|
 I
have never cared for "red letter editions" of the New
Testament — that print the "words of Jesus" in red
— for this makes an artificial distinction between quotations
assigned to the Lord, and what the Lord teaches us through His
chosen messengers.
JOH.16:12-13
reads (in red letters, no less) "I have yet many things to
say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for
he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."
Jesus
specifically states that He did not speak, in His personal
ministry, all things He would have us know. He promised the Holy
Spirit to these Apostles, to guide them into all the truth; and
except we give the same heed to their message as we give to the
"red letter" passages, we are not getting what Jesus
wanted us to have. Verse 14 reads, "He shall glorify me;
for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you."
Just
prior to the Lord's ascension He met with the Apostles, opening
their understanding of the Old Testament scriptures, and saying.
"Ye are witnesses of these things (Fulfillment, rt) And,
behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye
in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high" (LUK.24:45, 48-49).
When
the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the Apostles (ACT.2:) and
they "began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
|
|
gave them utterance" they then had
access to the "all truth" Jesus had promised. Peter's
reply to the heart-pricked mob: ("Repent, and be baptized
every one of you..". ACT.2:38) is as much the teaching of
Jesus Christ as any passage printed in "red letters".
Another
concept, common among many but equally damaging to the reception
of our Lord's will, is the artificial distinction in the Lord's
teaching and "church doctrine" or
"ordinances". Baptism, the Lord's Supper, Prayer,
etc., are as much a part of the teaching of the Lord as are the
beatitudes, the "golden rule", or other portions of
the sermon on the mount. The true church of Christ is not the
source of any binding doctrine; i.e., binding doctrines do not
rest upon the authority of the church. Those doctrines that have
originated among men, such as: infant sprinkling, confession to
and absolution by a "priesthood" and mystical concepts
re. the Lord's Supper, are erroneous and vain.
But
false "church doctrines" concerning baptism, etc., do
not invalidate the teachings of Christ on these subjects. Christ
said, (in red letters) "He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved..."(MAR.16:16). We observe the Lord's
Supper, not because the "church" commands it, but
because the Lord commanded it (LUK.22:19-20; 1CO.11:23-f). The
true church rests upon Christ's authority and teaching
(MAT.16:18,18:15-f).
If
you think you can "follow Christ" but ignore his
teaching, think again!
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
