Fables And Endless Genealogies

Temple Baptist Church - 2-29-2012

1 Timothy 1:4

Introduction:

A. As Paul began his letters to young Timothy concerning the proper running of the church, he began with the imperative of sound doctrine. Doctrine is defined as “a principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief.” The biblical definition of doctrine is “instruction to be received or believed” so biblical doctrine must be bible based in order to have a right foundation.

B. A fable is defined as “a fictitious narrative or statement.” Therefore, a myth is fiction with no basis of truth. Pulpits are for the preaching and teaching of truth, not for speculation or theories. Doctrinal truth can always be clearly revealed through scriptures. When preaching, a proper interpretation needs to be made before a practical application is given.

C. As a new Christian, I sat under sound, biblical preaching and thank God for it. The first time I was introduced to fables and endless genealogies was at Bible College as these commonly taught heresies were dealt with. I was acquainted with the Gap Theory of Genesis 1 and the Angel Theory of Genesis 6. Later, while pastoring, I dealt with them as I came to certain portions of scripture while teaching.

D. Always remember that true Bible preaching or teaching is to give answers, not genders questions!

1. Unscriptural Traditions of Men - Mark 7:7-9 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (8) For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. (9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

a. Tradition in itself is not all bad as it is simply a custom or traditional way of doing something. Many churches partake of the Lord’s Supper on the 5th Sunday of each quarter. There is nothing wrong with do it like this. Our Lord said, “This do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

b. We do many things according to tradition and these things are not necessarily bad but, when these traditions cannot be broken, they become taught as commandments of God.

c. Traditions may or may not have biblical basis but should never be contrary to scripture or be equated with spirituality or lack of it.

2. Unscriptural Theories of Men - 1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (21) Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

a. Teachers always have to come up with something “new” when the bible says that there is nothing new under the sun. Everything that I know and preach has already been known and preached. I have no new revelations; I have no new prophecies; I have no new information to give to you.

b. Today’s pulpits and institutions of higher learning are filled with theory instead of biblical fact. A theory is an unproved hypothesis! It is a supposition, an assumption, or a guess.

c. “The Gap Theory” of Genesis 1 is just that: a theory! It allows for “scientific evolution” and “Theistic Evolution.” The Angel Theory” of Genesis 6 is just that: a theory! It destroys the fact of man’s beginning: made in the image of God and introduces half angel-half man monstrosities. The bible is clear on these verses and all true science can be backed up with bible.

d. We are not to guess or speculate because these things gender questions instead of giving answers.

3. Unscriptural Thinking of Man - Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

a. Philosophy defined: Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline. The investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical (to gain knowledge by either direct or indirect observation) methods.

b. Worldly philosophy may or may not be correct! True wisdom and knowledge come from the knowledge of God and His revelation or things natural, moral, and civil.

c. What the bible calls sin has become moral in our society. What the bible calls righteous has become immoral in our society. Good is evil spoken of and evil has become the right way of doing and thinking. Worldly philosophy has become both useless and hurtful.

Conclusion: Here at Temple Baptist Church, we will continue to base our beliefs upon biblical fact, not the surmising of carnal men!