Somehow that has never been what I have gotten out of reading and studying the Word.
14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of Goda may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tm 3 ( NIV )
What we learn when we study the Word is from God Himself. Surely, the various prophets and teachers who recorded events and what God revealed to them is noticeable. Every scribe sounds different than most of the other authors. Understanding the Bible, as it is written, allows us to better obey God. It is extremely difficult to know what is right or wrong if we do not base our understanding of right or wrong on something. As an example, a criminal justifies what he does based on current status in his life--he has no money, therefore it is all right to shoplift. Or, sometimes, the criminal has some other reason for the "ok"-ness of his actions. How many other things do we constantly hear being presented as ok behavior by what the person "feels". This is an illogical thought process, because everyone has a different outlook on what is acceptable behavior--would a serial killer think that it is "ok" to murder these people, and as such, he is righteous?
1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 Jn 4 ( NIV )
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17.11 ( NIV )
So many people today claim to have heard from a spirit--an angel has spoken to them. Consider the rush in books and films lately of people who have been to Heaven, or heard from God. I do not doubt that it is possible that people have been to Heaven, and that people have heard from God. The concern is if we do not deeply consider what was said, done or seen by the person (or ourselves) when these experiences happen. Does it line up with the rest of Scripture?
The Beareans have been praised for all these years for being critical thinkers. They were lining up what Paul said with the Word--being detectives if you will, lining up the alibis, the motives, what was said etc to see how it lines up with a robbery.
We need to be careful. When we read from teachers and pastors, we need to double check what they said to be certain we are not getting poisoned along with the words of the teacher. Is the teacher using Scripture in their teachings? Many do not use a single Bible verse in a whole sermon, making for a good psychologist approach to God. God is so much bigger than that. If the teacher is using the Word, does the context fit? Is it logical that that passage was used?
We cannot go by feelings, for what is the nickname of Satan? An Angel of Light. It is extremely easy to be fooled.
What about receiving new revelations? New Scripture, as it were. Why would there be new revelations? What is the last book in the Bible? Revelation. And what does this book deal with? Basically, it prophecies about the end of what we know--the righting of the wrongs of this broken world, and our settling in for eternity (also known as no time by the Greek) with God. What else would there be to talk about?
We can say with great delight that God does reveal things to us, through the Holy Spirit--when we are in studies, sermons, or whatever. The issue is, it won't be something new, it is not the "new" Bible. It is "just" a clarification of what you are reading or seeing. Everything we see and hear about God and the Bible must line up with the Scriptures. It is somewhat like writing a science paper; all the information must balance with the next or the paper is worthless. A faith cannot exist which negates itself. If we claim that the Bible is no good, out of date, then we are in grave danger, for we will not know how to live, we will make it up as we go, and have no reason to think and act the way we do. Consider the legal laws governing countries today. So many of them counteract each other, causing a great amount of turmoil.
The Israel teachers in Christ's time, much like people today, seemed to pick and choose from the Word as to what was right, what was wrong---they did what they saw as important, yet downplayed other things. On the other hand, they also added laws to the laws given the People by God. Do we not do these things by saying the Word is old fashioned? That most of it does not count? Or when we add things to it with our new revelations.
While I haven't yet studied this...it seems to me that any changes to the Word, any addition or lessening of the importance of the Word is doing the same to God, because it is He that provided us with the Scriptures. ( John 1 ) They are God-breathed, which means to change them is a great amount of arrogance and prideful behavior on our part. When we change whether a verse is acceptable now because it is a modern time, we belittle God. We make an atrocious step of changing what God said, and we dishonor Him. We turn God into the Toothfairy or Santa Clause for us to "believe" in, while ignoring the fact that this is the almighty God.
"Because God is sacred, the words He speaks are also sacred, and sinful men such as Moses must be mindful of God’s holiness. In the same way, the words God gave Moses on Mount Sinai are also sacred, just as all words God has given to mankind in the Bible are holy and sacred because He is holy and sacred. Just as God is perfect, so are His words perfect (Psalm 19:7). Just as God is righteous and pure, so is His Word righteous and pure (Psalm 19:8)..."The Greek word translated “God-breathed” is Theopneustos, from theos, meaning “God,” and pneo, meaning “to breathe or breathe upon.” ... our Holy God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, literally breathed the holy words of Scripture into the writers of each of the books through supernatural means. The divine Writer is holy; therefore, what He writes is holy...This “set apart” aspect of holiness is true of the Bible because it is a book set apart from all others. It is the only book written by God Himself, the only book that has the power to set men free (John 8:32), to change their lives and make them wise (Psalm 19:7), to sanctify them and make them holy (John 17:17). It is the only book that gives life, comfort, and hope (Psalm 119:50), and it is the only book that will endure until the end of time (Matthew 5:18).(GotQuestions)
17“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5 ( NIV )
Many people will say, from this passage, that we are in the all clear--we don't have to do anything. And we don't, but as you read all of the New Testament, you will find that many of the Old Testament commands come back up. There are great long lists scattered about in the NT of commands that still apply--and while they will NOT provide salvation, we are to attend to them in honor of our God. ("The greatest command—love for God—is also the greatest motive for obedience. We obey him because we love him, and we love him because he has graciously drawn us into his own household. It is God who works in us, both to will and to behave according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:13"). ( GraceCommunion ))
Christ provided the first and only long lasting sacrifice by being able to complete to perfection all the laws of Moses. He then met all the prophecies of His Messiahship. The Law itself is still in action, for those who are not believers of Christ, the taint of sin is on them in full. This is why it is impossible to be saved outside of Christ. It is impossible for us as humans under the guise of sinners that we chose so long ago, and we seem to chose with each day, to meet the standards of salvation that would be required. Our faith in God frees us from the Law, but only from the perfect sacrifice of God Himself.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4.12 ( NIV )
If you believe in God, and in a God that is alive and well, then it is only logical that, if this Book of His has survived all these millennia--when belonging to a people-group despised by nearly every other people group--is also alive and well. The general reason for destroying the credibility of the Word is to remove the sting of conscience. Look at the words of Hebrews, after the first sentence. They are not exactly comforting words, because it is speaking about dealing with our sinful nature and sin actions.
"The Bible is the description God gave us about who He is, and His desires and plans for humanity. The most significant component of this revelation is the story of our separation from God by sin and God’s provision for restoration of fellowship through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Our need for redemption does not change. Neither does God’s desire to reconcile us to Himself." ( GotQuestions ) When we state that the Bible is "old and outdated", we are saying that we don't need to know who God is. We can know God through prayer, considering Him, speaking about Him to others, but the clearest picture we can have on this broken earth is from reading the Word. It is then that we find the verbal depths of His love, how His plans always, always come true, and work just as He promises (how many people have promised you and failed---God never will). When we change the Bible, ignoring what it teaches because of its age, or the "new" revelation we have "been given", we miss so much. We change who God is, as I have said already, making Him weak, or some sort of vending machine, rather than a powerful, wonderful God, who, like a Father, must teach us...but His teaching tools, the Word and the Spirit, work best together (at least in my life). If part of that mixture is thrown away, our connection to God will be weakened, leading to further desecration of faith.
Basically we need to understand that the cannon of Scripture was closed at about 1 AD, because, of course, Revelation is about the end of all things. Therefore, it is wrong to leave behind the Word of God for a "new" word.
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Prov 30 ( NIV )
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Gal 1 ( NIV )
If you believe in God, and in a God that is alive and well, then it is only logical that, if this Book of His has survived all these millennia--when belonging to a people-group despised by nearly every other people group--is also alive and well. The general reason for destroying the credibility of the Word is to remove the sting of conscience. Look at the words of Hebrews, after the first sentence. They are not exactly comforting words, because it is speaking about dealing with our sinful nature and sin actions.
"The Bible is the description God gave us about who He is, and His desires and plans for humanity. The most significant component of this revelation is the story of our separation from God by sin and God’s provision for restoration of fellowship through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Our need for redemption does not change. Neither does God’s desire to reconcile us to Himself." ( GotQuestions ) When we state that the Bible is "old and outdated", we are saying that we don't need to know who God is. We can know God through prayer, considering Him, speaking about Him to others, but the clearest picture we can have on this broken earth is from reading the Word. It is then that we find the verbal depths of His love, how His plans always, always come true, and work just as He promises (how many people have promised you and failed---God never will). When we change the Bible, ignoring what it teaches because of its age, or the "new" revelation we have "been given", we miss so much. We change who God is, as I have said already, making Him weak, or some sort of vending machine, rather than a powerful, wonderful God, who, like a Father, must teach us...but His teaching tools, the Word and the Spirit, work best together (at least in my life). If part of that mixture is thrown away, our connection to God will be weakened, leading to further desecration of faith.
Basically we need to understand that the cannon of Scripture was closed at about 1 AD, because, of course, Revelation is about the end of all things. Therefore, it is wrong to leave behind the Word of God for a "new" word.
Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Prov 30 ( NIV )
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Gal 1 ( NIV )
( For other passages on not straying from the Word see Open Bible Info )
There has always been a problem with people wanting to change what God says, and this is done in so many variations one's head can spin. Even in Deuteronomy, there are charges to the People to honor what God has said and not to change it. We just are wired in our sin nature--and especially if changing the Word serves our purposes in sinful desires.
Study the Word deeply, and only the Word. Believe it word for word. And when deciding what the Word means (besides the Holy Spirit), use context of the verses/chapters. It is helpful to understand the people who were around at the time of the writing, such as..."what are the differences in language, time, culture, geography, setting and situation? All of these must be taken into account before application can be made. Once the width of the chasm has been measured, we can then attempt to build the bridge over the chasm by finding the commonalities between the original audience and ourselves. Finally, we can then find application for ourselves in our time and situation." ( GotQuestions )
Some tools to use to test what others may tell you, either as a pastor or whomever, will also work as you study the Word and utilize the Word--
1. Context. To understand fully, start small and extend outward: verse, passage, chapter, book, author and testament/covenant.
2. Try to come to grips with how the original audience would have understood the text.
3. Consider the width of the chasm between us and the original audience.
4. It’s a safe bet that any moral command from the Old Testament that is repeated in the New Testament is an example of a "timeless truth."
5. Remember that each passage has one and only one correct interpretation, but can have many applications (some better than others).
6. Always be humble and don’t forget the role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation. He has promised to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). ( GotQuestions )
2. Try to come to grips with how the original audience would have understood the text.
3. Consider the width of the chasm between us and the original audience.
4. It’s a safe bet that any moral command from the Old Testament that is repeated in the New Testament is an example of a "timeless truth."
5. Remember that each passage has one and only one correct interpretation, but can have many applications (some better than others).
6. Always be humble and don’t forget the role of the Holy Spirit in interpretation. He has promised to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). ( GotQuestions )
No comments:
Post a Comment