7. Am I understanding what the writer is saying in this passage? (See number 6 above.)

8. What were the customs and the practices at the time that it was written? How do they apply to the text, if they apply at all?

9. Another way that the Scriptures can be perverted is by failure to observe and respect the silence of the Scriptures. We might be reminded in Leviticus, chapter 10, verses 1 and 2,of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu [“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”]. God had given instruction about the fire to be used on the altar. They introduced strange fire. If they would have had a moment of time, which they apparently didn’t, they might have argued and said, “Lord, you didn’t say not to use that fire!” Well, but you see, the Lord didn’t need to exclude other fires, because He had been specific about the fire that was the correct one. So, when God commands a specific thing in any area, He thereby excludes all other things in that general area.

For example, I submit to you singing in the worship. Here is another argument you’ll hear people say: “God didn’t say that we couldn’t use instruments!” What’s the point? By commanding that our worship include “singing,” He has excluded every other type of music.

In specifying that the Lord’s Supper will be observed using unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, He has excluded everything else. He doesn’t need to provide a list of things, like: “This is not to include cheese crackers, Gatorade, …” etc. No! You see, He has excluded all these other things by being specific. So we must respect the silence of the Scriptures.

10. The Scriptures can be perverted by improper interpretation. The Scriptures contain direct commands, great principles and examples to follow, and inference. Here again, we must be aware of, and be in tune with, what those things are.

We must consider the DIRE CONSEQUENCES TO FALSE TEACHERS.

Paul pronounces a “curse” on false teachers. An “anathema” is the Greek word that is translated “curse” in most of our English translations. That word is used only seven times in the New Testament. It’s used twice here in Galatians, chapter 1. It means “to be cursed,”—“to be cut off.” It means “being banned.” It is a harsh word in the original Greek language. So those who pervert the Truth are to be accursed. Paul saw the need to say it, not just once, but twice! The New International Version translates it “eternally condemned,” [verses 8-9—“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”].

In 2 Peter 3, verses 16 and 17, Peter talks about those who would “twist” the Gospel. He says that they do so “to their own destruction” [“as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; …”].

And then we see from Scriptures like 2 John, verses 9 through 11 [“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”] and Romans 16:17 [“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”] that we are to “shun”—we are to “stay away from”—those who would teach falsely!

To sum up this series of lessons, Doctrine is essential to the Christian faith. It comes from God and it is found only in the Bible. It is God’s way of communicating to us today. Let us love it, study it, practice it, and rightly divide it.