"The Sad Truth of Biblical Illiteracy Among Us"

These [Berean's] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind [all eagerness], and searched [examining] the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  - Acts 17:11

Daniel Wallace states: "…The intentional dumbing down of the church for the sake of filling more pews will ultimately lead to defection from Christ (2006:337).

Allistair Begg states: "People do not know their Bibles. In an earlier generation the average 13-year-old or 14-year-old certainly in Scotland would have a far greater grasp of biblical parameters of truth than the average graduate from an American seminary today".

Al Mohler:  The many fronts of Christian compromise in this generation can be directly traced to biblical illiteracy in the pews and the absence of biblical preaching and teaching in our homes and churches.

C.H. Spurgeon: If you wish to know God you must know his word; if you wish to perceive his power you must see how he worketh by his word; if you wish to know his purpose before it is actually brought to pass you can only discover it by his word. 1607.377

Have you ever said or heard people say the Bible says, “God helps those who help themselves,”. Really give me chapter and verse, it's not in the Bible!  When asked 82 percent of Americans, said it was a Bible verse. Sadly, those who those identified themselves as born-again Christians did better–by one percent.  [83% - Sad]

That was my introduction. 

Today I was inspired and felt grieved enough to write on the subject of "Biblical Illiteracy." The final straw, so to speak, was reading some responses to someone's Bible questions to a Christian group on Facebook.  In many ways this group thinks they are so "on the mark" of Christianity.  I was saddened as most of their answers to the Bible questions were general, philosophical, and relational, but not Biblical.  

 Spurgeon said it so well: "Men talk about building upon Christ, and not upon the Scriptures; but they know not what they say; for our Lord continually established his own claims by appealing to Moses and the prophets. They would be Christo-centric, they say: I only wish they would. But if they take Christ for a centre, they will inevitably have the Scriptures for a centre too; and these men neither want the one nor the other. 2212.364

As I talk about "Biblical illiteracy," I am not talking about having to memorize the entire Bible, though memorizing is a very good and profitable.  I am also not talking about us all being Biblical scholars, although the Bible does say, "…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:– I Peter 3:15.

I'm a pastor-teacher with a humble intelligence, so everything doesn't come easy for me, I have to study a lot, and I still forget things; but I don't use that as an excuse for being Biblically ignorant (illiterate).  You or I may not be able to rattle off scriptures on every subject, but how about an overall understanding of the Bible and the doctrines (what the Bible teaches). 

I really cringe at the answers you get in the "church" and "born-again" crowd when you ask, "how do you know you are saved or are a child of God?"  Especially, of the younger generations, usually they hem and haw and give some really weak answer.  I don't want to give them the nth degree (well I sort of do), but most don't have a clue what "salvation" is!!!  If they are saved, and some may be, it is in spite of their ignorance.  It is still scary, sad, and sickening how few really understand God, salvation, and THE BIBLE! 

I personally say I was saved June 21, 1975, because that was when I gave my life to the Lord, though I didn't really "understand" Biblically what was happening to me. I simply (and amazingly) believed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  Immediately following I was so hungry to learn more about Jesus, so I turned to the Bible and read, and read, and read. Also, the Lord provided a very knowledgeable Christian brother (at a distance, and this was before e-mails existed).  I would write questions and wait for his answers, which were always full of scriptures.  I still have many of those letters 35 years later, and I thank God for putting this Christian Bible literate man in my path.  Then, in more recent years in the 1990's I met a very Bible literate brother/minister that I can always throw questions to, on top of my own studying for answers, and not as a replacement for my own studying, "…to see if these things be so"  Acts 17:11 

While there is a famine of God's Word out there, there is hope for anyone to grow in the Lord.  If you really want to learn the things of God, in addition to your own study time in the Bible, there are spiritual Bible literate people to help (you may have to search and pray to find them).     

This is a little bit of my heart on a big and serious problem in the church of the 21^st Century.

Below are some passages for you and me to ponder, meditate, study, memorize, think on, and let God use to change our lives and help us to value God's Word to the utmost!

Study [be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [handling accurately] the word of truth.  - 2 Timothy 2:15

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.   - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Thanks for listening, and may you grow in the Lord as you build on the solid foundation of God's Word (the Bible).

If you want to know more or join us, please call me at 704-456-8771 or email me at: jim@goproclaim.com or biblefood@gmail.com

Lord bless you all as you seek to serve God for His glory alone :-)

Jim

Freedom Series: “Stop Your Foolishness!” Gal. 3:1-5

Galatians 3:1-5

¹ O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? ² This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? ³ Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? ⁴ Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? ⁵ Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

As we start this new section of Galatians (Chapters 3 and 4), we will get into the Biblical doctrinal position and the Gospel of Grace.

These two chapters should set you and me free from any form of legalism or self-centeredness in our Christian life. May we all grow as we study these next 60 verses.

Today, we will see some questions Paul asked these Galatian believers.

He was having them evaluate the foolishness of their being influenced by the Judaizers, who falsely taught that salvation required not ONLY faith in Christ, but also circumcision and keeping of the law.

As we look at this verse-by-verse, I will try to accurately expound on these verses based on the Greek (New Testament originally written in Greek) and in the context of scripture.

¹ O foolish (Gk. Anoetos - stupid) Galatians!

[Question One] Who has bewitched [fascinated by emotional appeal of Judiazers] you that you should not obey the truth [that is the pure Gospel], before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed (plackered, announced on a poster) among you as crucified? Answer: Judaizers (and their own stupidity).

Check out brain before entering Church
(nothing preached is to be questioned – NOT!)

Verse One: In the Greek “foolish” is the word “Anoetos” – It is meaning that the Galatians were being foolish/stupid because they weren’t thinking this through scripturally!!! They were getting misguided by Judaizers. Letting themselves get sidetracked from the very clear message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified that they had received when Paul preached to them.

Application: Watch your “emotions” or “anything” that is getting you off the PURE Word of God. We need to be careful! Don't Check Your Brains OUT at the Door. We aren’t supposed to be “stupid” and swallow everything we hear hook, line and sinker when we go into a church or hear a sermon. We need to be like the “Berean” believers who, after hearing Paul preach, it says, “…searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (See Acts 17:11)

²[Question Two] This only I want to learn from you (we would say, answer this one question) Did you receive the Spirit by the works (legalistic observance) of the law [Answer: An obvious NO], or by the hearing of faith? [Answer: An absolute YES]

The Galatians had to agree that they received the Holy Spirit as a free gift of God from the sovereign God apart from any good works or human merit on their part. Faith was awakened in their heart through the preaching of the gospel (by the Bible). It is so important that we preach the Bible that faith may arise in the hearers heart (See Romans 10:17).

³[Question Three] Are you so foolish (stupid)? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect (complete, brought to spiritual maturity) by the flesh?

“…made perfect by the flesh…” In other words, by your own human effort!!!

Anytime you start in the Spirit and go back to the flesh, which is trusting in yourself, i.e., it is independent reliance on one’s own accomplishments rather than trust in the Holy Spirit. When that happens, you are going backward not forward!

⁴[Question Four] Have you suffered so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain? They suffered ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in vain!!! All they had suffered/experienced in and for Christ was NOT IN VAIN and they knew it.

Their salvation was a work of Christ from beginning to end!

Don’t fall for legalism to grow spiritually, it won’t happen!!!

This brings us to our fifth and final question!

⁵[Question Five] Therefore He who (constantly) supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles (Gk. Dunamis – elsewhere translated “Power”) among you, does He do it by the works of the law [no], or by the hearing of faith?— [yes]

The Galatian believers had to remember how they came into their relationship with God (Christ) in the first place, which was by a work of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the Holy Spirit changing them and doing miraculous things in their lives was clear! It didn’t happen by the law, and it won’t happen by the law. But it is and always will be by the hearing of faith (the Gospel).

What can we learn for our lives from this passage.

1. We can start right – Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and go backwards and try to get “closer” to God by works!!! I would venture to say when you and I got saved (by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ), we did so of a pure heart. THEN others (in the church, or so-called Christians) said you needed to DO MORE! Thus, was the beginning of a love relationship with God turning into a sad, miserable, and legalistic relationship with God. It is so sad to see the life of God sucked out of a new believer by legalism.

Note: This is absolutely NOT saying we can live a life of sin. A true Biblical salvation experience will ALWAYS lead to a changed life!!! (Ezekiel 36:26, 27 & II Cor. 5:17) Sin will lose its overwhelming power over you (you are no longer a slave to sin, but to righteousness - Romans ). I like to tell people when we get saved (and as we grow spiritually) God will change our “WANT TO’s.” We will find we no longer “want to” sin. We “want to” live in fellowship with God, not out of legalism, but out of a love relationship with God. ISN’T THAT AWESOME!!!

I also pray that if you have lived a legalistic, works kind of contact with God,

that the Lord will set you free to live a faith-filled, loving relationship with God through our living Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

THIS CONCLUDES THIS WEEK’S TEACHING.

I hope to get questions, comments, and testimonies back from you all.

Galatians "Break FREE - No Other Gospel" Galatians 1:6-7

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6, 7

REMINDER: This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism), who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ, be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law. This erroneous teaching, Grace PLUS Work earns Salvation, is dealt with in this epistle.

As we go through Galatians, I will often refer to the Greek as that was the language the New Testament was originally written in, as there are things in the original language that we miss in plain English language.

PAUL’S SHOCK REGARDING THE DESERTION

V. 6 - I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him

who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.

Let's break down this verse:

Lesson One: We must recognize our own vulnerability to error.

It amazes me how many of us start out believing in Salvation through CHRIST ALONE BY GRACE ALONE, but then in time we get caught up in all these works to EARN or KEEP our salvation. I've been there! Have you?

v.6 I marvel (astonished, amazed, shocked) that you are turning away (deserting) so soon (quickly) from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different (heteros) gospel,

A. “I marvel (Gk. thaumazou) that YOU ARE turning away (Gk. metatithami) so soon (Gk. tacheos) …”


1. The Greek word for MARVEL is thaumazou - to be astounded or bewildered.

2. The Greek for TURNING AWAY is Metatithami - deserting - transfering allegiance.
The verb tense implies they were not there yet, but they were getting close.

3. The Greek word for SO SOON is tacheos - quickly - also means easily and readily.


Here, we see Paul is in shock. He's letting the Galatians know they are becoming spiritual deserters of Christ because when they turned away from the true gospel (to a works salvation), it was and always is a turning away from the Person of Jesus Christ.


B. "from Him who called you in (into) the grace of Christ, to a different (heteros) gospel"


God Himself had called them (Galatian believers) into what? The Grace of Christ.

In this situation the believers of Galatia were turning away from Christ and grace to a DIFFERENT (Gk. Heteros = Another of a different sort) Gospel (by Judaizers).

When God called me and you, it was by His GRACE (not of WORKS - See Eph. 2:8,9). He did that not for you and me to NOW be led away to a different gospel which is really NO Gospel at all.

Paul is like, what is wrong with you guys, look what God did for you by calling you into the grace of Christ, and now you're going to be swayed to a false gospel of works salvation. What's wrong with you?


REMEMBER: You take the Grace of Christ out of the message of the Gospel and you are no longer following THE GOSPEL (Good News).

PAUL’S WISDOM REGARDING THE DECEPTION

Verse 7 - "which is not another (Gk. Allos - Of the same sort);

but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ."

Lesson Two: We must protect ourselves from erroneous teachers.

This message of the Judiazers (a Salvation obtained through works) was not an alternative Gospel (which means Good News). It was totally not a Christian message AT ALL!

We have many "alternative churches" out there today that take away from the message of the cross. Their message has no understanding of GRACE, either erring to, you can do anything (license to sin) because you're saved, to the other extreme, you must do all these things (works) to be saved (legalism). These "alternative churches" preaching an alternative message are NOT CHURCHES AT ALL.

Three facts about this different gospel brought to the Galatians.

1. It is a false message and not even an alternative message.
Different/another (v.6) in Gk. heteros = another of a different sort, but this was no gospel at ALL! Another (here in verse 7 in Gk. Allos - Another of the same sort.

2. It will cause you to be troubled.
Trouble in Gk. Tarassou = to disturb mentally - to agitate and stir up. Figuratively, it connotes deep emotional disturbance and refers to an unsettled mind.


3. It is a perversion of the gospel of Christ.
Pervert in Gk. Metastrepho = to reverse, to change to the opposite of what is truth.


As we battle today with an alternative false gospel, so did they in the churches of Galatia. We're being troubled by this false gospel. Note: The flesh may like it, but in your heart you have an uneasiness - You are troubled.


Last point here is their goal (false teachers) is to share this perverted gospel and get you following that error instead of the TRUTH!

Obvious modern day examples of false teaching: Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons!

But what about those not so obvious groups?


You need to make sure they are preaching a message that fits these 5 areas:
1. Scripture Alone
2. Christ Alone
3. Grace Alone
4. Faith Alone
5.The Glory of God Alone


If they are altering from any of these 5 things (basis for Christianity), I would caution you to make sure you are not getting "another" (Gk. heteros - another of a different sort) gospel which is really no gospel at all.


To be honest, when I was saved (and many years after), I got into some of the "alternative gospel" beliefs, and THEN years later learned true Christianity is ALWAYS based on: Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and to the Glory of God Alone. I initially could not handle the fact that I had believed wrongly in so many ways that it troubled me, but NOT to the unsettling of my mind, but to want to believe unaltered truth. PTL!

If you are not familiar with the message of Christ as taught here in Galatians (and throughout the Bible), I ask you to listen and humbly learn. Once you understand the Gospel message, it will truly set you free and your walk with Christ will never be the same (so much better).

I would like to close with this quote:

"Note the resourcefulness of the devil. Heretics do not advertise their errors. Murderers, adulterers, and thieves disguise themselves. So the devil masquerades all his devices and activities. He puts on white to make himself look like an angel of light.”

We conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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A Study in Galatians “BREAK FREE” (Gal. 1:1, 2)

1Paul, an apostle, (not of [from] men, neither by [through] man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches (plural) of Galatia:

As I start, I ask you to remember this: Christian freedom is the liberty to become all that you can in Jesus Christ; it is not the license to do whatever you please.

This letter was written because the Galatians were Gentiles (no background in Judaism) who were saved after Paul had shared the Gospel with them. But now after Paul’s departure, Judaizers (Judaizer defined as those who were seeking to impose many of the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, especially circumcision on the Gentile converts to Christianity) came and told them additional requirements to be a Christian, i.e., they must believe in Christ and be circumcised and hold to the ceremonies of the Jewish (Mosaic) law.
This is a salvation by grace plus Jewish customs/beliefs to be a Christian when, in truth, salvation is by grace and faith plus nothing!

Important Note: Let us dig in (6 chapters to go) before you worry about a loose salvation in which you say a simple prayer and then you can live any ole way you want. That is NOT the message of Galatians.

These Judaizers came in and were discrediting what Paul had just told the churches of Galatia as to what was required of salvation. Like many new believers, they were eager to do right to prove their faithfulness. So, when they were taught these things by the “traveling teachers” (Judaizers)…“Well, ok then, if that’s what we need to do, then we’ll do it.”

First question: Why do so many EVEN today want to serve a God with a bunch of rules and get offended at a salvation of true Grace and true Faith plus NOTHING? Could it be we want to EARN our salvation!!!

Thus, we finally come to verse 1: Paul, an apostle, (not of [from] men, neither by [through] man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul right off from the start lets them know he is an “APOSTLE.”

Paul always began his epistles in one of two ways:

1) To the Romans and the Philippians, to Titus and Philemon, he introduced himself as a servant, or prisoner of Christ.

2) To the Corinthians and the Ephesians, to the Colossians and the Galatians, he presented himself as an apostle.

Why? Because to those who embraced and welcomed his ministry, he was a SERVANT, but to those who challenged his authority he was an Apostle.

The basic meaning of the word Apostle means one who is sent out on a mission.

A) Jesus Chose 12 Apostles - Mission to Change the World !
B) The first 12 apostles who were sent out by Jesus seemed to have a unique place in the history of the church! God's plan!
C) They were used by the Lord in the birthing of His Church and in the putting together of God's Word! ( Inspired!)

Then, he clarifies his calling is NOT of MAN or NOT by MAN.

Paul was later added to this unique group of original apostles – but as he mentions here in
v.1 – He was added not by men – but by the Lord.
Paul was not commissioned by a church, or a denomination, or a theological institution… but by the risen Lord Himself.

And ends this verse with “by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead”. This makes it clear what “Jesus” we are talking about. It’s the one who came from the Heavenly Father and was RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

There is nothing wrong with institutions per se, but if you are called because of any man-made reason, you are deceived. First and foremost your call has to come from God (then, it is often confirmed by spiritual leaders).

Verse 2: And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches (plural) of Galatia.

“all the brethren which are with me” Paul didn’t come alone to deal with this problem. He was not alone on this doctrinal issue.

"unto the churches (plural) of Galatia". As we said in our introduction last week, this letter was to more than one church. The churches of Galatia were made up of likely 4 churches (Acts 13 & 14) - Iconium, Antioch, Lystra, Derbe.

Let’s close today with a story:

Sitting on top of the United States capitol building is a 20-foot statue known as the “Freedom Lady.” She was sculpted by Italian artists in the city of Rome and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to her perch in Washington, D.C.

During the delivery, the ship carrying the statue encountered a fierce storm.
Howling winds and huge waves threatened to capsize the ship. Its skipper ordered the cargo thrown overboard.

But when the men went to toss the Freedom Lady overboard, the captain shouted, “No, never! We’ll flounder before we throw “Freedom” away.” This is the message of Galatians… Never throw away your freedom.

For more history on Freedom Lady go to: http://ladyfreedom.net/history.html quite interesting!

So we conclude this week’s lesson on Galatians.

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Galatians Study - FREEDOM in Christ - Introduction

We are in 2011 and as promised we start our study of Galatians.

Also, we ask that everyone be kind and loving to each others comments. I personally will not allow bashing or arguing. If you find at anytimeyou don't agree or like the group you can always leave. We do want productive hungry Christians sharing their insights on the passages. Thanks!

We will not be rushing through it. We will likely do a lesson a week.

You may read and comment throughout the week. Comments on Facebook group will be the main place to converse.

My facebook is: http://www.facebook.com/jim.mazzulla

Group there is: Galatians Study - FREEDOM in Christ

Let's get started with our Introduction to Galatians.
This Galatians study is titled, "Break Free."

The letter begins with a greeting (Galatians 1:1-5), which notably lacks Paul's usual thanksgiving for the letter’s recipients. No beating around the bush, Paul was upset and concerned, he wanted to get directly to the problem at hand.

AUTHOR: Paul the apostle is clearly stated as the author in the very first verse of the letter (1:1; 5:2).

WRITTEN TO: The churches of the Roman Providence - Galatia. Believed to be addressed to 4 churches (Acts 13 & 14) Iconium, Antioch, Lystra, Derbe.

NOTE: Paul had started this young church in Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey). Thus, Paul communicates in no uncertain terms that Christianity, with its emphasis on faith and grace in Christ, is opposed to religion which approaches God based on good works. Paul argues strongly in this letter that there is nothing that can be added to Jesus' sacrifice for our sin, not circumcision or any other external religious forms. The gospel, according to Paul, means faith in Jesus Christ plus nothing.

DATE WRITTEN: Galatians was written in 48-49 AD just before the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) at the time of this crisis, one of (if not) the earliest writing in the New Testament.

PURPOSE: To deal with the problem of churches departing from the Gospel of GRACE (they start well), embracing a FALSE gospel, and accepting a counterfeit gospel of Works and Ceremony and Law.

THEME OF FREEDOM & GRACE: We named this Galatians study, "Break Free" as the theme is FREEDOM. Paul uses the word FREEDOM 28 times in the Pauline Epistles 10 times in this Epistle to the Galatians. Paul uses the word grace 100 times in his writings. Among all the other writers of the New Testament, it is only used 55 times. Paul was truly the apostle of grace. They had started well and then got away from the foundational truth of Faith and God's Grace as the only way to salvation and started to add works to it. We'll get into that in much more detail in the coming weeks.

OCCASION: Word had reached Paul that the Galatian Christians were falling away from the true Gospel of grace which he had preached, and were turning to a legalistic system of merit salvation (1:6-9). He wrote to correct this error which was introduced by false teachers.

The great reformer Martin Luther especially loved this letter; he called Galatians his “Catherine ” because, he said, “I am married to it.”

As we close our introduction to Galatians, have you started out right (Faith alone, Grace alone) and are now trying to perfect yourself by doing works? If so, this study will set you free. If not, I still believe you will learn a lot from this series.

Do invite people to join us at: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/
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Next we will start with Galatians 1:1... (invite other to join us). :-)