Doctrines

Doctrines I have been thinking about the latest doctrinal debates. My thoughts are "Why don't we just focus on the Bible in order to have unity?" Before Holy Scriptures came along, traditions were relied on. Now that God have provided the Holy Scriptures that have been AGREED by the "CHURCH". Therefore, traditions stays with the denomination of the "CHURCH" while the Holy Scripture in the FINAL authority. Christians are divided on doctrine issues (teaching issues). This have been going on since the New Testament days (Read First Corinthians 9:11-17). Doctrines (teachings) that impacted many Christian lives and they are using doctrines more than they are using Holy Spirit to guide their Christian walk. Don't get me wrong, doctrines are important and Christians might argue for those issues. But, how far? What shall we unite with and from what shall we separate? I have studies and listed a guide for me to follow. I am putting this in my journal and my Bible. Maybe if I share this with you, you might want to take this idea and modify to your own personal guidance. Foundational: Hebrews 6:1-2 NIV Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. False teachers who teaches "ichy ears" sermons and invite those who listen to join their concept of Christianity. 2 Timothy 4:4 (NKJV) "and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 19:2 Titus 1:1-2 The knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God. Proverbs 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. Traditional: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NIV Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. It is very important to know that God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), Church and the Bible are the three most important aspects of my spiritual life. A wise Christian should be committed into action of reading, putting faith in the Word, and surrender to the Holy Spirit so that I can learn from the heart. What are we lacking? People talk about Church, Tradition and Bible. They forget the most important which is the Holy Spirit who is able to lead us to all three (Church, tradition and Bible). Creedal: 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. When I read my Bible, the Holy Spirit gives me life (see John 6:63). The Bible is Book of Life. Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned. Spiritual wisdom begins by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not from the Church. The Holy Spirit is directly from God. In 1 Corinthians 2:10, God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 The Holy Spirit (through Jesus Christ) is the final authority. When Jesus said that the Comforter is coming, He was saying: "The Comforter will not come to stand on His own, to speak on His own authority." He will guide you into all truth-He will speak and act on the authority of the divine Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is. Studying the Bible (Holy Scriptures) flows and help understand God's Word through the Holy Spirit as Authoritative, Divinely inspired, Apostolic, and True - a position held by nearly all Christians. Salvation: Acts 2:38 NIV Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. God's Grace and Gift: Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Jesus Christ is our all in all. We need but trust Him and He will take care of the rest. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved (Romans 10:8b-10). The heart believes and the mouth confesses. Both are necessary to salvation (of course to some healing). Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit, without the Holy Spirit, you can't have faith and without the Holy Spirit, you can't be spiritual. If you don't have faith, then you don't have the Holy Spirit. Faith don't come before the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit comes before Faith. Paul was a Pharisee and he wrote in Romans 16:18 "For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." Paul knew as a Pharisee what Jesus was talking about when He rebuked other Pharisees about faith. As a disciple, my Christian faith should be inward, not outward because the Bible teaches that faith is of the spirit and not of the flesh. Acts 15:8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. Avoid: Romans 16:17-18 NIV I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. New babes fails to understand the true nature of the Christian life, which is not static but dynamic and expanding. Many of us had plenty of time to mature and we had adequate time to grow and change is not a problem. The letter of Jude was a blunt letter to Christians. Jude, a brother of James who wrote the letter of James. The key objects of the letter are: False teachings and Holy Faith. Ephesians 4:14-15: No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. Acts 17:11: They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul's message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. Hebrew 5:14: solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong. Test: 1 John 4:1 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and God's will. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." — Psalm 86:11. The Holy Spirit that leads my thoughts and shapes my character. Our true moral and spiritual state is revealed by the Spirit through prayer and studying the Word. Are we studying the Bible for our spiritual growth and observing (obeying) God's Word? Is our personal Bible study a daily discipline for our spiritual growth to make sure I don't fall into false teachings? Detest: Jude 1:22-23 NIV Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. A faithful Christian will learn and see to it that his/her anticipations conform to the revealed Word of God and he/she has nothing to doubt or fear in life or in death.

Knowing God

It is very important to know that God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), Church and the Bible are the three most important aspects of my spiritual life. When I read my Bible, the Holy Spirit gives me life (see John 6:63). The Bible is Book of Life. Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned. Spiritual wisdom begins by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not from the Church. The Holy Spirit is directly from God. In 1 Corinthians 2:10, God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 (NLT) (READ your BIBLE and KNOW the Word of God). The WORD is Jesus Christ. God's Word (the Bible) sometimes wounds us deeply and it is imperative because through the Bible, God speaks loudly. The Bible illumines the dark corners of heart and mind by exposing sin but reveals the way of rightousness. The Word of God (Bible) rebukes in order that we may see our faults. ''Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.'' Psalm 119:105 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Sciptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4). Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The Holy Spirit (through Jesus Christ) is the final authority. When Jesus said that the Comforter is coming, He was saying: "The Comforter will not come to stand on His own, to speak on His own authority. He will guide you into all truth-He will speak and act on the authority of the divine Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is spirit and faith is required to know Christ and then, the Holy Spirit will reveal who God really is. The Holy Spirit manifests Christ into our human spirit, not to our physical eyes. Without the Holy Spirit, human pride often create the confusions and seeing contradictions that are plainly outside the field of human understanding. The Holy Spirit gave me assurance of my faith and doctrines I follow. No Church, No Denomination, No pastors or anyone can do this for me. Holy Spirit is the ONLY person who can do this through the Word of God.

Finding a Home Church

A church is an assembly of believers and is made up of real spiritual people. When we look in the mirror, we are the part of the spiritual Church that we are not in harmony, we need to find a way to get back into harmony. We realized that the enemies to getting involved with a local Church is a harmful disharmony. Our own disharmony is when difficulties within our family that interferes our spiritual relationship with the local Church. For us to adjust so that we can be part of the spiritual family, we need to make some changes so that we can attend more faithfully and hopefully be more involved. The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively. The classes are intended to help every believer who attends a Church to come to that place of faith, commitment, and fruitfulness. The primary reason to become a participating member is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with the characteristics of biblical maturity and commitment to the mission and future of a local church. We have to realize that a local church's accomplishments will depend upon members' spiritual condition. If the people are submitting to the Holy Spirit, who will give them fruit. Quality is measured by the Christ-like living of a local church members. Let the Holy Spirit do what He will through you and see what He does with you. Just allow the Holy Spirit plant the desires to serve the spiritual gift or gifts and watch fellow members affirm your spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church." The idea of the spiritual gifts is simply that the Lord uses that gift in a unity, in a unifying way. God will use our spiritual gifts by His Spirit as He wills. Spirit-lead is outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." That we should "not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4:30) That if we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2). Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16). With that thought, we all need to understand how we can find a good "home church". I must have visited over 200 different churches in my life time. Visited almost all denominations and non-denominational churches. I have been reading and studying denominations over the years including P/C denominations. Its very interesting how quickly denominations have changed in the last 40 years. There are growing number of non-denominational churches which are hard to discern from where I am sitting because we have to know each non-denominational churches from within rather than from outer. My younger days were mostly Independent Baptist churches which is a mixer of Calvinism and Arminianism (in between) as well as Arminianism and Legalism. I attended Catholic school for 7 years. Other denominations I have visited over the years are Grace Brethren (Anabaptist), Missionary & Alliance, Mennonite, Methodist, Pentacostal, Congregational and many others. I also got mixed up with "Word of Faith" for a short time. No matter what denomination I go to, God will direct me if I aware of it or not. I am learning that God will always lead me to His providential circumstances for my own good, in His will and for His glory. God knows me so well that He will do His providential actions at the very moment of my need according to His will. For the longest time, I thought I have planned and executed my life all by myself but really never aware that my life have always been guided by God. In the last 25 years, I have been a member of two churches before joining my current Church (Northwest Presbyterian Church which is a member of PCA) and they were: 1. Anabaptist/Mostly Calvinism: Fellowship of Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio (in the 1980's and in the 2000's) 2. Independent Baptist: Mixer of Calvinism and Arminianism (in between) Liberty Baptist Church of the Deaf (late 80's to early 90's) I have chosen a local church for ONE reason, and that is a church is able to keep out false teachings. I have been in many local churches and I have seen false teachings creep into them. We should all take a long hard look at what things we consider to be important. Christians' conclusions are either ignorance or loyalty to a specific denomination, cause or person. Church divisions have been going on since the New Testament days As Paul wrote in1 Corinthians 12-13 "One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided?" There are false teachers who are within our faith and using Christianity to lead us from the truth. That is where the most dangerous teachings come from. False teachers can work their way into any denominations and Christ have warned us of those wolves who come into our "Spiritual Church" pretending to be one of us. 1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Over the years, I decided to choose local churches that have strong "internal spiritual control" regardless of what denominations. I have a list of major spiritual criteria that I follow from the Word of God and if a local church meets all of my "major criterias",then she is a good local church. It is ALL of our responsibilities as Christians to discern and we don't want to be gullible. We either be gullible or discerner. We are to be watching for RED FLAGS. Even the disciples failed to spot the traitor among them (of course Jesus knew); the traitor was Judas himself. Clearly there are deadly deceitful practices exist within the very Christian circles that make pretense of the most advanced type of Christianity.

Purpose of Creation

To glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. God's intention in the creation of man and woman was that we should glorify God, enjoy God's fellowship, live our life in the will of God, and by this accomplish God's purpose for us in the world (Is. 43:7; Col. 1:16). Other Passages: Psalm 86 Isaiah 60:21 Romans 11:36 1 Corinthians 6:20, 31 Revelation 4:11 Psalm 16:5-11 Psalm 144:15 Isaiah 12:2 Luke 2:10 Philippians 4:4 Revelation 21:3-4 The greatest theme in all of the universe is the glory of God. We exist in order to glorify Him. From Christian historical perspective, in the Westminster Shorter Catechism of the seventeenth century said that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Languages

I know there are people speaking in tongues today but not many are able to interpret them. Tongues can be practiced in a matter that should be consistent with the Bible. Tongues spoken in private is permissionable because it is "in private between God and the person" and no interpreters are needed. Only God knows and understands. This all come down to common sense when we are using our spiritual gifts such as tongues that God provides for us to use at HIS discretion, not ours. Paul explained in his letters that the manifestations of the Spirit were given to everyone for the profit to all. I do suggest that you take God’s word on it and where things are clearly spelled out, that the churches obey it. The best thing is to testify of Christ, preach the gospel, apply his Word to the whole of life and thought, and do not forbid tongues, as long as they meet the conditions established by Paul to prevent their misuse. Of course, those conditions cannot be met today, but if tongues were "active" today, they no doubt would be something like Paul laid out in 1 Cor. 14:18. There are many languages around the world including sign language. There is Amercian Sign Language. There are interpretors who will interpret different languages between cultures. Tower of Babel that scattered everyone who were speaking different languages. In the New Testament, there were many verses that talked about Christians being scattered all over the world. Why? Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." Nation from the greek word "Ethnos". Strongs defines Ethnos as a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together as a company, troop, swarm. A multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus the human family a tribe, nation, people group (Culture). I was involved in a deaf culture for many years and reached out to them. God had a purpose for each one of us.

Being a Christian

We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. The question becomes when a person say: "I am a believer in Christ" and practice what God calls it sin is where God will meet this person in the core, in the heart. This is where God determines a person's salvation. The key is: Does Christ rule your heart or does sin rule your heart? A person with Christ in the heart will still sin but we are reminded by the Word of God that God looks into our hearts for our spiritual obedience rather than perfection (Deeds). We will never be perfect as long as we live in our bodies. Our source is in the core which is the heart. Do we really obey God from our hearts? Do we make every efforts to obey God from our hearts? Or, do we really obey our sin without even trying to obey God? Are we saved by Grace or by Works of deeds?

Circumstances

Accountibility goes BOTH WAYS. Romans 8:28-29 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Basically, we are to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the why things happen are from God, Satan,or human error, or combination. Reading the Scriptures, great faiths of Jonah in flight from the will of God suffered no worse storm than did Paul in the center of God's will; the same wild sea threatened the life of both.

Tough Love

Tough Love. Ephesians 6:4, "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Parenting is loving your children so that they're not angry with you and bringing them up to know the Lord. Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law. Proverbs 3:12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 5:12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! Proverbs 5:23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. Proverbs 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 13:18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him. Proverbs 15:5 A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Proverbs 15:10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. Proverbs 15:32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. Hebews 12: 5-12 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Fearing God

To be contented and unafraid when going on a life's journey. Like a journey of a child with his father, a child is unable to imagine events but a child will know and trust his father. Jesus Christ is our all in all. We need but trust Him and He will take care of the rest. Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Psalm 112:1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. We should know the power of God's and His wrath is as great as the fear that is due us at any time (Psalm 90:11). In Hebrews 12:10 "Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness." Then we see the next verse, Hebrews 12:11, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Whoever God punish, God will use His power to do anything He desires as He sees fit. Romans 9:17 "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.' " Acts 5:5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Acts 5:11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."