What does the Bible say?

What does the Bible say?

The writer is pastor of the United Church of God Big Sandy and a columnist for The Journal.

By Dave Havir

Have you ever said something like this: "I don't care about anyone else's perspective. Even my own perspective is not important. I care only about what God says"?

You were probably sincere when you said those words. However, maybe since then you have realized that it is impossible for people to completely remove their perspectives from their conclusions.

The Scriptures are a historical record. Yet everyone has a perspective about the Scriptures. When we read from the Scriptures through our mental lens, our perspective is naturally affected by that lens. Our perspective affects our conclusions.

How about taking a short quiz on the subject of government? The quiz is easy. Try removing any old lens about "God's government."

The following is open Bible. In other words, you can use the Bible to locate the correct answer, and doing so is not cheating. Here are the questions:

1. What makes "God's government" different from "church government"?

a. There is no difference. They are the same.

b. God's government is the perfect relationship between God and Christ (John 1:1-3). God's government is the perfect relationship between God, Christ and the future resurrected family of God (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Church government is an imperfect relationship involving carnal people who have God's Spirit (Romans 7:14).

2. How would you describe the following theory: that salvation is directly linked to following one man who is called "God's anointed"?

a. Following a physical leader is necessary for salvation.

b.The above theory is heresy (Acts 4:11-12).

3. What was the direct devastating effect of the angels who followed God's anointed (Lucifer) instead of following God?

a. Physical people went into captivity.

b.These angels became demons.

4. What lesson should we learn from David's example of not raising his hand against God's anointed? (1 Samuel 24, 26).

a. A Christian's salvation is directly related to following a physical leader.

b. A person must take personal responsibility for his life without taking revenge on physical leaders who hurt him.

5. Who was the chief apostle in the New Testament?

a. Peter

b. James

c. Jesus Christ

6. Who had the preeminence between Peter and Paul?

a. Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5, 8-9).

b. Paul (Galatians 2:11-14).

c. Neither (Galatians 2:7-8).

7. In 1 Corinthians 3:3-5 how did Paul describe the actions of Christians who built their allegiance around men?

a. They were necessary for salvation.

b. They were carnal and divisive.

8. In Mark 9:38-41 what did Christ say to the disciples who discouraged a man from helping people in His name because he did not "follow" them?

a. That's telling him. If he is not with us, he is not in the one and only true church.

b. Don't forbid him. He is on our side.

9. In Matthew 20:25-28 what was the model of government that Christ taught to His disciples?

a. The military model.

b. The servant model.

10. Who exercised great dominion and authority over the people?

a. Jesus Christ

b. The princes of the gentiles.

11. What did Jesus Christ say about the style of government practiced by the princes of the gentiles?

a. Practice it in your family and in your congregation.

b. It shall not be so among you.

12. Who loved the best rooms and best seats?

a. Jesus Christ.

b. The Pharisees.

13. Who loved the religious titles?

a. Jesus Christ.

b. The Pharisees.

14. What are the "titles" described in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11?

a. Lifelong military ranks of authority.

b. Gifts of service. (Check the context: 1 Corinthians 12:1 and Ephesians 4:7.)

15. Who looked to financial gain as godliness? (1 Timothy 6:3-10).

a. Jesus Christ

b. Ministers who erred from the faith.

You probably knew all the correct answers. But maybe somebody learned something he hadn't seen before. We all agree that the Bible is exciting to study. The Bible is even more exciting when we view it as God wrote it.

It is a tremendous privilege to see what the Bible says!

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