Introduction:

A. Why is this question important to answer?

1. So many people say “I have my beliefs and you have yours.”
2. We will find in this lesson that what God says settles all spiritual matters.
3. This lesson really boils down to who wants to feel religious over who wants true religion.

B. How can we know what God has revealed?

1. The Bible is the inspired word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17).
2. Men spoke as the Holy Spirit guided them:

a. John 16:13
b. I Corinthians 2:9-13
c. II Peter 1:16-21
d. II Samuel 23:2
e. Jeremiah 1:9

C. So many today not only have their own personal beliefs, but they then seek to bind their beliefs on others or loose from what God has revealed and teach that to others.

1. To bind is “to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds; to put under an obligation.”
2. To loose is “free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation.”
3. To bind or loose from what God has revealed is to add or subtract from divine revelation.

a. Deuteronomy 12:32
b. Proverbs 30:5-6
c. Jeremiah 26:2
d. II John v. 9
e. A person who says they can bind or loose what is not revealed is claiming authority over God.

A. The New Testament Law is given to save, guide, and govern all men:

1. Save (Mark 16:15-16).

a. Romans 1:16
b. Titus 2:11
c. Ephesians 3:8-9
d. I Timothy 2:3-4

2. Guide (James 1:25).

a. John 6:63
b. Psalms 119:105

3. Govern (John 12:48).

a. God granted authority to Christ (Matthew 17:5).
b. Christ took that authority (Matthew 28:18).

c. Paul clarified the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17).
B. God in no way approves of human customs, traditions, or opinions that claim precedence over His word.

1. Galatians 1:6-12
2. Colossians 2:8

A. Many believed they would construct a tower to reach God (Genesis 11:1-5).

1. God saw the bad that came from men putting their knowledge together to do what they wanted to do (11:6).

a. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
b. Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

2. God stopped this process from occurring (11:7-9).

B. Pharaoh believed he would not let the people of Israel go (Exodus 5:1-2), but that was wrong (Exodus 13:17).

1. God is greater than any God of Egypt or any other place (Psalms 135:5-9).
2. God keeps His promises (Exodus 3:7-8).
3. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

C. The Israelites believed it was a good idea to make a god, but they were wrong (Exodus 32:1-10).

1. These were God’s people (Deuteronomy 7:6).
2. But, even though they were His people they still needed authority (Deuteronomy 4:2).

D. David believed he could build God a house, but he was wrong (II Samuel 7:1-7).

1. David had permission from a prophet, but God did not permit the prophet to speak on this matter.
2. David had a good idea, but not an authorized one.

E. Jonah thought he would get away from God and doing the work he was commanded to do (Jonah 1:1-3).

1. He did not get away (Jonah 1:4; 17).
2. Nor did he get away from doing the work of the Lord (Jonah 3:1-3).

F. The Sadducees believe there would be no resurrection of the dead, are no angels, not spirits (Acts 23:8).

1. The Bible shows this to be false:

a. Matthew 28:1-10
b. I Corinthians 15:1-8; 21-22; 52-54

2. It would be profitable in this case to also point out that though a person or group may be right on one, two, or three spiritual matters (like the Pharisees); that does not mean they are right on all things:

a. Matthew 5:20
b. Matthew 23:15

G. The Pharisees believed they could bind their tradition, but they were wrong (Mark 7:1-9).

A. Some try to bind how many containers can be used when partaking of the fruit of the vine.

1. Involved in this doctrinal view is the thought that the cup is partaken of and not the content of the cup.  This is based on the wording of such passages as (I Corinthians 11:25).

a. One cannot drink a cup, one can drink from a cup.
b. Matthew 26:29

2. Jesus gave authority to divide the contents of the cup (Luke 22:17).
3. Can a congregation choose to use on container to partake of the fruit of the vine? Sure.  Can they bind that on others?  NO!

B. Some try to bind an artificial covering on women during worship based on the text in I Corinthians 11:1-16.

1. This text clearly points out the covering discussed is the hair (v. 14-15).
2.  Four lengths of hair are discussed:

a. Covered (hair hanging down) [Greek word “katakalupto” in verses 5,6,7, and 13].  This Greek word begins with the prefix “kata” [Strong’s # 2596] meaning “down from”.  Kalupto means “covered”.  This is a covering that hangs down from what is covered, being the head.
b. Uncovered (short hair).  [Greek word “akatakalupto”].  The prefix “alpha” here simply indicates the opposite of covered.
c. Shorn (buzz cut).  [Greek word “kieiro”] meaning “of shearing or cutting short the hair of the head.”
d. Shaven (bald).  [Greek word “xurao”] meaning “shaven”.

3. This text simply points out that a man is to have hair that does not “hang down” as a woman’s hair nor is a woman to have hair like a man.  This chapter begins by discussing the authority of a man over a woman the context is relative to that.

a. I wonder why women who wear these fancy lace doily napkins do not use them as shirts or skirts.
b. Can a woman wear a lace covering in worship?  Sure.  Can she teach that all must?  NO!

C. Some try to loose from the word of God the elements of worship:

1. The command to sing (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16) often becomes playing.
2. The day in which we are to remember the Lord in partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7) changes to other days and different frequencies.
3. Collections and other fund raising methods are often taken and employed in different manners than that which is authorized (I Corinthians 16:1-2).
4. Preaching becomes entertainment and things other than the truth are presented (II Timothy 4:2).  Sometime women are used in preaching to mixed audiences violating the word of God (I Corinthians 14:34-35 and I Timothy 2:11-12).
5. Praying is done in multiple unauthorized ways (I Timothy 2:5 and Colossians 3:17).

D. Some try to loose from the word of God in relation to the plan of redemption.

1. Faith only is advocated (James 2:19-26).
2. Passages are abused (John 3:16 and Revelation 3:20).
3. Baptism is not done by immersion to those whom have followed God’s plan to that point such as infants (Acts 2:38; 22:16, etc.)
4. Confession is made into Christ instead of unto (Romans 10:10).
5. Money buys Heaven instead of obedience (Matthew 7:21).
6. Grace is falsely taught to cover all sins not repented of (Luke 13:3 and Galatians 6:1-2).

E. Some try to loose from the word of God when it comes to fellowship.

1. Spiritual fellowship occurs with those whom are walking in the light (I John 1:7).
2. Fellowship outside of that is wrong (Ephesians 5:11).
3. Fellowship with false teachers is wrong (II John 9-11).
4. However, many pervert Romans 14 and such to include many in the realm of fellowship that ought not to be there.

A. What we feel or think does not decide right from wrong, the word of God does.
B. If one is to proclaim to be a Christian they must be willing to accept what God has said as the final word.
C. A persons reasoning and conclusions should be based solely upon the word of God.

 
 
 

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2003 by Brian A. Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.