[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 017

[T. Sean Sullivan]

      T
     
he Messenger 2008

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

 

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

 

VOLUME 003::ISSUE 016 :: April 20, 2008  

 

 

ARTICLE ONE:   Truth and Assumption

ARTICLE TWO:  Why We Do What We Do: Lesson Two

 

Article One: Truth and Assumption

 

Assuming is often a dangerous thing. Assumption is not accepted in most areas of life. We do not want our Doctors to assume we are healthy. We do not want our mechanic to assume the wheels will stay on. But then how many people simply hand their souls over to "someone's assumption" of what is right in religion everyday? We need to get past assumptions.      

The Bible teaches only one truth and we can know that truth. In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes the Father accept through Me." The Bible provides only one gospel; any other is ".not another" (Galatians 1:6-9). The Bible instructs us by only one doctrine (2 John 1:9 "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in THE doctrine of Christ does not have God"). These things must be understood but also we must understand that we can know the truth (John 8:31-32). Let's look at some of these "assumptions" according to what the Bible really says.

 

Many Assume that TIME Makes a Practice Right.

The reliance on traditions is very important to many. Sometimes it is family tradition:

"Mom and Dad believed" or "Grandma and Grandpa believed". Consider this, if they always believed and practiced something other than the truth you can't make it less wrong by repeating their mistakes. This is a simple case of what Jesus calls, "the blind leading the blind" (Matthew 15:14). If they did not search the scripture to prove their beliefs but chose to follow them anyway; they shut their eyes to the truth. If you then declare that you will follow them you have closed your eyes as well.

Sometimes it is traditions in their religious group. There are groups today that deny the Bible and use their own traditions as authority. If you ask members of different groups why they do certain things, a common answer would be, "We have just always done it that way".

In Matthew 15:1-9 Jesus condemns these false practices of tradition over truth. He declares that this worship is "vain" [empty] when they "teach as doctrines the commandments of men". If something transgresses God's will today then it will not fall in line tomorrow. Consider the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. If traditions were acceptable why did Christ command them to repent or else? 

 

Many Assume that FEELING Determines the Truth.

There are those that have assumed that religion is a "feeling". Many seek and enjoy the conjured atmospheres of certain "religious" places-large cathedrals with its robes, regalia, dimmed lights, maybe incense or candles.  There are others who are seeking the rush of live bands and strobe lights to make them "feel" motivated.

The pattern of worship in the New Testament is simple: Matthew 28:19 "Go and teach." not "bring the feeling". Feeling is heavily marketed today. Dynamic speakers stand up with tear laden messages and the audience just eats it up. Where is the gospel? Poems and testimonials are not "preaching Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). 

The apostle Paul warned of times when people would not stand for the truth. In 2 Timothy 4:1-4 he said, "They will heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears".

If we preach anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be accursed (Galatians 1:1-9). The preaching of "Christ" as recorded in the New Testament was presented in such a way as to bring a humble response not a loud rock concert. There are three words that focused the purpose of proper preaching: convincing, convicting, and converting.

 

Some Assume Truth Changes With The Times

Many think times have changed; people have changed. This is not true. People have not changed we still have the same basic needs and the same basic desires. We have come a long way technologically but we are still just humans. 

Sin has been around since the Garden. The sins committed in cities like Corinth and Rome in the first century would make the most brazen of our age blush. Sin has not changed: it has always followed the same pattern: The record of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 shows the same pattern of temptation as in the record of Matthew 4:1-11 and the statements of 1 John 2:15-17. Temptation comes in three forms: "Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life". There is no sin that falls outside of one of those categories-not then, not now; not ever.

The Bible is never-changing. The Scriptures themselves declare their permanence even as Jesus says in Matthew 24:35 "heaven and earth will pass away but My word will by no means pass away." The Bible was, and is, the power of God to salvation. It was enough to convert, cleanse and save those in Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "you were washed, sanctified and justified"). It is still the only source of salvation today"(Romans 1:16 It is "the power of God unto salvation"). 

 

Conclusion: What man "assumes" has very little to do with truth. Traditions do not make truth. Feelings do not define truth. Time does not change the truth. 

The truth is real, consistent, and sure; it has been around for a long time and it is still as powerful today as ever. The truth is what you can safely place your trust in. Do you want to be saved? You can be saved according to truth today! On the back of this bulletin there is a chart that outlines the plan of salvation. Please take the time to read it and the passages that it refers to and please obey God today. ~tss

 

Article Two:  Why We Do What We Do: Lesson Two

            

Introduction:

God has told us what to do! People tend to forget that the Bible is very much written by our Almighty Creator. The Bible is not just some men's take on what we should do in religion (2 Peter 1:19-21). God's revealed pattern for our lives is set-the New Testament is our complete and fully functional pattern. We need no other source of information (1 Corinthians 4:6). However, not every example or every word of the New Testament is to be emulated or followed. 

There are examples that pertain to specific situation that we do not have today. Acts 2:45 the brethren who stayed in Jerusalem longer then they had planned were running out of supplies, so those who had goods shared with those who did not, by selling and dividing the proceeds. This does not authorize the necessity of financial equality. We know from other passages that we must meet our brethren needs (1 Timothy 1:17-19). This example from Acts 2 was specific to one situation and is not to be forced on every situation. There are words that we can't claim as authoritative today. Luke 5:4-6 after catching no fish all night Peter was told to go out into the deep to try again. These are not words of authority for us to do the same. This again, was specific to that one event. We have to read and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)-we need to search the scriptures to know God's desires.

Let's consider how to recognize scriptural authority in this         lesson. The methods that we will use are not necessarily religious; in matters of interpreting any written words we search for and use these elements to understand what the words are teaching. Last week we look at Acts 15 where these three points of authority and the prohibition of silence were used. We are now going to examine these points in finer detail. 

 

Precept/Command: 

A direct statement or commandment is the most easily recognized part of scriptural authority; it is a command or directive issued from one having authority. Some examples are: Matthew 28:19 Jesus said "Go"; Acts 2:38 The apostle Peter said, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of your sins" by these examples we clearly see the voice of commands. Similarly Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:1 said, "As I have given command.so you must do also". 

We have direct statements or commands for the things that we do. Consider the acts of worship: meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25), preaching (2 Timothy 4:1-5), prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18), singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), and the collection (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).  We will consider, these things, more specifically in our next lesson.

 

Approved Example:

An approved example is an "authorized" practice of the church in the first century (recorded in the New Testament). The approval is found in the apostolic direction or recorded approval (whether in their presence or through epistles). The apostles being authorized by God would not endorse an unauthorized practice. 

Remember not all examples are binding; not all examples are authoritative. The authoritative examples are for all times and are not found in the examples of specific or special events. For example: one specific event is found among the brethren in Acts 2:44-46. The situation records them selling all to share with their fellow brethren in need. An example of a general situation that teaches what needs to be done everywhere is Acts 20:7 "The disciples came together on the first day of the week" -to worship that is an example for all times. We have no example of them meeting to worship on any other day. Approved Authoritative Examples are clearly approved by God and are not for a specific event but generally for all times. We can consider the example of meeting on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). The apostle Paul endorsed this practice by his presence. 

Also we can use Paul's example as authority for praying when times are good (Philippians 1:3) or when times are bad (Acts 16:25) and praying for one another (Philemon 1:4) and praying as a group (Acts 21:5). All these are approved examples for us to find authority in to do the same.

 

Necessary Conclusion: 

Is that which, is neither expressly stated nor shown in example but must be clearly concluded as necessary. These conclusions must be based on the language and intention of the context.  E.g. Acts 20:7"the disciples came together on the first day of the week". Since each week has a first day.  We can safely conclude that we must gather to break bread every first day of the week. We must not force a conclusion. We must come to a conclusion that simply and sensibly fits. 

Another example may help clarify this. Jesus makes a statement in Matthew 18:20 "Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there in the midst of them." This is not a command to gather. This is not an example of gathering. It is a statement from which we can safely conclude that Christ authorizes gathering in His name.

 

Silence: 

This is probably the hardest for most to come to grips with. We must have authority for all things. We cannot do anything that has not been authorized. If God is silent concerning one thing or another we must respect His silence. Some think, "As long as I am not told, 'Thou shall not'". I can do what I want.  This is not way the scriptures were intended. Each of us here should understand the principle of silence from this classic example: Mom says, "Go buy a loaf of bread." Some scriptures that declare that silence is authoritatively prohibitive: Acts 15:24 ".we gave no such command"; Jeremiah 10:23 "It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps".

 We must seek God's direction (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). If God hasn't told us what to do we are not capable of making up the directions ourselves.  When we have no words of directive, example, or those that clearly lead to a conclusion, we have only silence and therefore no authority.

 

Conclusion:

To give a defense of our faith and our practices we must know by what authority we do what we do (1 Peter 3:15). We must study to show ourselves approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15). For a practice to be authorized only one of the above mentioned methods is required. For some practices we have all three, and others just one of the three. God has delivered His word so we might please Him by hearing and doing (James 1:17-22). We can please God today, by doing His will without guessing or doubting-we can do what He desires. Do you want to be pleasing to God?  We are authorized to offer you this hope through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). ~tss

 



 

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   

Sean

 

 
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