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Articles

Know What You Believe and WHY

Know What You Believe and WHY

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” (2 Thess. 2:15)

If you want to believe something, you can find someone affirming that very idea on YouTube. If you find two that affirm the same thing, then SURELY it must be true. ?

Yet, just before this, Paul warned about “… those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (2 Thess. 2:10-12)

What am I to believe? What was revealed through the apostles of Jesus. I must constantly check that my belief matches the teaching of the apostles, and that is solely contained within the text of our New Testament. Reread Wednesday’s article – ‘The Word of God’. Notice that in that letter Paul stated that it is one of apostolic authority. Thus, we see:

·       The ‘gospel’ was revealed and confirmed by God working miracles in conjunction with these chosen men  1 Thess. 1:5 –6

·       They received the teachings as the Word of God – 1 Thess. 2.13

·       They were instructed – 1 Thess. 4:1-2

·       The rejection of such teaching in these letters is the rejection of God – 1 Thess. 4.8

·       Their teaching was by the authority of the Lord – 1 Thess. 4.15

·       Such was NOT to be a blind faith but an examined one – 1 Thess. 5:19-21

Think: WHY do you believe what you believe? WHAT is its foundation?  

Hugh DeLong