Well today made me think that regardless of what everyone else thinks, churches, leaders, and the like I need to search the word and find what doctrine I believe. I mean I can say "my doctrine is the bible" but then when I am presented with certain issues will I be able to back them up with my "doctrine"?
Ok. Well here is what I believe.
ALL Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3.16-17).
Things I find indisputable because they are mention in the Gospels, reiterated in the book of Acts, and in the epistles:
-Prayer
-Fasting
-Husbands love your wives, Wives respect your husbands
-Giving
-Jesus' death and resurrection
-Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit
-Men being elders (The disciples were all men, in the book of acts all the church leaders all men, in Timothy, Titus, all talks about elders being men. It is maybe a little more loose than some would like, look at Priscilla and Lydia. If no man rises to the occasion God will use a woman to do so not because she is any less of a being than a man, not because she is a "Second choice" but simply because that is the way He has made it. Why do we have to understand why He made it that way in His infinite wisdom?)
-Marriage (one man, one woman)
-Communion
-The teaching of the word
1.) Jesus is the ultimate. There is no other way to heaven.
John 14:6 Jesus said unto him "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but through me"
And also Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Timothy 3:14-15 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:121 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
2.) Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 6 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting is not a requirement but it is a blessing that people often miss out on. It is something that can draw one closer to the Lord and be really powerful. It is done corporately also but is not necessary as a church, however if a church is not doing this they are really missing out!
3.) Prophesy 1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
A prophesy is not going to just blurt out of no where, it can be contained. It is not meant to disrupt or disorder.
4.) Tongues- two different types of tongues.
a. Almost like the native language of the Holy Spirit-spiritual tongues. Not necessary to be filled with the Holy Spirit! It is a specific outpouring of being filled but not the litmus test of IF you are or not. Men in the old testament were "filled with the Holy Spirit to craft beautiful things" (Nehemiah)
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
NOT everyone will speak in tongues. Its written plain for all to see! Blessed are the people who do!
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
b. Second type in the book of Acts 2 where they spoke a different language they had never learned.
5.) On allowing false teaching...
Jude 3-4: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”
2 Peter 2:1-2: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
It is important to do the 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" so that you rightly divide between what is good doctrine and what is bad, what is zeal for the Lord and what is misguided and disrupting 'charismania'. Don't take everything the pastor takes as 100%, back it up with scripture. A good pastor will appreciate you trying to keep them on track and really know what they preach.
1 Cor 1:10, Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Philippians 2:1-4, Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
That being said, we cannot hide behind unity to allow false doctrine to ship wreck people. We want to get a long but in the long run..
6.) On living for the Lord:
It should not be a morning devotion and sunday, midweek thing. It is an everyday all day thing.
1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”
How can we always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us if we aren't living it? If we don't know it? We need the daily devotion time, the days at church, the time in prayer. Those need to overflow into a lifestyle of praise unto the Lord.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
Continually, that is the operative part of this verse it seems.
Also- As I have said before, nothing is more precious to us then what we believe. We will guard it with all we have. Even though we may be wrong, to our selves we look right. That is why Paul had to repeatedly encourage the churches above.
MORE TO COME but really, I can't stay awake any longer. I need to take a nap.
I am tired and a little distressed...
Judah I expect come comments on this!
Ok. Well here is what I believe.
ALL Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3.16-17).
Things I find indisputable because they are mention in the Gospels, reiterated in the book of Acts, and in the epistles:
-Prayer
-Fasting
-Husbands love your wives, Wives respect your husbands
-Giving
-Jesus' death and resurrection
-Relying on the power of the Holy Spirit
-Men being elders (The disciples were all men, in the book of acts all the church leaders all men, in Timothy, Titus, all talks about elders being men. It is maybe a little more loose than some would like, look at Priscilla and Lydia. If no man rises to the occasion God will use a woman to do so not because she is any less of a being than a man, not because she is a "Second choice" but simply because that is the way He has made it. Why do we have to understand why He made it that way in His infinite wisdom?)
-Marriage (one man, one woman)
-Communion
-The teaching of the word
1.) Jesus is the ultimate. There is no other way to heaven.
John 14:6 Jesus said unto him "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but through me"
And also Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
Timothy 3:14-15 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:121 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
2.) Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18 6 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting is not a requirement but it is a blessing that people often miss out on. It is something that can draw one closer to the Lord and be really powerful. It is done corporately also but is not necessary as a church, however if a church is not doing this they are really missing out!
3.) Prophesy 1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
A prophesy is not going to just blurt out of no where, it can be contained. It is not meant to disrupt or disorder.
4.) Tongues- two different types of tongues.
a. Almost like the native language of the Holy Spirit-spiritual tongues. Not necessary to be filled with the Holy Spirit! It is a specific outpouring of being filled but not the litmus test of IF you are or not. Men in the old testament were "filled with the Holy Spirit to craft beautiful things" (Nehemiah)
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
NOT everyone will speak in tongues. Its written plain for all to see! Blessed are the people who do!
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.
b. Second type in the book of Acts 2 where they spoke a different language they had never learned.
5.) On allowing false teaching...
Jude 3-4: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”
2 Peter 2:1-2: “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
It is important to do the 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" so that you rightly divide between what is good doctrine and what is bad, what is zeal for the Lord and what is misguided and disrupting 'charismania'. Don't take everything the pastor takes as 100%, back it up with scripture. A good pastor will appreciate you trying to keep them on track and really know what they preach.
1 Cor 1:10, Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Philippians 2:1-4, Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
That being said, we cannot hide behind unity to allow false doctrine to ship wreck people. We want to get a long but in the long run..
6.) On living for the Lord:
It should not be a morning devotion and sunday, midweek thing. It is an everyday all day thing.
1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”
How can we always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us if we aren't living it? If we don't know it? We need the daily devotion time, the days at church, the time in prayer. Those need to overflow into a lifestyle of praise unto the Lord.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)
Continually, that is the operative part of this verse it seems.
Also- As I have said before, nothing is more precious to us then what we believe. We will guard it with all we have. Even though we may be wrong, to our selves we look right. That is why Paul had to repeatedly encourage the churches above.
MORE TO COME but really, I can't stay awake any longer. I need to take a nap.
I am tired and a little distressed...
Judah I expect come comments on this!
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