I'd like to share with my BTF friends the first fruits of some study I have been doing to be able to readily defeat a very common false spin on this Scripture. This is being used by our liberal friends to justify including the denominations into fellowship. This article is the "quick read" version of a larger more complete article that I am working on.


Doctrine: One or Many?

Today I'd like to start my article with the punch line. Ephesians 4:5 says: One Lord, one faith, one baptism, John 14:6 says: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1 Timothy 1:3 says: As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine. These are just some of the Scriptures make it clear that there is only a single doctrine that is acceptable in God's eyes.

Mark 9:38-41 is a passage that many have misread to include any doctrine that "means well" or is "taught in Jesus name" as acceptable and sanctioned by Jesus. However the New Testament states exhaustively that we are to teach only that which was taught by Jesus and the inspired apostles. If we are to be in fellowship with those following the example of the New Testament church then we must "walk in the light as he is in the light" 1 John 1:7

In our subject passage, Jesus declares "He that is not against us is for us." The idea that this could mean that if we are not actively opposing Jesus then we are in fellowship with him opens the door to a faith only doctrine. Hitler considered himself a Christian. Agnostics would be safe in this doctrine as well since they are not really against Him. These ideas alone should be enough to offend our senses and end the discussion, but for completeness, what about the Scriptural conflict this creates?

For brevity, I'll show just one conflict, and for impact, it is Jesus' own words I will quote: He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Matthew 12:30. Our subject passage and this passage cannot oppose each other so this does a couple of things to our friends' argument:

- The "other teacher" was not teaching error as the false argument needs us to believe. The twelve disciples were not the only followers of Jesus teaching the truth. Witness the seventy appointed in Luke 10 who were sent in pairs out to teach.

- The miracle of casting out demons was given to confirm God's Word given through His Son. (Mark 16:20, Hebrews 2:3-4, etc.). How can we have God confirming two doctrines? How can we accept that God's Word might have been allowed to be diluted to include anything convenient to man's whim?

The discussion of what Mark 9:38-41 does not say can continue on, but what it does say is very simple as God intended His Word to be. In context, the disciples were having a discussion about who was the greatest. It was only natural that the very immature John would turn the discussion to one who was not of their group who might dare to teach Jesus' message since they must be inferior. Jesus' statement was nothing more than Him correcting John for his jealousy.

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Butch Adams
Blue Ridge, VA
http://daleridgechurchofchrist.net
http://mydailypause.org

You mention Luke 10. Hitler must have somehow missed verse 27.

Butch, when you mentioned Hitler... was reminded of Paul and how he persecuted the Christians. But Paul repented after learning the truth and hcanged toward God and the right path. I wonder if Hitler ever heard the truth at some point, but was more like Felix or Agrippa? Just a thought, but excellent post!

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

I'd say he sure read the truth at some point if we are to believe the extent of his studies.

...b

(and thanks!)

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Butch Adams
Blue Ridge, VA
http://daleridgechurchofchrist.net
http://mydailypause.org

Ah, yes...he did study but went off on his own and did his own thing like so many denominations do today.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15