Save yourselves from this corrupt generation

[Violet]

Acts 2:40
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
~
I believe the point in discussing how teachers have gone off the straight and narrow path is more to warn believers that we have to hold fast to the Bible and not man as the ultimate authority in what we believe as Christians.

Pointing out questionable associations, ungodly quotes or direct error made by teachers who profess to be Christians is the duty of every believer as we exhort one another to all godliness.

We should not be offended when someone warns us that a Christian teacher, leader or pastor is utilizing any form of media that is problematic because it conveys doubt or confusion or even open contradiction to the Word of God.

Each one of us is obligated by love to do the same.
~
Hebrew 13:22
22Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter.

[libik]

:thumb

[yeshua'sbride]

:thumb

[Kliska]

Acts 2:40
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
~
I believe the point in discussing how teachers have gone off the straight and narrow path is more to warn believers that we have to hold fast to the Bible and not man as the ultimate authority in what we believe as Christians.

Pointing out questionable associations, ungodly quotes or direct error made by teachers who profess to be Christians is the duty of every believer as we exhort one another to all godliness.

We should not be offended when someone warns us that a Christian teacher, leader or pastor is utilizing any form of media that is problematic because it conveys doubt or confusion or even open contradiction to the Word of God.

Each one of us is obligated by love to do the same.
~
Hebrew 13:22
22Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter.

I agree with most of this, and I suppose my question is where should lines be drawn? And when should specific labels be given? I would love opinion on this in this thread: http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=36714

[Violet]

I agree with most of this, and I suppose my question is where should lines be drawn? And when should specific labels be given? I would love opinion on this in this thread: http://www.rr-bb.com/showthread.php?t=36714

I will approach it from another way: exhort verses debate.

May I suggest we preface our posts with either exhort or debate. I for one do not wish to debate but rather exhort, which I feel is the more Biblical approach and let me explain why I feel that way. Let each one as led by the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and wise Biblical counsel read and determine for themselves the truth about each individual teacher.

The reason I say this is because, in my own personal walk with the Lord, as I matured in the faith I was better able to discern more correctly the truth about a matter. I often had a check in my spirit or my conscience would leave me unsettled about a book, sermon or speaker. I didn't know exactly what was wrong initally. As the Lord lifted the veil, I understood the error I had at first been unsure of.

At other times I debated my opinion strongly because of how I felt about the topic at hand. Each has it's place. The point that I am at in my walk with the Lord is that I would rather give a warning and let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth about a matter, than debate, which may at times lead to discord or disunity, which dishonors the Lord. We must remember to always speak in love.

Titus 3:9-10
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

exhort:

Main Entry: ex·hort
Pronunciation: \ig-ˈzȯrt\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French exorter, from Latin exhortari, from ex- + hortari to incite — more at yearn
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
: to incite by argument or advice : urge strongly <exhorting voters to do the right thing>
intransitive verb
: to give warnings or advice : make urgent appeals
— ex·hort·er noun

debate
Main Entry: 2debate
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): de·bat·ed; de·bat·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1obsolete : fight, contend
2 a: to contend in words b: to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments
3: to participate in a debate
transitive verb
1 a: to argue about <the subject was hotly debated> b: to engage (an opponent) in debate
2: to turn over in one's mind <he's still debating what to do>

[Kliska]

I will approach it from another way: exhort verses debate.

May I suggest we prefice our posts with either exhort or debate. I for one do not wish to debate but rather exhort, which I feel is the more Biblical approach and let me explain why I feel that way. Let each one as led by the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and wise Biblical counsel read and determine for themselves the truth about each individual teacher.

The reason I say this is because, in my own personal walk with the Lord, as I matured in the faith I was better able to discern more correctly the truth about a matter. I often had a check in my spirit or my conscience would leave me unsettled about a book, sermon or speaker. I didn't know exactly what was wrong initally. As the Lord lifted the veil, I understood the error I had at first been unsure of.

At other times I debated my opinion strongly because of how I felt about the topic at hand. Each has it's place. The point that I am at in my walk with the Lord is that I would rather give a warning and let the Holy Spirit reveal the truth about a matter, than debate, which may at times lead to discord or disunity, which dishonors the Lord. We must remember to always speak in love.

Titus 3:9-10
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.

I see alot of your personality in this post, and it's neat to see it from a different perspective! My main contention in the other thread is about these labels that we attach to other believers and/or their teachings. If we take the position that we simply point out and correct teachings that we feel don't jive with scripture, I'm much more comfortable with that than labelling someone an "apostate" or a teaching "apostasy" if I don't have an agreement on what the labels means, and its correct use and definition.

I see your way as bypassing those labels, and that is actually what I agree with, in a way. We should point out if we see something, or hear a teaching we deem to be against scripture, do it in a manner with love, and let the Holy Spirit guide us, and others into truth. The other thread is applicable only if we are going to employ those labels (as this message board does in general with the title "Apostasy") then we should do so consistently and biblically, as you are doing with "debating" vs. "exhorting". :thumb

Grace and Peace,
Kliska

[Sing4Him]

Kliska, if you read this section with more care you will find that what has been brought forward are those teachers, pastors, people who have either neglected the message of the cross: repentance and asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior, OR, they have added to God's Word with humanistic practices, many of which have roots in the occult, even demonology.

If it is NOT found in God's Word, as God's Word alone is sufficient then you will find these issues posted on this site.

We are commanded to be contenders of the faith. Those who dismiss, and look upon the Bereans in disdain need to be scrunitized themselves for WHOM they STAND for!

[Kliska]

We are commanded to be contenders of the faith. Those who dismiss, and look upon the Bereans in disdain need to be scrunitized themselves for WHOM they STAND for!

Amen to that! :thumb

1Th 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Jude 1:3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

I think everyone agrees with this. I'm simply seeking a biblical answer as to specific labels we Bereans are to use when describing different occurences of false teaching or false preachers. Violet seems to do a good job putting it in a perspective where no labels are actually used, hence bypassing the need for debate on that issue, I liked seeing it from that perspective.