skip to main |
skip to sidebar
were made to worship. Some may hold that this statement is disputable, but it is just a matter of reflection upon one's life. For instance, some items of worship can include such things as your career, automobiles and other possessions. Or even people such as your spouse, children, and probably most accepted - yourself. The question is, what do you worship?
As stated earlier, society practically promotes worship of self and this is awfully evident in the Myspace world. I have recently become acquainted with Myspace and discovered that it is an echo of our world today.
The question again is, what or who do you worship? What is on your mind most of the day? What do you spend most of your time doing? What makes your life enjoyable? What do you live for? I agree that this could rightfully be many things, but what we want to discover is what takes that number one spot, the pedestal, the throne. Whatever that object is, should be, or needs to be replaced by, God.
Now, the majority of people believe that there is some type of higher being or some sort of god. A denial in such is to reject anything supernatural, spiritual, any premonitions, ghosts, demons, witchcraft, black magic, etc... I am by no means saying that these things are true, just merely stating that many people do believe that at least something like this is factual and as a result of that, there could be a god. I use this as an illustration because most of us admit that there is something else out there or around us beyond what the eye could see or what the body could touch and therefore, there could be a god. Besides many other things, one of the things that help me hold on to my faith, ironically, is the obvious presence of evil.
So again I say, discover what you worship. Is it God? Do you think God needs to be your number one? If not, I ask where do you get the "truth" that he is not required to be your number one?
Previously, we have discussed that this blog holds to the Apostle's doctrine, as the only truth, derived from the beliefs of Jesus. On this topic, Jesus says "You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him." He then adds, "those who worship God, must worship in spirit and truth."
In conclusion, God must be the number one thing that we worship. He must be what we most think about, what we most live for, what is most enjoyable to us. In order to worship him properly, we must worship in truth. Thus, doctrine is necessary to worship God for who he really is and not an image that we have concocted on our own.
octrine should be based upon truth, in order for it to direct one in the ways of their life. Truth is the real state of things; fact; reality, despite what others believe. Admitting that it is true enough to direct you in the ways of life, it must be absolute. Absolute means to be free from imperfection; perfect and complete. So, doctrine must be a reality that is free from imperfection and complete. Since it is complete, it is all that is required and anything that differs from it, as a result, is the opposite - not true.
But, is there a such thing as absolute truth? One complete truth that sets itself apart from what is false? Lets take a look at the subject of mathematics.
Math is based upon upholding only one truth. 1+1=2. If one plus one equaled three, it would be wrong. Even if it were exceptionally close, like, 1+1=2.000000001, it would still be wrong. So arithmetic is based on absolute truth.
Now, let us consider science. The essence of science is based on truth gained from experimentation and observation. For example, at normal atmospheric pressure and when other conditions are right, water, when heated to 212 degrees, will boil. We know it will because it has been tested and observed. Unfortunately, science today can be largely based on many theories or beliefs. Allow me to illustrate an example using the age of the earth. Science now states that the earth is millions of years old (Or billions now, since scientist have added years since the theory first evolved - no pun intended). Yet, observing and experimenting whether the earth is millions or billions of years old can't be done, but it is believed to be completely true. It's almost as if it is its own religion. If science is performed as it should be, then it is contingent on absolute truth.
Many other examples in life show us that life is full of absolutes. Even worse, the problems with there being more than one truth are considerable.
For more on absolute truth and the problems with its proponent, relativism, click here.
octrine can be defined as a teaching or instruction. So in this case, "they remained steadfast in the Apostles doctrine..."
Dedicated to the Apostles teachings and instruction. This not only means that they were dedicated to teaching, but also to being taught. This takes some humility.
It seems as if nowadays humility has become an undesirable trait. I believe it can also be stated that as the number of degrees one has attained increases, the humility of that person decreases. The more degrees one has, the more they think they know it all, therefore the less humble they are. I could see that in my life and I just have a two-year degree.
One thing that isn't taught in school is humility. Essentially, though, anyone under the teachings of the Apostles needs to earnestly seek and desire lowliness. For the Scriptures say, "...let each esteem others better than themselves" (Phil. 2:3).
Woah! I hope I receive a bunch of comments over that statement. I say that because this type of thinking is completely contrary to the way we are taught to think. We aspire to boast, brag, and exaggerate to others of ourselves, yet we're really deficient in probably many of those same characteristics that we flaunt.
In conclusion, this aspect of doctrine, which requires humility, is teachability, the ability to be taught - by whomever.
figured it would be best to start the first blog with an explanation of the name. Right off the bat, some may be turned off by the image to the left, associating it with the title of the blog. Rightly so (speaking of the association and not being turned off), this is exactly what this blog will primarily focus on.
The Acts of the Apostles. Based on the passage from the book of Acts, which some know is in the Bible. Yes, thats right, the Bible. Nowadays it seems as if its an insult to even mention it. The passage, located in chapter 2, verse 42, reads "And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." Thus, the acts, or the actions, and being committed to them.
Within the next few days, we'll lightly discuss what composes the acts. Skeptics stay tuned. We hope to make this blog challenging to your thought since man is a being of reason.
Check www.koinonialounge.com, if you haven't already.
