What do I believe the Bible says about how one becomes a Christian? - Part 6 * So I wanted to share other ways I have heard people teach about how someone becomes a Christian and why I dont believe the Bible supports those teachings but before I do, I want to say at the outset that I believe that the Bible is the only source we can use to truly determine what God expects of us and that the Bible must be followed above the teachings and traditions of man when they are not in agreement. I also think it is of utmost importance for all of us (me included) to always be willing to recognize a human tradition that is not a command of God and to be willing to discard those traditions if they are not in line with what the Bible actually teaches. The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands? (Mark 7:1-5 NASB) * From my understanding, the Pharisees (super strict Jews), the scribes, and the Jews started out truly wanting and attempting to follow the pure Word of God and were extremely zealous in trying to live their lives in ways that pleased God. As time went on, however, the scribes, elders, and Pharisees started introducing extra rules and traditions that were not commanded by God. More than likely, many of the good hearted Jews who were sincerely trying to please God would accept the extra rules and traditions that the elders and scribes taught as coming from the Word of God. Also from my understanding, many people did not have direct access to the Scriptures or were not educated well enough to be able to read the Scriptures for themselves and relied on those who did to determine Gods will for their lives. And He said to them, Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN. Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. He was also saying to them, You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER ; and, HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH ; but you say, If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God ), you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that. (Mark 7:6-13 NASB) * As time went on, the traditions started being placed on higher levels than the Word of God and ended up invalidating the actual Word of God. Because of this (and other sins and factors), the peoples hearts got further and further away from God. The same thing happens today and specifically happens in regards to what is taught about how one becomes a Christian. But the good news is we all have access to Bibles and most of us are educated enough to read it ourselves so we should not allow ourselves to be duped into believing things that are not true just because a preacher, bible scholar, a church, or even a school tries to teach us. Thats my challenge for anyone reading these studies. Make the Bible your standard over what people say the Bible says.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:49:27 +0000