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FOCUS ON THE SCRIPTURES

February 8, 2001 

Revised: November 16, 2002 & January 08, 2003

And, yet, there are entirely too many teachers and preachers teaching and preaching, on their own authority, religious doctrines as the very word of God, based on their own humanly devised principles, deductions, inferences and/or implications. We ask, why are they teaching and preaching as their doctrines the precepts of men rather then teaching for their doctrines the precepts of Christ? False doctrines, taught as truth, are directly responsible for the fact that untold millions of people have not accepted Christ. They are the source of the divisions or factions in the Body of Christ and they are severely condemned by the writers of the New Testament. Many believe and teach that their members are the only true Christians and all others will be lost in a Devil’s hell. Each faction has its own colleges, its own publications, and exists within its own brotherhood. Why are they unwilling to abandon the teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men? They say they are Christians and they sing: I will follow Jesus and where He leads me I will follow. In spite of this, they are locked in, as it were, to their own doctrines, and continue to teach as their doctrines the precepts of men. Because of this, the Body of Christ is fractured, split and divided and unable to fulfill the following prayer of Jesus that is found in John 17:17-21: "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that Thou didst send Me."

Jesus said: "A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit" (Luke 6:39 NASB)?

Tragically, many unsuspecting persons have been converted to the views of certain blind guides and not to Christ Jesus. Can we any longer sit idly by and let millions fall into a pit?

Because of the awful damage that is being done to the Body of Christ, we need to encourage all of our leaders, teachers, and preachers to teach and preach as their doctrines the teachings and precepts of Christ which are the truth and the very word of God. Jesus said: "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him, and will disclose myself to him" (John 14:21 NASB). And Jesus said: "If any one loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make Our abode with him. He who does not love me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent me" (John 14:23-24 NASB).

     (A). The teachings of Christ are found in the New Testament scriptures, not in the teachings of religious leaders based on their own deductions, inferences, and/or implications. A doctrine is defined as whatever is taught, thus the doctrine of Christ is the teaching of Christ and not men.
     (B). The commandments of Christ are found in the New Testament scriptures, not in the commandments of religious leaders, based on their own deductions, inferences, and/or implications. "And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him.  And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us"  (1 John 3:24 NASB).

Are we really committed to following Jesus where He leads us? Do we really mean it when we sing, I will follow Jesus?

How can one follow Jesus and abide in the doctrine of Christ if he or she is not familiar with the teachings of Christ? Clearly we need well trained teachers teaching, and well trained preachers preaching: (A). The teachings of Christ. "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in Him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John 2:3-5 NASB). Jesus said: "If you keep My commandments, ye will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:10 NASB). Keep the commandments of Christ. How can one follow Jesus and keep the commandments of Christ if he or she does not know them? Clearly we need well trained teachers teaching, and well trained preachers preaching: (B). The commandments of Christ.

The importance of this subject is made very plain by the passages quoted. In the Christian scheme of redemption there are teachings of Christ to believe and commandments of Christ to be obeyed. Is this a serious issue or what?

The following is an example of just one of the many teachings of Christ to be believed: "You have heard that the ancients were told, You shall not commit murder and Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court" (Matthew 5:21-22 NASB). This is the doctrine of Christ. Some were unhappy with this teaching of Jesus, so they changed it to read that every one who is angry with his brother, without cause, shall be guilty before the court. And, of course no one is ever angry without cause, so the teaching of Christ is reduced to no effect and followers of these blind guides have accepted the teaching that they should become angry regarding a whole host of issues provided them by the blind guides. And they both stumble and fall into the pit.

It is important to mention that in addition to the many health risks of being angry, identified by the medical community, anger expressed is statistically associated with strokes. On the other hand anger suppressed, in addition to being statistically associated with heart disease, is also statistically associated with cancer. This doesn’t seem to bother the blind guides, at all, they just go on teaching and preaching, anyway, the devil’s doctrine that it is OK to become angry. And, it doesn’t seem to bother them, at all, that (1). Ephesians 4:31-32 clearly says to get rid of all anger (a command) and replace it with being kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you; and, (2). Colossians 3:8, NASB clearly says to put off all anger (a command); and, (3). Jesus said that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court just as whoever commits murder. Is this a serious issue? You bet your life it is.

The following is an example of just one of the many commandments of Christ to be obeyed: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those that persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:43-45 NASB). Let us encourage our teachers, and our preachers to teach and preach the commandments of Christ of which this is only one of many. The Apostle Paul said: "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 6:6-7 NASB).

There were those in the early church and there are those in our day teaching commandments to be obeyed by the followers of Christ that are based on their own fabricated assumptions, deductions, inferences and dreamed-up views. Some are teaching and have taught laws to be obeyed which were not taught by Jesus or His Apostles. In our day it is Laws of Expediency; Laws of Exclusion; Laws of Silences; and, some are teaching their Laws to be obeyed, on what constitutes acceptable acts of worship in a public assembly; and, some are teaching what they refer to as a Pattern Theology which contains their Laws to be obeyed, and on and on. LAWS; LAWS; LAWS; AND MORE LAWS; and all based on humanly devised principles, deductions, inferences and/or implications.

Those who teach as their doctrines the precepts of men as the very Word of God are obscuring and undermining (A). The teachings of Christ, and (B). The commandments of Christ. They do so in direct violation of the teaching of Christ. I confess that I am not familiar with all of the divisive issues. I have been in business all of my adult life and even to me it is very clear that Jesus did not teach their laws, nor did the Apostles. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to bother them, at all, that their views and their laws are nowhere to be found in the teachings and/or commandments of Christ, either as taught by Jesus or His Apostles. They just teach and preach them anyway as though they were. So, let us encourage them to abandon this practice, and when they present their views, simply present them as their views; and, their preferences as their preferences; not as laws to be obeyed, and leave it at that. If that can be achieved we will be one step closer to the unity for which Jesus prayed.

"Love your enemies, and pray for those that persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." How can it be any plainer then that?

Following the account of the trial, crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, Matthew says: "But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:16-20 NASB). Notice what it was that the disciples were instructed to teach those that they baptized. Even the casual reader will recognize that The New Testament records that they, the disciples, guided by the Holy Spirit who brought to their remembrance the teachings and the commandments of Christ, went everywhere teaching just as they were instructed. Regarding those baptized on the day of Pentecost, Luke says: "And they were continually devoting themselves to the Apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42 NASB). And what were the Apostles teaching: (A). The teachings of Christ and (B.) The commandments of Christ, just as they were instructed by Jesus.

Regarding the teachings of Christ; the Apostle Paul wrote as follows: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you" (Colossians 3:16 NASB). This verbal expression in the original Greek is in the imperative mood and this is how we know what it is that is commanded in this passage. There are several expressions following this one in this context that are Greek participles in the original text that are mistakenly taught by many to be imperatives when in fact they are simply participles, i.e. verbal modifiers of the stated commandment. 
     Concerning (A). The teaching of Christ (Matthew 5:21-22) regarding being angry, we can do no less then encourage everyone we know to put away all anger and reject the teaching of men on this issue; and, let this word of Christ richly dwell within you.

     And concerning (B). The commandment of Christ (Matthew 5:44): "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you;" the Apostle Paul wrote the following words: "Bless those who persecute you" (Romans 12:14 NASB); "never pay back evil for evil to anyone" (Romans 12:17 NASB); "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink" (Romans 12:20 NASB).

The Apostle Peter wrote these words: "But when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:20-23 NASB).

Jesus left the following example: "And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:33-34 NASB).

Jesus said: "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me commandment what to say, and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me" (John 12:48-50 NASB). There can be no compromise between truth and error.

Finally, then, let us, everyone, encourage our leaders, our teachers and our preachers to reject the doctrines that are mistakenly taught as the Word of God, based on the precepts of men, however they are framed or disguised, as having any authority whatsoever over Christians in religious matters. It was said of many of the rulers that believed on Jesus, "but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God" (John 12:42-43 NASB). May it not be said of us that we loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

"And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15 NASB).

Christians are those, who as a result of hearing the Gospel of Christ; experience repentance (the word repentance in the original language means undergoing a change in the frame of mind); and, they believe in the Gospel (the word believe in the original language means having been persuaded, or a settled persuasion, and the word Gospel means the good news); and, they confess that they believe that Jesus is the Christ; and, they are buried with Him in baptism (baptism in the original language means to dip, to immerse); all of which constitutes STEP ONE of the Christian scheme of redemption; they are now rejoicing; their sins are forgiven; they are Christians; and they have been added to the community of believers, which make up the church of Jesus Christ. Believers, then, move on to the NEXT STEP. They continue growing in the Christian faith. They continue to hear the words of Jesus; and, experience repentance; and, confess their faith in Christ; and, they are increasing in faith as a result of continuing to believe the words of Jesus.

Christians are ever learning from His teachings, and they are learning and obeying His commands. As Christians grow in Christ; the teachings and the commandments of Christ, become more and more evident in their daily lives. They are now in Christ and the Spirit of Christ is in them; and they are following where Jesus leads. And, they are singing with all their heart: I will follow Jesus; where He leads me I will follow.

Jim Davis

E-mail: jamesdavis@focusonthescriptures.com

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"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE™, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

© 2001, 2002, 2003 by James S. Davis. All rights reserved.