You will be hard-pressed to find a Christian group or organization that does not refer to the Bible. Some will use only their particular version of the Bible or have a companion book to augment their biblical beliefs, but in some form or another, most Christians will say they believe the words of the Bible come from God. The problem that arises when having theological conversations amongst differing Christian groups is that inevitably one party will use a scripture to prove the validity of a point, and another party will contest its accuracy by saying something like “That’s not how I interpret that scripture”. I believe it does not matter how we interpret the words of God. What matters is the words God used and what those words meant when God used them. Correctly understanding the words and intentions of God should remain the primary goal of all Christians.

      When biblical conversations become contentious, Christians often smile and agree to disagree rather than get into a theological discussion unprepared. Limited access to the required references within a social setting makes proving the intents, definitions, and the inspired words God used challenging to confirm. It takes more time and resources to prove a point than it does to state one. This is where blog posts such as this can be helpful. When disagreements arise, they can be discussed respectfully, and provide the time to acquire your verified proof source material. When that type of discussion is employed, Christians can help develop each other’s knowledge of God.

      When a disputed belief or thought is left unchallenged, all parties involved will be less informed and potentially blind to God’s truths. Sometimes when we are spurred to provide correction, our resulting study may show that our facts are not as biblically accurate as we thought. Those interested in gaining Godly wisdom will naturally want to follow the words of God. Those who only want their beliefs and doctrines to be correct will interpret God’s word to suit themselves. Maintaining the Biblist creed the way the Bereans would have will help uncover the truths of God. Proverbs 27:17 Living Bible 17 A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 King James Version 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

      Solomon knew the Godly principles of wisdom were true, and he taught them to his children, hoping they would follow his life-affirming advice. People who want to become wiser by gaining Godly knowledge will welcome truth and the opportunity to prove their beliefs are accurate. The more we can prove our beliefs to be true to others, the more confidence we will have in them and our ability to proclaim them. What validity is there in a belief that will not stand up to scrutiny? Those who adhere to the Biblist creed will test their beliefs against the accuracy of God’s words and always use the word of God as the final arbitrator for his truths. Proverbs 1:2-6 EasyEnglish Bible 2 These are proverbs that will make you wise. They will help you to learn things and to understand good teaching. 3 They will help you to understand how to live a good life. They will teach you how to live as a person who is good, honest and fair. 4 They can cause even silly people to become clever. They teach young people what they should know, so that they can live well. 5 Wise people should also listen carefully, so that they learn something new. And people with clever minds can learn to live in a good way. 6 People will learn to understand what proverbs and picture stories mean. They will understand the teaching and clever messages of wise people.

Understanding what human nature was like, Solomon also taught his children to be cautious about whom they correct. At times, we are compelled to provide clarity to others. Sometimes that correction will have its downfalls, but correcting the followers of Jesus with God’s words of wisdom will ensure the church continues to be established on the living faith of Jesus. Proverbs 9:7-9 Good News Translation 7 If you correct conceited people, you will only be insulted. If you reprimand evil people, you will only get hurt. 8 Never correct conceited people; they will hate you for it. But if you correct the wise, they will respect you. 9 Anything you say to the wise will make them wiser. Whatever you tell the righteous will add to their knowledge. Proverbs 26:4-5 Easy-to-Read Version 4-5 There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid. If you answer them, then you, too, will look like a fool. If you don’t answer them, they will think they are smart. Titus 1:10-13 GOD’S WORD Translation 10 There are many believers, especially converts from Judaism, who are rebellious. They speak nonsense and deceive people. 11 They must be silenced because they are ruining whole families by teaching what they shouldn’t teach. This is the shameful way they make money. 12 Even one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, savage animals, and lazy gluttons.” 13 That statement is true. For this reason, sharply correct believers so that they continue to have faith that is alive and well.

      The Bible provides us with examples of how questioning the firmly held beliefs of others and providing them with critical biblical information they were not aware of has helped the church grow. When Paul was in Corinth, he noticed something that made him question the knowledge of several believers. Something they said or did must not have seemed right to him. The other things they knew or did seemed fine, as Paul only asked them about one specific thing. Something made him hone in on their baptism. Had Paul not spoken up, those disciples may have gone on to misinform others and perpetuate their lack of knowledge. Their response to Paul was noble and swift. They did not become defensive. They desired to grow their knowledge of God. Immediately, they accepted Paul’s information and were rebaptized in the name of Jesus, resulting in those twelve being blessed by gaining the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:1-7 International Standard Version 1 It was while Apollos was in Corinth that Paul passed through the inland districts and came to Ephesus. He found a few disciples there 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He then asked, “Then into what were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John baptized when they repented, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in foreign languages and to prophesy. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

      This next story demonstrates that regardless of your position in the church, you may still have things to learn. Paul lived and worked with Priscilla and Aquila for some time in Corinth, as they all knew how to make tents. After having problems with the Jews in Corinth, they made their way to Ephesus. They spent a considerable amount of time with Paul. In Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquia recognized that something was missing in the message Apollos was preaching to the Jews there. Although he was very well-versed in the scriptures and a skilled speaker, he only knew part of God’s message. Priscilla and Aquila invited Apollos to their house and informed him, in a private setting, about the things he didn’t already know about Jesus. Unlike the previous story with Paul and the men who didn’t know about being baptized in the name of Jesus, we are not told what part of Jesus’ message Apollos did not know. Apollos being invited over to Priscilla and Aquila’s house suggests the explanation must have taken more time than just talking after the service would have permitted. Acts 18:24-27 EasyEnglish Bible 24 A certain Jewish man called Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He had been born in Alexandria, and he could teach people very well. He knew a lot about God’s message in the Bible. 25 Someone had taught him the good news about the Lord Jesus. He liked to speak a lot to people about Jesus. The things that he taught were true. But he only knew part of God’s message. He only knew the things that John taught about baptism. 26 Apollos went to the Jewish meeting place and he taught the people there. He was not afraid to speak God’s message to them. Priscilla and Aquila heard what Apollos was teaching the people. So they said to him, ‘Please come with us to our home.’ Then they explained to Apollos the whole of God’s message about Jesus. Then he could understand better.

      I know that I can be reluctant to confront a speaker after their message if I believe they have misspoken, or respond to a blog post with a comment, so I am directing this blog to myself as much as I am to you readers. I strive to accurately proclaim the message of God as he delivered it to humanity. If you, the reader, find that my biblical accuracy is missing the mark, I hope you will kindly point out my errors. I will do my best to respond to your remarks thoughtfully in line with the words of God. In the end, perhaps we will all learn more about God’s truths and how to proclaim them.