Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: Matthew 15:14

  • Rethinking the Church: A Call to Biblical Priorities

    Christians have become overly focused on constructing buildings they call churches. Yet a building without believers is nothing more than a structure—a gathering place at best. As a song says, “A house is not a home when there’s no one there.” Likewise, a building, no matter how grand, is not the church if God’s people are absent.

    Before the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church aimed to construct the Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. However, lacking sufficient resources, they introduced the doctrine of indulgence to trick people into donating money. In today’s world, the same strategy may be employed to fund and execute building projects by simply calling them the church.

    This fixation on building projects may be influenced by Western trends that many imitate without careful consideration. Some may have thought it’s good for personal legacy. However, these developments often lead to resentment in neighborhoods, as they generate traffic and inconvenience, effectively becoming obstacles to the Gospel itself. However, the mission of God’s people is clear: to spread the Gospel to the world, not to confine it within walls.

    The coming of Jesus Christ and the rapid spread of the Gospel during the Roman Empire were no mere coincidences. The Pax Romana established a period of relative peace, while the vast network of Roman roads provided safe and efficient travel. These conditions created a literal and figurative highway for the message of Christ to reach distant lands with remarkable speed.

    In contrast, modern Christianity often faces internal obstacles. Institutionalized churches, once intended to safeguard and organize the faith, can sometimes become barriers to the unrestrained sharing of the Gospel. Bureaucracy, divisions, and rigid structures may hold back the very mission they were meant to support. In this light, one might wonder: has modern Christianity, through its own systems, become its greatest hindrance?

    Some interpret Hebrews 10:25 as a directive to gather regularly in sanctuaries or buildings. However, the phrase “meet together” appears only twice in the New Testament—Hebrews 10:25 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1—and should be understood as referring to God’s promise to regather Israel, as also seen in Romans 11:25-27. A careful reading of Romans indicates that this regathering was being fulfilled during Paul’s own lifetime.

    Paul writes:

    “I ask, then, has God rejected His people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ‘Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.’ But what is God’s reply to him? ‘I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:1-5)

    Here, the “present time” refers to Paul’s own era—the final days of Old Covenant Israel—where a remnant, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, was preserved. Paul himself was an example of the remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:1-5). He makes it clear that he is speaking of Old Covenant Israel, as he also notes in Romans 9:27: “And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: ‘Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved.’”

    If there are any doubts about the expiration of the Old Covenant, one only needs to look at Hebrews 8:13. It declares, “In speaking of a new covenant, God makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” Furthermore, Hebrews 9 highlights the Jewish temple, the physical symbol of the Old Covenant, which no longer stands today.

    Thus, the call to “meet together” is biblically and historically tied to God’s regathering of Israel rather than a universal command for modern believers to hold scheduled gatherings in sanctuaries or buildings.

    The true church is not a building but the community of believers who confess Christ and live in faith. Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as a net gathering fish of every kind (Matthew 13:47-49): the Gospel is the net, the world is the sea, and the church—the true church—are the good fish gathered into God’s kingdom.

    The early church wholeheartedly devoted itself to the apostles’ teachings (Acts 2:42), which are now reflected in the New Testament Scriptures, and to fellowship with one another. They met daily, not just for the weekly gatherings we often see today, but in the temple courts and later in homes (Acts 5:42; 12:12; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2). Unlike the modern practice of gathering in large buildings open to all, with sufficient parking and amenities, the early Christians shared life together in intimate home settings. This approach made it easier to distinguish genuine believers from those who were merely nominal. In this context, new believers were intentionally introduced to Christian groups, much like Barnabas personally connected Paul to the church (Acts 9:26-27). This created a clear sense of accountability and belonging.

    Consequently, Paul’s instruction that the church must be purified was doable (1 Corinthians 5:7-13), applying discipline to those claiming to be brothers yet living in sin. Because everyone is known to each other, Jesus Himself instructs a step-by-step approach to correction (Matthew 18:15-17), which ultimately leads to purging unrepentant sin from the church. A real church is marked not by walls but by lives aligned with God’s Word.

    Resources should therefore be directed toward spreading the Gospel, training believers (2 Timothy 2:2), and supporting faithful workers (3 John 5-8)—rather than pouring funds into concrete and mortar. Jesus declared that He would build His church on the rock of Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:18). Peter confessed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).” Scripture states, “therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am the One who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone, of a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’” (Isaiah 28:16)

    Scripture clearly teaches that Christ is the “Rock” (1 Corinthians 10:4), the firm foundation and cornerstone of Zion, which is His church (Hebrews 12:22-24). With Christ Jesus as its head, the church is described as the “true temple” (John 2:19-22; Colossians 1:18). Paul reminds believers: “Do you not know that you (i.e. the church) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Further study of the following passages—1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-6—reveals that the church is indeed God’s spiritual temple. Therefore, placing great emphasis on physical buildings misrepresents God’s word and the true nature of His church.

    Instead of spending hundreds of millions, even billions, of pesos, why not consider renting? Some individuals generously donate, so why not construct a modest gathering place instead of large buildings with only a few attendees? Additionally, some may even be willing to lend out spaces for meetups and gatherings focused on reading and studying God’s word. As Paul instructed Timothy, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13)

    God’s workers should be honored (Hebrews 13:7), equipped (2 Timothy 2:15), and sent into the harvest where it truly lies—outside the four walls, in marketplaces, homes, daily encounters, and we don’t need to go far; our very neighborhood (Matthew 9:37-38). The church is God’s people, not the structures we maintain. Let’s stop wasting resources on buildings and instead fully commit to the work Christ commanded: proclaiming the Gospel and building His kingdom through lives, not bricks.

    The church is, at its core, an assembly, though it does not always reflect the modern notion of a congregation. According to Scripture, it is the spiritual gathering of the firstborn, whose names are inscribed in heaven (Hebrews 12:22–24). This sacred assembly may appear as a local fellowship of believers or as individuals scattered across various regions, each faithfully fulfilling their service to God in their own context. For instance, Aquila and Priscilla, after being expelled from Rome, settled in Corinth (Acts 18:1-2). They contributed to God’s ministry by carefully explaining the Gospel to Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). Even while distant from Paul, they remained his fellow workers in Christ Jesus (Romans 16:3).

    Paul reminds us that the church is composed of members with different gifts. As Ephesians 4:11 states, God appoints some to be pastors, some to be evangelists, and others to be teachers. While a single individual may at times perform the tasks of all three, these are the only offices that currently remain. 

    The New Testament defines apostles as direct witnesses of Christ—His life, teachings, death, resurrection, and ascension (1 Corinthians 9:1). Paul declared that he was the last of the apostles, uniquely chosen (1 Corinthians 15:8-9). His calling as the apostle to the Gentiles carried great responsibility (Romans 11:13; Acts 9:15-16). Paul’s extensive travels, numerous hardships, and eventual arrival in Rome—then viewed as the edge of the known world—highlight complete fulfillment of Acts 1:8. It is thus understandable that he authored most of the New Testament writings. 

    Through his mission, the Gospel effectively reached the whole world, fulfilling the prophecy that it would go to the ends of the earth, contrary to the claims of modern Christianity (Colossians 1:6, 23; Romans 10:18; 15:19; 16:25-26; Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20; Acts 1:8, 28:15-31). 

    Furthermore, there is no scriptural basis proving that Peter ever ministered in Rome. The mention of “Babylon” in 1 Peter 5:13 is often misinterpreted as Rome, yet Revelation 17:5-6, 17:18, and 11:8 identify “Babylon the Great” as Old Covenant Jerusalem—the city where Jesus was crucified—rather than Rome.

    Similarly, there are no prophets today since all divine revelations have been completed in the book of Revelation. As Paul teaches in Romans 12:7-8, some are gifted in serving, others in giving, and some in showing mercy. Each of us is called to faithfully fulfill the role that matches the gift God has given us.

    Consequently, if Christians mistakenly view the church primarily as physical spaces—such as buildings, sanctuaries, and halls—they end up striving to fill every empty seat, even gathering those who are unconverted, like guests without a wedding garment— that is, faith in the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17-20; 21:28-32; Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-26; 5:17; 13:14; Galatians 3:27-29; Ephesians 4:21-24). This is why Scripture declares, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:9-14)

    Reflect on the Scriptures and be discerning. Do not simply follow others without understanding, for Jesus said, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14) Let us not imitate the Pharisees, who forsook God’s Word to cling to the traditions of men. (Mark 7:8)

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessings!

  • Hymns or Contemporary Christian Music?

    Some Christian congregations argue that hymns should be sung during gatherings, not contemporary music. Is there really a basis for such contention? Three times in the New Testament, Paul spoke about hymns; Ephesians 5:19 & Colossians 3:16.

    “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” (Ephesians 5:19)

    “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

    The third was in Acts: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25). Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, was the authority behind Luke; he wrote both the Gospel of Luke and Acts.

    Yes, all of the New Testament writings have apostolic authority. The same may be said of Hebrews, though modern Bible scholars debate over its authorship. Keep in mind Peter’s statement: “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Though Peter here refers to the Old Testament Scriptures, are we to believe that the New Testament Scriptures are not of divine inspiration? Here is Paul’s testimony that he received divine inspiration from Jesus Christ:

    “For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

    John also, attested that his writings was of divine inspiration from Jesus Christ:

    “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants (i.e. John and the rests) the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.” (Revelation 1:1-2)

    Note: ScriptureDirect, a Greek linguistic tool, clearly distinguishes between “servants” and “his servant John”. The former is described as a plural noun, while the latter is singular. Here’s the link to download the app.

    Peter also implied that his letters were divinely inspired. See 2 Peter 3:15-16, “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.” (2 Peter 3:15-16)

    Now, the hymns that some Christians ascribe to are not the hymns that Paul referred to. By hymns, Paul referred to the Psalms in the Bible, which are of divine inspiration. Inerrant and prophetic, they speak about the coming of the Christ or Messiah, or the Messianic kingdom. All hymns written outside the Scripture were authored from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, and after the Reformation. 

    Modern Christian songwriters, like their secular counterparts, draw inspiration from their personal experiences and observations. Theology also significantly influences their songwriting. It’s important to note that no Christian would contest that no post-AD 70 Christian songwriters can claim the inerrancy of their lyrics, unlike those of the Psalms in the Bible. Hebrews 1:1-2 states, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.” This implies that Jesus Christ holds the final revelation of God.

    A thorough examination of all the New Testament Scriptures reveals that none of its writings mention the fall of Jerusalem as a historical event. Instead, they emphasize that God’s judgment is imminent and about to be fulfilled at the time of their writings. Since all Scripture was written before A.D. 70, the fall of Jerusalem, a pivotal event that could not have escaped the writings of the New Testament, it is evident that all New Testament Scripture was composed before this date. For further clarification, please refer to this link, which explains that even Revelation was written before the fall of Jerusalem, contrary to the 90s suggestion made by some modern biblical scholars who relied on the writings of early church fathers from the second century of Christianity. None of them were infallible; a quick online search would easily reveal how they contradicted facts. For instance, Irenaeus’ book, ironically titled “Against Heresies,” Book two, chapter 22, claims that Jesus lived to be around 50 years old before His crucifixion. This is a clear contradiction of Scripture. Luke 3:23 explicitly states that Jesus was 30 years old when He began His ministry. According to the accounts of the John’s Gospel, which count the Passover Feasts He was present to and His crucifixion, His ministry lasted approximately 3.5 years. Modern Bible scholars have relied on Irenaeus’ writings to suggest that John wrote Revelation in the 90s. So, who should we believe: the Bible or Irenaeus? Should we rely on the internal evidence of Revelation or Irenaeus?

    Now, back to our topic, are hymns outside the Bible more reliable and truthful to the Scripture than modern Christian music? I would say it’s a case-by-case basis, or maybe not. Am I suggesting that we ought not to listen to modern hymns and contemporary Christian music? No, I am not. 

    Modern hymns and contemporary Christian music are no different from personal testimonies of conversion narratives to the faith. They are not universal to all; we came to faith in different ways, but should have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:5-6). 

    Why don’t Christians simply agree to disagree for the time being regarding modern hymns and contemporary Christian music? Let’s prioritize learning from the Bible, which is of utmost importance. As stated in Ephesians 5:25-26, by faith, we have been sanctified, cleansed, and washed for Christ Jesus. By studying the Scriptures, we can individually grow in our understanding of God’s Word. Consequently, we will be able to discern which modern hymns and contemporary Christian music are not aligned with the Scriptures.

    The same process should be experienced by each individual Christian. We all ought to grow in faith.  Paul states, “And Christ gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head — Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-15)

    We no longer have the apostles with us. And I will argue that neither do we have prophets because Jesus already came. He spoke God’s revelation to us, which are now in our Bibles. Perhaps we still have evangelists, pastors, and teachers, but all of whom should be known and verified by their teachings and lives. Jesus Christ declares, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

    Discern carefully, have you learned from the Rock, no other but Jesus Christ? Be careful not to be part of those who sought the wide gate (Matt 7:13-20), instead of the narrow gate, the way of Christ (John 14:6-7). Christ Jesus may no longer be with us physically, but His presence can be learned and experienced through the Scriptures. Paul states, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

    Again Paul declares, we ought not to seek things that can be seen but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Once we have learned to be guided by the things unseen, that is by faith in Christ Jesus, then unlike Adam, nothing in this world can entice you to forsake God. 

    So, should we focus on hymns or contemporary Christian music? Let’s not get bogged down by trivial matters. Instead, let’s focus on the Word of God, and we’ll no longer be concerned with such things. Only then can we truly serve Jesus Christ. Remember Christ’s words, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matthew 15:14)

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references. Freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribing directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!