And Jesus answering said unto them, "Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?" (Mark 12:24)
"... ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded." Unto you therefore which believe [He is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner." (I Peter 2:5-7)
"... knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (II Peter 1:20)
"... as also in all [His] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (II Peter 3:16)
How many times have we adhered to the statements of faith emerging from man-made religious culture without knowing what the scriptures actually state? For example, we know "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God." But do we know where in the scriptures these words are spoken? Have we taken the time to recognize that there is more to this scripture than this one specific statement? Have we read for ourselves the context so that our understanding is complete, so that as men and women of God, we may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works? From II Timothy:
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:14-18)
Remaining steadfast in the apostles' doctrine. (Acts 2:36-47)
The part of the scripture that is missing in the statement of faith -- " ... and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Where do we find our understanding of doctrine? From Acts 2:36-41 (marking the beginning of the New Testament body of Christ church) and Hebrews 6:1-3: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit."
For reproof? The Lord states in Proverbs, "Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you." (Proverbs 1:23; II Timothy 3:16)
For correction? "But thou shalt say unto them -- This is a nation that obeys not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receives correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth." (Jeremiah 7:28; II Timothy 3:16)
For instruction in righteousness? "... to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: to understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:2-7)
What is the doctrine of Christ?
When we come to the understanding that this same Jesus who walked the earth -- after He ascended (was taken up) He [Jesus] through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He [Jesus] had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) This same Jesus whom ye/we have crucified is now both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself ..." (II Corinthians 5:19)
And how does the doctrine of Christ relate to our salvation?
When we search the scriptures for the truth -- this same Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life -- we come to also understand how much the Lord God loved us to willingly become our Saviour too.
"After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)
This is why in this current dispensation of grace, His precious, holy Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) Not another God but the one and same God who created us in the beginning, who formed us within our mother's womb, robed Himself in sin-prone flesh (but without sin) so that we might have abundant life in Him.
It is herein that we know the scriptures to be true, infallible, absolutely supreme and sufficient in authority in all matters of faith and practice. But it is also wherein we should come to the knowledge and understanding that these truths are founded in the Word -- the same Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18; John 1:10-11)
As such, heeding man's religious creed won't save us. Rather, we who profess to believe in the Lord Jesus by faith need to return to the One and Only source of the inspired scriptures, so that we will know that when the Holy Ghost dwells within, we also have the Author and Finisher of our faith -- the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending leading and guiding us into all truth.
His Name JESUS.
Stand in the offering plate.
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