The Challenge of the Christian Theology and more …
/ Ewald Frank
Jazyk: anglicky
Jiné jazyky
5. The only valid measuring rod
- Preface
- Introduction
- Does all happen by chance?
- The time is near
- The only valid measuring rod
- The old dispute
- Self-evidence?
- The testimony of historians
- History confirms it
- God’s confession
- God manifests Himself
- In heaven and on earth
- The Lord visits His prophet
- The »I am«
- Was the Son born in heaven?
- Spirit and Truth
- Very peculiar
- Respect for the Great Mystery
- Everyone defends his or her own doctrine
- The rock
- The Great Commission
- Thou shalt have no other gods …
- Maryology
- Believe as the Scripture says
- An unbelievable tragedy
- The end-time
- A challenge to all
- No one can bypass Jesus Christ
- New creation
- The Son and the sons and daughters of God
- The two beginnings
- The course of church history
- No man’s influence
- Conclusion
If Thy Word is no more valid,
Whereupon should my faith rest?
I’m not concerned with a thousand worlds,
But only try to do thy Word the best.
(N. L. Earl of Zinzendorf)
Our goal in this exposition is to place the Bible teachings alongside church theology to show the contrast between the two. Some say this is not loving, for truth to be published in such a direct manner, but it has to be, since only revealed Truth will set us free from all error (Jn. 8, 32). Only then can light be separated from darkness and right from wrong.
Each faith has its own creeds, divulging its teachings. The apostles whom the Lord commissioned gave us all the doctrines of the New Testament Church. It is essential to heed the biblical criteria, as the Apostle James pointed out in the Jerusalem council before the brethren: »And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written …« (Acts 15: 15). This being true it can then be said, »For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us …« (v. 28).
When the words of the prophets and teachings of the apostles were tampered with, sometimes not even considered, then we find creeds of men, which come into existence not by the Spirit of revelation but instead by the influence of the spirit of antichrist. The true Church of the living God only has one foundation, namely that of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ being the chief-cornerstone (1 Cor. 3: 10-15; Eph. 2: 19-22 a. o.). She remains forever founded upon God’s Word according to the pattern of early Christianity . »And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.« (Acts 2: 42).
The Apostle Paul warned that men from their own midst would rise up teaching heresies (Acts 20: 30). He pointed out that even then another Jesus was being preached, another spirit was already at work (2 Cor. 11: 4). Those who deviated from the original teachings did so with cunning, as mentioned in Gal. 1: 6-10. The Apostle emphasised that the Gospel entrusted to him was not from man. The deviations occurred when men added their own thoughts and words; such was the case then and is now. The Gospel was given to Paul by a direct revelation of Jesus Christ (vv. 11-12). The others who deviated could not make this claim. In place of the spiritual gospel, which man forsook, he has developed or invented a mental gospel. Comparing the Holy Scriptures with these strange teachings we can clearly see the difference between the true, everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ and the one changed by men.