"Prove all things"

The right and duty and necessity of private judgement

These words were used by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians.  He was writing to a Church which he himself had planted.  At the time of this letter Paul was an inspired Apostle writing to young inexperienced Christians.  He was writing to the whole professing Church in this certain city.  It included the laity as well as clergy and writing with special reference to matters of doctrine and preaching. He says to "Despise not prophesyings"….and yet notice that he also adds to this "Prove all things".

He clearly is not saying that whatever your apostle, whatever your evangelist, whatever your pastor, whatever your teacher, whatever your Bishop or ministers tell you is truth….that you are to believe. Not at all….he says we are to "Prove all things".  

The principal presented is this:  Prove all things by the Word of God….all ministers, all teachings, all preaching, all doctrines, all sermons, all writings, all opinions, all practices…all must be proved by the Word of God.  Measure all of it by the measure of the Bible. Compare all of it with the standard of the Bible.  Examine all of it by the light of the Bible.  What ever is able to withstand the fire of the Bible, receive, hold, believe, and obey. That which cannot…cast away.

This is private judgement.  This is the right and responsibility we are to exercise if we love our souls.  We are not to believe things in religion merely because they are said by Popes or Cardinals…Bishops or Priests….Pastors or Ministers….Presbyters or Deacons….by "churches", councils, or synods…by Fathers, Puritans, Reformers, UMCs, Baptists, etc. … . We are not to believe simply because a group of people declare their philosophy a church makes it a part of the Church. 

The problem seems to be today that humankind desires to be "as a god".  Humans believe they have the authority and wisdom to determine what love is, what church is, what truth is, what sin is.  Who would argue that it is much simpler to find a teaching and church that provides safety for our sins rather than diligently and daily seeking the truth in the Word of God and in prayer.  I mean….thats hard work and takes an actual commitment.  

So it is today…..church is just a word in the world used by the world to deceive many and lead many away from the truth and from God.  I wanted to begin this blog encouraging any readers to prove all things because as we peel away the trappings of man from the Church in future posts it will be your duty, your right, and your judgement supported from the Word of God that will join us together.