Introduction. Since God “desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1Tim. 2:3-4), it follows necessarily that God would write His word so that men could come to a “knowledge of the truth.” If we believe “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16), it should be obvious that the “faith that comes by hearing the word of God” (Rom 10:17) is available to all who want to hear and believe. Thus the reason for any controversy among disciples over convictions is not from what God wrote, but how people choose to understand and interpret it.
In a previous article, we explored the methods God gave us to find truth when there is controversy. As the disciples came together to “consider the matter” in Acts 15, Peter gave his example, Paul and Barnabas used logic and deduction, and James cited direct instructions from God. Since God has given us such a precious gift, it is important for us to use it. When we stand before God in judgment, it will be important that we left no stone unturned in our quest for truth.
Since Peter started the discussion with his example, how many of us begin the same way? As we consider a controversial topic like baptism or the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, have we explored what light the examples of the apostles and prophets would shed on them? If we begin by searching how many times the term example is used in the Scriptures, we will become more and more convinced that this is a critical tool for separating truth from error
In a previous article, we explored the methods God gave us to find truth when there is controversy. As the disciples came together to “consider the matter” in Acts 15, Peter gave his example, Paul and Barnabas used logic and deduction, and James cited direct instructions from God. Since God has given us such a precious gift, it is important for us to use it. When we stand before God in judgment, it will be important that we left no stone unturned in our quest for truth.
Since Peter started the discussion with his example, how many of us begin the same way? As we consider a controversial topic like baptism or the weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper, have we explored what light the examples of the apostles and prophets would shed on them? If we begin by searching how many times the term example is used in the Scriptures, we will become more and more convinced that this is a critical tool for separating truth from error