May 24, 2016
Doctrinal errors, correction and social media 2
A man can never teach above his revelation.
The revelation a man has concerning scriptures will be limited largely by those who taught him. Let’s take a look at the first doctrinal issue in Acts of Apostles and how it was corrected and the manner of the correction.
Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this.”
Paul surely had been teaching that there is salvation in Christ by faith alone and not of works. Then they received “guest ministers” who came and spoke of the necessity of “circumcision”. As expected, there was a great dispute about the matter.
How was it resolved?
They went to the elders of the church!
Doctrinal issues are resolved on one platform
The church!
If you notice something about the sentence of James about the matter you will see that it was not in accordance with the Pauline revelation.
Acts 15:27 “We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.”
They gave them another set of rules.
Paul later clarified this again to the churches he pastored.
The “idol is nothing” Paul says.
So to Paul there was nothing wrong with eating meat offered to idols because the idol doesn’t exist in the first place and doesn’t own the meat!
However, Paul didn’t shame James and the apostles to do this. He simply admonished those he pastored!
You can’t be having a Facebook pastor!
Pastoring is not Facebook matter. Facebook is a public square and not the church!
Now why did James say what he said? Because of his understanding! Was he not an apostle? Yes he was. However, being a ministry gift doesn’t mean you will know doctrine if you are not taught it or do not study it.
Another example was a rebuke of Peter’s conduct by Paul in the Galatian church.
Galatians 2:11 “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation”
Now Peter understood Paul’s doctrine but he was afraid of James. So he acted contrary to what he knew when those from James showed up. Now Paul rebuked him openly before all. But I want you to know that he rebuked him before the church and not outside the church. Why?
Doctrinal matters are church matters .They are never personal matters but church matters. There are many instructions in the epistles regarding those who don’t teach the right doctrine all have a context within the church.
So how can we then correct doctrinal error on social media since we have many Christians there?
That’s up next.
CONFESSION: I respect the body of Christ. I know that I am part of that body. I treat her with dignity and honor.
BIBLE READING: Hosea 3, Matthew 18
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