Post date: Oct 1, 2011 7:37:53 PM
Reposted from 2010 11 12
Let me start by saying, I hope to be challenged in my theology. The more we discuss theology with one another, the more solid our theology becomes. Before I start my thoughts, I challenge each and every reader to take the time to search the scriptures to see if what I say is true. In doing this, you will be acting in accordance with the Berean mandate.
I pull this from Acts 17:10-11.
10) The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11) Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
In Berea, they heard the scriptures, but rather than just accepting what was said, they went and researched in the scripture to see if Paul and Silas told the truth. This is a fine example of personal accountability for their own walk with God. Y’see, we are to walk out our own salvation.(Phil 2:12) We are each responsible for our own relationship with God and searching the scriptures. Even Jesus took the time to discuss and better understand the scriptures (Luke 2:46). As Christians, we have a responsibility to discuss and work our own salvation through, just as Christ modeled for us. In my own life, I have had to question the teaching of those over me. I once had a preacher tell me that David slew Goliath and then cut off Goliath’s foreskin. The preacher said it was part of the dowry to Saul. As I researched this, I discovered that the dowry came later and the two events were not directly connected. In the long run, I cannot say that this preacher was leading people astray through this passage alone, but I can say that inaccurate Bible teaching is often the grounds for cults and other twisted/wicked interpretations. I own responsibility for my own walk with God. No one else can determine it. Where I fail to test teachings against scripture, I fail to seek the truth. This is MY failure. I cannot blame it on anyone else. Yet, when I see that someone has been teaching a skewed gospel, my studies help me to see the holes in their sermons. At that point, I can help them by privately discussing where I felt their interpretation is incorrect. This is not to humiliate them, but to give understanding.
Acts: 18:24-26
24) Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
25) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Priscilla and Aquila found Apollos preaching an incomplete gospel. Apollos knew of John the Baptist, but not Christ. So, they offered correction to his theology. Notice that it says that they “took him”. The Greek word (G4355 in Strong’s) means to lead aside. I believe that Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos aside and had a private conversation with him over his theology. I also believe that the translation “lead aside” implies how we should not force a person to think like us. We should allow them room to research for their self.
I have had opportunity to correct the theology of others. Those who received what I had to say were enriched by it. Those who proved my theology wrong enriched me. Still, it is important that we help one another by having discussions about theology. We need to know why we believe what we believe and be able to discuss it. (1Pet 3:15) Even Jesus discussed with the Pharisees so that their theology might be perfected. Sadly, the Pharisees chose to kill Christ over admitting that they were wrong.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your own walk with God. No one else has a place to be God for you. No one else can bring you closer to God. No one else can save you. Only Christ is Lord and Savior. Because Christ is the Word (John 1:1), I encourage you to get to know the Word through time in scripture and in prayer.
Moreover, I want you to test what I have said. If it does not line up with scripture, lets talk about it. Correct my theology or learn from it. Either way, I want you to grow in your walk with God.