But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And 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.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Tim. 3
Scripture is profitable for:
- doctrine: a belief or set of beliefs held by a church
- reproof: to prove that which we believe
-correction: action or process of correcting something; a change that rectifies an error or inaccuracy
-instruction: a direction or order ... detailed information telling how something should be done ... teaching
My cousin is Church of Christ denomination. Their principle doctrine is baptism in water by immersion. (A very sound doctrine for being lowered into the water is like being buried with Christ. Being raised from the water is like being raised with Christ so we do not have to live as we once lived. Romans 6)
The "favorite" verse of scripture at Church of Christ has long been Acts 2:38 ...38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
But they teach against many things of the "Holy Ghost". So they quote their favorite verse as follows.Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.... And they often print this on their literature (omitting the part about receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.)
For generations they have done this. Recently my cousin said they now know what they are doing is wrong but they continue doing it ... and she explained, "Because we don't want to hurt the faith of the older people in the church."
But one of the main reasons for scripture is to allow scripture to correct us when we are going wrong.
Everything must be measured by scripture, by the Word of God, through guidance of the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit.
When "faith" is built on a lie or on partial truth it is not good. Jesus said: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Jn. 4:24
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Recently I received a letter from a man who said he is a pastor and he had the word "Reverend" in front of his name. He also said he was "founder" of his church group.
I wrote the following to this man:
The first thing to do is to stop calling yourself
"Reverend" ...
Several years ago, a woman came to me and said, "What do we call you? Do we call you Reverend?"
I was horrified at the idea of being called "Reverend" ... and I quickly replied, "NO ... you just call me Joan.
(They called Paul, Paul ... They called Peter, Peter ... no where in the Bible did they call any human Reverend ...")
9He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is HIS name. Psa. 119:9 (Reverend is God's name)
(Paul often identified himself as an apostle/teacher ... Certainly it is proper to refer to a minister as apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher ... Eph. 4 ... but not "Father" or "Reverend"...)
Jesus said ...
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Mt. 23
Jesus made himself "of no reputation" ... Phil. 2
The display of "founder" and Reverend both have the characteristic of glorifying yourself.
To turn from doing these two things and just focusing of the glory of God through the price paid by Jesus and promoting HIM ONLY would be a very big beginning if you are able to do it. (I wrote to this "pastor")
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Gal. 6
I did not hear from this man again. This is the usual experience that I have when I correct such a person. I usually never hear from that person again. This means he goes on in his own corruption and in his own glory while on this earth. Later it will be different at the judgment seat of Christ.
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When I was a new Christian, I followed my best friend, Donna, to the church she attended. They taught tongues to be of the devil.
One day Donna and I were riding along the highway and I was reading the New Testament as she drove. I came across the following scripture concerning the gathering of the church and what to do in the church. Paul said, 39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. I Cor. 14
I said, "Hay, Donna ... did you know Paul said not to forbid the speaking in tongues."
Donna was shocked. She pulled off the highway and stopped the car and said, "Let me see that."
Immediately, we drove to her home where she had several translations of the Bible and we read this in each translation and it said the same thing in each translation.
Donna and I quit going to that church ... we left immediately.
When you see something in the Bible and the church group you are attending is violating that instruction, you have to leave that church group ... You cannot compromise scripture. The purpose of scripture is to allow you to correct your way and you cannot correct your way by remaining in a church where they are doing and teaching something contrary to scripture.
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