Supposition
The word serving as title to this article contains many profitable thoughts based on its varied definitions and uses in the English language. Supposition has been the cause of wrecked homes, businesses and political collapses. On the other hand, it has been the cause of the discovery of untold thousands of material benefits that make life more convenient. The now established laws of nature and science were at one time mere suppositions of men.
Definition
Webster's Dictionary defines "supposition" as: "to assume to be true . . . to believe to be, imagine, think, etc." The word is very much like the word "theory" in definition. Synonyms are: "assumption, postulation, hypothesis, speculation, and opinion." A further knowledge of the meaning of the word can be obtained by studying its use in the New Testament.
Examples Of Its Use
1. Returning from the observance of the feast of passover, Mary and Joseph "supposed" Jesus to be in their midst. (Luke 2:44.)
2. As Christ approached his disciples on the tempestuous sea, they "supposed" that a spirit was walking on the water. (Mark 6:48,49.)
3. Our Lord's miraculous appearance to the disciples after His death caused them to "suppose" He was a spirit. (Luke 24:36,37.)
4. Mary "supposed" Christ to be a gardener as she saw Him outside the tomb. (John 20:15.)
5. Stephens valiant sermon refers to the fact that Moses relied on "supposition" that the Jews would understand they would be delivered by Jehovah through Moses. (Acts 7:25.)
6. Jewish instigators of a villainous plot to exterminate Paul, left him bleeding outside Lystra, "supposing" him to be dead. (Acts 14:19.)
7. Paul aroused the suspicion and "supposition" of the Jews merely by keeping company with Trophimus, a Grecian from Ephesus, and the Jews "supposed" Paul had profaned the Temple. (Acts 21:29.)
8. Reference is made to some who "supposed" godliness to be gain. (1 Timothy 6:5.)
Practical Observations
In all these Bible examples, several things ring consistently true:
1. All the suppositions were wrong and untrue.
2. No preliminary investigation of any importance is evidenced.
3. All cases show that those involved were satisfied with things as they were.
4. The commendable examples show that a thorough investigation detected the error and caused an immediate correction.
5. The non-commendable examples show that at the most, a rationalized investigation failed to detect any error, and that those in error remained in error.
Practical Lessons
Usually, suppositions in religious matters are wrong. Suppositions are largely a substitute for diligent and stedfast Bible study. We are prone to make up our beliefs and practices in religion without a thorough investigation of all involved. By the process we call rationalization, we can become very self-satisfied and independent in our beliefs and practices. If and when an investigation of our religious status in the light of Bible teaching manifests that we are in error, if that error is not corrected soon, sin has its treacherous and deceitful effect. We rationalize and excuse ourselves, and consequently in reality, remain in error.
Every belief not based upon plain Bible passages is error. It is a corruption of the Gospel to "suppose" a thing to be true when it cannot be located in the Bible. Corruption causes cursing of the proponent of false or erroneous teaching. (Galatians 1:6-9.) Likewise, religious rites, ceremonies or services that are not authorized by Bible instruction, corrupt and nullify the will of God and damn the efforts of those engaging in them. (Matthew 15:1-9.)
It should encourage and exhort all to repeatedly investigate the will of God and conform our lives to it in every particular principle of its precious truth. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." (2 Corinthians 13:5.)