BACK TO THE BASICS - PT 1

BACK TO THE BASICS - DEVOTED TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE

INTRODUCTION
One of my favorite movies is “Hoosiers”. It is the story of a disgraced college basketball coach, Norman Dale (Played by Gene Hackman), who takes a teaching and coaching position with a tiny Indiana school district in the 50’s. His team is made up of seven farm boys who love the game of basketball. Coach Dale’s first task is to mold them into a team by enforcing some basic teamwork fundamentals. They were to follow his instructions, and play by the rules he set. If a player violated the coach’s instructions he faced discipline, including removal from a game. Even if this meant playing a man down. To make a long story short, after they begin playing like a team, they win to the point of playing in the Indiana high school championship game.
I use this example because it is time for the church to get back to the fundamentals of basic Christianity. Acts 2:42 reads, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”(NKJV). Many scholars refer to this description of the early or first century church as being primative. Many consider something that is called primative to be old, out dated, obsolete, etc. These four fundamentals are far from outdated or obsolete, and need to be re-empasized, even reinstated, by the church of the 21st century.
The New King James Version says “they continued steadfastly in”, and the New International Version says “they devoted themselves to” these four fundamentals. The Greek word here is PROSKARTEREO which means to be steadfast or faithful.

DEVOTED TO THE APOSTLE’S DOCTRINE
What do we mean, “apostle’s doctrine”? In its most wide sense we mean the Bible. Many times as we try and introduce these four disciplines to new or nominal Christians, we encourage them to have a daily time of Scripture reading or study.. I believe much more is included here. The apostles here are more than the twelve, but anyone who bears witness to Christ. Of course at the historical time in question the apostles were probably limited to the twelve. We need to also remember that being devoted to something may mean having to defend what we are devoted to. A man is devoted to his wife, if she were attacked in some way he would come to here defense. A secret service agent is devoted to the President, and will take a bullet to defend him.
The Word has come under two primary attacks. The modernist attacked the inspiration, and the post modernist attacks its authority or relevance. The Bible itself has numerous claims of inspiration with the two most prevalent being as follows. II Timothy 3:16 and 17 read, “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”(NKJV). Here we have a direct claim of inspiration followed by a statement on the relevance of the Word. II Peter 1:19 to 21 read, “We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.,” (NKJV). Here we have a statement on the Bible’s authority and relevance followed by a claim of inspiration.
Of course, I can claim anything. I can say I am the “Queen of Romania”, and that doesn’t necessarily make it so. We need verification. Consider the following scientific facts. In 1492 it was believed the world was flat, and that to sail to the edge meant certain doom. In the book of Isaiah, written approximately 700 BC or 2200 years earlier, we here this, “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” (NKJV). The word circle hear refers to a sphere or globe, not a flat surface. Job 38:35 says, “Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, `Here we are!'?” (NKJV). In 1864 James Clerk, a British scientist, suggested the existence light waves and radio waves. These are sent into virtually 100% of American homes into a box that lights up and talks. Of course I am refering to the one eyed monster the television. The book of Job dates to approximately 100 BC, and Job the man to 1000 BC. See the difference? These are only two of many such examples.
The authority or relevance of Scripture is often questioned by well meaning, professing Christians. They may argue that the Bible was for a particular age or era, or is for a limited culture or audience. They may say the Bible is a living document with a vast number of different interpretations. Of course they may argue that the Bible is not the only authoritative document, and Christ is not the only way to the Father. We combat this by standing firm, being loyal, and not compromising. Hebrews 11:36 to 40 reads, Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. “. To expound on the benefits of setting the Bible up as an authority in our lives one needs only to read Psalm 119 and Psalm 19.

Dr. O