Bible (Archive 2)

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Bible Question (short): Hindering layman from participating

Question (full): Hebrews 3:12-14(NASB)
12Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,

Hebrews 10:23-25(NASB)
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

It appears to me that there are those participating in this forum that want to limit others or strip them of their authority or rather their entitlement to respond on a particular subject. This is a Bible Study Forum, correct? Then shouldn’t we allow everyone to bring a Scripture to light and then engage in a Christian-like correspondence on the particular Scripture? If someone is mistaken in their interpretation or understanding of a passage, isn’t it the responsibility of those who participate in this forum to correct them? Rather than hindering them and ridiculing someone for posting their view, shouldn’t we be encouraging one another to seek the truth? Postings by some on this forum are not effective in leading another to the truth and possibly, eventually, preventing them from misleading another. Believe it or not, not all who have questions or an interpretation of a Scripture are Bible Scholars and some do in fact need to be led to the truth. In fact, if all of us were Bible Scholars, there would really be no reason for this forum to exist, now would there?

Taken from “Resources: About the Forum:

“For the layman, it's a 24-hour source of evolving Bible study notes with which to contrast and compare”.

How do you expect the layman to compare and contrast and ultimately learn if they are discouraged from responding and conversing with those who are attempting to correct them? Isn’t it our responsibility to witness to those who know not and strengthen those who are weak in the faith?

Mark 2:14-15(NASB)
14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. 15And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.

Levi gives us a great example of witnessing. The very day he believed in Christ, his witness began. How much do we think Levi knew at the time? Let even those new to Christ ask and then teach them appropriately.

In our discernment of one another, we look to actions and deeds of another in order to verify their witness of Christ. In this forum, it is the words in which we convey through type. Ridiculing and demeaning words are not indicative of an effective witness. In this Christian’s opinion, they are unbecoming of someone who is supposedly in a position to strengthen a weaker brother in the Word of God.

James 3:13-18(NIV)
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

If we could learn to tame our tongues, we could effectively reach many more rather than turning them away.

So my question(s) is this, why do some feel it acceptable to ridicule those who are weak in the faith and why do others condone it instead of pointing it out? Could it not be detrimental to another brother who is weak and is looking for encouragement from other Christians?

In Christ

WOS