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CHAPTER ONE

THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE TRADITIONS OF MEN

Part Three

Mark Them Which Cause Divisions

"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge...the folly of fools is deceit...There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death...The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going" - Proverbs 14:7-15.

"...Hearken not unto the words of prophets that prophesy unto you...a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran...for ye have perverted the word of the living God" -Jeremiah 23:16-36.

"...No prophesy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation" - 2 Peter 1:20.

"...Prophesy against...them that prophesy out of their own hearts...Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit...saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them...They have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace...Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked , that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life" - Ezekiel 13:2-22.

"...There were false prophets...even as there shall be false teachers among you...Them that walk after the flesh...Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of...things that they understand not...Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you...beguiling unstable souls...which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray...For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through lusts of the flesh...those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption...It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them..." - 2 Peter 2:1-22.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee...seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will forget thy children" - Hosea 4:6.

"...And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch" - Matthew 15:14.

Question # 1.7 - The Bible teaches that we are not to judge. For this reason there are many who teach that we don't have the right to correct others who claim to be christians, even if their doctrines are totally contrary to scripture. Should Christians allow compromise against scriptural authority and commandment to discern, rebuke, and withdraw from false teachers?

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us...And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" - 2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 14-15.

"Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" - Romans 16:17-18.

"...These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing...and destitute of the truth...from such withdraw thyself" - 1 Timothy 6:2-5.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" - 1 John 4:1.

"Many deceivers are entered into the world...Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God...If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" - 2 John 7, 9-10.

"For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers...whose mouths must be stopped...Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" - Titus 1:10-13 & 2:15.

"...I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be...an idolater (Webster's Dictionary; Idol - #4, In logic, a fallacy)...with such an one no not to eat...Put away from among yourselves that wicked person...Are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?...I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? - 1 Corinthians 5:11 thru 6:5.

"...He that is spiritual judgeth all things..." - 1 Corinthians 2:15.

"...If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." - Ezekiel 33:8.

"Woe unto you...hypocrites! For ye pay tithe...and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" - Matthew 23:23.

Question # 1.8 - Some teach that it is not right to name out those who are teaching false doctrines. But did Jesus, Paul, or other Apostles (our examples of true christianity) ever expose false teachers by name?

Jesus said - " Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduccees...he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine..." - Matthew 16:6, 12.

"...Some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme" - 1 Timothy 1:19-20.

"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words" - 2 Timothy 4:14-15.

"...Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred...and overthrow the faith of some" - 2 Timothy 2:16-18.

"...Diotrephes...receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words...Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good" - 3 John 9-11.

Question # 1.9 - As was brought out in the preface of this study, we are striving for doctrinal unity in the christian faith. Since that perfect unity is obviously not yet obtained, change is in order. Some teach that unity can only come if we all learn to compromise and accept each others doctrines. Does Jesus expect us to compromise His words for the sake of unity? Or does He warn us against allowing compromisers to have their place in the church? (Notice the rebukes and commendations given by Jesus to certain churches as found in the book of Revelation)-

Commendation-

"...Ephesus...I know thy works...labour, and...patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and how thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars...- Revelation 2:1-2.

Rebukes-

"...Pergamous...I have found a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that...cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel...So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else..." - Revelation 2:12-16.

"...Thyatira...I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest (Strong's; Sufferest- to let be, i.e. permit or leave alone) that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols...Behold, I will cast her...and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation...And I will kill her children with death..." - Revelation 2:18-23.

For more study on this part, see also - Rev. 18:4; Eph. 4:14; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Cor. 11:3-4; Gal. 1:6-9; Col. 2:4-8.

In Conclusion-

"The holy scriptures...are able to make thee wise unto salvation...All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" - 2 Timothy 3:15-17.

"Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this shalt thou both save thyself, and them that hear thee" - 1 Timothy 4:16.

"...Teach no other doctrine" - 1 Timothy 1:3.

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed" - Galations 1:8-9.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God...If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not..." - 2 John 9-10.

"...Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that...speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord...They say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come unto you...I have not sent these prophets...I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied" - Jeremiah 23:16-21.

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" - Colossians 2:8.

End of Chapter One. Please Continue with Chapter Two.

Bibliography for The Commandments of God, and the Traditions of Men Bible Study

Tom Raddatz