Topic: To Avoid Error – Have The Right Interpretation Of
The Scripture (2)
Continued from last
episode
Preamble: There is obvious gross interpretation of the Scripture
as a result of the way and manner the Scripture has been studied and read. The
inappropriate studying and reading of the Scripture has led to wrong
interpretation of the Scripture and that has resulted into wrong application of
what the Scripture says.
Anchor Text:
“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?”
Acts 8:30
Text of Interest:
“But ye have not so learned Christ;”
Ephesians 4:20
This statement in the quotation above “and exhort you
that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints” implies that we should make sure that the document called the faith
is kept intact without alteration. The word faith in the sentence is not faith
as in the ability to cause miracle to happen, is referring to the doctrine or
the teaching which has been sourced from the Scripture which is the word of
truth handed over to us. It is disheartening to know that many were doing this
in those days and even in this present time because of their selfish earthly
gains and vain glory and Apostle Paul openly expose their works as he stated in
his epistle to the Philippians thus:
“Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us
walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers
together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For
many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that
they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose
God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.)”
Philippians 3:16-19
He also said the same thing to his audience in Rome,
warning them about the consequence(s) of the mishandling of what the
stipulations of the Scripture are. He advised them to avoid those that
perpetrate these odious acts that decimate the sanctity of the faith we have
received. The reason for avoidance is that such teachings will definitely lead
to error and wrong application is inevitable. Apostle Paul thus stated:
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences 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
Without mincing words, Apostle Paul in his days never
took the issue of erroneous teaching lightly. He is always predispose to what
is taught rightly and rescues himself from the wrong teaching and would not
give an inch space to someone who wants to bring such in his fold. Apostle
Peter received such affront from him in Galatia notwithstanding that Apostle
Peter is a senior colleague in the Ministry of Christ.
“But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according
to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a
Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
Galatians 2:14
To be continued…..
Till I come your way again, keep on basking in the Arena
of Indubitable Truth!
Chukwuemeka C. Asiegbu
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