Who Do We Listen To?

This graphic is “Peter the Hermit Preaching the First Crusade,” a painting by James Archer,  from Cassell's History of England, Vol. I. It is told that he wanted to go to Jerusalem, but was prevented by Muslims who controlled the Middle East. There is no proof of that, but what is certain was his ability to gather a crowd and preach. Historians are said to "agree that thousand of peasants eagerly took the cross at his bidding." He wasn't alone in the objective. For close to two hundred years, men fought to make what they considered the Holy Land to be under Christian control. Their problem - from my point of view - is there is no biblical reason for doing so.

Take time to read the entire Bible, specific studies in the New Testament, and you will not find one single command where Jesus or His followers were commanded by God to do anything with Jerusalem. We are living today, a thousand years later, with people who hate Christians because of the Crusades.

There are preachers today who are very good orators, but are not preaching God’s message. Jesus defined them:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:15-16 KJV)

What awaits those who lead people away from the faith? I believe it is laid out clearly in:

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. (Luke 17:1-2 KJV)

Please take time to read the previous chapter, and the verses following these two. Then read Matthew 6 and Mark 9, the two other references to Jesus’ teaching of leading God’s children away. Then consider what would be worse than being cast into the ocean with a millstone around the neck. I cannot believe God will accept good intentions exist for offending someone in His name.

How do we tell the difference? Don’t these men claim they come from God? Aren’t they saying they are doing God’s will? And the answer is yes – but we have a guideline to use when hearing someone speak of doing God’s will. The Bible test is an awesome way to understand who is the ravening wolf.

1 – Do they preach what Jesus preached in the Bible?

Just as I ask you to do here, look at the verse to be certain it says what you are being told it says. Sometimes verses are taken out of context and while they apply to a specific situation that is mentioned one time, they do not apply elsewhere. What God told Noah to do cannot be repeated. The Bible tells us so.

2 – Is the translation is correct?

How can we tell without learning Hebrew and Greek? Well, that’s not a bad idea, but few of us have the time or interest. There are some good literal translations, I had one until I loaned it to a ravening wolf who did lead people astray. Once you meet such a man, it becomes easier to recognize others. Compare translations. I’d suggest starting with King James Version for your base comparison, then check why there would be a difference in understanding with any other version.

3 – Do they glorify God and accept Jesus as His son?

If not, this is neither a Christian nor biblical. No other question needs to be asked. The name Christian was first applied to followers of Jesus and was used first in Antioch (Acts 11:26). The only other time the word is used in the Bible is when Agrippa tells Paul he was almost persuaded to be  one (Acts 26:28), so it’s not as important as faith.

4 – Do they preach saved by faith?

Huge big deal! Read everything Jesus is quoted as saying in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – then decide if these two scriptures are correct:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

And I’ve run out of time and space before discussing why being “saved” makes a difference. Maybe tomorrow?