Are You Trusting Others to Tell You What the Bible Says?

Many preachers claim they have been "called" to preach. Paul was called to be an apostle and Christians are called to be saints (1 Cor. 1:1, 2), but where does the Bible speak of the preacher's "call"? Does God call a man to be a preacher in some special, or even miraculous, way?

One preacher said, "I was out hunting in the field and I saw the letters ‘GPC’ formed in the clouds. It was God saying to me, ‘GO PREACH CHRIST.’" Should we believe a man who tells us something like this and then be confident that he will tell us what the Bible says because God "called" him? He could have been lying and he may have been seeking a profession. Or, maybe he simply misinterpreted the letters. "GPC" could have stood for "GO PICK COTTON."

Preachers are bearers of glad tidings, and we love them for the time and effort they put forth to learn truth and to teach it (Rom 10:15). But today preachers are not inspired in their teaching (we now have the Bible, 1 Cor. 13:8-12). Therefore, we cannot fully trust these men to tell us the truth on important Bible subjects. The same is true regarding what our church teaches.

The important thing is not what the preacher preaches or what some earthly body teaches, but what the Bible says. But how can we know for sure what the Bible says if we do not do our own studying using good study methods (hermeneutics)? When Paul said, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thes 5:21), we can be sure he meant for us not to accept without question what we hear preachers say.

Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life... " ( John 5:39a).

Paul spoke highly of the people of Berea when he said, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

The apostle John wrote, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1 ASV).

You who preach, are you truly aware of the huge responsibility placed upon you to tell the truth? James wrote, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more severely" (Jas. 3:1, ISV).

Do you think your preacher is inspired and therefore infallible? How do you know for sure that he is telling you the truth on important Bible subjects? Does he present Scripture and use reason and logic to prove his teachings? Does he allow, or even encourage, you to question him? If not, it is a bad sign.

No matter how intelligent, honest and trustworthy the man standing in the pulpit is, or appears to be, YOU remain responsible for how you hear. Jesus said, "Take heed therefore how ye hear..." (Luke 8:18). Also, you are responsible for your "talents" or abilities, whatever they might be (Luke 16:2), so don’t be a hearer only but strive to be a "doer of the work" (Jas 1:25).

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org