"...but in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men..."
Truth never changes (Matt. 5:18; 1 Peter 1:24-25). Such is NEVER true of the writings of men who seek to set forth their own wisdom, legislating "beliefs" for their particular groups. The doctrines of men are ever undergoing evolution to suit the current thinking, adapt to cultural desires or, in short, make them most appealing. Control over all their members is the basis for a denomination in the first place. All of them began with a specific doctrine. As an example consider the following two quotations:
1. "No divorce, except for adultery, shall be regarded by the church as lawful; and no Minister shall solemnize marriage in any case where there is a divorced wife or husband living; but this rule shall not be applied to the innocent party to a divorce for the cause of adultery..."
2. "In view of the seriousness with which the Scriptures and the Church regard divorce, pastors may solemnize the marriage of a divorced person only when they are satisfied by careful counseling, that (1) the divorced person is sufficiently aware of the factors leading to the failure of the previous marriage, (2) the divorced person is sincerely preparing to make the proposed marriage truly Christian, and (3) sufficient time has elapsed between the divorce and the contemplated marriage for adequate preparation and counseling."
Did you note a little difference? Both are quotations from the Methodist Discipline. The difference being that the first quotation is from the 1904 edition, and the last quotation is from the 1972 edition. Neither edition is the true standard for determining faith or practice – only God's word can do that - but at least the 1904 edition far more closely represents what God's Word says in Matthew 19:9.
Why the change? Because this creed (like all other creeds) is merely the product of man and the basis of a church of man, and it is not confined to consistency. It can be altered, updated, rewritten and modified through the years. But it did not lead to salvation in 1904, 1972, or today, because it is not the Word of God, but the doctrine of men.
God never designed the church to decide doctrine. Jesus is the head over the church, and he ordained elders to lead each congregation in the truth. Men have no authority to invent their own teachings. Those who love God continue even to this day "in the apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42).
"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:7-9).
copyright 2018
rdb
No comments:
Post a Comment