

Some Things Not Found In the Bible

By Dennis Tucker

To hear some people talk, you would think a person can find just about anything in the Bible. However, there are a lot of ideas and doctrines not actually in the Bible. You cannot find the following in the Bible: infant baptism, December 25th being the birthday of Jesus, Jesus returning to rule on the throne of David in Jerusalem, the rapture, a 1000 year reign of Christ before the end of this world, the Pope, instrumental music in the New Testament church, celibacy of the priesthood, tithing in the New Testament church, etc. So why are these things taught and believed by so many people?

Mainly because people have quit studying the Bible. Think about this for a minute. To a lot of people the Bible is confusing and unknowable. They have no idea of how it is organized and the distinction between the Old and New Testament. In most homes the Bible gathers dust. Perhaps this is not new, but the extent of religious ignorance is sad.

Yet it does not take long to read through the New Testament. However, as one reads, one must comprehend what it means. We are told to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2.15) Some translations say to "handle accurately the word of truth." It is up to each of us to study for ourselves and defend what we believe. Sadly, many today have outsourced their faith to others and believe in things that are not so. Those things not found in the Bible will cause people to be lost.

Some believe in things not found in the Bible because of family traditions. It is easy to accept what one has always been taught. On the other hand it is hard to reject one's "family religion." Many of the false doctrines mentioned earlier have been taught for generations and handed down from parents to their children. Just because one's mother or father worshipped with a piano, or believed in the rapture, or were members of a denomination, does not mean they were right. We must accept what the Bible says above the words of men. Each one of us must stand before God on our own.

Others believe in things not found in the Bible because it is what they personally like and want. If I want to celebrate December 25th as Jesus' birthday then I will not really care if it is in the Bible. During the days of Jeremiah the people wanted to serve other gods and worship idols. The people actively sought out false teachers to tell them what they wanted to hear. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priest rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so." (Jeremiah5.31a)

It is no different today. People will actively seek out preachers and teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. It does not matter what kind of doctrine you want, there are people out there teaching it.

It is our duty to examine what is taught. The Bereans searched the scriptures daily to see if Paul was teaching the truth. (Acts 17.11)

Are we doing the same today?