Tag: doctrine

The Bible is Our GPS

On March 17, 2023

So often out in the world we look to our GPS to get directions to a specific location. This is now easier than ever with all of the technology that is packed into our smartphones. Google maps and Waze are but two of the myriad programs available for directions.

But where do we get our directions when our desired destination is Heaven? Many look to their preacher or their pastors to get the information they need. In the Lord’s church this is often a valid method, but even within the body of Christ we should check out the information and validate it for ourselves:

Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

When we are outside of the body of Christ, looking to man for direction is dangerous beyond measure. If one were to ask a false teacher “the way to Heaven”, they would get a multitude of answers – none of which would be correct.

That brings us back to the essence of today’s blog post. None of us should simply take our preachers “word for it”. When a preacher or teacher makes a claim, they should be able to back up that claim with the Bible, the Word of God.

Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

The word “masters” here is the Greek word didaskalos and means an instructor or teacher. The reason these teachers shall receive greater condemnation is because of the great responsibility of teaching the truth.

Let us hold our preacher/teachers accountable for their teaching, and let us always work to help our teachers see any error that they may be promoting. By doing so we can strengthen the body of Christ and keep our Bible study and worship services pure and holy.

Will Everyone Go To Heaven?

By Jay

On October 25, 2022

In Bible & Doctrine

I find it extremely interesting that some folks see Christianity as a way to solve all of their problems after they live their life any way they please. They do not want to follow the meek and lowly life presented to us by Jesus yet they still want the great reward that Jesus has promised to all who follow after him.

Um, this is clearly a logical contradiction. If someone says that they will pay you for playing professional sports then it is quite obvious that they expect you to…um…actually play. Why is it different with Christianity? Jesus has given us a set of commandments that we need to strive to keep (while staying in a repentant state) and then, and only then, can we reap our reward.

In no way am I saying we earn our salvation – it is a gift from Jesus. However, we must adhere to the prerequisite commands of our Savior in order to receive that gift. You have to sign your check to cash it and the bank has every right to ask you to do that. It is the same with salvation, Jesus has every right to ask you to stay in a repentant state, confess, be baptized, and live faithfully. He is the one giving the gift and he has a right to ask you do do certain things in order to receive that gift.

Universalism, the belief that Jesus will save everyone on earth no matter their belief or religion, is such a doctrine. This video might better help you understand what I’m talking about. If you get a chance subscribe to may channel because I hope to be making more videos soon:

https://youtu.be/k7WRZo6UlCc

Paul at the Areopagus

By Jay

On July 21, 2022

In Bible & Doctrine

In my recent studies I have been exploring the journey of Paul into Athens and (particularly) his discussion with the council of philosophers and officials at the Areopagus. This story is found in Acts 17. The Areopagus was a rock outcropping northwest of the Acropolis and was an important meeting place for a group regarded as the Greek Council.

This council was formed of elders and representatives of the city (and many philosophers) and was quite powerful and influential (similar to what the Senate would have been in Rome). Here, discussions would be held about various gods, new ideas, city matters, and philosophies. Paul was taken here by the council so they could hear his thoughts, beliefs, and ideas (Acts 17:19 NET).

Paul taken to the Areopagus

Notice I said “taken” to the Areopagus. The terminology used here is very similar to Acts 16:19-20 where Paul and Silas are “seized” and “dragged” into the marketplace to face the authorities. This council felt they had the legal right to hear any new “ideas” that were brought forth and to make sure that they did not endanger the city.

So, what seems like a great discussion of ideas with various philosophers and council members is actually (again) a trial of sorts. Paul deals with it well and his lessons in evangelism here are immense. First, he relates to his audience by stating that he can see they are “very religious” (Acts 17:22).

Paul Begins his Oration

Next, he asserts that he can identify the “unknown god” that they have built an altar for. It seems they had many gods and idols and had built this altar in case they had left one out. Regardless, Paul preaches God to them and then relates to them once again by quoting one of their respected philosopher/poets, Aratus, who said ‘For we too are his offspring’ (Acts 17:28-29).

Paul is certainly using rhetoric and argument in a powerful way – but he is also using it in a Godly way. Paul is “softening the blow” for his “elite” and “sophisticated” audience. He is relating to these people on a personal level before giving them the hard truth of God, Jesus, and the resurrection.

Evangelism Today

What can we learn from this that might influence our own evangelism today? Well, I think we can learn to relate to our audience before giving them harsh truths. I think we can see where someone is right before we address where they are wrong, and I think that we can follow all of that up with God’s saving truth.

Finally, there is one more step that should be mentioned. If, after presenting the truth, you are rejected, then you must move on to the next opportunity. That doesn’t mean you’ll never try to evangelize to that person again, but it does mean that for the time being you must “shake the dust off your feet” and leave them for a time (Matt 10:14). After all, the fields are white for harvest (John 4:35).

Spreading the gospel is not so much about the success as it is about the trying. God causes the growth, we can but plant and water. I always loved this line by T.S. Eliot in his book of poems, Four Quartets:

“For us there is only the trying, the rest is not our business.”

Counting Our Blessings

By Jay

On July 13, 2021

In Bible & Doctrine

Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Blueberries. Water. Measuring cup. Car. Gas. Grocery store. Vision. Family. Soap. Computer. Books. BIBLE.

That may seem like a strange start to an article but I think that the preceding words are just obscure enough, just “normal” enough, to deliver my point with the greatest clarity. So, what point am I trying to make exactly?

That we have blessings right under our noses every day – and that those blessings are delivered to us by the Father of lights (God). Now, those are just a few blessings I thought of off of the top of my head, but we all have many, many blessings in our lives. Let’s take this a bit further (stay with me here).

On this hot July day in 2021, I currently have a very reliable car and I have access to plenty of gas. Those are wonderful blessings, but on the downside my car also needs an oil change. I dislike getting oil changes, it’s boring and I have to deal with salesmen trying to get me to buy other things like tires and wiper blades. It also takes up a few hours of my day.

So, what do I concentrate on more, the great positives or the tiny negative? The fact that I have a great car and plenty of gas or the fact that I have to go to the dealership for a couple of hours to get an oil change? Sadly we (and by we I mean me) often concentrate on that one tiny negative aspect of something instead of on the vast multitude of blessings that God has given us.

In America today we really have to watch this. We live a life of comparative comfort and luxury compared to the rest of the world. When Jesus was speaking of the church at Laodicea in the book of Revelation, he spoke of their “riches” and how they had become reliant on their wealth instead of trusting in God:

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

With our relative affluence here in America we sometimes have the tendency to take our blessings for granted. We can begin to think that we are supplying ourselves with our blessings and we can even start to resent anyone or anything that interferes with our machinations. We should all remember that our blessings come from God. Everything from food, clothing, and shelter to the very breath that sustains us, all comes from God.

When we think of our blessings in this manner we can begin to think on the positive aspects of our life instead of the negative. We start to see all of the wonderful things that God supplies us with every single day.

When we think of our blessings in this manner we can begin to live a life of thankfulness (to the Father of lights) for everything good we have in our lives. And, when we start to think of our blessings in this manner – that oil change doesn’t seem quite so bad.