CONFUSION
And the answer to the question is Jesus Christ. What question, you ask? Any question of faith, my friend. Unfortunately, most of the time I get questions they are the result of pastoral teaching. Now and then I'm challenged by a pastor who side steps certain portions of scripture. All answers should come directly from not just the bible, but from the teaching of Christ as recorded in the four gospels.
If you're basing your faith on Christianity, you MUST conclude and teach exactly what Christ said. Do you think John was saying 1:1, ( "In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.") that something other than the bible and the gospels was the basis of the Christian faith? Upon whom but Jesus Christ are you basing your faith? Christianity has become a political football, and not just because of social politics. The very seminaries and preachers have departed from the bible, and especially from Christ's teaching.
Example number one is an ordained preacher who teaches that Moses didn't write the early books of the Old Testament--the books we call the Pentateuch. There are dozens of "learned" bible scholars who tell us Moses didn't actually write those books. They base their conclusion on the OPINIONS of these scholars. Now, LISTEN UP you doubters of scripture. I will only settle for the TRUTH, which is given in the words of Jesus Christ. Want the real truth who wrote the books attributed to Moses? Where do you find the real truth? How about the words of Christ?
Look at John 7:22, as Christ is speaking when the Jews were split on the authenticity of Christ. This one verse of scripture--the very words of our Savior--tells us that He accepted Moses as the author of the Pentateuch. "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath." Christ did not waste words, and this verse makes it clear that He believed Moses wrote this history. You can base your belief of scripture on Christ's words or the words of scholars who would like to believe they know more than Christ. If you are really a Christian, this is a perfect place for you to accept Christ's word or the word of a scholar.
You're still a doubting Thomas, aren't you? I expected that. Now, go to Acts 15:1. "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.'" You still think somebody other than Moses wrote those books? Congratulations. You don't really have the Christian faith. You believe writers who don't possess the Holy Spirit. Writers of scripture must have the presence of the Holy Spirit or they simply write the words of man, not God. The same is true for the study of scripture. Without the Holy Spirit to guide you, you are just reading. It's apparent most seminary study today is concentrated on the denominational aspect of Christianity. It's "We're better than them because we're enlightened and more intelligent in our approach."
A pastor of any Christian denomination who does not follow the teaching of Christ, or who substitutes an "enlightened" version of
scripture is an apostate. Christians are warned about false teachers many times. Like Lucifer, they may appear to be angels of light, and very persuasive. You must understand they unknowingly fell into the snare of Satan and are reprobate. They truly believe they are correct in their understanding and teaching. If they cannot produce any verification of Christ's words, you know they are reprobate.
Example number two of a professing Christian who disagrees with a hot button social issue--abortion. Scripture clearly explains in the words of Christ that there is only one unforgiven sin. That sin has nothing to do with adultery, homosexuality, same sex marriage, murder or abortion. All these sins, including probably the worst (false witness-lying), have equal value and require repentance. The only unforgivable sin is given us in Matt. 12:31-32, and it is the denial of the Holy Spirit (power of God). God expects us to use common sense in interpreting His clear messages. Abortion is wrong, except there are circumstances when it isn't wrong. Making a decision to refuse abortion to a woman whose life is threatened is placing the decision maker into a murderer. And this means two deaths. If the fetus is poisoning the woman and will not survive birth, it is already
beyond man's ability to be God and save the fetus. Now, to proceed to examine this situation.
You see my explanation in Christ's explanation of unforgiven sin, which is simple and clear. You see my reasoning for supporting abortion for the specific purpose of supporting an existing life, especially if the woman already has a family. Letting her die takes away a wife, and perhaps a mother. The argument forbidding an abortion for any reason has no scriptural reference. In fact, it was not necessary to enter discussion in scripture. Do you think Christ was so dumb He forgot abortion, or maybe it just began recently? When I requested where the anti abortion scripture was, the answer was "the bible." When I wanted to know where in the bible the verse dealing with abortion was, the answer again was "the bible." This opposition to scripture is obviously only an opinion based on fire-eating emotionalism stirred by people using this method to secure followers.
America is rife with these people, all of whom have a "me" agenda
based on half truths and lies. The church is a fertile place to take this
type of spin effort because most professing Christians are too lazy to actually study the bible. They believe they are saved because they said the sinner's prayer and they attend church, watch church programs on television, tithe money, perhaps teach Sunday School, have a bible study (mostly social) or participate in a charity drive. This is all good, except we go back to the sinner's prayer. It all begins with commitment, and commitment must be with the heart. As it was necessary for Jewish men to be circumcised, it is necessary for a Christian's heart to be circumcised.
Sound impossible? Turn to John 3:1-21. Nicodemus went to Christ to learn about the new birth. You can read another account of the new birth in Acts 8:26-40. If you have trouble believing the circumcision of the heart, you probably have trouble believing scripture such as Acts 8:39-40. In fact do you believe in miracles, the virgin birth or the bodily resurrection? A committed Christian believes all of these things because they are of Christ.
God is not a God of confusion. Among the many places we are told that God requires order is 1 Cor.14:40, "Let all things be done decently and in order." That refers not only to the activities within the church, but also to everyday life. Anyone who attempts to teach the word of Christ had better know the real word, the truth, and nothing but the truth. Apostate teachers and those who stir up emotional sin through false witness (half truths and lying) condemns himself/herself. The scripture has been presented to you. It is up to you to spend the time and effort to learn the truth.
Matt. 7:7 instructs us, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matt. 7:15" Beware of
false prophets (teachers) who come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Little Red Riding Hood had that very experience.
Rev. Walbear
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