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Pastors Comments

Doctrine - Truth That Divides
April 27, 2006

Pastor Ralph Green

We live in a day when the great push is for church growth. That drive has robbed expository preaching of its impact. When any one group defines too finely what they believe they know some will not appreciate their stand. Heard is, "We don’t talk about doctrine because it divides and we wish to unite," both from the pew and the pulpit. When we consider that "doctrine" simply means teaching we know then that an abandonment of what we should know about God is taking place.

It is thought Christ-like to be accepting of anything and everything that comes along. Looking closely at the New Testament will show the foundations of the Christian faith knew no such practice. False teachers are defined by practically every writer of the twenty-seven books that comprise the New Testament. Scholars have categorized the type of false teaching being faced by the speaker and the church at large. The Lord Jesus Christ can be seen being compassionate with folks we would consider as great sinners and at the same time leveling scorching attacks upon the professors of knowledge of His day. In the duration of His ministry the inquisitors come, some with bold attack and others in deceptive ways trying to discover and disclose Him in error. Toward the end of His time here it is said that they no longer questioned Him because of their constant failure and humiliation.

During the life times of the Apostles new methods of defining who God is, began to show. Again you will find John, Peter, James, Jude and Paul directing assaults at these new bulwarks of the leaving of God’s truth for that of man. We live today having inherited the offal of the heretics of their day.

Jesus asks the following telling question about the condition on earth when He returns, Luke 18:8b "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" The word "faith" in the above is preceded by the definite article making the context refer to the body of truth delivered by Jesus and the Apostles. The earth will be replete with types of faith but it appears none will be driven by the doctrine of our Lord.

Some issues can be considered secondary and allow for some difference of opinion where clear light has not been forthcoming. Others, the doctrine that divides, should not be avoided at any cost. Jesus watched in John 6 while a great number of His followers departed. They were on truth overload. We notice that He did not run after them and beg them to return. For Peter’s benefit He asks the question as to whether they also will leave. Jesus already knew the answer. Peter responds that the words of life could only be found with Jesus. Peter states they have no other place to go find them.

Teachings such as the Virgin Birth, the godhead consisting of Father, Son and Holy Spirit being both three and one at the same time, the real substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross, the Resurrection, the bodily return of Jesus for His own one day, the eternal existence of both heaven and hell and others of such import must regularly be reiterated.

The imparting of truth should be our primary goal without consideration of the results other than being faithful in our calling to be servants of God.

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