May 2008 - Vol 3, Issue 12

In this issue...
-- What is Clear Biblical Teaching? (Part 3)
-- Hear Dr. Whitcomb speak this month
-- Search Dr. Whitcomb's SermonAudio messages by topic

What is Clear Biblical Teaching? (Part 3)
By Dr. John C. Whitcomb

Handling the Scriptures accurately must be an extremely important (and relatively rare) characteristic of pastor/teachers, for "they who labour in the word and doctrine" are "worthy of double honour" (1 Tim. 5:17). This involves discerning prayer ("Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law" [Psalm 119:18]), as well as patience, self-discipline, and spiritual humility. It also requires courage to change our theological convictions when necessary. As we have seen, new insights into revealed truth may come through the perspectives of other men of God.

Once theological truth is discovered, we have the obligation before God to believe it and to obey it, for "whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein . . . this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).

Or, negatively, "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

What does God's written Word do for the believer? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" and "is profitable," not only "for doctrine," but also "for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," in order "that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Tragically, many who think they are Christians may not be. To such God has given an ominous warning: "If we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth... a certain fearful looking for of judgment" (Heb. 10:26-27).

Therefore, God's people must "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works . . . exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25). But who can really tell whether one interpreter of the Bible is more accurate than another? In the long run, our Lord assured us, "ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:16). This is what the apostle John wrote about false teachers: "they went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19). The fruits of false or inadequate biblical instruction will be seen by God's people sooner or later, for only sound teaching can produce maturity in the lives of those who love and obey Him.

In this light, note the sad condition of many who first read the book of Hebrews:

Ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the world of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:11b-14).

What particular teaching of Scripture were these Christians unwilling to think about? It was the high priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ "after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 5:6). Is this a clear biblical teaching? Is it important for all of us to understand and to share with others?

To Be Continued...

Hear Dr. Whitcomb speak this month
Dr. Whitcomb has numerous important and strategic opportunities to present the truth of God's Word this month. Please pray for these endeavors and for the ongoing work and needs of this ministry.

From Friday, May 2, to Sunday, May 4, Dr. Whitcomb will preach on Biblical creationism at the Salem Bible Church of Salem, N.H. For more information, call Pastor Jim Delany at 603.898.4258.

On Tuesday, May 6, Dr. Whitcomb will speak on apologetics at the IFCA Regional Meeting, to be held at the Brazil Bible Fellowship Church of Brazil, Ind. For more information, call Pastor Gordon Nelson at 812.442.5008.

From Tuesday, May 13 to Friday, May 16, Dr. Whitcomb will lecture on Genesis 1-11 at the Word of Life Bible Institute, Canadian Extension of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. For more information, call Dr. Doug Reider at 519.376.3516 or visit www.wol.org/biblei.

*On Saturday, May 31, Dr. Whitcomb will be preach on the Bible and science at Crossroads Bible College of Indianapolis, Ind. For more information, call 317.352.8736 or visit www.crossroads.edu.

For additional details about these events, please visit our web pages at www.whitcombministries.org and www.sermonaudio.com/whitcomb.

(*Answers in Genesis-sponsored event. For more information on these conferences, visit www.answersingenesis.org/events.)

Search Dr. Whitcomb's SermonAudio messages by topic
Listeners to the more than 400 messages that Whitcomb Ministries has posted at Whitcomb.SermonAudio.com may now search for specific themes by topic under "Series" in the main menu bar on our pages there.

Currently more than a dozen topics are listed, including "Dispensationalism," "Hermeneutics" and "Patriotism," and more will be added in the days to come.

Site visitors may also continue to search more specifically by keyword under "Sermons" in the main menu bar.

We appreciate our many loyal listeners, and trust that these tips will enhance your next visit to our SermonAudio.com pages. May God bless you as you hear His Word.