Individual Faith

The Bible is given to each and every Christian. That means that our faith is in a way between us and God. No other person should dictate to us what we should do and the decisions we should make, though of course our shepherds and fellow disciples will counsel us. But it is not for them to tell us what the Bible says or dictate to us things beyond the Bible that have to do with the decisions of our life.

The church consists of individual disciples and individual families who are given the Bible. The Bible can speak to every one of them, and they must come to know it for themselves and not depend on teaching from the pulpit.

Our faith hinges upon a personal relationship with Jesus, not on denominational dogmas. Through this relationship we come into fellowship with the Body, the assembly, universal. We can call our brother or sister anyone who is a disciple and calls on Jesus, and shares our faith in Him, not just in our own "church group" or "membership".

It is imperative that every Christian knows the Bible and understands the commands of Christ and His teachings for himself. It is not for another to teach him, tell him what he must do, how he must live the Bible.

The Bible alone is sufficient, Protestants say, "Sola Scriptura is our creed".If that is so, then every Christian must have a Bible, read it, and understand it too. He must test and question the Word that is preached, and never fail to be discerning.

That is not to say every Christian "believes what is right in his own eyes", inventing doctrines to suit himself, believing only what he finds convenient. No, it is the word of Jesus that must come and rest in his heart.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
(1Jn 4:1-2)

These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
(1Jn 2:26-27)

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
(Deu 6:6)

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (1Co 14:20)

 
This verse is essential. We cannot simplify the truth. We cannot treat fellow disciples like novice believers, but we have to, each of us, know the word for ourselves and be mature in understanding.  We cannot be "simple-minded" simpletons. We cannot be expected to always behave as children and ignorant babes - we have to mature, we have to grow up!

Yes, we seek simplicity. Yes, we value the simple truths above the towering philosophies of men and the world. But we also distrust simplicity - simplicity that means foolishness, ignorance, and an extended state of childhood.

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
(Jer 31:34)



Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
(1Co 14:29)

I believe that the Bible gives us reason to  believe  that every believer is given the Holy Spirit to teach them, and that the spirit of discernment and truth, so as to judge the words that are taught, prophesied and spoken in the church.




Never at any point are we to be passive when it comes to our faith, in the assembly of believers. We are ask questions, for questions show where we are. The purpose in teaching and discussion in the body of believers is not to achieve a perfect teaching session, but so that every one understands and receives the Word. We are to be constantly sober (not carried away by euphoria, but in a sensible and clear state of mind).

When it comes to our faith, never does the Bible say, "Just accept what the leader says. Just obey. Just follow." Authority is never given to a man, to a leader, to a shepherd or bishop.

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
(1Pe 5:2-3)

All power in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to each one of us. There is no Anointed One but our Christ, our Messiah Jesus. We are all filled with the Spirit to minister to each other and go out to preach the gospel.

When we say this or that leader or speaker, or this or that man is anointed, what we really mean sometimes is that he has become so compelling, so attractive, so awe-inspiring, so charismatic, so charming, so appealing that we are in awe of him instead of Jesus.



Truth is so great, so vast, that the words we speak can never fully represent it - our words, our teachings need to be constantly refined, defined and clarified lest it veer in the slightest off-course, and deviate an iota from what is the truth.


No one is the leader, the "fuhrer", the unassaillable, perfect, flawless disciple who is above all the rest. There is no hierachy, no pushing to be the "top" or "first" in the Kingdom of God. God values meekness, and promotes the humble, elevating the lowly.


The body of Christ consists of honest disciples. It is a body of believers who confess their sins to one another, renders their own judgments amongst themselves (1 Cor 5), and

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
(Mat 18:15-17)

The apostles plead with us again and again their epistles to be SOBER - vigilant, watchful, discreet. This is beyond underlining emphasis. We cannot be "carried away" or tossed too and fro in euphoria or excitement, but we must be still, quiet, serious, so that we may truly hear the Holy Spirit speak.

We think that it is the "Holy Spirit" who speaks when we are excited. When we are elated. When our emotions are running faster than a flooding creek in a thunderstorm. Whatever happened to the still, small voice? Whatever happened to the power of the Word, the Word that is the same yesterday, today and forever, that doesn't strike us one way and then blast us in the different direction from one high spiritual plane to another.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
(Jas 1:6)

I feel that we must be careful what emotions we operate under. Are we sober? Have we come to discern carefully and with much trepidation what the truth is, the truth that does not change, but is a constant. God's eternal principles are God's eternal principles and they are the same throughout all time, for all people.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(Eph 4:14-15)

Ha! So we aren't supposed to believe everything we hear, but to test where it is truly from God. Furthermore, we must be vigilant against any attack, for men constantly either actively seek to or unwittingly are used to, deceive us and draw us away from the truth.

Accuracy when it comes to be Bible is not about being rigid, but about being honest, having integrity, and being truly faithful. It all boils down to our faithfulness to God and our steadfast faith in Him.