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Why is it that we naturally believe what certain people tell us? Not everyone, mind you, but those who seem to know what they are talking about...those we respect?
I mean, often we don't even think twice or try to research it ourselves. We just believe. Take for instance our parents. From the time we are born, we believe what they say. Now, they don't always get it right, right?
For example, my parents were godly, wonderful, loving people, but they still said things that were simply not correct. My dad was totally against long hair on men, and tattoos on anybody. He would quote a few verses to me about those things and I was led to believe they were set in stone, yet what those things were really about was personal preference, not God's law.
A couple of weeks ago, it came up in my weekly ladies' Bible study that "God won't give you more than you can handle." Sounds good. Gives us a little encouragement in troubling times, but it is not in the Bible. WHAT?!!! I know, I know.
The real verse which has been misquoted thousands of times says, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13)." This verse is obviously talking about temptations and how God will provide a way out, not walking through trouble which threatens to overtake us.
Another falsehood I have heard and read is “Only those are to be accounted really members of the Church who have been regenerated in the waters of baptism…”. This is simply not scriptural.
Baptism is just a symbol and has no regenerate power. Only God can regenerate. Baptism was and is an outward symbol of an inward heart change. “We are buried with Him in baptism and raised into a newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
It is a picture of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We are dying to self, being buried with Him, and coming back into a new life or new resurrection. It is to the Christian life what the wedding ring is to the married person—a symbol of their relationship.
Baptism in the Bible is always after a person has repented and decided to follow Jesus (except for Jesus who was baptized out of obedience to the Father and as an example to us).
*See: Acts 2:36,38; Acts 16:29-34; Acts 2:38
As for the big “C” church – per Scripture, everyone who has accepted Christ as their Savior by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) is a part of Christ’s bride, the Church. It is not an organization, building, or denomination, but a people.
”After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,” – Revelation 7:9
*Also see: Ephesians 2:1; 2:8
Stop, Think, Pray, Research
These are just two small examples of things we think are in the Bible but are not. There are hundreds, if not more, we could cover. Many churches, big personalities, well-meaning loved ones, etc., are telling us things and we are simply digesting them and not seeking out the truth on our own.
Luke wrote in Acts 17:11, "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
You and I should be like the Bereans. We should not digest something that has not been thoroughly examined first.
I believe we are in the last of the last days. Even more important is the responsibility to stop, think, pray, and research what is being taught, said, and propagated. Jesus warned us that false teachers would arise (1 Timothy 4), but you and I can be diligent and discerning as we hear and believe.
Now...go be like the Bereans. Don't just listen to me. (wink)
Blessings,
Kristi