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Doctrinal Discussions
These studies examine the traditional doctrines held by the Church of Christ to see if they are actually taught in the scriptures. This is not an "anti-Church of Christ" site. I was reared in the Church of Christ and have preached in the Church of Christ since 1968. My desire is that we walk righteously before God, not according to traditions of men. Bernie Parsons
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How To Properly Use My Articles For Bible Study
by Bernie
Parsons
November 09, 2009
My articles on topics from the Holy Bible are based upon my understanding of a given subject at a given point in my life. This can, and does, change as I learn and grow. I urge you to grow, also, as you study. As my understanding grows, I try to go back and revise the original writing to reflect my new knowledge, experience, and understanding. However, my physical health is deteriorating, and someday I will be unable to further refine the articles.
Take them as I intended them -- as tools to use in your own Bible study. I have never intended any article to be the final word on any Bible subject, so please don't take them as such --- the Holy Bible is its own final authority! Likewise, don't take any other person's commentary as the ultimate authority, either. The Bible will be studied, discussed, and debated endlessly for years to come, no doubt. Remember the words of the wise king, Solomon:
Ecclesiastes 12:12 "And further, by these, my son, be
admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a
weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
There is a right way and a wrong way to study the Holy Bible. I wrote an in-depth article about this several years ago. If you are interested in my thoughts on this subject, read it here: How To Study The Bible.
I am an ordinary person, like you. I am not a scholar who knows Greek, Hebrew, or any language besides my native English, the American version! I make no pretensions.
My highest worldly education is an associate's degree in computer networking.
God has given me intelligence and insight, the abilities to discern truth when others ignore it. He also provided me with a bit of command of the language, which helps me concentrate on what is written.
The gospel message given by Jesus Christ and His apostles is not complicated. It only gets complicated when men and women begin to interject their own thoughts into God's thinking. Jesus summed it nicely when He told an inquirer that the two main commandments are these: love God with every fiber of your existence, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Simple!
To this end, God, through His only-begotten Son, Jesus, calls for humankind to repent and turn their hearts back to Him. Those who heed the call are to be baptized (immersed in water), at which point the blood of Jesus washes away their sins.
Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in
their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost."
They are reborn, spiritually and mentally, into God's kingdom. Simple!
Love God and your fellow man with charity -- love that is unearned and undeserved. Simple!
Almost anything beyond this is from the heart and mind of man, and not from God. Beware of the doctrines of men. Most highly educated men are not impartial when translating or commenting on the scriptures, and are promoting doctrines that their particular religion upholds and teaches.
Romans 16:17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them
which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple."
Many teach to get gain in one or more of three areas: financial gain, power and control over others, or personal honor and glory. These men are concerned about themselves, not you!
1 Timothy 6:3 "If any man teach otherwise, and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself."
The gospel of Jesus Christ was intended for the ordinary person to grasp.
1 Corinthians 1:26 "For ye see your calling, brethren,
how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble,
are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God
chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence."
With this in mind, study the scriptures to discern this simple and beautiful plan of God for mankind. Keep your mind open. Instead of studying the Bible with preconceived notions of what it says, study to let it speak to you. Those writers were getting across a simple message to their readers. It is not that hard to know their message to those ancient readers. Learn, then apply the lessons to yourself!
James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the
things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will
shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the
foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently
upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a
foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat
vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."
Study, but don't forget to do what you know God wants you to do!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
