Teaching and Defending

Dr. Henry Morris begins his book, "Defending the Faith," with an introduction which includes the following scriptures, each taken from his writings to the young preacher, Timothy. 

2 Timothy 1:13 - "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus."

2 Timothy 2:2 - "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others."

2 Timothy 3:14 - "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it."

2 Timothy 4:1-2 - "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

Also of note are the concluding words of 1 Timothy, 

1 Timothy 6:20 - "O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge.”

The teaching of God's Word was important to Paul and others who not only believed the Great Commission, but also lived it.  Jesus meant what he said with the words, "Go into the world and teach."  Now the seasoned missionary traveler, Paul, was passing along the words of truth and life, to Timothy, who would be following in Paul's steps. 

In each of the above scriptures, the responsibility to teaching and preaching is expressed.  If Timothy is going to be successful in his ministry, he not only must teach the truth of the gospel, but he also is told to entrust it to those reliable and qualified to teach others.

Paul would also have us to know there were those who were dedicated to teaching things which were false, attempting to diminish the truth of God's Word, and attempting  to rob the gospel of its power to save.  That is why Paul encouraged Timothy to "guard what I have entrusted to you."

We also must be reminded of Paul's letter to the Ephesian Christians  which contained the necessity of putting on the whole armor of God.  There is eternal importance in God's message to mankind, and the section of scripture in Ephesians 6 is given to us to make us prepared for battle against those who would attack God's message of love.  As long as the gospel is being taught, Satan will be around with his attempts to destroy God's people and God's Word. 

You and I also have the responsibility to teach, and the responsibility to be prepared, equipped with the whole armor of God, to be a soldier of the cross. 

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