Be not carried about with divers and strange
doctrines. ( Hebrews 13:9 )
The Church of Jesus Christ today is full of "divers
and strange doctrines". The
admonition in Hebrews 13:9 is not to be carried about with them. That means that a person could be carried
about with them. In other words, these
"divers and strange doctrines", if you believe them, will take you
where they want to take you. It is
interesting Hebrews 13:8 says "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today,
and forever". You will find that
if you believe "strange doctrines", they will contradict Hebrews
13:8.
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been
taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince
the gainsayers. For there are many
unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which
they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
( Titus 1: 9-11 )
Notice again that Hebrews 13:9 mentions
"strange doctrines". It says
in Titus 1:9 that the way to handle things that are taught which should not be
taught is by "sound doctrine".
The Bible also says that when it comes to "sound doctrine" a
person must "endure it".
For the time will come when t hey will not endure
sound doctrine-- (2 Timothy 4:3 )
Know this, that the law is not made for a righteous
man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for
unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for
manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for
menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing
that is contrary to sound doctrine. ( 1
Timothy 1: 9,10 )
Certainly a "strange doctrine" would be
contrary to "sound doctrine"!
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 )
The first thing that scripture mentions as being
profitable for in 2 Timothy 3: 16 is "doctrine". Therefore, if we are
going to have "doctrine" and for it to be "sound doctrine",
then it must be the word of God; ;it must be scripture!
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know
the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
( John 8: 31,32 )
Many times just the last part of John 8:32 is quoted
which says that "--the truth shall make you free--" but there are
several things that must happen before that.
The first thing you must do is to "believe on Him" (Jesus);
the next thing is to "continue in my (His) word". And if you continue in His word, then are
you "his disciple indeed and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free". So you must
believe on Him, continue in His word, be His disciples, (and there are
requirements for discipleship listed in Luke 14:26,33), then you shall know the
truth. Only Jesus' disciples will know
the truth! It is absolutely possible to
be born again and still not be a disciple of Christ! Only His disciples will know the truth: the truth that makes us free.
A "strange doctrine" found its way into
the Church probably sometime during the 16th century. It doesn't really matter when, but some
research shows that it probably happened then. This "strange
doctrine", which is the topic of this book, is a perversion of the truth. This "strange doctrine" is also
called "another gospel". Although many call it the gospel of Christ,
it is not!
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that
trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1: 6,7)
This "strange doctrine", which has gotten
into the Church, as become "another gospel" and is a perversion of
the gospel of Christ!
Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments
of men, that turn from the truth.
(Titus 1: 14)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,
and doctrines of devils-- (1 Timothy 4:1)
There is a great misunderstanding in the Church
today of t he "sovereignty of God". The truth is that God is
sovereign, but from this truth came the teaching