• 589- To Christ Be True
• 587- ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
• 105- The Lord’s Supper
• 517- The Church’s One Foundation
• 563- There is Power in the Blood
• 483- Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus!
Introduction
The church of Christ is being besieged with false
doctrines that are causing division among
brethren here in Texas and elsewhere.
We have many that are being carried away by
every wind of doctrine.
I am convinced that even though brethren realize
that the Scriptures are the inspired, infallible,
inerrant word of God (2 Tim. 3:16) that they
haven’t considered the principles on which to
handle the Bible accurately.
Introduction
The Bible says, “Be diligent (study- KJV) to
present yourself approved to God as a
workman who does not need to be ashamed,
accurately handling the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15)
The Greek word for “accurately handling” means
to “cut it straight, to dissect correctly the
divine message.”
This morning we will study principles that
hopefully will help us to obey this command.
Study All the Bible Says on a Subject
Since the sum of God’s word is truth (Psalms
119:160), we must be like the Bereans who
examined all the Scriptures to see whether
the preacher is telling the truth. (Acts 17:11)
Jesus taught that we must live by every word
that comes from the mouth of God. (Mt. 4:4)
The devil quoted and twisted Scripture to try to
get Jesus to sin but our Lord pointed out
another Scripture that Satan violated.
(Matthew 4:6-7)
Study All the Bible Says on a Subject
When someone contends that we are saved by
faith alone, we can answer with God’s wordwe are “not saved by faith alone” (James
2:24)
We are not saved by works of human merit
(Ephesians 2:8-9) but by works of obedience
to the Lord. (Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 5:8-9)
Too many are like the Pharisees and try to justify
themselves before men but God knows their
hearts. (Luke 16:15)
Accept the Scripture at Face Value
God has revealed to us the Scriptures in words
that we can read and understand through the
inspired apostles and prophets. (Eph. 3:3-5)
When we read Genesis 1 concerning the days of
creation, we should take it at face value that
it is saying that it was a 24 hour day and not
billions or millions of years.
In the context, the days are defined as evening
and morning. (Gen. 1:4,8,13,19,23,31)
Accept the Scripture at Face Value
The Bible warns us about the opposing
arguments that are falsely called science in
which some of our brethren have departed
from the faith, (1 Tim. 6:20-21; Col. 2:8)
teaching the days of creation are not literal.
But some contend that it doesn’t matter what
you believe since it isn’t an issue of salvation.
But Jesus said “if you do not believe his writings
(Moses), how will you believe My words?”
(John 5:47)
Let the Bible Explain Itself
Be careful to understand difficult passages in
light of clear teaching. They must harmonize.
The untaught and unstable distort Scriptures that
are hard to understand. (2 Peter 3:16)
Mormons believe that a living person, acting as
proxy, can be baptized by immersion on
behalf of a deceased person based on 1 Cor.
15:29. That would contradict the Bible
teaching that each person must be baptized
for their sins to be forgiven. (Acts 2:38)
Let the Bible Explain Itself
Premillenialists pervert Revelation 20:4-6 to teach
that Christ would reign in Jerusalem on
David’s throne in Jerusalem for 1,000 years
with the resurrected saints, when the book
was written using figurative language.
That would violate many passages because Christ
set up a spiritual kingdom where He is now
sitting on David’s throne at the right hand of
God after His resurrection (Acts 2:29-36) and
will not set his foot on earth again.
(1 Thess. 4:13-18)
Let the Bible Explain Itself
Brethren try to use Romans 14 to say that it
“tolerates contradictory teachings on
important moral and doctrinal questions”
which contradicts the clear teaching that we
are all to agree, be united, and have no
divisions among you. (1 Cor. 1:10)
Brethren try to use Luke 18:29 to teach that you
can divorce for the kingdom of heaven’s sake
but that would violate the plain teaching that
you can only scripturally divorce for the
cause of sexual immorality. (Matt. 5:29)
You Must Love the Truth or You Will Be
Deceived by the Devil
Satan has power, signs, and false wonders, “and
with all the deception of wickedness for those
who perish, because they did not receive the
love of the truth so as to be saved. For this
reason God will send upon them a deluding
influence so that they will believe what is
false, in order that they all may be judged
who did not believe the truth, but took
pleasure in wickedness.” (2 Thess. 2:10-12)
The Devil is Deceiving Many to Believe a
Lie and They Will Be Condemned
Inherited religion: “My parents say…”
(Ignore Matthew 10:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
Human creed books: “My denomination says…”
(Ignore Matthew 15:7-9)
Personal opinion: “This seems right to me”
(Ignore Proverbs 14:12)
Popularity: “Surely the majority can’t be wrong”
(Ignore Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23)
Conclusion
Do you love the truth enough to study all the
Bible says on a subject, accept the Scripture
at face value, let the passages explain itself
when possible, and be a doer of the word?
If not, you will be deceived and be condemned.
But God wants you to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4)
and Jesus died for your sins. (Heb. 2:9)
Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There is Power in the Blood!