“It is God who judges” (Psalm 75:7), ultimately, but is exposing false teaching wrongly judging?
Indeed, “who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall, for the Lord is able to make them stand . . . You, then, why do judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat” (Romans 14:4,10 NIV).
However, in certain areas we are called upon to make judgments, reasonable people will agree. For example:read more
What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Have To Be a True Christian?
Many people in the world today call themselves “Christian,” but there are so many conflicting beliefs and doctrines taught among these people. So what beliefs must a person hold in order to be a true Christian? In order to answer this question, we need to look to God’s Word. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.
Christians view the Bible as God’s revelation to humanity
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So the first point is that one must believe that God exists, and becomes the rewarder of those sincerely seeking him.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The sincere true Christian would believe the Bible (the 66 books from Genesis to Malachi) is the word of God.
Many people professing to be Christians today believe the Bible is useful but incomplete and needs to be supplemented by their own teachings and writings. But is this the case? Is it possible that the Bible completely equips us?
THE BIBLE’S SCRIPTURES GIVE ALL WE NEED
The Bible completely equips Christians because it is the only divinely inspired writing.“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) the Bible is complete in itself, and needs no supplementation. Nothing needs to be read into it.
BIBLICAL SUPPLEMENTATION NOT NEEDED
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6) The Bible is perfect because it is God’s Word and does not need to be supplemented.
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 Jn 4:1)
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” (Revelation 22:18-19) Adding to or subtracting anything from the Bible is condemned by God. Commentaries in harmony with what the Bible actually says are fine, but nothing written by humans is equal to the scriptures.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) The Bible is God’s Word.
THE INSPIRED WRITERS
“Remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.” (Jude 17) The word of the apostles was authoritative. The New Testament was written by four apostles directly chosen by Jesus, namely, Matthew, John, Peter and Paul. Four other close associates of the apostles also wrote the New Testament.
1 Corinthians 15:7 – “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” Jesus appeared to James.
“The Gospel according to Matthew . . . no otherwas so frequently quoted in the noncanonical literature of earliest Christianity”—Preface to Matthew in the New American Bible (NAB). Since Matthew was so prominently in the ancient world, we should surely find some evidence of the Trinity doctrine somewhere in the book if it’s there.
“A true and accurate knowledge of the Trinity is a blessing in and of itself . . . the Trinity is the highest revelation God has made of himself to His people. It is the capstone, the summit, the brightest star in the firmament of divine truths”—The Forgotten Trinity, page 10. This reference by prominent a modern-day indicates that the Trinity doctrine is the thing that God has revealed most prominently. If so, we should surely find it in Matthew.read more
Is the Trinity in Matthew?