There are people who have immense knowledge of Hebrew, Aramaic, and
Greek, the languages in which Yahweh gave mankind the sacred writings. They
know the meanings of words, are skilled in grammar, and are able to translate
from those languages into English. But their practice often contradicts their
knowledge. Why? I would suggest the following insights as to why this is the
case.
First, in the words of Paul, "Knowledge puffs up." (1 Cor. 8:1) Pride and
arrogance are beasts that fight against humility within the heart. When a person
thinks they have reached the pinnacle of learning, they are not likely to admit
they are wrong, even when the evidence is decidedly against them! Only a
person who is genuinely humble in spirit will unreservedly say and believe, "I
am wrong." "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes
wisdom." (Prov. 11:2, NIV-2011)
Second, in the words of Jesus, "You have let go of the command of God and
are holding on to human traditions." (Mk. 7:8) This is true of many scholars of
the biblical languages. They know what the text teaches but they are held by the
eagle like talons of human tradition. Human tradition is a formidable force, and
its grip is difficult to break, even when holding to it clearly violates the word of
the living God. Many scholars prefer tradition over apostolic precedent!
Third, writing about the Jewish rulers, John the apostle said, "For they
loved the praise of the people more than the praise of God." (Jno. 12:43)
This is also true of some Bible scholars. They are aware of what scripture
teaches, but to stand on the sacred word would put them at odds with their
constituents, and they choose to be accepted by people in darkness than by the
God of light.
It is important to remember the three previous points as to why many
scholars miss it; pride, human tradition, and acceptance by constituents.
Scholarship is excellent if the scholar never forgets the source and purpose of
their knowledge. Scholarship for the mere sake of scholarship is like a
hammer in the hands of a wild man; but scholarship that crowns the head of a
wise man is like a hammer in the hands of a well-trained carpenter.
These things assist us in understanding why biblical lexicographers,
grammarians, and linguists admit the Greek verb psallo in Ephesians 5:19
does not mean to play on mechanical instruments in New Testament worship,
yet they continue worshiping with mechanical instruments. This gives us
insight as to why lexicographers correctly define baptizo as immerse,
submerge, or dip, but they remain affiliated with denominations that practice
sprinkling and pouring as religious acts. It sheds light on why grammarians
acknowledge the phrase "eis aphesin ton hamartion humon" in Acts 2:38
means "into" or "unto" the forgiveness of your sins, but they continue
denying that immersion is necessary for the forgiveness of past sins. One
Greek grammarian, A.T. Robertson, was so vehemently opposed to the facts
that he wrote, "One will decide the use (of eis in Acts 2:38, RD) according as
he believes baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not. My view is
decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament
taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing
such remission." (Word Pictures In The New Testament, volume 3, pages
35,36) If he had read the words of Peter (1 Peter 3:21), and Paul (Romans
6:3-4) he would have known that both Peter and Paul taught and believed
immersion is essential to salvation from sin! Peter and Paul have left
professor Robertson lying on the "mounds."
Our faith must rest in God and we must be diligent students and
humble practitioners of his word. In this way, even when scholars miss it,
with God's help, we can get it.
R. Daly
Copyright 2015
Greek, the languages in which Yahweh gave mankind the sacred writings. They
know the meanings of words, are skilled in grammar, and are able to translate
from those languages into English. But their practice often contradicts their
knowledge. Why? I would suggest the following insights as to why this is the
case.
First, in the words of Paul, "Knowledge puffs up." (1 Cor. 8:1) Pride and
arrogance are beasts that fight against humility within the heart. When a person
thinks they have reached the pinnacle of learning, they are not likely to admit
they are wrong, even when the evidence is decidedly against them! Only a
person who is genuinely humble in spirit will unreservedly say and believe, "I
am wrong." "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes
wisdom." (Prov. 11:2, NIV-2011)
Second, in the words of Jesus, "You have let go of the command of God and
are holding on to human traditions." (Mk. 7:8) This is true of many scholars of
the biblical languages. They know what the text teaches but they are held by the
eagle like talons of human tradition. Human tradition is a formidable force, and
its grip is difficult to break, even when holding to it clearly violates the word of
the living God. Many scholars prefer tradition over apostolic precedent!
Third, writing about the Jewish rulers, John the apostle said, "For they
loved the praise of the people more than the praise of God." (Jno. 12:43)
This is also true of some Bible scholars. They are aware of what scripture
teaches, but to stand on the sacred word would put them at odds with their
constituents, and they choose to be accepted by people in darkness than by the
God of light.
It is important to remember the three previous points as to why many
scholars miss it; pride, human tradition, and acceptance by constituents.
Scholarship is excellent if the scholar never forgets the source and purpose of
their knowledge. Scholarship for the mere sake of scholarship is like a
hammer in the hands of a wild man; but scholarship that crowns the head of a
wise man is like a hammer in the hands of a well-trained carpenter.
These things assist us in understanding why biblical lexicographers,
grammarians, and linguists admit the Greek verb psallo in Ephesians 5:19
does not mean to play on mechanical instruments in New Testament worship,
yet they continue worshiping with mechanical instruments. This gives us
insight as to why lexicographers correctly define baptizo as immerse,
submerge, or dip, but they remain affiliated with denominations that practice
sprinkling and pouring as religious acts. It sheds light on why grammarians
acknowledge the phrase "eis aphesin ton hamartion humon" in Acts 2:38
means "into" or "unto" the forgiveness of your sins, but they continue
denying that immersion is necessary for the forgiveness of past sins. One
Greek grammarian, A.T. Robertson, was so vehemently opposed to the facts
that he wrote, "One will decide the use (of eis in Acts 2:38, RD) according as
he believes baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not. My view is
decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament
taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing
such remission." (Word Pictures In The New Testament, volume 3, pages
35,36) If he had read the words of Peter (1 Peter 3:21), and Paul (Romans
6:3-4) he would have known that both Peter and Paul taught and believed
immersion is essential to salvation from sin! Peter and Paul have left
professor Robertson lying on the "mounds."
Our faith must rest in God and we must be diligent students and
humble practitioners of his word. In this way, even when scholars miss it,
with God's help, we can get it.
R. Daly
Copyright 2015
