God expected the apostles to stand in the midst of His people and proclaim the whole gospel message to them. This was to occur within the congregation, in the temple. If you are called to proclaim the truth in the assembly, are you taking your stand to proclaim the whole message of this life? Are you speaking to the people about it like the apostles were supposed to?

Listen to the claim that Paul made. He said to the believers at Ephesus, in particular to the elders, “For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” (Ac 20:27)

If you proclaim the truth, can you make that same claim that Paul made? As an apostle, preacher, and evangelist, Paul spoke the whole truth even to old men who were responsible for overseeing and pastoring the church. That was who he was speaking to when he made this bold claim that he spoke the whole message to them.

Do you tend to shrink back from proclaiming some of the revealed word of God? Or, are you bold enough to air it for all those near to hear it? Those who proclaim the truth must be bold enough to proclaim the whole truth, not just part of it, not just the part that people want to hear; not just the part that this particular sect likes to hear; not the part that this particular church likes to hear.

Are you afraid of age? Are you afraid of pointing out sin? Are you afraid of the position of others? Are you afraid of church sectarianism and incomplete practices and man-made traditions? Are you afraid of opposing the practices that are based on opinion and not a Gospel command?

In conclusion, God directed the apostles to speak forth the sum of, the entirety of, the whole truth of the Gospel. Therefore, if you proclaim the truth, you must make it your goal to do the same. The psalmist makes it very clear that: “The sum of Your word is truth…” (Ps 119:160), not just one part of it without consideration and agreement with the other parts of it.

Two Biblically Defined Parts

Read the following section of Scripture beginning in Hebrews 5:9 and then be prepared to answer some questions about it.

9 And having been made perfect, He [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

6:1 Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2 of instruction about washings [baptisms] and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

3 And this we will do, if God permits.

QUESTIONS

• What two categories of truth did the writer of Hebrews talk about?



• What did he compare these two categories of truth to?

The writer of Hebrews distinguishes the elementary teachings, the first teachings about the Christ, the foundational teachings from those teachings that are beyond the elementary, beyond the first, beyond the foundational teachings.

The writer of Hebrews further illustrates these categories, showing how digestible they are for disciples, comparing one category to “milk,” which is for the immature, and comparing the other category to “meat,” which is for the mature.

Certainly not! They do not have teeth to chew it. They might even choke on it, spitting it up, not being able to digest it. Therefore, you who are mature might wonder why a believer cannot handle your sound biblical words and observations. He may spit them back at you, balkingly like vomit.

You might wonder why a disciple cannot understand what you are saying. He may not be able to agree or conclude with what truth you point out. He may disagree with it like a baby choking and spitting it back out at you. How long has this disciple believed in Jesus? If not long, and he is choking, give him only milk. Milk is for the immature, the very young. Milk is for the new person getting acquainted with Jesus Christ and His First Teachings.

In conclusion, the writer of Hebrews defines two categories of truth. One is basic truth. The other is advanced truth. Both are what you must proclaim in order to speak the whole message of this life.

What is Milk?

Again listen to the writer of Hebrews tell you what milk is.

“Therefore, leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings [baptisms] and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.” (He 6:1, 2)

QUESTIONS

• What teachings fall into the category of elementary (basic, foundational, First Teachings)?



• Who did the writer directly link these teachings to?

First of all, it is important to notice that the writer directly links all these basic teachings to the Messiah, the Christ. It reads, “…the elementary teaching about the Christ…”

If these First Teachings center on the Christ, then each teaching listed must specifically and directly refer to Him and His teaching, not Moses and the Old Testament teaching. Keep this in mind when you consider or proclaim the definitions of what each of these First Teachings mean. They must directly relate to Christ and the His gospel, and not Moses and the Old Testament.

Here is the list of basic First Teachings that the writer taught as being of Christ and His gospel.

• Repentance from works that lead to death



• Faith toward God



• Baptisms



• Laying on of hands



• The resurrection of the dead



• Eternal Judgment

Consider further the idea of First Teachings being centered on the Christ.

Paul said, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Co 15:3, 4)

QUESTION

• What was the first important teaching that Paul delivered to the Corinthians?

Paul made certain that he proclaimed to these Corinthians the teaching that is of first importance, that Christ died for our sins according to the prophecy of the Scriptures, His burial and His being raised to life according to the prophecy of the Scriptures.

Like the illustration above, is the cross the first part of your teaching? Those who teach the gospel must give people the knowledge that Jesus Christ died for sin, and that the Scriptures foretold that this would happen. You who proclaim the truth must make certain that people know why Jesus died on the cross.

What is Meat?

The Hebrew writer not only helped us to clearly see what many of the First Teachings are, but he also gave us insight into what are three advanced Bible topics. He helped us to begin to see the difference between milk and meat, immaturity and maturity. He helped us begin to know what things are easy to swallow, and also the things that are harder to swallow. Things that are harder to swallow need more time, skill, effort, and ability to get them chewed, swallowed, and digested.

First of all, listen to him stop right in the middle of his advanced lesson to go back to teach an overview of the basics. What topic was his advanced lesson on?

“And having been made perfect, He [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.(He 5:9-12)

QUESTIONS

• What did the writer have to stop talking about in order to go back to teaching the basics?



• Who was the writer talking about in his advanced lesson?



• What was his advanced teaching?

In his advanced lesson, the writer compared an Old Testament character to the Messiah. Having a solid understanding of this Old Testament character can help disciples understand the Christ better.

How could you teach a comparison between the Old Testament and the New Testament unless the listeners were acquainted with the Old? How could you effectively teach any sound teaching or concept or comparison from the Old unless your listeners were familiar with it? Therefore, a complete understanding the Old Testament is considered meat not milk.

Disciples must also understand the Christ well enough to be able to make the comparison to Melchizedek. If you do not fully understand who Jesus is as far as His pre-eminence and His pre-existence, because so, He really had no father or mother in one sense, and how Jesus is simply Deity in the form of Son, that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End as spoken of in the book of Revelation, that He is Creator, as John points out, and that He is worthy of worship and is God the Son, as exemplified by the Apostle Thomas’s expression, the other apostles, the wise men, Mary etc., then you need milk and not meat, if you do not understand Jesus in this way.

Two More Ideas On Maturity

Notice two other things that the writer of Hebrews helps us to see as a matter of maturity.

1. He points out that the immature are not accustomed to the word of God (He 5:13).
   
   But he says that the mature are accustomed to it by the means of practice with it. “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil (right and wrong).” (He 5:14)
   
   Practice means using something, in this case the word of God. Therefore, another topic of maturity is the ability to be accustomed to, to be familiar with, the word of God by constant use of it. It takes time to get a complete understanding of it, both of the Old and the New Testament. And it certainly takes maturity to carefully and fully use the word of God as the standard to tell right from wrong. The Bible must be used to discern right from wrong.



2. He also said to these disciples that: “…by this time you ought to be teachers” (He 5:12)
   
   They should have matured enough in their understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ to be able to teach, especially the basics.

Not shallow knowledge, but deep knowledge of the Bible is considered a matter of maturity and advancement. Also the ability to impart that knowledge to others is considered a matter of maturity and not immaturity.

What other teachings are advanced?

When thinking of teachings that are not basic, but advanced, keep in mind what the writer of Hebrews said. He wanted the disciples to get past the basics and press on to maturity. Therefore, when thinking of things that are beyond the First Teachings, think of those things that are related to spiritual maturity.

Consider the following verse because it speaks directly to maturity or advancement.

“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Co 7:1)

QUESTIONS

• What does the word “perfecting” mean?



• What is to be matured (perfected) in the believer's life?

Perfecting means maturing or bring something to a completion, in this case holiness, separateness from sin. Therefore, in one sense, holiness is an advanced Bible topic. It is meat not milk.

Here is a summary list of the Bible topics that are to be considered a matter of advanced teaching and not basic teaching.

• Fully being able to use the word of God to tell/discern/and point out right from wrong
• Having in depth Old Testament knowledge
• Walking in holiness, separateness from sinful behaviors
• Having an ability to teach the gospel, at least the basics of the faith
• Having an ability to teach beyond the basics, helping others become mature

Proclaim the Truth That is Needed

When tested by those who did not believe in the resurrection or the afterlife, what truth did Jesus proclaim to them (Mt 22:23-33)? Listen to the story:

23 On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him,

24 asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.’

25 Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother;

26 so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh.

27 Last of all, the woman died.

28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all married her.”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven.

31 But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God:

32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

QUESTIONS

• What two things did these very religious people fail to understand?
  
  Jesus did not hide the fact that they were mistaken in understanding both the Scriptures and the power of God.
  
  The gospel according to Mark says it this way, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mk 12:24) and, “…you are greatly mistaken.” (Mk 12:27)



• What was the first truth that Jesus proclaimed to these erring ones?


First, Jesus answered their erring question about marriage in the afterlife. He said that in the resurrection people would not be given in marriage. They will simply be like the angels in heaven. Therefore, even if you were married on earth seven times, you would not be reunited in marriage in heaven, not even once. Marriage is an earthly thing, not a heavenly thing.


• What was the second truth that He proclaimed to them?


Second, He told them that they were quite mistaken about life after death, quoting a Scripture to prove that God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. Since these religious people had an incorrect understanding of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which by the way is a first and basic teaching in the gospel, they could not correctly interpret or conclude about other truths, such as marriage in heaven.

Therefore, do not be surprised if those professing faith in God today have misunderstood even basic Bible teachings and therefore cannot correctly interpret other Bible concepts that are related to it. Many are badly mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures and the power of God, especially in the First Teachings that relate to how a person can be saved and forgiven. Many are badly mistaken on even the basics of Christ, such as who Jesus really is, baptism, true grace, honorable marriage, divorce, etc.

Will you respond to error like Jesus did? Will you proclaim the truth which is needed?

DISCOVER WHAT IS LACKING

Jesus proclaimed the truth that was needed to a man, saying “One thing you still lack…” (Lu 18:22)

Even if this man had done many other good and necessary Biblical things, Jesus still directed him to do the one thing that was missing from his practice and faith in the Lord. Jesus directed this man to do one thing he lacked.

If you proclaim the truth, are you directing others to do the things they are lacking in, even if it is just one thing they lack?

Paul also desired to teach disciples in regards to what was lacking in their faith. He said to the church in Thessalonica: “For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what was lacking in your faith?” (1 Thess 3:9, 10)

Those who proclaim the truth should have the same earnest and prayerful desire to supply what is lacking in the faith and practice of disciples. Therefore, discover what is lacking and provide Bible teaching for it.

WHAT DO YOU TEACH THOSE WHO USE OR ONLY KNOW THE OLD TESTAMENT?

Paul frequently went into Jewish Synagogues for the purpose to persuade Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. He used the Old Testament Scriptures to help prove this fact.

Philip the evangelist used the Old Testament to help the eunuch learn the Gospel.

“Philip ran up and heard him [the Ethiopian eunuch] reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: ‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he does not open his mouth. In humiliation his judgment was taken away; Who will relate his generation? For his life is removed from the earth.’

The eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘Please tell me, of whom does this prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? [And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’]

And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, but the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.” (Ac 8:30-39)

QUESTIONS

• Before Philip met the eunuch, was the eunuch a worshipper of God?
  
  The eunuch traveled very far from Ethiopia to be in Jerusalem for the Old Testament feast, Pentecost. He also had a copy of the Scriptures and was reading them. Therefore, the eunuch must have been a worshipper of God, but he was worshipping God according to the Law of Moses.



• Before he met Philip, did the eunuch seem to know that Jesus was the Messiah?



• How did Philip discover that this man needed to hear about Jesus?
  
  Philip asked the man a question. Do you ask questions in order to supply what is lacking in the faith of others?
  
  Many times worshippers of God simply do not understand what they are reading. They can be like a blind man who needs an object carefully described and explained in detail in order for him to have a clear picture of it in his mind.
  
  The answer that Philip received from the eunuch helped him understand that he needed to proclaim the basic First Teachings of Christ to this interested man. Do you ask questions to discover what truth to teach? Is this how you check what others truly know about the truth?



• When Philip discovered that the eunuch was reading a Messianic prophecy found in the Old Testament, what needed truth did he began to proclaim to him?



• What First Teachings did the eunuch obey?

Philip must have clearly proclaimed to him the knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah. He also must have clearly taught him some First Teachings about Him. This is evident because the eunuch eagerly obeyed one of the First Teachings that Philip taught him that day, to be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. The eunuch also made the good confession, that he believed that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. That is a basic First Teaching, confessing Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.

For those who only know or claim to follow the Old Testament, they need to understand that Jesus is the Messiah, even proving it to them using the prophetic Old Testament Scriptures that speak of Him. They also need to hear about Christ’s First Teachings so that they too can have an opportunity to respond by faith to be saved. Then they too can be like the faithful eunuch and go on their way rejoicing after believing in Jesus and being baptized.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF OTHERS ARE READY FOR ADVANCED TEACHING?

The writer of Hebrews made an assessment or judgment of those he was writing to. He discovered that they were quite dull of hearing, and needed to hear the basics all over again instead of getting into more mature teachings. Therefore he expressed his desire to teach them the basics again, if time permitted. You may find this to be the case today in many churches. Therefore, do not be surprised if you spend much of your time teaching disciples the basics.

QUESTIONS

• How can you discover if disciples have a solid understanding and practice of the First Teachings?
  
  The writer of Hebrews said that the disciples he was writing to should have been able to teach by now (He 5:12). Therefore, if disciples have demonstrated an ability to teach First Teachings to others, making them into disciples in the Biblical sound way, then this would be visible evidence and a demonstration of their First Teaching ability. Yet, if they cannot do this properly then they have failed to understand the First Teachings.



• When should you bring advanced teaching to disciples?
  
  The writer of Hebrews wanted to stop his advanced lesson to go back to the basics of the faith. Therefore, if disciples have not demonstrated proper ability to teach the First Teachings to others, then you should not bring advanced teaching to them. Rather you should go back to the basics. Yet, if disciples have demonstrated ability in teaching the basics to others, then it is fitting to bring them advanced teachings.

CHECK AND REPAIR THE FOUNDATION

When Paul met some who believed in Jesus (Ac 19:1-7), he immediately checked their foundation and, when he discovered something that was lacking in their First Teachings, he quickly attempted to repair their foundation. Consider the example:

"It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them,

'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' And they said to him,

'No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said,

'Into what then were you baptized?' And they said, 'Into John's baptism.'

Paul said, 'John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.'

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were in all about twelve men." (Ac 19:1-7)

QUESTIONS

• How did Paul discover that these disciples needed baptized?
  
  He simply asked them some questions. Do you ask questions when you are around disciples?



• When Paul discovered that they were lacking the correct baptism, what truth did he proclaim to them?
  
  Did Paul start discussing with them about the book of Revelation? Did he try to teach them about prayer or ask them to say a prayer in Jesus' Name? Did he try to teach them about some other deeper or unrelated topic? No. Instead, when Paul discovered that they needed to hear about the right baptism, he simply proclaimed to them a First Teaching about the Christ, baptism in His name.

If you proclaim the truth, it is very important for you to follow Paul’s example and immediately check the foundation of those you have opportunity to proclaim the truth to. It is also very important that you quickly attempt to repair any foundational problems that you discover.

When you discover that a professing Christian has not been baptized, what teaching do you proclaim to him or her? Or, when you discover that he or she has not been baptized in the right way or for the right reason, what teaching do you proclaim to him or her? Do you quote the basic truth of the gospel regarding baptism, that it is immersion in water and necessary for the forgiveness of sins?

Consider this: Some teachers and churches correctly fully immerse for baptism, yet they do not do it for the right reason. They are lacking on the Biblical purpose of baptism.

Consider this: Some teachers and churches may know how to fully immerse people in water for baptism, even holding to the idea that it is to be done for the forgiveness of the person’s sins. Yet, they have failed to teach this person repentance from works that lead to death. They are eager to baptize, yet they are lacking on sound first teaching on repentance before baptism.

Consider this: Other churches have even less of a basis or no basis on First Teachings, requiring prayer for salvation and to become a disciple.

Since so many who profess faith in God are lacking in the basics of the gospel of Jesus Christ, do you see the vast need to proclaim the basics? In conclusion, discover what is lacking in order to proclaim the necessary truth.

One of the ways for you to check the spiritual foundation of those who believe is to be like Paul and Philip the evangelist and ask First Teaching kinds of question. Asking questions is a very important method for making, establishing, and perfecting (maturing) disciples.

Below are some basic questions that you could ask to check a person’s understanding and practice of the First Teachings. Do you know how to respond with the appropriate Scripture to direct them further if need be?

Ask Questions About Jesus

• Do you know why Jesus Christ died on a cross?
• Have you ever read the gospel of Jesus Christ?
• Do you know what is in the New Testament?
• Do you know who Jesus is?
• Have you come to believe in Jesus Christ?
• What does the Bible say about who Jesus is?
• Do you believe that Jesus is God?

Ask Questions About God

• Do you believe in God?
• How did you come to believe in God?
• Why do you believe in God?

Ask Questions About Repentance

• Have you ever repented of anything?
• Do you believe that Jesus requires His followers to change and give things up?
• What have you given up to prove your repentance?

Ask Questions About the Judgment

• Do you believe that you will stand before the judgment seat of God?
• What will happen at the judgment?

Ask Baptism Questions

• Have you been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins?
• Were you baptized by full immersion?
• Were you old enough to understand that you were being baptized; were you an adult?

For all of the questions above, do you know how to direct this person with Scripture if you determine that they have not understood nor obeyed the truth in these areas?

In conclusion, you can discover the truth that needs to be proclaimed by asking some questions of those you have opportunity to ask. You may need to proclaim to them with basic truth. Or you may need to proclaim more meaty, mature, and advanced truth. Your goal should be to proclaim the truth that is needed. Proclaim first things first. Proclaim second things second, if disciples are ready for them.

Only Proclaim Revealed Truth

The Bible is like a curtain with words all over it. Yet that same curtain only has a certain amount of writing on it and the rest, so to speak, is behind the curtain. It is not revealed.

Are you like the man in the picture who is trying to see what is behind the curtain, in other words are you trying to discover what is not revealed in the Bible?

Carefully consider this question:

If those who teach the Christian faith could be compared to a contestant on a television game show, then what would some of them look like? Would they look like one who guesses what is behind curtain number one? What is behind curtain number two? What is behind curtain number three?

Is it true that those who teach can tend to speculate and guess about mysterious and hidden things? Is it true that you can interest people when you start talking about and making bold and confident claims about hidden and mysterious things?

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.” (De 29:29)

QUESTIONS

• What does the word “secret” mean?
  
  Things that are secret are things that are hidden, unwritten, unknown, and uncertain.



• What does the word “revealed” mean?
  
  Things that are revealed are things that are visible, written, known, factual and certain.



• Who knows the hidden and secret things??
  
  Only God knows the things that have not yet been revealed. Man cannot know the secret things of God, things that are not revealed via the Scriptures. But man can know the things that are revealed by God, things that are revelaed in the Scriptures.



• What is the purpose of man knowing the revealed things of God?
  
  The purpose of man knowing the revealed things of God is so that man can learn to observe, obey, listen to, heed and observe all the words of God; that man might be devoted, carefully attending to, the words of God. As the Scripture says, "...that we may observe all the words of this law.” (De 29:29)

Therefore, when you speak for God, is what you are speaking a revealed truth? Or is it your best guess? Is it written down in the Scripture? Or are you making it up? Do you like to teach about things that are simply unknown and unrevealed?

When you are tempted to speak about hidden and unknown things, will you speak about them or are you going to simply let them be hidden? When someone asks you a question about the hidden things of God or about hidden religious things, will you say, “I do not believe that God revealed the answer to that question”? Or, will you answer with your best guess?

Which side of the curtain are you going to speak from, the revealed side or the hidden side? Those that proclaim the truth must refrain from proclaiming things that are simply not revealed.

Jude wrote an inspired letter telling disciples that the faith has been once for all delivered to them (Jude 3). If the Christian faith has been given to us once for all, then all of us should not be looking for more of the Christian faith to be revealed. Yet we should be looking to practice sound application of the Scripture. We also should be looking to see the prophecy in the Scripture coming to fruition. For example, the day of the Lord will come.

REVEALED TRUTH IS BY THE WORD OF THE LORD

Listen to this story to learn the importance of doing things by the revealed word of the Lord, and not by your best guess.

“Then David consulted with the captains of the thousands and the hundreds, even with every leader. David said to all the assembly of Israel, ‘If it seems good with you, and if it is from the Lord our God, let us send everywhere to our kinsmen who remain in all the land of Israel, also the priests and Levites who are with them in their cities with pasture lands, that they may meet with us; and let us bring back the ark of God to us, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

So David assembled all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, the Lord who is enthroned above the cherubim, where His name is called.

They carried the ark of God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab, and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart. David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, even with songs and with lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbols and with trumpets.

When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, because the oxen nearly upset it. The anger of the Lord burned against Uzza, so He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark; and he died before God.

Then David became angry because of the Lord’s outburst against Uzza; and he called that place Perez-uzza to this day. David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How can I bring the ark of God home to me?’” (1 Chron 13:1-13)

QUESTIONS

• Who did David consult with in regards to bringing up the ark?
  
  David consulted with the leading men.



• Was there anyone or anything he failed to consult with?
  
  It seems that he failed to consult the revealed word of God. Consulting the people at some point in time may get you the permission and the approval of the people, but not necessarily the permission and the approval of God. Group think can be wrong, it can be misleading. Therefore, David should have consulted the revealed word of God on how to proceed with the things of God.



• Did it look like Uzza had good intentions?
  
  If so, was that good enough to keep him from being penalized for what he did?



• What good came from this death?
  
  David, a leading man, greatly feared the Lord.



• What was David's initial reaction to the judgment of God?
  
  He was angry. Therefore, do not be surprised if religious people initially get angry when God brings judgment, or even when you proclaim the truth to them to point out sin, correcting them in righteousness.

Listen to what David said the second time he wanted to try to bring back the ark:

“Then David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaih, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab, and said to them, ‘You are the heads of the father’s households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance.’” (1 Chron 15:11-13)

QUESTIONS

• Why did God have an outburst?
  
  He had an outburst because David and the people did not seek God according to the revealed ordinance, the specific and prescribed method of God.



• What was David going to make certain happened the second time the ark was going to be transported?
  
  He made certain, as a leading man of God’s people, that the revealed will of God was going to be followed, specifically, that the Levites were going to carry the ark of God and not anyone else.



• What did David learn from the penalty that God gave?
  
  David learned to consult and follow what was revealed in the Scriptures, instead of consulting the will of man and the people. He learned to seek God not according to his own beliefs and not according to the people’s beliefs, but rather he learned to seek God according to the revelation of His will. He learned that guessing, estimating, or consulting the will of the people was not good enough in matters pertaining to God.

In the following example, how did this other king and people perform and practice their religion?

“The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king [Hezekiah] and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.” (2 Chron 30:12)

These people did things by the word of the Lord, meaning that they put into practice the specific and revealed command of the Lord.

Are you proclaiming things to be done by the word of the Lord, a command? How are you practicing the things of the Christian faith?

In conclusion, it is revealed that God struck a person down because He was sought not according to the command. Instead, they took God lightly or they did not know what the will of the Lord was, or they failed to inquire of Him. Therefore, they handled the situation incorrectly. It cost a life. The Levites should have been carrying the Ark according to the specific rules given in the Mosaic Age Law.

Have we, like David, learned how very important it is to seek God, to serve God, to practice the faith according to the specific commands that were given by Him, that is, according to what is revealed? If not, what happened to David could happen to us. We could have an incident that causes us to greatly fear the Lord. Or, even worse, we could be struck down for our irreverence for what God has clearly spoken to do. Therefore, we must seek Him according to the revealed commands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

ARE YOU AFRAID THAT GOD WILL ASK YOU THIS QUESTION?

Consider this question that God asked David:

“Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’” (2 Sam 7:7)

You might think you have some good ideas on how to work things out for the Lord. But when God calls you to account, he may ask you the same question that He asked David. He may ask you, “Where did I speak a word commanding you to do what you want to do?” Or, “Where did I speak a word commanding you to be doing what you are doing or have done?”

When you want to do something for the Lord, consider whether or not there is a gospel command to base it off of. Ask yourself, “Where did God speak a word commanding for this to be done?” If he did not command it, should you be promoting it or accomplishing it? If you proclaim the truth then you must only proclaim the truth that is revealed. This means that you will have to stick to teaching and applying the commands of Christ.

DO YOU KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE INSIDE?

Listen to what God said about the prophets, those who were claiming to proclaim the truth in days of Jeremiah:

"Thus says the LORD of hosts,

'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you.

They are leading you into futility;

They speak a vision of their own imagination,

Not from the mouth of the LORD.'" (Jer 23:16)

“But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.” (Jer 23:22)

If you proclaim the truth, where are you standing? Do you have one foot in the word and one foot outside of it? What words are you announcing? Is it your own imagination? God wants you to announce His words to the people. You are not to dream up any words to speak to the people. If you proclaim the truth then you are to only proclaim the truth that is revealed.

In conclusion, you must direct disciples to practice the Christian religion by the word of the Lord, a command. If not, you will have to face the serious consequences of what you are failing to do.

It should be the words of God. As it indicates in Jer 23:22, the words of God are designed to cause people to repent, turning them back and away from the evils of sinful behavior. Is this what you are doing?

REVEALED TRUTH EXCLUDES FRUITLESS TEACHINGS

Fruitless teachings and practices do not come from God and have not been revealed by God. But rather, they come from men and women and have been revealed by men and women.

Caption: Like a tree without fruit

What are fruitless teachings? Listen to Paul point out some of them:

“As I urged you [Timothy] upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Tim 1:3-7)

QUESTIONS

• Did Timothy have to teach against those who were teaching?
  
  He certainly did have to teach against those who were teaching because Paul told him to teach certain men not to teach strange doctrines. It also says that some will want to be teachers but will turn aside to teach fruitless teachings. They will be very assertive with these fruitless teachings.



• What specific things did Timothy have to teach against?
  
  Timothy had to teach against the teachings of those who were addicted to the following: Strange Teachings, Myths, Genealogies



• What do strange teachings, myths, and genealogies give rise to?
  
  Paul pointed out that these things: “…give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.”



• Is speculation revealed truth?
  
  Speculation is certainly not revealed truth since speculation is simply guessing.

Paul concluded that all these speculatory teachings, these strange teachings, these mythological teachings, and these genealogical teachings, all amount to “…fruitless discussion…”

To some degree, the disciples in Paul’s day were paying attention to these fruitless things, even those who were teaching. They were devoted and addicted to them, bringing them near and intermixing them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In your day, are you or the people of God addicted to any of these types of things also?

Some certainly are addicted to these things today, even those who teach. Therefore, carefully consider what each of these fruitless teachings mean.

SPECULATORY TEACHINGS ARE FRUITLESS

Another definition of the word “speculation” is opinion. Opinion is speculation. Opinion is an estimate or a guess. Therefore, speculations (opinions) are not based on a revealed word of the Lord. They are not based on a Gospel command. They cannot be validated with the Scripture in any sound directional way.

If you are only going to announce the word of God, then you will have to exclude speculating, you will have to exclude giving your opinions about things that are not revealed in the Scripture. You will have to avoid giving an answer that is your best guess.

In fact, those who proclaim the truth are supposed to destroy speculations (opinions). Paul was about the work of destroying speculations. He said, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Co 10:5)

One result of speculatory teachings, that is, opinionated teachings, is that it can result in disobedience to the word of God. As said in the previous verse, Paul was about the business of destroying speculations in order to bring about obedience to Christ and His word. You who proclaim the truth will have to teach against speculations (opinions) in order to bring about obedience to the word of Christ. Yet, does this mean that you should try to destroy sound applications of how to apply what is revealed? The answer to this question will be studied later.

Those Weaker in Faith Can Be Opinionated/Speculatory

In the following section of Scripture, the weaker brother, weaker in faith, believed that he could not eat meat. Where did this belief come from? Is having no meat a revealed truth?

It is not an Old Testament command. It is not a New Testament command. Rather, it must have came from somewhere else, perhaps originating in the mind of this particular believer.

Note also that the word used in these Scriptures to describe the faith [the belief] of some weaker disciples can be translated as: opinion, disputation, doubtful, imagination, reasoning, thought, speculation. Keep this in mind as you read the following lesson Paul gives on weaker, speculatory brothers.

QUESTIONS

• What responsibility does Paul teach that the stronger brother has toward the weaker brother? In other words, what is the end result of Paul’s lesson on opinionated weaker brothers?
  
  That the stronger brother should not deride this weaker brother, nor do things that would cause him to sin (vs. 13, 21).



• Does the weaker brother have a responsibility towards other disciples?
  
  The weaker brother certainly does have a responsibility towards other disciples to keep his speculations (opinions) to himself (vs. 22, 23) He is not to promote them nor teach others to practice them. This is in keeping with what Paul said to Timothy, to teach teachers not to teach nor promote speculation (opinions), things that have not been commanded nor revealed by God.

FRUITFUL TEACHING DOES NOT EXCLUDE PROCLAIMING SOUND APPLICATION OF A REVEALED TRUTH

QUESTION

• Is opinion [speculation] the same thing as application?
  
  Opinion is basing your words or practice on the things that are not revealed, things that have not been commanded.
  
  On the other hand, application or practice of a truth is to be based on a revealed truth, a command.

Therefore, be careful not to call sound application of revealed truth opinion. Be careful not to call excelling application of a revealed truth simply one’s own opinion. Why? Because sound and excellent application of a verse is not opinion; in fact it is righteousness. In fact it is obedience.

What you are really saying, you who call sound and virtuous application of the truth opinion, whether you know it or not, is that it is mere speculation. And, as we know by definition, speculation is practicing and teaching what has not been revealed by God. It is not based on a command. It is fruitless. However, excelling application of the word of Christ is very fruitful in every area of the believer’s life.

Sound application of the gospel must not be treated as insignificant, unimportant, or irrelevant. Sound application is the most important, most relevant issue of faith. He is the author of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him (He 5:9).

As the Psalmist said, “A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” (Ps 111:10)

In other words, outwardly and inwardly putting into practice a sound application of a revealed truth is fruitful. It is fruitful in the area of proving you truly understand the word of God.

Now doing means practicing. Yet some teachers simply do not understand this. Instead, they say that any application is simply opinion. What they are really saying, even if they do not truly understand what they are saying, is that any application is speculatory and cannot be sound, cannot be taught to others, or cannot be urged on others. This kind of teaching makes the word of God not applicable, nor applicatory, but instead impracticable (in other words impractical). But those who are mature know that the word of Christ is very practical for our everyday life.

James says that Christians are to be: “...not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer” (James 1:25)

Ezra was one who not only proclaimed the word of God, but he also put God’s word into practice. “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)

What did Ezra practice? Was it his opinion or speculation that he practiced? Certainly not! Opinion and speculation are not based clearly on the word of God. Ezra simply practiced the law of the Lord, and he taught others how to practice it.

“Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He [God] is righteous…” (1 Jn 3:7)

It is deception to believe that practicing and teaching righteousness is simply speculation and opinion. Let no one deceive you into thinking that application of truth is merely speculation and opinion. If application of truth is mere speculation and opinion then righteousness means nothing.

Consider these sayings:

Lack of opinion
is a good thing.

---

Lack of application
is a bad thing.

Better yet, lack of excelling application is a bad thing. For example, remember that both Cain and Abel were givers in their worship of God, thus fulfilling their responisbility to apllicably give back to God. Yet, only one of them pleased God with his offering, Abel.

Cain's application of giving was despised in the sight of God. In fact, God told him that sin was crouching at his door. He also told Cain that if he would have done well (in giving), he would have been encouraged by God.

Caption: Fruitful teaching includes sound application of a revealed truth

Therefore, do you see that your application of truth must be excellent and not simply borderline or lacking excellence? Do you see that your individual application of truth, whether it be morality, adornment, ministry, giving, holiness, etc., must be more perfect than the application that Cain demonstrated in his life? Do you want to be despised by God? Or, do you want to be encouraged by God? In matters of application of a command, which kind of religious person are you going to be, a Cain or an Abel? The decision is yours.

You could be applying a command, but you could be applying it so poorly that God is going to despise you for it, like he did Cain. If this is so, then sin is right at your door. Lack of excellence is sin.

Are we encompassed today by some who relegate sound application of truth to opinion? Do they understand the difference between opinion (speculatory teachings) and application of truth? Application of truth is righteousness.

When you proclaim the truth, are you refraining from teaching sound application of it? Are you uncertain how to apply the word of God? Remember, the grace of God teaches us how to live godly lives (Titus 2:11-14). Therefore, are you teaching disciples how to live godly lives, which means teaching them how to apply what God has spoken?

In conclusion, revealed truth excludes speculations (opinions), but it certainly does not exclude excelling application of a revealed truth.

When you attempt to proclaim the truth, are you certain that you are speaking the specific word of God and sound and excellent application thereof. Or, are you proclaiming some other word and application thereof? Are you simply giving your own speculations or opinions? When you speak for the Lord, are you speculating and guessing? When you speak for the Lord are you afraid to give excellent examples of truth for others to follow and apply in their lives?

STRANGE TEACHINGS ARE FRUITLESS

Strange teachings are teachings that are foreign to the gospel. They can be very contrary and opposing to the gospel. They can be totally unrelated at all to it. Therefore, strange teachings are teachings that are not revealed in the gospel. But men pollute the gospel by adding them to it.

Caption: Did Jesus really stay in the grave?

For an example of a strange teaching, read the following section of Scripture. What is the strange teaching that Paul had to teach against at the church in Corinth?

"Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Co 15:12-19)

QUESTION

• What was the fruitless strange teaching Paul taught against?
  
  It was the strange teaching that there is no resurection from the dead. Actually, it seems that the whole chapter, all 58 verses of it, not just the small section of verses listed above, was directed at teaching against this foreign teaching.

When you speak for God, are you teaching things that are familiar with the gospel of Jesus Christ? Or are you like those foolish teachers at Corinth? Are you bringing in strange and foreign teachings, teachings that even oppose the very core truth of the gospel? For example, the interpretive methods can be very strange indeed, the ones that get people derailed from praticing the truth.

MYTHOLOGICAL TEACHINGS ARE FRUITLESS

Myths are defined as falsehoods, stories, fables, or tales. God does not originate myths. Rather, myths are inventions and creations of men or women.

Carefully consider the following myths that religious people are addicted to today:

Caption: The death, burial, and resurrection egg

When people say, “easter eggs,” they are really saying, “resurrection eggs.” What does an egg have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

When people say, “easter bunny,” they are really saying, “resurrection bunny,” since the word easter has been a man made word that refers to the resurrection of Jesus. What does a bunny have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Was a bunny put to death for your sins and raised to life the third day?

Was the egg put to death for your sins and raised to life, hatched on the third day? Certainly not! Why would you mix this pagan tradition into the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord of glory?

Consider the double warning about myths that Paul Gave to Timothy

Paul first told Timothy to teach certain men to avoid fruitless teachings which include myths (1 Tim1:4). Then, later in the same letter, Paul told Timothy to personally not have one thing to do with myths, saying,

“But have nothing to do with worldly fables [some translations say myths] fit only for old women. ” (1 Tim 4:7)

In other words, have not one thing to do with myths; not one thing to do with the easter bunny. You are not to mix paganism, myths, or man made tales with Christ Jesus and his people.

Are you having anything at all to do with fables, stories, and myths, especially in connection to the gospel and church and disciples? Who is intermixing these things with Christ?

What worldly fables are you involved in? What worldly fables are you failing to speak against sharply? Paul told another Christian evangelist, Titus, saying, “…For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:13, 14)

QUESTIONS

• What was Titus to teach against?


He was to teach disciples not to pay attention to myths.


• How was he supposed to teach aginst myths? ?
  
  

  Titus was to give severe reproof to those participating in myths. If you are participating in myths, do you understand that this Scripture is saying that you need severe verbal discipline? Why? So that you can get out of your unsound lifesyle and practices and become sound in this area of concern.




• Why was Titus to severly reprove disciples who are teaching or practicing myths?
  
  He was to do this so that they may be sound in the faith. Disciples who practice myths are unsound in the faith.

Jews had their myths in the day of Paul. Americans have their myths. Other countries have their myths. All of these myths are a departure from the truth when practiced by disciples, whether they practice them in the assembly or privately in their own homes.

What about so called, "Saint Nick?" Is he an old wives' tale? He certainly is. Why would you mix a person called Nick with Jesus Christ? Was Nick really a saint, one who was set apart to be a Christian, one who was holy, separate from sin in his behavior? Where do we read about him the Bible? We don’t. Why play along with this mythological being?

Did you know that this myth is attributed God like powers? For example, they sing about him, warning children that: “He knows when you’ve been bad or good…”

Is this so called saint Nick truly this powerful?

In addition to all this, people encourage their children to ask Nick for things. Why would you offer your petitions for things to him? God the Father wants you to pray and offer your requests to Him. Why would you direct your child, Oh Christian, to seek things from this god, sitting even on his lap? Why would you lie to your child, telling him or her that it is Santa that brings the presents? Why would you participate in such a pagan, idolatrous fairy tale? Why would you mix Nick with Christ? “Have nothing to do with myths.” (1 Ti 4:7) Get rid of this myth from your life, and all the nicknacks that go along with it. Stand up for the truth. Don’t be afraid to offend the world with boldly practicing truth. Quit letting the world shame you into practicing it’s myths and sins. Actually, you ought to be ashamed of yourself in the sight of God for practicing myths.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed etc…” (Rom 12:2) Do not be conformed to myths, especially if they are mixed with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Who would dare mix the two? Why do you pay tribute to this myth by collecting his image, pinning it to your clothes, placing it on your shelf, etc?

What about Halloween, Trick or Treat as some call it? Some even call it All Hallows Eve. This is certainly one of Satan’s holidays. How many of you have had a Halloween party?

Speak against this popular made up story, even if it is observed and practiced by so many. It encourages children to sin by being deceptive, tricks or treats.

It also encourages children to sin by dressing in costumes that imitate what is condemed by God, such as witches. Would a Christian pretend to be something that God has sentenced to hell? Why would you put God to the test? Why would you teach your child that this is okay, encouraging him or her to dress like a witch? This is a stumbling block to children.

What is the conclusion? If you are only going to announce the word of God, then you will have to exclude practicing and talking about myths.

Are there any myths that you are practicing?

Are you clearly warning disciples to stop practicing myths, telling them to have nothing to do with them even in their personal lives?

GENEALOGICAL TEACHINGS ARE FRUITLESS

When Paul instructed Timothy, he told him to teach against fruitless teachings such as genealogies (1 Tim 1:3-7). In that particular section of Scripture, it is a little difficult to make the connection that he was refering to the Old Testament in relation to keeping genealogies. Yet, when he instruced another evangelist, Titus, he clearly linked this fruitless teaching of keeping genealogies to the Old Testament Law.

For Example, Paul said to Titus, "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law [the Law of Moses], for they are unprofitable and worthless." (Titus 3:9)

It seems that one of the continual problems that occurs because of God changing the covenants from the old Mosaic covenant to the new Christian covenant, is that religious people will try to bring along with them or resurrect some the teachings that Christ nullified when he died on the cross. One of these is keeping genealogies.

Here are some verses for your reference that show how the Jews kept genealogies in the Old Testament.

• Ge 10:32
• 1Ch 1:29
• 1Ch 5:17
• 1Ch 9:1
• 1Ch 26:31
• Ne 7:5

Now it is true that Old Testament is very careful to keep track of genealogies, especially when it involved those who were supposed to be the only ones to minister in the sanctuary of God, the Levites, in particular Aaron's family. Aaron and his sons, the priests, were the only ones who were supposed to offer the blood and sacrifices for the forgiveness of the people's sins (Leviticus).

Now, the important question to ask is, do Christians need to continue to keep a current list of Aaron's lineage, or any other jewish family line?

The answer has to be certainly not. Why? Because Christ died on the cross for sins once and for all. Therefore, it is irrelavant to keep a current list of Aaron's male descenents so that they can offer the sacrifices for the forgiveness of the people's sins. That practice has been canceled by the cross of Christ.

Or do we need to keep a lineage of David's descendants so that we know who should sit on his throne that God gave to him forever? Certainly not because we know that Christ Jesus was David's last and final descendant to eternally sit on the throne of Zion, spiritual Zion that is.

The Genealogy of Jesus is Very Important

Both Matthew and Luke record the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew traces it back to Abraham, while Luke traces it all the way back to Adam. Is this fruitless? Certainly not. For one thing, there is not a continuance of that list since Christ was never married and had no children. But most importantly, the list is used to prove that he really was the Messiah, who was prophesied to be a descendant of David. Thus it must be this way to prove and fulfill the truth. Also, that list is actually in the Old Testament, since most of the gospel of Jesus Christ occured under the Old Testament Laws.

Are there any genealogical lists that you are holding to gain pre-eminance for yourself in the sight of man? Are you keeping lists? If so, you are involved in fruitless discussion.

In conclusion, the next time someone asks you about a topic that is not revealed in the Scriptures, or the next time you are tempted to introduce fruitless discussion and fruitless teachings, are you going to proclaim only the truth that is revealed in the Scriptures?

Are you going to let the things that are hidden remain hidden? Will you say to those who ask a question that has not been answered, revealed, by God: "I do not know" or "I do not beleive it has been revealed by God"?

If you attempt to speak by the word of the Lord, then what comes out of the door of your mouth must be what God has revealed. Your words and practice must not include speculations, myths, and yours or others opinions. Yet you must apply the word that is revealed, practicing it in your own life with excellence; also teaching others how to apply and practice the word of Christ in an excellent and sound way.

Do you understand
what truth you should proclaim?