The Cure For Christian Religious Confusion
Posted: Monday, September 28, 2009
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
I approach this subject with humility. How do I know there is religious confusion? I know that simply because there are so many different interpretations of properly worshipping and righteous living among them.
In any part of life, there must be a determined authority for our actions. That is a truth pertaining to civil law, morality, or serving God. The authority for Christian living is not self. Many people believe they have the right to govern themselves, especially in religion. But that is incorrect in Christian living, regardless of what Oprah or others may say or think.
As the nation of Israel (Jews) strayed from God time and again, He sent them messengers in the form of judges, kings and then prophets from which came the main writings of the Old Testament, other than the Pentateuch which was written by Moses, the type of lawgiver, as Jesus was the anti-type bringing the new covenant.
During that period, Moses was the final authority representing God. His word was law. After Jesus was born, lived and died, he was the final authority for all men. The entire New Testament is the word of God through Jesus Christ, written (recorded) for us by his commissioned and inspired writers. The words written by all of those New Testament writers were inspired (God breathed) through the Holy Spirit. And Jesus had told them He would send this Comforter to them to bring to their remembrance, all things whatsoever He had told them...and guide them into all truths. (John 14:26, 16:13)
That Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost after Christ's resurrection. (Acts chapter 2) These books, (the compiled New Testament) contains all instructions for the Christian's life and Godliness. That is not to say we should not study the Old Testament, in fact we need to study it. It is referred to as a "schoolmaster to bring us to Christ" that has reference to bringing the Jews to the birth of Christ. But it also says that these things were written for our learning. We can understand the New Testament much clearer if we are familiar with the Old Testament teachings.
The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us right to begin with: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past to the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son whom He hath appointed heir of all things by whom He also made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1-2)
When the day comes when man can say, O.K., I'll go by everything I can possibly find that is taught in the New Testament, regardless if Uncle George says something different, or anyone else says something different. The fact that you have strong confidence and faith in some preacher, does not mean he cannot err. We must all do as the Bereans...read this:
"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." (Acts 17:11) Luke here tells us they did not simply take what was preached unto them, but checked the scripture to see if they were true. We must do that also. There is far too much at stake here to risk accepting anyone's word without comparing it to God's word.
The New Testament is the Authority given by Jesus Christ our Lord, and no one has the right to alter it. The confusion among the Christian organizations come from those who would add to or diminish from God's Holy Word. Even a small amount is too much. Jesus prayed to the Father:
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:20-23)
Now we attempt to serve God under every name imaginable. There are now literally thousands of names which people profess to serve God under. Read what is said of the Corinthians by Paul:
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
The Lord's church which, He purchased with His own blood was never given a name. It was never an earthly organization. But it was only referred to as the church, the body of Christ, the church of God, the churches of Christ, the church of the First-Born and so on. Never intended to be a name, but simply a descriptive term that people would recognize that it was the "called out" of Jesus Christ and they were called Christians (followers of Christ) first at Antioch. (Acts 11:26)
We need to diligently read and read and strive to "rightly divide the word of God" and live our lives in such manner as always to glorify God and His Son Jesus Christ. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)Excellent Joel, excellent. "We need to diligently read and read and strive to "rightly divide the word of God" and live our lives in such manner as always to glorify God and His Son Jesus Christ" --- to this I say Amen. It is my prayer, my aim, my goal as well. Thanks Joel for this blessed read.
Thank you Edward for the nice comment. I just hope to convince some that being a lukewarm Christian won't get the job done.
Brilliantly written and (spiritually) inspired. Great article Joel. Thanks.I want to know more about the people from Thessalonica. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.May your day be a good day!Best to you.NenitaThanks for reading and commenting Nenita. I'll try and write an article about the church in Thessalonica soon and try and explain why that statement was made and it's implicationsLooking forward to read it.
EXCELLENT. Beautifully written and should be a challenge for all the Body alive during this day. How can we bless and please and love Him if we don't look at His Book. Thanks, Brother! MarijoThanks Marijo for you comments. You've got it. My favorite saying is, "You cannot obey God if you don't know what He says"!
Excellent article, Joel, as usual. This a a good word to hear in this day of televangelists and 'feel good' religion where so many believe anything goes.Thanks Lorrie for your kind remarks. I appeciate them.
Joel,You are so correct and this is a great article! How convenient it is to interpret God's word and authority to one's present day values (part of the problem in America today since I believe we are not a people of true value anymore). God's word can never change. It is what it is and always will be.Thank you for an excellent write.Thanks for reading and commenting Nancy. I appreciate it very much.
horseappleslAnd I suppose that like the Bible states you believe that the world was created in six days by an omnipotent God who had to rest on the seventh because he was so pooped?And I that suppose that you also believe that snakes once talked and that the Earth is only several thousand years old,contrary to what science informs us?When I hear so called bright people quote my jewish book of fairytales,I,too, begin to doubt evolution.Your comments do not warrent a reply. You could not understand it anyway.
Joel, thank you for another excellent article to read more than once! ~JeanThanks Jean, I do appreciate your kind comments.
Joel, very well stated. It is a sad thing when denominations claim superiority over another. Jesus rebuked those who gave themself a name - Nicolaitans - We are Believers, we are the body of the invisable church of God. Maybe its because I didn't grow up in church, but I have never been comfortable with identifiying myself with a denomination. That to me, causes the very division you are speaking of. Obviously there are different levels of growth and understanding, but I don't think its reason to stop fellowship, unless we are talking about the essential biblical doctrines of Christianity. Great job in helping us to focus on the Head of the church, who is Jesus Christ our Lord. Blessings to you! TThank you Teresa for your nice comment. You believe as I do, he Lord's church is his kingdom and that is the only place one has to be. He adds obedient children to that kingdom. I have never belonged to a denomination.By the way, we have a raving maniac ranting. I'm going to leave them there unless Bruce wants them removed, so the world can see what an intellect, a self proclaimed "Rabbi" can exhibit. He needs our prayersHi Joel, yeah, the churches I have attented and attend now, my have a denominiational name, as yours just by nature of indentification, but there are no "denonimational rules" like you have to be baptised in our church or can't take communication unless you become a member etc... But I do not say, I am a "....." The sad thing is some people will say, "I know you are a Christian, but what kind? Are you baptist, catholic, etc.... "niether, I reply" and they don't know what to think of me. Not everyone, but many.And I see the other conversation. Wierd because the original comment had nothing to do with the theme of this piece in the first place. I agree they should be left, especially because Bruce's analogy is wonderful, and it could help someone gain understanding.Thanks again, Teresa, and yes I can relate to the trying to explain to people that you are nothing but a "Christian". Most cannot understand that, even though that was the original way it was.
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