Bible Question:
i'm very confused about how to confirm whether things that are done and/or said in chuch and by other "authority" figures are scripture based or "man" based -seems to me a lot of people who tell you what to believe and how to believe have not "experienced" things for themselves, that is to say their beleifs seem to be based on what OTHERS think and believe and not first hand experence, and more importanly they don't seem to be able to back up same with scripture? thanks |
Bible Answer: Dear One: This is my opinion, right or wrong, it is my opinion – take it or leave it, it is up to you. There are churches that are extremely conservative and do things word for word based on the Bible. They rule their church by the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law. Then there are churches that are so liberal that it is difficult to find Jesus or the truth in the Bible in their church. There is a huge spectrum of churches to view, look at their teachings, their lifestyles, and how their interpretation of the Bible. Some churches believe the Word of God to be true and they may add a few of their own teachings “to help” (their opinion) to live a godly life. A small example: I was Catholic until I turned 30. The first church I attended after leaving the Catholic Church was a Nazarene Church. The pastor was a real Shepard to me, we spent months questioning and discussing each of our beliefs. When I left the Catholic Church, I joined the Church of the Nazarene and was comfortable with their teachings. The church has a few extra things they asked of it members: I will only give a few examples, at the time I was a member the church asked, “Do not support the cinema/theater,” that meant no movies, don't go to the show, and do not have a TV in your home. None of the additional teachings were scriptural nor did the church say they were scriptural. They ask that you abstain. If I wanted to be a member of the church – I needed to agree to abide by their rules. If I did not want to be a member I could do as I please and decided if I want to go to the movies or not. They were not difficult things they were asking of me, and I was willing to abide by the church’s desires and request. When I went to a non-denominational church and sang in the choir, the church asked all choir members to abide by no drinking or dancing. I could choose to drink and/or dance and still be a member of the church but could not sing in the choir. I choose to sing in the choir, agreed not to drink, and not to dance because my desire was to sing in the choir and glorify God. None of the things they were asking were in the Bible but I choice to agree with their request. This same church asked that while I was ministering in an official capacity to wear a nice dress, and nylons when I was counseling women, teaching women’s Bible studies and/or praying with women when she came forward to receive Christ or had a need for a prayer request. I wanted to be involved in these ministries so I agreed to their request. OK, if I went to a church that taught every single person had to be baptized in their church regardless of their past baptisms. If you are not re-baptized, you could not become a member in the church. I would not stay at the church. I have been baptized as an adult, I know my baptism is valid and I do not need to be re-baptized again nor would I be re-baptized. That is not scriptural. If I went to a church that taught even though you have accepted Christ, walk faithfully with him for years, live a godly lifestyle, your life is an example to the community, the Fruit of the Spirit is evident in your life, and you are saved, no doubt – you are saved and profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. If I knew that I was saved and someone told me that I had to be baptized to be saved – I would not join that church because I feel that is an important teaching and is not up for negation of Biblical belief’s. When I accept Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I am saved. If I am saved, I cannot be more saved than saved. Then the church teaches that I have to be baptized to be saved – I would not go to that church because I do not agree with an important teaching. I do believe that all who are in Christ need to be baptized, as it is an act of obedience. However, once you are saved you cannot be more saved than saved. If you would prefer to share a few examples of how you feel, what you have seen, and how people have spoken to you regarding the church’s teachings I may better be able to answer your questions. Do not lose heart it is good to question what you believe and what your church teaches. Questions can cause a person to take a stand on what they believe or what they don’t believe. By no means are we to accept blindly someone’s teachings. When a body of believers is not allowed to question their leader then things like Jones Town happens. I do not know all the answers but I may share what I believe is true and these are my opinion. In Him, your sister in the Lord, Psalm139:13 |