Moment of Truth: Casting Down Lies #30

“We must never dispute or listen to one who disputes the scriptures.”

This is a terrible heresy of the end times. Many, if not most, of today’s Christians honestly believe that remaining quiet or rejecting correction to avoid disputes is the godly thing to do. To believe otherwise is legalistic, religious, judgmental, or just plain rude.

Let’s look at how Paul, Barnabas, and Silas reasoned the scriptures.

[1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” [2] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ~Acts 15:1-2 KJV

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” ~Acts 15:7 KJV

Read the result between Paul and Barnabas here.

And he [Saul who becomes Paul] spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. ~Acts 9:29 KJV

[2] And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, [3] Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. ~Acts 17:2-3 KJV

Therefore disputed he [Paul] in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. ~Acts 17:17 KJV

And he[Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. ~Acts 18:4 KJV

[24] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. [26] And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. ~Acts 18:24-26 KJV [Way of God was about Christ’s baptism.]

Read more about the Baptism of Christ here.

Aquila and Priscilla explained the scriptures more perfectly because Apollos had a receiving heart. After that, Apollos the Jew was able to help the Christians in the doctrine and also bring many Jews to Christ by the scriptures.

[26]And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: ~Acts 18:27 KJV

[27] And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: [28] For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. ~Acts 18:27-28 KJV

And he [Paul] went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. ~Acts 19:8 KJV

[9] But when divers 1 various were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he [Paul] departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. [10] And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. ~Acts 19:9-10 KJV

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I [Paul] ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. ~Acts 20:31 KJV

Okay, so you might be thinking about this scripture:

[14] Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ~Philippians 2:14-15 KJV

The context of this scripture is about our dealings with the world, not dealing with one another— devout Jews and Christians about scriptures.

Or this:

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. ~1 Timothy 6:5 KJV

The context is about men who do not follow the words of the Lord Jesus nor the doctrine of godliness.

Or this:

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ~Titus 3:9 KJV

The context of this is about avoiding the untruths about the law — not the truths. Read more about this here.

Or this:

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender 2 birth; promote strifes. ~2 Timothy 2:23 KJV

The context is about avoiding foolish and unlearned questions that birth arguments. So, if we were to apply this today, you could avoid responding to an atheist who tries to pick a fight with you in front of the world. He has zero interest in believing you. You can avoid the situation.

Or this:

Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: ~Hebrews 12:14 KJV

Remember, all the apostles and elders disputed the scriptures together in order to come to a consensus. This does not mean they did this with hateful intent. They disputed to unify. Once they agreed, they continued in peaceful fellowship. Those who did not agree with accurate doctrine were heretics. Imagine how this process built them up and brought them closer. And of course, all men of the world need to see and experience our peaceful nature and unity.

In fact, to take this further, each apostle and elder brought his godly wisdom. It is possible to dispute passionately without evil. We might be able to recognize this in our own earthly family relationships.

[13] Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. [14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. [15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. [16] For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. [17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. ~James 3:13-18 KJV

Note that this context was written after discussing that the tongue is a fire and a man who can bridle his tongue and not sin with it 3 Offend does not mean “Hurt someone’s feelings.” It means “sin.” is perfect. The full context is about cursing others and having bitter envy and strife in one’s heart. This is why their religion is vain 4 empty, void .

The apostles were not envious walking around picking fights. They simply imparted doctrinal facts to the Jew, Gentile, and fellow Christians— that stirred controversy and caused disputings. By the Spirit of God, they rebuked hypocrisy. Another thing to note: We as devout Christians stir up jealousy in the Jew, which may cause them to start a dispute. This is another opportunity to contend for the faith because this is God’s plan, Jew and Gentile together as one Man. An example of intent behind a dispute is Stephen’s stoning where he rebuked the crowd and then asked God to forgive them.

And finally this:

[24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; ~2 Timothy 2:24-25 KJV

The context is saying that the servant of the Lord must not force their views, but be gentle when teaching the unsaved who are captives in need of repentance. Plus, here’s an example of that:

[5] And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. [6] And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, ‘Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.’ ~Acts 18:5-6 KJV

Therefore, understand that Jesus disputed, the apostles disputed, and you can dispute because the entire motivation is to bring Jews and Christians together in the doctrine under the one, accurate interpretation. If we, as sisters and brothers, shut down one another every time someone attempts to correct misinterpretations, it creates division. Avoiding examining scriptures together and saying “I’m gonna pray for you,” does not promote reconciliation and a unified doctrine. It does not build us up and it does not make us stronger. Moreover, NOBODY attempts to spread the gospel with strong teachings because they are always avoiding potential conflict over the scriptures.

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish [warn gently or urge strongly] one another. ~Romans 15:14 KJV

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. ~Acts 17:11 KJV