On account of her faith and hospitality, Rahab the
harlot was saved. For when spies were sent by Joshua, the son of Nun, to
Jericho, the king of the country ascertained that they were come to spy
out their land, and sent men to seize them, in order that, when taken,
they might be put to death. But the hospitable Rahab receiving them,
concealed them on the roof of her house under some stalks of flax. And
when the men sent by the king arrived and said “There came men unto
thee who are to spy out our land; bring them forth, for so the king
commands,” she answered them, “The two men whom ye seek came
unto me, but quickly departed again and are gone,” thus not
discovering the spies to them. Then she said to the men, “I know
assuredly that the Lord your God hath given you this city, for the fear
and dread of you have fallen on its inhabitants. When therefore ye shall
have taken it, keep ye me and the house of my father in safety.”
And they said to her, “It shall be as thou hast spoken to us. As
soon, therefore, as thou knowest that we are at hand, thou shalt gather
all thy family under thy roof, and they shall be preserved, but all that
are found outside of thy dwelling shall perish.” (Josh. ii.;
Heb. xi. 31.) Moreover, they gave her a
sign to this effect, that she should hang forth from her house a scarlet
thread. And thus they made it manifest that redemption should flow
through the blood of the Lord to all them that believe and hope in
God. (Others of the
Fathers adopt the same allegorical interpretation, e.g., Justin Mar.,
Dial. c. Tryph., n. 111; Irenæus, Adv. Hær., iv. 20. [The
whole matter of symbolism under the law must be more thoroughly studied
if we would account for such strong language as is here applied to a
poetical or rhetorical figure.]) Ye see, beloved, that there
was not only faith, but prophecy, in this woman." History is so important and our Bible records history so that our faith will be established, firm, undaunted. Clement instructs us to study and we have such history as that of Rahab. She was not an Israelite but she believed, at least in what she knew about the Hebrews and their God, and by faith hid the spies. But more, even after being told that she could be saved she had to do something: she had to put out a red cloth from her window. God will save you, but it is more than just belief, it is action, it is repentance, a turning around 180 degrees from the way you were living to a life manifesting Jesus Christ. God in His pleasure will save you, and more, He will by His pleasure to you guide you into service for Him, His way, not yours. You have the right to ignore the will or pleasure of God, and history had informed us as to the consequences of those who did not obey God. Think of this: Rahab became a descendant of Jesus Christ. You do not have to be a Hebrew, no, you must obey and God will cause you as you serve Him, by your inquiry into the history of the Church, make you acquainted with Him and your leading others into Authentic Christian Faith. What a privilege!
Then the LORD said unto me,
the prophets prophesy lies in My name:
I sent them not, neither have I commanded
them, neither spake unto them:
they prophesy unto you a false vision
and divination, and a thing of nought,
and the deceit of their heart.
Jeremiah 14:14
Learn Church history and avoid false teaching
Richard L. Crumb
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