Often people are offended if questioned about a belief or practice they hold to be true in the realm of Christianity Actually, we are commanded by God to do just that, question everything. The inspired apostle Paul commanded, “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21). There are three truths we need to glean from that statement. First, due to the fact that God commands us to prove all things, there must of necessity be a means of doing so, or in other words there must be a standard that everything can be placed beside to determine if it really is truth or not. Of course, we do indeed have such a standard. Paul told Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim. 3:16). Noble is the word used by inspiration for the Bereans because, “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). We need have a book, chapter and verse proof for all that we do in the realm of Christianity. The second truth of that text that we need to note is that we are commanded to prove “all” things. It matters not if a doctrine or practice has been held to for all of one’s life, held to by the vast majority of the population, has been held to for hundreds of years and is one that is very pleasing to oneself, one is commanded to find proof for it in the world of God. Without such investigation of the scriptures one is nothing but a sheep wandering astray, following the flock, not even realizing they do not have a shepherd leading. As Jesus taught and saw the multitudes, “has was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:38). Without a shepherd, they were in fact, the blind leading the blind. Jesus said of such, “they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matt. 15:14). The third truth about that text is that it requires a culling out of all things not authorized by the scriptures. “Hold fast that which is good” is instruction to not hold to or in other words cast aside all that is not good. The Bible clearly teaches from beginning to end that one must accept God’s word as given, without adding anything or taking anything out. It is as God said to Israel long ago, Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it…” (Deut. 4:2).
It seems like a reasonable and simple thing to do, just study the scriptures daily to prove that you are in harmony with God’s instructions. Yet, multitudes never get around to doing it. Sader still is the fact that often the people don’t really want to know if what they are doing is right or not. The prophet Isaiah, said, “This is a rebellious people, lying children that will not hear the law of the Lord; Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30:10). Jesus quoted Isaiah saying, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matt. 13:15). The apostle Paul prophesied, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4).
When there is a difference in belief and practice, at least one party is wrong. It is quite possible for both to be wrong, but not possible for both to be right. The scripture of both the old and the New Testaments are not the product of mere men. Peter wrote, “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Pet. 1:21). Remember, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (II Tim. 3:16). The apostle Paul, in a letter to the church at Corinthians wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Cor. 1:10). Though it may be pleasing in the sight of man to have, varied religious groups under the umbrella name of Christian, that provide a great diversity of doctrine and practice, from which one may choose, it is God’s plan that we all be one as the Father and the Son are one. They stand in perfect harmony with one another, not just an agreement to disagree. Demand book, chapter and verse, not just from others, but for yourself as well.