Huntington Church of Christ

Jesus made the above statement after being questioned by the Sadducees concerning the resurrection. It's quite obvious by many of the things we see in print and hear preached across the air waves that many people "do err not knowing the Scriptures." The Bible is the standard of life. It can make man complete before God (2 Timothy 3:16,17). In fact, the Scriptures contain ALL things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Jeremiah spoke simple truth when he wrote, "the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

This text implies that we err if we deviate from the scriptures. To the nation of Israel God delivered an eternal truth, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God" (Deuteronomy 4:2; Reveltion 22:18,19). Moses added to God's command and forfeited his privilege of entrance into Canaan, the Promise Land (Numbers 20:7-11). King Saul disregarded God's command by sparing the life of King Agog and the best sheep and oxen. He erred and forfeited his position as king of Israel (1 Samuel 15:1-23).

Many declare their knowledge of the scriptures, but through their teaching it is obvious that they just don't get it. They teach the importance of obeying God's commandments, but in the same breath they show their lack of Bible knowledge by contradicting the truth which was taught. For example, someone might teach the importance of going to church and worshipping God regularly (Hebrews 10:25), but then they soften God's command by saying attend the church of YOUR CHOICE. And if you don't want to attend all the time, that's okay, just go some of the time. You see the lesson they teach is attend according to your wants and needs, not God's. These ideas are not found in the Bible. God does not tolerate the half-hearted servant, He expects full service. He wants all or nothing (Matthew 6:24; 12:30). Where in the Bible does it teach that we have a choice of what church we attend? Such statements are illustrative of the error that permeates from a lack of knowledge of the scriptures. There is only one church (Ephesians 4;4; 1 Corinthians 12:12), which belongs to Jesus, and it is our responsibility to seek it, find it and become a part of it.

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto the, I never know you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-24

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ