II Corinthians 11:3 shows
us why the inerrancy of Scripture is so often attacked and denied. Scripture
identifies Satan as the one who used the serpent. (Genesis 3:1; Revelation
12:9; note that the Greek word here rendered "dragon" means big
snake.) Satan continues to come up with new versions of "Yea hath God said
...," and "For God doth know that...." (Genesis 3:1, 5) The
example of the Genesis account warns us to expect Satan to use dupes and envoys
and subtilty to deceive. The Genesis account also serves to warn us to expect
Satan to deceive by twisting, distorting, and casting doubt upon the Word of
God, especially concerning important or essentials doctrines and standards, and
demonstrates that neglect, indifference toward, or ignorance of God's Word
makes us vulnerable. (Compare Genesis 2:16-17 & Genesis 3:2-5 & note
the difference.) The Holy Bible is the inerrant word of God, God's message to
mankind. Those who do not believe this are challenged to study for themselves
and examine the evidence honestly and objectively to see that the Bible is
accurate and reliable. Bible-believers should not be afraid to examine the
evidence or worry that this will weaken their faith; examining the evidence
will strengthen your faith. From beginning to end the whole Bible claims to be
the infallible word of God, and this claim is either true or it is not. If this
claim is not true then none of the Bible is reliable, there is no basis for
faith, and there is not foundation or support for Christianity. If this claim
is true, then Christians are obliged to accept the entire Bible to be what it claims
to be, and no compromise is logical or even possible.
Why is the Genesis
account of creation so important? It is not possible to understand Jesus Christ
and New Testament teachings without the Old Testament. (John 5:39; II Timothy
3:16) The Bible does not separate the knowledge of God the Redeemer from God
the Creator, and the Genesis account shows the depravity of man, the effects of
sin, and man's need for atonement. (Consider Romans 5:17-19; I Corinthians
15:45)
We are warned about
"another Jesus," a Jesus who differs from the Jesus presented in
Scripture. (II Corinthians 11:4) Faith, like love, always has an object, and it
is essential that the right Jesus is the object of one's faith, which means the
virgin birth, the sinless life of Christ, the complete deity of Jesus Christ,
the bodily resurrection, and the second coming of Christ in bodily human form
are essential teachings. If you leave this life putting your faith in the wrong
Jesus you will be wrong for all eternity.
We are warned about
"another spirit." (II Corinthians 11:4) The warnings about
"another Jesus" and "another spirit" are related to other
Bible warnings about "other gods" and denial of the true God. (Exodus
20:3; Jude 4) Not only does this indicate the importance of recognizing the
personhood and deity of the Holy Spirit, but also indicates the importance of
the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the correct identification of Jesus Christ.
(I John 4:1-3; II John 1:9)
We are warned about
"another gospel." (II Corinthians 11:4) The Gospel is the death,
burial, and literal resurrection of Christ through which sinners can be
declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ when they repent. (John
3:13-15; Acts 4:15-19; I Corinthians 15:1-4) Denial of the bodily resurrection
of Christ is calling Him accursed, for this would mean that He died under
judgment of sin and is still under that judgment. (I Corinthians 12:3) The
Bible clearly teaches the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead. (Job
19:25-27; Isaiah 26:19; Luke 24:36-43; John 5:28-29; 2:19-21; Acts 24:15;
Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 15:13-18, 42-49; Philippians 3:21; Revelation
20:12-13) The resurrection was central to the preaching of the Apostles, as
there is no Christian faith without the bodily resurrection. (Acts 3:15; 4:1-2;
10:39-41; 17:18; 24:15; I Corinthians 12:12-20) There is no hope of eternal
salvation without the bodily resurrection of Christ. (Romans 5:8-10; 10:8-9)
Without the bodily resurrection of Christ there is no blood atonement, and
there is no salvation without the blood atonement. (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah
53:5-6; Romans 5:8-11; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14; 10:12-14; I Peter
1:18-21; 2:24)
It is important for
Christians to be Bible students and that they apply, teach, and defend the
teachings of God's Word, especially the fundamentals of the faith. I may not
need to know all about the source and composition of water if I am thirsty, but
later if I wish to acquire water in a dry and thirsty land or provide others
with good water to sustain their life and health some facts about water would
be helpful, even necessary. While simple child-like faith is all that is
required to be saved, what a believer should believe and be doing after being a
believer for a while is another matter. (Matthew 4:4; II Timothy 2:15; James
1:21-22; I Peter 2:2-3; II Peter 3:18; etc.)
When witnessing and
ministering it is easy to become too focused on secondary issues and debatable
opinions and this can detract from essential points and issues. This is
especially important when witnessing or ministering and especially when dealing
with cults and religious liberals. Be careful to focus on essential truths and
important principles.
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