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From the book: The Challenge of the Christian Theology and more...
of Ewald Frank |
The only valid measuring rod
If Thy Word is no more valid,
Whereupon should my faith rest?
I’m not concerned with a thousand worlds,
But only try to do thy Word the best.
(N. L. Earl of Zinzendorf)
Our goal in this exposition is to place the Bible teachings
alongside church theology to show the contrast between the
two. Some say this is not loving, for truth to be published
in such a direct manner, but it has to be, since only
revealed Truth will set us free from all error (Jn. 8, 32).
Only then can light be separated from darkness and right
from wrong.
Each faith has its own creeds, divulging its teachings. The
apostles whom the Lord commissioned gave us all the
doctrines of the New Testament Church. It is essential to
heed the biblical criteria, as the Apostle James pointed out
in the Jerusalem council before the brethren: »And to this
agree the words of the prophets, as it is written …« (Acts
15: 15). This being true it can then be said, »For it seemed
good to the Holy Spirit, and to us …« (v. 28).
When the words of the prophets and teachings of the apostles
were tampered with, sometimes not even considered, then we
find creeds of men, which come into existence not by the
Spirit of revelation but instead by the influence of the
spirit of antichrist. The true Church of the living God only
has one foundation, namely that of the apostles and
prophets,
Jesus Christ being the chief-cornerstone (1 Cor. 3: 10-15;
Eph. 2: 19-22 a. o.). She remains forever founded upon God’s
Word according to the pattern of early Christianity . »And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.« (Acts
2: 42).
The Apostle Paul warned that men from their own midst would
rise up teaching heresies (Acts 20: 30). He pointed out that
even then another Jesus was being preached, another spirit
was already at work (2 Cor. 11: 4). Those who deviated from
the original teachings did so with cunning, as mentioned in
Gal. 1: 6-10. The Apostle emphasised that the Gospel
entrusted to him was not from man. The deviations occurred
when men added their own thoughts and words; such was the
case then and is now. The Gospel was given to Paul by a
direct revelation of Jesus Christ (vv. 11-12). The others
who deviated could not make this claim. In place of the
spiritual gospel, which man forsook, he has developed or
invented a mental gospel. Comparing the Holy Scriptures with
these strange teachings we can clearly see the difference
between the true, everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ and the
one changed by men.
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