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Page 1 of 7 How to Discern Truth from Error
The Epistle to the Colossians 4.0
Colossians 2:6-23
by Eric Stillman
February 10th, 2008
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As many of you know, I’ve been preparing over the past few months for my ordination. Part of the ordination process involves inviting area pastors to put you through an inquisition of sorts where they can ask you any possible theological or ministerial question. One of the things that has held me back from setting a date for this inquisition is that every week I feel like I’m confronted with another theological question which I feel like I need to understand better: What is the relationship of the Christian to government? Does God have a specific will for each individual to try and follow, or is it more of a general will? What exactly is the gift of prophecy and how should it be exercised in the church? What did Jesus mean when he spoke of the kingdom of God? What exactly is the Christian view of heaven, hell, and the afterlife? And most importantly, how can you really know God and understand what it means to follow Him? Just to give you a picture, consider the following statements, which are all part of the theology of churches or ministries within a 20 minute radius of our church:
First example: What is the picture of the one who is totally following God? God desires our total prosperity: Spiritual, Mental, Physical, Financial, and Social Second example: How do we experience the deeper life with God? - We believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.
- We believe the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘speaking in tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles. Third example: How do we know God’s will for us and right from wrong? (Quoted by a local minister): “I finally decided to make JESUS my final authority, not Scripture. I take every question to Jesus: ‘Jesus, how do you want me to know right from wrong on these controversial issues?’ Interestingly, Jesus didn't advise studying Scripture! If that's the one place we're supposed to go, why didn't Jesus say so?”
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