Prove All Things
The admonition contained in Paul's letter to the saints in Thessalonica, presupposes a careful and impartial study with an honest heart of any and all questions involving human destiny. It follows that any other course pursued would necessarily lead to biased opinions and dogmatic conclusions which could be false and fatal to the soul's welfare. The virtue in holding fast depends on the truthfulness of things proved. The things proved must fall into the category of that which is good. Good things, of course, must be measured by the divine yardstick. Thus we hear the apostle Peter saying, "If a man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God."
On the elders who have the oversight of the flock, rests squarely the responsibility of seeing that the congregation is fully and faithfully taught on all questions that face the church controversial or otherwise. From this wise and good plan there has been in many quarters a wide departure. It is far too common that an eldership wedded to ideas either for or against a troublesome question, to draw down the "Iron Curtain," thus depriving the saints of their rightful privilege of weighing the evidence pro or con. In this procedure they vitiate such scripture as, "Study to show thyself approved unto God," and stifle the desire to "Search the scriptures" to see if these things be so.
Some argue, as did those on the Premillennial question, "Our congregation is not troubled with the question. It has not become an issue or problem, why disturb them." They seem to forget or overlook the gravity and importance of thoroughly indoctrinating the membership on all questions confronting the church, thus failing to fortify the church to meet insidious doctrines, which at the first have a small beginning, but grow in magnitude to become a real menace, actually dividing in many instances.
Many of us remember the great work done by Brother Foy F. Wallace, Jr., and others in stamping out to a large degree premillennialism, also the valiant and successful efforts of the pioneer preachers to keep the worship pure in such matters as the instrument and society.
The first recorded words of Jesus after his baptism were a clear declaration of the authority of the scriptures. He cited the scriptures as things undeniable even by the Devil himself.
When Paul came to Athens and there waited for his companions, being stirred in the spirit he disputed with the Jews in the synagogue and the devout people in the market place. This resulted in arousing in them sufficient interest to lead to an invitation to set forth his peculiar doctrine. Be it noted, that while called a "Babbler," a better and fairer spirit was manifested in their willingness to hear "his side" than that which characterizes our brethren today. Another example can be found in Acts 21. Paul standing before an angry mob bent on taking his life, the records say, "They gave him license to speak." Again, before rulers both heathen and hostile, Jews, he was allowed to have his day in court. This is a far cry from the attitude of some of our present leaders who hold so tenaciously to their pet ideas as to withhold, yea, even suppress fair and honest examination of disturbing questions in the church today.
Thus we see a "New order of things." The worthies of old expected and received far more consideration from pagans and unbelieving Jews than from some of our brethren today.
May God hasten the day when we will be willing to lay aside preconceived notions and prejudice, desiring at all times to know the will of the Lord and to teach it, to the end we may be found approved unto God and workmen that needeth not to be ashamed.