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Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV).
Today, we learn a lesson about interpreting the Bible — and that lesson is context!
I’m listing three topics, of which I’ve heard preachers, teachers, and laity make assertions, quoting a few verses supporting their opinion, while exclaiming,
“We must follow and be faithful to the Bible!”
I agree 100 percent that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and we always — always — do what it says. Below, are three clearly taught teachings (by a few verses), but do we follow or believe these commands?
Assertion: We Must Greet One Another with a Holy Kiss
Greet one another with a holy kiss (2 Corinthians 13:12).
In the Greek, the verb “greet” is in the “imperative mood,” which means “do this.” Not only are we commanded in 2 Corinthians 13:12 to greet one another with a holy kiss, but this command is repeated in Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:26, and 1 Peter 5:14.
In all five verses, “greet with a holy kiss” is imperative or a command repeated in the New Testament! Do we obey or do we plead, “Let’s consider the context or culture of that day?”
Historical OG (Old Guy) note: In Russia, I spoke at a conference that followed the “holy kiss” command, and was shocked when an elder of a Russian church didn’t extend his hand for a handshake, but instead leaned in close and gave me a kiss on my mouth!
I felt like shouting, “Context, context, context! First century only!”
Assertion: We Must be Baptized to Be Saved
I grew up in a denomination that taught we must be water-immersed as an adult to be saved — that baptism saves us. Is this assertion in Scripture? Yes, it is.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21, emphasis added).
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16, emphasis added).
We could add Acts 2:38, where baptism/saved aren’t specifically mentioned but implied when Peter says, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.” Again, the same question as with the holy kiss, “How many believers, denominations, teachers, preachers, and seminaries teach that we must be baptized to be saved?”
Most followers of Jesus would mitigate these commands regarding baptism for salvation by appealing to the entirety of the New Testament and its context of salvation by grace, not by works.
Assertion: Women Should Not Be Preach
There are two verses often used by those who believe women should not preach or teach…
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet (1 Timothy 2:12).
The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission (1 Corinthians 14:34).
Lots of controversy on this topic, especially with the Southern Baptist Convention recently voting 3 to 1 to advance a constitutional amendment formally banning churches with female pastors. But what does the rest of the New Testament teach about women preaching and teaching — either by direct statements or the context of what they practiced in the first-century church?
Before You Throw Stones
Yes, I piqued ire today with this blog post. However, I have not taken a stand on any of the three topics. I respect what you decide.
We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and true respect for the Bible does not proof text but takes the time to study all verses and concepts related to a topic, recognizing that “great preaching/teaching” adequately handles the word of truth through careful exegesis and discernment.
Context understands meaning from the first century with application for today.
P.S. I never went back to that church in Russia.