A Fatal Mistake
One of the most fatal mistakes of mankind has been to make up a doctrine and then go to the Bible to attempt to prove that their doctrine is true. Such an attempt leads them to misinterpret plain passages of the Scriptures. It also causes them to ignore other verses of the Bible which are at variance with their theory. Some will also make additions and subtractions where they deem necessary to render their doctrine acceptable.
The member of the churches of Christ, however, have always gone to the Bible first in order to obtain the doctrine which is contained therein. The Bible is that perfect standard of authority from which all doctrine comes. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). Regardless of what man might say, it is to this Book we must turn for our security. For years members of the Lord's church considered themselves to be as those individual of Berea: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received with word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). These individuals involved themselves in a noble search. They wanted to know whether the Scriptures said that the things taught them were so rather than merely accepting them as so with no investigation. We have also prided ourselves on being a "Bible toting, Scripture quoting" people. This is a proper characteristic for us to have, for unless God has spoken upon a subject, it is not authorized. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17). And again: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God, if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Peter 4:11).
Some individuals in the church, however, have strayed from a "thus saith the Lord." Their tendency has been to take the denominational position of Bible study. Many are making up their own doctrines and then are going to the Bible to attempt to prove them to be true. This is seen as men attempt to prove the use of gimmicky and gadgetry in the Lord's church by perverting plain passages of the Bible. It can also be seen when men reject plain teaching concerning the Lord's kingdom, divorce and remarriage, the authority of the eldership, the operation of the Holy Spirit, creation, they simple plan of salvation, the instrument of music, and many other subjects in order to have it their own way. Instead of praying as the Lord did: "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10), they say, "Our will be done in earth, regardless of how it is in heaven." Rather than humbling themselves to the attitude of "not my will, but thine be done" (Matthew 26:39), they say, "Not thy will, but ours be done." Contrary to the state of mind which says: "Lord you might as well not have spoken at all, for we will not listen."
Anything other than God's commandments is a doctrine of men. Such teaching transgresses the commandment of God (Matthew 15:3). They make the commandment of God of none effect (Matthew 15:6). And they cause the worship of God to be empty, vain, and useless in His sight (Matthew 15:9). Many need to turn loose of their unscriptural practices and pick up the Holy Book of God and begin reading and studying in order to once again be well pleasing unto God (2 Timothy 2:15).
From Our Archives, 1985
By: Victor Eskew