What You Believe: True or False? The Simple Biblical Test

The New Testament gives a simple test for all who claim to have their redemption in Messiah, that they might examine the ideas they hold, and test everything against Scripture. These are detailed for us in the following passages:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5a)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“And to this agree the words of the prophets…” (Acts 15:15a)

“…In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1b)

The above Scriptures reveal the simple test of Biblical Truth. These passages reveal to us three basic principles to be used to test ourselves, and our Doctrines.

The first principle we see in the above passages is that we must examine and prove ourselves, and all our Doctrines. We may think the Truth we hold is "Biblical," but it may instead be a mixture of Truth and error. We must prove all against Scripture, in accordance with the next principles.

The second principle seen above tells us that “All Scripture” is the measuring Rod to be used, to test and to prove, ourselves and our Doctrines. Unless we use “All Scripture” we will not be found thoroughly furnished, perfect and complete, when the Bridegroom arrives. The above Scriptures tell us exactly how we are to make this test.

The test of all Doctrines is "All Scripture," telling us that there must be complete Scriptural Agreement. A vital part of this agreement is that there must be NO Scriptural Disagreement within “All of Scripture” – and therefore our Doctrines must be in full agreement with the Words of the Prophets.

Yahushua reminds us that unless we believe – unless we are "do-ers" of – all that the prophets have spoken, then we are foolish and "slow" of heart. (See Luke 24:25).

So we realize we must repent, and walk in a different direction, so that our Doctrines, and our practice, become in agreement with All of Scripture, including the Words of the Prophets.

The third principle seen in the above passages is that, in order to establish some idea or notion as a Doctrine to be held, there must be two or three witnesses of Scripture to establish the validity of such idea or notion.

To demonstrate these testing principles, let’s now look at two modern-day examples of popular "Doctrines."

The first example is a Doctrine held today by most conservative Evangelical Theologians, along with their followers, that is perhaps the most blatant example of “Scriptural Disagreement.”

Many today hold the man-made Doctrine that the Law (”Torah”) is not to be kept by New-Testament Disciples of Yahushua. Yet there are abundant Scripture passages, in the Old and New Testaments, and even in the writings of the Prophets – all showing disagreement with this notion, thereby giving us a "red-flag" warning to us, that this might be a False Doctrine (Scripture References are given below).

The New Testament alone has much to say about this notion. As you read, try to notice any disagreement this "Doctrine" may have with Scripture. Here are only a few of many passages:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil (Greek ‘pleroo’ = to accomplish, carry out, perform, execute, i.e., to ‘keep’ the Law)”. (Matthew 5:17)

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man…” (Romans 7:22)

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:" (Hebrews 8:10)

The words of the Apostle Paul, and the writer to the Hebrews, and even Yahushua Himself, all disagree with the notion that the Law is not to be kept by New-Testament Disciples of Yahushua. Instead, these all bear witness that “the Law” is for New Testament Believers. Indeed, all of Scripture has volumes to say on the subject. Notice even the very definition of the “New Covenant” given by Jeremiah:

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah…But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33)

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” (Psalms 40:8 )

“Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.” (Psalms 119:53)

Notice above that “doing Yahuweh’s will” is shown as having His Law (”Torah”) within the heart. Notice also it is the “Wicked” that forsake the Law (”Torah”).

In another view, for those claiming their Redemption through the precious Blood of Yahushua, we are told the following:

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4)

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity (Greek ‘anomia’ = "Transgression of the Law"), and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (ie, no transgression of the Law)” (Titus 2:13-14). 

Can there be any question that this notion that “The Law is not for New Testament Believers” is a False Doctrine? If there seems to be confusion or apparent contradiction against Scripture in any matter of Doctrine, it is safe to say that we have a false understanding of the matter, especially if it includes the teachings of Paul, which we are told are hard to be understood:

“…our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:15b-16)

Perhaps most of our Theologians, and their many followers, are among those described above, who "twist" the Scriptures, to make them say what they really do not say!

The Second modern-day example is short and easy to see.

As the passage above in 2 Corinthians 13:1 reveals, it is an established principle of Scripture that two or three witnesses must be present, to establish every matter and every word (Deut 17:16, 19:15; Mt 18:16; 2Co 13:1; 1Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28 ). This holds true for testing the Truth of any Doctrines.

In Revelation 1:10, notice the phrase “Lord’s Day” is used:

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” (Revelation 1:10a)

What does this phrase mean? Does it mean what the modern Theologians and Pastors tell us? Let’s test it by Scripture.

This passage in Revelation, written by John while on the Isle of Patmos, was relating something very familiar to him, and presumably to his readers. Hence there must be some Scriptural agreement somewhere. Let’s look.

The phrase “Lord’s Day” appears in the above passage in Revelation, but is the only occurrence, in the Old and New Testaments, where this phrase can be found.

The first thing that comes to mind is that the concept of the “Lord’s Day” can not be part of any Scriptural Doctrine, simply because there is no Scriptural agreement for use of this phrase. There is simply no other Scriptural witness to support the use of the phrase “Lord’s Day,” for it appears only once in all of Scripture. So how do we get out of this dilemma?

Notice that in “all of Scripture” (one of our tests) there IS a phrase spoken that the apostle John would have been familiar with: the “Day of the LORD.” This phrase “Day of the LORD” is used 25 times in Scripture, all spoken by the Prophets, and was a well-known concept among even the most elementary of Torah students of John’s day. They all knew what the "Day of the Lord" meant.

The phrase “Day of the LORD,” mentioned throughout the Old Testament, speaks of a future time when Yahuweh will fulfill various parts of His plans for His people. The Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos must have been telling us that he was “In the Spirit” in the (future) Day of the LORD, and that he had a panoramic view of the activities that will take place in this (future) Day of the LORD.

So we conclude that the phrase “Lord’s Day” in Revelation is NOT to become some new “Doctrine” to be first introduced and mentioned only once, in all of Scripture, in the Book of Revelation. Scriptural testing reveals the correct meaning of any Bible words and phrases must agree with “all of Scripture” without any disagreement.

Dear Reader, What do you conclude from the above? What have your Pastors and Leaders told you about “the Law?” What have they told you about the “Lord’s Day?” Do your Leaders teach you to test everything against the written Word of Scripture?

We have shown above only two of many examples of modern-day twisting of Scripture. You have seen in these two examples how you might test Scripture against Scripture, for yourself. Don’t fall for the old trick that says, “That’s for some other group” or, “That’s for some other age” or, “That’s Jewish” or "That's Old Testament." If you are a child of Yahuweh through Faith in the blood of Yahushua, then all the Scriptures are for you! Don’t let anyone steal your inheritance! (Psalms 105:9-10; Gal 3:29; 2Tim 3:16; 1John 2:21, 26; Jude 3, and many others).

Prove all things for yourself. Ezekiel 20, Hebrews 3 & 4, Matt 19:17, and many other passages, tell us that we are to allow Yahushua-in-us to “fulfill the Law” ("Torah") just as Yahushua did, and as Paul and the other Disciples did – for they are our examples! The Scriptures also tell us that unless we allow Yahushua-in-us to walk in obedience to the Torah, then we too will not be allowed to “enter in” to the Promised Land.

If our “Doctrines” prevent us from being “do-ers” of the Law (Romans 2:13), then these Doctrines are not according to “All Scripture,” with the result that we will not be found perfect, complete, or thoroughly furnished, when the Bridegroom comes for His Bride (2Tim 3:16-17).

Beloved, don’t let the “Theologians” or “Pastors” rob you of entering the Promised Land!

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