Vol. VII No. 9 June 8, 2008

A “Timothy” in a roomful of “Pauls”

Written by Christopher Mentzer

For the last 6 years or so I’ve been doing a one on one bible study with David. Whether it is on Mondays or Wednesdays we’d get together every week to study the scriptures. When we first began, I kinda considered myself to be like Timothy learning from a more seasoned Christian in that of Paul, or David in this example.

But I soon realized that David is not the only “Paul” around. As I surfed the net for other faithful congregations, I soon realized that there were lots of “Pauls” out there. Confused yet? Well if so, I’ll clear it up right now.

In Bible times it was customary for a young man to associate himself with an experienced preacher to learn the basics of teaching and preaching Christ’s gospel. Usually one student and one teacher traveled together. Examples are Timothy, Titus, and John Mark.

Today, there is a much larger choice of preachers to learn from and, just by reading some articles or listening to them deliver sermons, you can grow spiritually from different views of the same concept (1 Cor. 1: 10)

To limit oneself to a specific preacher gives the tendency to follow that preacher’s beliefs and listen more to what HE has to say rather than what the scriptures say. If we don’t continue to study the scriptures for ourselves we can become victims of those who would twist scriptures for their own agenda (2 Pet. 3: 16)

Here are some tips from the scriptures to help you along…

1) “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” (Acts 17: 11)

2) “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4: 24)

3) “Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not `to go' beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.”

4) “I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2. for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. 3. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” (1 Tim. 2: 1-3)

Always remember that the bible is our sole authority for that things that we say, do and believe, if you study with a teacher who doesn’t who to this pattern then you need to find a new instructor (2 Jn. 9-11; Eph. 5: 11; Gal. 1: 8-9)