On separate occasions, I have heard some ‘mid-Acts’ preachers talking about "good words." One said ‘rapture’ is a good word. I wonder .... how did he determine that? I suspect it was in order to defend his paradine of a pre-tribulation catching away (instead of the BIBLE’s time ‘at the last trump’). Another ‘mid-Acts’ preacher said ‘pastors’ is a good word. I expect he wanted to keep with man’s tradition (rather than following GOD’s words through Paul). He would not admit he was wrong, even with a plain verse staring him right in the face:
1 Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
Those ‘mid-Acts’ men are unfaithful ministers to the Lord’s word in the KJV:
1 Cor 4:1-2 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries (The Greek word translated 'mysteries' - plural - is also translated 'mystery' - singular.) of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Paul used the phrase "good words" once. But he cautioned saints not to be deceived by them:
Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
God does not want His saints to be ‘simple Simons’:
Prov 14:15 The simple believeth every word:
but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
When the simple believe GOD’s words, they get understanding:
Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light;
it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The Bible is the words of God. Every word is important:
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
False prophets changed the Lord’s pure words:
Jer 23:36 And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.
The days will come when God’s words will be scarce, even unavailable:
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
We need to take in Jesus’ words, and stay away from those who not to obey the words of Christ. Do you know anyone that teaches NOT to follow Jesus’ words? A group of them identify themselves as ‘mid-Acts’ who claim to follow only ‘selected’ words of Christ, namely, those words through Paul. Yet Paul described to Timothy the men who disregard the Lord’s words:
1 Tim 6:3-5 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Paul told Timothy to remember his words:
2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Peter and Jude told the saints to remember the words of the Lord’s apostles, to whom He gave His word .... not just Paul's words:
2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
We can and should apply the words of the Psalmist to our own words:
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
This is David Dowell saying, "Think about it!"
