Twenty-four Principles for Understanding Scripture by Daniel Keeran, Victoria, Canada
While the author cannot speak for churches of Christ, common among them are unique ways of understanding holy scripture, believed to have been written by apostles and prophets of the Lord before the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.) and circulated among the early Christian communities (E.g. A letter called First Clement in about 95 A.D., refers to at least ten New Testament books), then collected as a volume by the self-identified Christian community of the second century A.D. or earlier, e.g. the list of Marcion (140 A.D.). 1. A concept is informed by all scriptures that speak of the concept. – “The sum of Your word is truth” in Ps.119:160. 2. Personal experience, zeal, or sincerity should never be elevated above God's revealed will in scripture. – “For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” in Romans 10:2-3. 3. The number of times a word or concept is mentioned in scripture does not determine its truth. E.g. stated only once: "on the first day of the week we came together to break bread" in Acts 20:7. 4. A matter of Christian faith and practice is approved only if it is stated in Christian writings given by the apostles and prophets of the Lord. The only means of knowing what the apostles and prophets taught is by reading what the apostles and prophets wrote. – “Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens of the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone” in Ephesians 2:19-20. 5. The writings given by the apostles and prophets of the Lord (the new covenant), take precedence over the writings of the old covenant which is obsolete. – “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” in Hebrews 8:13. 6. If a teaching seems to enjoin a crime or vice, it is figurative. E.g. “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you” in John 6:53. 7. A biblical practice is only culturally-related and not universally commanded if there is no eternal spiritual principle or meaning attached to it. E.g. “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body” in Mark 16:1. 8. Aim to teach only the language of the text without extending the meaning. E.g. when David speaks of his personal remorse in Psalm 51 “in sin did my mother conceive me,” we do not extend this to include all humanity from conception.
9. If a specific kind of a thing is prescribed, all other kinds of that thing are excluded. E.g. “sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord” excludes playing a musical instrument to the Lord. This principle is sometimes stated as: “Whatever is not expressly enjoined, is prohibited,” as Paul says, "Do not go beyond what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6), as opposed to, “Whatever is not expressly forbidden is permitted.” This was also a principle of the Old Testament: “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you” in Deuteronomy 4:2; see also Revelation 22:18-19. 10. The onus is upon the individual to distinguish truth from error. “Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” in 1 John 4:6. In Acts 20, we learn that apostasy occurred among those who were taught by the apostles, which means traditions, teachings, and writings presented as the word of God must be compared and agree with writings believed to have been authored by the apostles and prophets of the risen Lord. 11. Metaphorical language given by inspiration should not be given meaning unless the inspired writer reveals the meaning. E.g. Peter is “rock” and given “keys to the kingdom of Heaven” in Matthew 16:16. If it means Peter was made head of the church, it must at least be stated in one subsequent passage. 12. Test your understanding of a text, against the faith and practice of Christians who lived after the text was written. E.g. If Jesus cleansing the temple or telling his apostles to buy swords, means followers of Jesus can make a violent defense, one should be able to see this understanding believed or practiced by early Christians. 13. When trying to understand the meaning of scripture intended by the writer, consider the full context and parallel passages. E.g. “made alive with Christ” in Ephesians 2:5, is a promise associated with baptism in Colossians 2:12-13. 14. Some teachings carry more weight than others, and the Lord requires obedience to all His teaching. E.g. “You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former” in Matthew 23:23. Beware the tendency toward legalism. 15. Full obedience does not make one worthy: “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ ” in Luke 17:10. 16. Legalism occurs when one adds to God’s word or substitutes traditions, rules, and teachings of men for the word of God: "Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition….They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules" in Matthew 15:9. 17. To get the meaning, consider the context of a verse or phrase or book, and ask yourself, “What is the intent of the writer?” 18. The will of God can be understood through direct command, apostolic example (e.g. “follow me as I follow Christ” – Paul), and necessary inference, e.g. assembling together necessarily includes a place to meet.
19. A concept may be expressed in more than one word or phrase, e.g. “baptized into Christ” in Romans 6:3 is also described as “crucified with him” in Romans 6:6. 20. Miraculous spiritual gifts were given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. E.g. “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard….., they sent Peter and John,” and “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power” in Acts 8:14,18. 21. Baptism is necessary to believing the gospel message. E.g. “….preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” in Mark 16:15-16. 22. Calling on the name of the Lord for salvation is fulfilled in biblical baptism. E.g. “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” in Acts 2:21 is “repent and be baptized” in Acts 2:38. 23. Biblical healing miracles were always visible, immediate, and complete. E.g. “Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand!’ He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other” in Matthew 12:13 and “Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him” in Acts 28:8. 24. An apostle of Christ must have been a witness of the resurrected Christ and also demonstrate the signs of an apostle. E.g. “Therefore, it is necessary to select one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection” in Acts 1:21-22 and “I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles” in 2 Corinthians 12:12. HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN https://www.academia.edu/11778382 JESUS OF NAZARETH https://www.academia.edu/27774929 COMPARING APOSTOLIC TEACHING WITH DENOMINATIONS https://www.academia.edu/16426257
Search the Scriptures a comparison of the apostles’ teaching with the traditions of denominations
prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Prepared by Daniel Keeran, MSW, Victoria, Canada. No rights reserved. Print and distribute freely. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture references are from the New International Version. Date of Publication: August 17, 2015 ISBN-13: 978-1516948765 ISBN-10: 1516948769
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Dedicated to The Word of God
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Search the Scriptures a comparison of the apostles’ teaching with the traditions of denominations “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” - Matthew 15:9 “They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching, the breaking of bread, and in prayer.” – Acts 2:42
Directions: Followers of Jesus desire to follow the apostles’ teaching rather than human rules and traditions. Read the scripture passages for each numbered set below, then decide which statement is the Truth of God’s Word and which is false human tradition. Enter (T) for the Truth of God’s Word and (F) for human tradition. Remember that other scriptures may also be relevant.
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JESUS 1. ( ) Mary is a mediator between God and man. ( ) Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man. Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5 2. ( ) Mary remained a perpetual virgin and had no children other than Jesus. ( ) Jesus had other brothers and sisters, the children of Mary. Scripture: Mark 6:3; Matthew 13: 55, 56 3. ( ) Jesus Christ was God in the flesh or God in the form of a man. As deity, He is to be worshipped. Christians can pray to Jesus. ( ) Jesus was only a man with special wisdom and power. He had a special relationship to God, but he is not God and should not be worshipped. Scripture: Matthew 1:23; John 20:28; Hebrews 1: 6; John 1:1, 14; Acts 7:59, 60 11 Want to learn more? Visit www.wbschool.org
THE CHURCH 4. ( ) Jesus’ followers are called Christians. ( ) Jesus’ followers are called Methodists, Catholics, Lutherans, Pentecostals, etc. Scripture: Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4: 16 5. ( ) Christians should assemble regularly together. ( ) A Christian need not meet regularly with other Christians. Scripture: Hebrews 10:25 6. ( ) There is one church, one body of Christ. Divisions are sinful. ( ) It is good to have many denominations among professing Christians. Scripture: Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 1:10
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7. ( ) Women are to be silent in the church assembly and may not have authority over men. ( ) Women may preach to the church and may be leaders in the church and have authority over men. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:34-3; 1 Timothy 2: 11, 12; 1 Timothy 3: 1-13 8. ( ) The church can be called the United church, Anglican, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Mennonite, etc. ( ) The church should be referred to as the church of God, churches of Christ, the body of Christ, the household of faith. Scripture: Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 6:10; 1 Corinthians 12: 27
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9. ( ) One does not have to be a member of the body of Christ, the church, in order to be saved. ( ) Jesus bought the church with his own blood. He is the Saviour of the church and gave himself up for her. Scripture: Ephesians 5:23-25; Acts 20:28
CHURCH LEADERS 10. ( ) Saints are a special group of holy ones among God’s people. ( ) Every follower of Jesus is a saint. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 2; 14:33; Romans 1:7 11. ( ) All of God’s people today are a royal priesthood. ( ) Only a special class among God’s people may be called priests. Scripture: Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9
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12. ( ) The title “Reverend” belongs only to special church leaders. ( ) All of God’s people are to be holy or reverend. Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15, 16 13. ( ) Jesus is the head over everything for the church, and the church headquarters is therefore in heaven. ( ) The church may have a human head such as a pope, patriarch, or other appointed individual, and the church headquarters may be on earth. Scripture: Ephesians 1:22, 23; Colossians 1:17, 18
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14. ( ) The terms bishop (overseer), elder (presbyter) and pastor (shepherd), refer to one office in the church. ( ) A bishop is higher than a pastor who is higher than an elder. Scripture: Titus 1: 5-9; 1 Peter 5: 1-4; Acts 20: 17, 28 15. ( ) A bishop is a ruler over several congregations. ( ) A bishop is one of a plurality of bishops who rule one congregation. They are served by deacons. Scripture: Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Timothy 3:1-10; Titus 1:5-7 16. ( ) Bishops must not be married. ( ) Bishops must be the husband of one wife. Scripture: 1 Timothy 3: 2, 4, 5; Titus 1: 6, 7
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17. ( ) Peter alone was given power to bind and loose. ( ) All the apostles had power to bind and loose. Scripture: Matthew 16: 16-19; Matthew 18: 1, 18 18. ( ) Peter held first place among the apostles and was the recognized head of the church. ( ) There was a plurality of leaders in the Jerusalem church including James, Peter and John. James gave the final judgment at the Jerusalem council. Jesus is the head over all things for the church. Scripture: Galatians 2:9; Acts 15: 13-21; Ephesians 1: 22
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BAPTISM 19. ( ) Baptism does not save us. ( ) Baptism saves us. It is the pledge to God of a good conscience. It saves us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21 20. ( ) We are baptized so that our sins may be forgiven and that we may receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ( ) We are baptized to show that our sins have already been forgiven. Scripture: Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16 21. ( ) He who believes, is saved and should then be baptized. ( ) He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. Scripture: Mark 16:16
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22. ( ) Baptism is a sprinkling or pouring of water. ( ) Baptism is a burial or immersion in water. Scripture: Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4 23. ( ) To be forgiven after baptism, one should confess his sins to a priest who will pray to the Lord. ( ) To be forgiven, a Christian should repent and confess his sins directly to the Lord. Scripture: 1 John 1:9; Acts 8:13, 22
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24. ( ) Salvation is obtained by praying to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. ( ) Salvation from sin is obtained by believing the gospel, plus repentance, plus confessing Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, plus being immersed into Christ and His death in order to receive the forgiveness of sin. By baptism one pledges to keep a good conscience toward God. Scripture: Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Matthew 10:32, 33; Romans 6:3,4; 1 Peter 3:21
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25. ( ) Babies and little children need to be baptized. ( ) Little children are innocent. No one inherits the sins or guilt of an ancestor. Only older people who have sins of their own need to be baptized. Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6, 10, 11; Acts 8:12; Ezekiel 18:19-32 26. ( ) After believing the gospel, people should be baptized immediately. ( ) After believing the gospel, people should wait until the church can be assembled or until relatives can observe this special occasion. One should wait for a special day like Sunday or Easter. Scripture: Acts 2:41; Acts 8:35-38; Acts 16:32,33; Acts 22:16; Acts 19:4,5
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27. ( ) One does not have to be baptized in order to enter the body of Christ, the church. ( ) In order to be united with Christ and His body, the church one must be baptized. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27 28. ( ) In order to enter the kingdom of God one only needs to be born of the Spirit. Water is not necessary for salvation. ( ) Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Scripture: John 3:5
Stari Grad, Hvar, 6th century A.D.
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29. ( ) We receive salvation and forgiveness simply by praying for it and asking Jesus to come into our hearts. ( ) We receive salvation and forgiveness by being baptized into Jesus’ death so that we may live a new life. Scripture: Mark 16:16; Romans 6:3, 4; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
THE COMMUNION 30. ( ) The practice of the early church was to take communion or the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. ( ) The communion or Lord’s Supper may be taken quarterly or annually. Scripture: Acts 20:7
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31. ( ) In the communion or Lord’s Supper it is the real flesh and blood of Christ that we eat. ( ) In the communion or Lord’s Supper, it is bread and fruit of the vine (the cup) that we eat and drink. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:25,26; Matthew 26:29 32. ( ) Only the priest may drink the cup in the communion or Lord’s Supper. ( ) All Christians are to receive both the bread and the fruit of the vine (the cup). Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-28
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THE HOLY SPIRIT 33. ( ) Special gifts or manifestations of the Holy Spirit were given by the laying on of the apostles hands. ( ) Gifts of the Holy Spirit were received through prayer with any Christians laying on hands. Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 1:11; Acts 8:14-18; Acts 19:6 34. ( ) The baptism of the Holy Spirit was received simply by praying for it. ( ) The baptism of the Holy Spirit came unexpectedly and was never prayed for, did not save anyone, nor was it a sign that the person receiving it was saved. Scripture: Acts 1:4,5; Acts 2:1-4; Acts 11:13-17; Acts 10:44-48
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35. ( ) The gift of tongues was the ability to speak a foreign language without learning it. This was to be a sign to unbelievers that the gospel was true. ( ) The gift of tongues was the ability to make ecstatic sounds, not a real human language but a prayer language that could be received by human prompting. Scripture: Acts 2:4-12; 1 Corinthians 14:22
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36. ( ) God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This means His Will has never changed and that He still performs miracles like those recorded in the Bible. ( ) God’s Will for man has changed. The old Will or testament has been replaced by the New Testament. Miracles were for the purpose of confirming the word of God, the message of salvation. The record of miracles in the Bible is given so that we might believe in Jesus. Scripture: Hebrews 8:7, 13; Hebrews 9: 1418; Mark 16: 20; Hebrews 2: 3, 4; John 20:30, 31
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE 37. ( ) Any additions to or deletions from the Bible are forbidden. The scriptures are sufficient. ( ) Inspired prophecy and revelations are still being given and can be added to the New Testament as instruction in righteousness. Scripture: Revelation 22: 18, 19 38. ( ) The tradition of the church is just as true as the Word of God. The scriptures are not adequate to explain everything a Christian must believe and do. ( ) The tradition of the church may nullify the Word of God. The scriptures thoroughly explain what a Christian must believe and do. Scripture: Matthew 15:3,6-9; 2 Timothy 3: 16,17
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39. ( ) The apostles were given all the truth we need, and this faith has been delivered once for all. ( ) Additional truths of the faith are still being given and revealed to special men who God has chosen. Scripture: Jude 3; John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:3
OLD TESTAMENT RULES 40. ( ) God’s people today must observe the Sabbath day, Saturday, as a day of worship and rest. ( ) God’s people today worship on the first day of the week. The Sabbath kept by Jews was a shadow of a reality found in Christ. Scripture: Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Colossians 2:16, 17
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41. ( ) Christians should not eat pork and certain other meats. ( ) Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. Scripture: Colossians 2:16; 1 Timothy 4:3-5
BEFORE AND AFTER MARRIAGE 42. ( ) Divorce should be granted for incompatibility or any other good reason. ( ) Divorce should not be permitted for any reason. ( ) Divorce for any reason, except for the cause of fornication, should not be practiced. Scripture: Matthew 5:31,32; Matthew 19:3-9
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43. ( ) Sex before marriage (a life commitment) is healthy and may help a couple discover if they will be compatible in marriage. ( ) Sex is good and honourable but belongs only in marriage. Sex before marriage (fornication) is condemned. Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 13:4 44. ( ) Marriage to the one you love can last through eternity in heaven. ( ) In heaven no one will be married but will be like the angels. Scripture: Mark 12: 24, 25
OTHER RELIGIONS 45. ( ) It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere. ( ) One may be zealous for God yet still be wrong about what he believes and not please God. Scripture: Romans 10:1-3 31 Want to learn more? Visit www.wbschool.org
46. ( ) All world religions are true and teach basically the same thing. It is not absolutely necessary to believe in Jesus to be saved. ( ) Unless one believes that Jesus is who He claims to be, the Word that was God and became flesh, one shall die in his sins and not see eternal life. Scripture: John 3:36; John 8:24; Acts 4:12 47. ( ) A person should not try to change his religion but should die in the religion he was born with. ( ) Both the Jews and the Gentiles had to change their religion in order to be saved. Scripture: Romans 10:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:16
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48. ( ) People who have not heard the gospel, would not need to hear and obey it in order to be saved. ( ) Unless someone takes the gospel to those who have not heard it, they will not be saved. Scripture: Romans 10:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:16
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FINAL CONSIDERATIONS 49. ( ) Everyone must die once, then face purgatory. ( ) Everyone must die once, then face judgment. Scripture: Hebrews 9:27 50. ( ) Most people will go to heaven. Only a few really bad people like Hitler or Judas, will go to hell. ( ) Most people will go to hell. Punishment for not obeying God’s Word will be never-ending. Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 7:13, 14; Matthew 25:45, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10
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51. ( ) Hell is only the misfortune and suffering that people experience in this life. There is no hell after death. ( ) There will be a final judgment of all people and many will then suffer eternal punishment. Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20: 11-15 52. ( ) After becoming a child of God, a Christian is unable to sin to the point that he would be lost eternally. ( ) After becoming a child of God, one may be severed from Christ. The possibility always remains that a Christian may so sin that he would be lost eternally. Scripture: Luke 8:13; John 15:1-7; Romans 11:19-22; Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 6: 4-6, 12; Hebrews 10: 26, 27; Hebrews 12:15-17; 2 Peter 2:17-22; 2 Peter 3:17
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53. ( ) There is no forgiveness for sins committed after baptism. ( ) If we repent and confess our sins, God will forgive us even after we are baptized. But shall we sin knowing this is true? Scripture: 1 John 1:9; Acts 8:13,22; Romans 6:1-3
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