Is That So?

Christians who have been taught the whole counsel of God have a tremendous responsibility. A definite doctrine is absolutely necessary in the system of Christianity. Christ said, “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:20). There is no evidence of salvation until a person is influenced by doctrine.

It has been said that those who profess to be infidels are not the only unbelievers. I do not worship the Christian God if I do not worship God in Jesus Christ, and I cannot worship God in Christ without knowing what it means to rest on the atonement of the Son of God. As the “way,” Christ opens it for the elect; as the “truth,” He instructs them in that way; and as the “life,” the Holy Spirit of regeneration draws them to the Father. Christ said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44).

Saving faith belongs to the covenant of grace. It is the gift of God and the fruit of election and regeneration. It is called into exercise by the effectual call, and the whole man is involved—mind, heart, and will. Therefore, it goes beyond the mind, heart, and will. Paul could see the evidence of God’s grace working in the chosen Thessalonians. Therefore, by the evidence of the inspired pen, he wrote, “…knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia” (I Thess. 1:4-7).

Scripture instructs us in (1) “how” to listen—“So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him” (Luke 8:18); (2) “what” to hear—“…Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides” (Mark 4:24); and (3) “who” to hear—“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (I Cor. 11:1; Also read John 10.).

The undershepherd, like the Shepherd Himself, is known by the authority of the word. (1) His motto is “follow me as I follow Christ.” There is also an individualizing of the sheep under his leadership. (2) He leads the sheep out of organized religion into total dependence on Christ, outside the camp bearing Christ’s reproach. (3) He leads some sheep out of infantile feebleness into manly strength. (4) He leads out some from fleshly activity into spiritual activity—“The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city” (Eccl. 10:15). (5) He leads some from a slavish fear into a reverential fear and patient waiting for Christ.

Foregoing the privilege of rank, Christ condescended to become the Son of Man in order that the elected sons of men could become the sons of God. The true undershepherd is to follow the example of the chief Undershepherd—Jesus Christ—as He led the sheep out of this evil world—“outside the camp” (Heb. 13:11).

Things are changing in the religious world so fast, and the change is not for God’s honor and glory. The following statement proves my statement. An article entitled Christians Urged to Adapt to Fluid World states, “Mainstream Christian Churches must adapt to the powerful forces of the new century—including the rise in African and Asian congregations and tensions with the Muslim world—or risk losing their relevance and ability to help shape world affairs, religious leaders said Tuesday…The consequences of globalization, terrorism, and the war on terror require that Christian churches rediscover their prophetic voice…to raise their voice and be on the side of peace….”

There is not any better time than now to make an in depth study of Matthew 16:18 and 19 and Matthew 18:15-20. The definite doctrine mentioned at the beginning of this lesson centers in Jesus Christ, but it also includes His assembly and His kingdom. It behooves every Christian to view Jesus Christ, His assembly, and His kingdom in the unlimited sky of Divine revelation. Such revelation does not come all at once. Human creeds reveal how much one knows, but the word of God reveals how little one knows. Therefore, we learn only what we are capable of understanding and make useful in our Christian lives.

In order to have a better understanding of both the assembly and kingdom, a distinction must be made. Christ is continuing to build His assembly, but the kingdom will not make its appearance until Christ’s second coming. He referred to “His appearing and His kingdom” in II Timothy 4:1. Although the assembly is not the kingdom, she does have a relation to the kingdom. However, that relationship will not be revealed until the consummation of the assembly. The assembly is present, but the kingdom is future (Eph. 5:25, 26; I Cor 4:8).

Polemics is too often heated and overbearing, but it is not an unhealthy sign. Some of the best books written were the result of controversy. Not only books, but some of the greatest experiences in life are the products of controversy. This, however, is no justification for confusion and turmoil in the local assembly (Eph. 4.)

Semantics is the study of meaning, classifying, and changes in meaning. A good semanticist will be diligent in his research of meaning. Therefore, a study of words is most important in polemics. False first principles and false rules of interpretation lie at the foundation of false doctrine.

There is no way to avoid controversy in the Christian life. The believer has controversy in both the natural and spiritual life. Without a self-evident principle to determine on which side lies the burden of proof, controversy could be endless.

1. In every question, the burden of proof lies on the side of the affirmative. An affirmative is no authority without proof. It is the same as if it had not been affirmed. He who denies has nothing to do until proof is advanced. If nothing is in the opposite scale, then it is unnecessary to fill the other scale in order to outweigh nothing. Without evidence, the person who affirms loses his cause.

2. If a man must prove his affirmation, then the objector must prove his objection. Every person must seek to prove that which his cause requires. There is a well-known principle of law which states that every man is to be presumed innocent until his guilt is established. This, however, does not mean that we are to take for granted that he is innocent. If this were the case, he would be entitled to immediate liberation. The word presumed signifies supposed, i.e., he is not to be legally judged as guilty. The law pronounces no judgment until it hears the proof. The accuser must prove his side, if the charge falls for lack of evidence.

3. In regard to religious questions, it is not whether such things are useful or injurious, but whether they are founded in Scripture. No religious institution has authority from its age, seeming success, or tradition. Therefore, everything that claims belief must submit its evidence, or else it cannot be rationally received. Since the Bible exists, those who affirm that their institutions (practices) are Scriptural are obligated to prove that they are Scriptural. The Scriptures are our only standard; therefore, anything not found in the Scriptures cannot be proved by the Scriptures.

The right use of Biblical controversy is important. Solomon said, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her” (Prov. 3:13-15). Paul, too, spoke in the same manner: “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know” (I Cor. 8:2).

We all have observed the opposite effects of knowledge. There are some whose increasing knowledge seems to make them clearer and richer in their testimony. However, there are others whose learning shuts them up to a world of their own. This is caused by the wrong motive for knowledge. The most effective Christian is the one who not only studies more, but recognizes who his Teacher really is.

The Apostle John was inspired to write, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth” (I John 2:18-21). Where there is no knowledge of truth, there can be no obedience to truth. The Bible is not a book from which one is to get a mere theoretical knowledge (theory distinguished from applied); it is a Book to be applied.

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The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE—UPDATED EDITION is the source of all Scripture quotations in this message, unless otherwise noted.