Many people today are confused by the varied religious
teachings. They are exposed to different doctrines and are shocked
and dismayed at the differences. Some people become confused and
discouraged by all these doctrines, not knowing which is correct,
and, thus, lose interest in religion. The Scriptures give much
information on this subject.
Jesus taught, "For I have not spoken of myself;
but the Father which sent me, he gave me commandment, what I should
say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment
is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the
Father said unto me, so I speak," (John 12:49-50). Jesus
received his teaching from the Father. It did not originate from
him. Jesus, praying to the Father, said, "For I have given
unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they received them,
and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have
believed that thou didst send me" (John 17:8). Jesus also
said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto
you" (John 14:26). When the church was established, the members
"continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine ..."
(Acts 2:42). Notice, Jesus was taught by the Father; then
Jesus taught the apostles. The Holy Ghost reminded the apostles
of Christ's teaching, and the apostles taught the church. The
church followed steadfastly in the apostles' teaching.
Everything was wonderful; everyone followed the
apostles teaching; life was great, right? WRONG!! It didn't take
long for people to begin to stray. "And certain men which
came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye
be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved"
(Acts 15:1-2). This caused quite a stir. Paul wrote, "I marvel
that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the
grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but
there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ," (Gal 1:6-7) People were changing the apostles' doctrine
even while they were still on the earth. Paul spoke to Timothy,
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went
into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach
no other doctrine" (1 Tim 1:3) . Everywhere, some were beginning
to teach things contrary to the apostles' doctrine. "Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils;" (1 Tim 4:1). Again, "But evil men and seducers
shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived,"(2
Tim 3:13).
Warnings are given, "Whosoever transgresseth,
and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and
the Son," (2 John 9). In Thessalonians, we read, "Even
he, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that
they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure
in unrighteousness," (2 Thess. 2:9-12)
How can you tell a doctrine of a seducing spirit
from the apostles' doctrine? READ the Bible!! READ and REREAD
the Bible!! Fix in your mind what the Bible teaches. COMPARE what
is taught with what you read. FOLLOW THE SCRIPTURES. "Then
said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know
the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:31-32).
Reject all things which are not taught in the Bible. Don't "think
of men above that which is written..." (1 Cor. 4:6). Rt.
1 Box 131, Shock, WV 26638. kerns@myserver-wv.net