·
The Gospel Series Part III
·
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV — For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
·
The Word of God
·
We are all looking for direction. An appointment with the doctor, a job interview or a visit to a new restaurant, the first thing we do is grab our phones and search the ever present search engine to find the location of where we should go and how to reach these destinations. When we look for direction in our lives, especially our spiritual lives, we look in all directions because we are taught and conditioned that there are many paths to reach spiritual nirvana and unfortunately, there are many teachers, philosophers, scholars and denominations who believe that there are many ways to God. It is a doctrine that many so-called Progressive Christians have adopted into their core beliefs along with only choosing parts or sections of the Bible as truth. They believe that their way is the path and direction to take – but is that really true?
·
John 14:1-6 NKJV — “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
·
The Gospel Message
·
Jesus tells us that there is only one way to God so why are there many Christian religious groups saying differently? The answer is because of the lack of knowledge of God’s Holy Word and making up their own rules and creating their own doctrine.
·
The Word of God warns us about false doctrines, so how do we know what is true? A Doctrine is a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true. Biblical doctrine refers to teachings that align with the revealed Word of God, the Bible. False doctrine is any idea that adds to, takes away from, contradicts, or nullifies the doctrine given in God’s Word. For example, any teaching about Jesus that denies His virgin birth is a false doctrine, because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture.
·
Matthew 1:18 NKJV — Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
·
As early as the first century A.D., false doctrine was already infiltrating the church and many of the letters in the New Testament were written to address those errors.
·
Galatians 1:6-9 NKJV — I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
·
Colossians 2:20-23 NKJV — Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
·
Titus 1:10-11 NKJV — For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
·
Paul strongly encouraged Timothy to guard against those who were peddling heresies and confusing the flock:
·
1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV — If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
·
We are warned about those who “water-down” the Word of God to justify their actions and to legitimize their questionable lifestyles. Yet, many modern day theologians and biblical interpreters claim they derive their “doctrines” from the version of the bible they are reading. It may be easy to identify other false religions because God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are not recognized but within the Christian Church, which includes many Protestant and Catholic denominations, recognizing false teachings and doctrines can be difficult. Is something “lost in translation” with the different versions that are available? Which version truly represents the will of God?
·
The King James Authorized Version
·
The King James Bible is possibly the most widely-known edition of the Bible, though in England it is known as the “Authorized Version.”
·
First printed in 1611, this edition of the Bible was commissioned in 1604 by King James I – after feeling political pressure from Puritans and Calvinists demanding church reform and calling for a complete restructuring of church hierarchy. In response, King James called for a conference at Hampton Court Palace, during which it was suggested to him that there should be a new translation of the Bible since versions commissioned by earlier monarchs were felt to be corrupt.
·
King James eventually agreed and decreed the new translation should speak in contemporary language, using common, recognizable terms. King James’ purpose was to unite the warring religious factions through a uniform holy text.
·
This version of the Bible was not altered for 250 years and is credited as one of the biggest influences on the English language, alongside the works of Shakespeare. The King James Bible introduced a multitude of words and phrases now common in the English language, including “eye for an eye,” “bottomless pit,” “two-edged sword,” “God forbid,” “scapegoat” and “turned the world upside down,” among many others.
·
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
·
There are more than 2,500 translations in hundreds of languages. There are about 6,000 languages in the world. There’s one new translation produced every 10 days. As followers of Christ, we have no excuse for remaining ignorant of theology because the Bible is complete but we must diligently research to find a current and true translation of the Word of God.
·
2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV — Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
·
As we are diligent to present ourselves approved unto God, we will be less likely to be taken in by smooth talkers and false prophets. Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide you to fully understand the Holy Word of God.
·
2 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJV — I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
·
© 3 / 2021 TopicalWave.Com, LLC.