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Does It Really Matter What We Believe?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

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One of the problems we face as Christians is the attitude that it really doesn’t matter what we believe as long as we are sincere.   Recently (Sunday, April 21), we addressed the subject of ecumenism which basically teaches unity among all who profess belief.     It was part of a series dealing with identifying the darkness around us.   We noted many problems with that movement.

In my lesson tonight, I would like to approach this from a different angle.   There are many who believe that as long as one is sincere that it doesn’t matter what we believe. There are different degrees to this belief – some teach universalism (everyone is going to be saved), some teach sincerity regardless of your worldview (acceptance of sincere Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, etc.), and still others believe that as long as we hold on to certain core beliefs – Belief in the God of the Bible, that the Bible is His word and that Jesus died and arose for our sins, and perhaps other elements – you will be saved.   All of them will say to one degree or another – does it really matter what we believe?

Because we are dealing with problems we face, I would like to approach this from the standpoint of some examples   in the Bible that show it DOES matter what we believe.   These are designed for the one who accepts the Bible as God’s word, but reject the need for total obedience.

So let us consider: If it doesn’t matter what we believe then:

1. Why was Cain’s sacrifice rejected? Genesis 4:3-7
   1. We have here the first recorded act of worship to God.
   2. From the very beginning, He has demanded that we do what He tells us to do the way He tells us.   Afterall, this occurs after God rejected Adam and Eve for disobeying Him.
   3. While not mentioned, it is implied that God had given instructions about sacrifices to Him.   And He cares whether or not we followed His instructions.   Abel followed and Cain did not.
2.   Why did God take away the Old Law? Hebrews 10:9
   1. A point continually emphasized in the New Testament, and a point of serious resistance as the church was being established was how the Law of Moses was fulfilled and replaced by Jesus dying on the cross.     It is the main focus of Galatians, Romans & Hebrews, and mentioned in many other letters.
   2. Early on Jesus declared He came to fulfill the Law – Matthew 5:17-18
   3. Hebrews 10:9 explains that this is why Jesus came to this earth – at least one of the parts of the process making salvation available to all – to take away the old law that He might establish the new law.
   4. Colossians 2:14 explains how He took that law out of the way and nailed it to the cross.
   5. This is WHY it matters how we use the Old Testament (cf. Romans 15:4)
3. Why did Jesus call the teachings and traditions of men vain worship? Matthew 15:8-9
   1. Consider that while Jesus was on earth, Jews WERE expected to follow the Law of Moses AS God directed them.
   2. Many of the Jewish leaders had added to God’s law by binding where God had not.       Such was the occasion here.   They had criticized the disciples of Jesus for eating without washing their hands (this was more than a sanitary observation, but a ritual they had created – cf. Mark 7:1-4).
      In rejecting their binding of their traditions, Jesus also notes that they had taken a simple to understand commandment (Honor your father and mother – Exodus 20:12) and created loopholes – namely by declaring that what was received from one’s parents was a gift from God and thus they were relieved of their duty. Jesus said, you have made the Law of Meaningless.     He THEN declared that in such things they were worshipping God in vain, because they were “teaching the commandments of men.”
   3. Again, at that time, Jews were bound by the Law of Moses.   Jesus said that God had rejected them because they doing what THEY wanted instead of following His Law.
   4. This makes the point, it DOES matter what we believe and HOW we do what He commands.
4.   Why did Paul need to change religions? Galatians 1:13-14
   1. Bear in mind that the LOM was from God and in effect for a time.   Paul was following that law zealously, INCLUDING following “the traditions of my fathers.” Acts 26:4-5 again describes this.
   2. But on the road to Damascus that all changed – when the Lord appeared to Him.   Acts 26:12-19 finds Paul retelling his conversion to explain why he CHANGED religions.
      Acts 9:18 tells us that in Damascus he obeyed the gospel – was baptized, cf. Acts 22:16, etc.
   3. We also find in Paul that sincerity is not enough – Acts 23:1, 1 Timothy 1:12-15, etc.
   4. Though Paul we can see that it DOES matter what we believe, and there is more to it than mere sincerity.
5.   Why did Paul persuade men? 2 Corinthians 5:11
   1. Whatever Paul did, he did it with his all. His life’s mission was to persuade men to follow God.   AFTER his conversion, that meant following Christ Jesus.
   2. Continually we read of his efforts to persuade others – Acts 18:13, 19:8, 26, 28:23-24, etc.
   3. He knew there will be a day of judgment, and WHAT we believe will matter – 2 Corinthians 5:10-11
   4. He sought to convert Jews by explaining how Jesus fulfilled the LOM, and he tried to convert Gentiles, often at a serious cost.  2 Corinthians 11:23-28 describes SOME of what he endured, and this was not the end of his sufferings.
   5. The very things Paul said and did, and the price he paid, shows that it DOES matter.
6.   Why was Peter sent to Cornelius? (Acts 10:1-2)
   1. As we are introduced to Cornelius we see that he is a very good man in many ways.   He even believed in and feared God, praying always to Him.   But he was not saved at that time.
   2. Acts 10:3-23 explains events that result in Peter coming to Cornelius to tell him what he needed to do to be saved (cf. Acts 11:14).   We then find the sermon of Peter and how Cornelius and his family are baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 10:47-48, cf. Acts 2:38).
   3. This is a clear example that it DOES matter what we believe.     All the goodness and sincerity of Cornelius was not enough to save him, without the blood of Jesus and the grace of God.
7. Why was Apollos corrected? Acts 18:24-28
   1. In Ephesus, before Paul arrives there on his 3^rd journey, we are introduced to Apollos. He was an eloquent man who knew the scriptures. He was instructed in “the way of the Lord”, which I believe includes a belief in Jesus. But “he knew only the baptism of John” and taught it.
      26 tells us that Aquila and Pricilla took him aside and explained more accurately the way of God.
      IMMEDIATELY, Apollos began teaching correctly.
   2. IF it doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we believe certain core teachings, why was there a need to correct Apollos?
   3. Apollos shows that it DOES matter, even in the details, what we believe.   He shows that you can do the right thing for the wrong reason, and you will be WRONG! Cf. Matthew 7:21-23
8. Why were 12 men baptized again into Christ? (Acts 19:1-5)
   1. After Apollos is corrected, we find that he goes to Corinth and continues to truthfully teach Christ. Meanwhile, Paul comes to Ephesus where he will stay for a good while.   He meets some disciples and begins to inquire about what they believe.   It becomes clear that some of what they had been taught was error, including the baptism of John (could it be that these had been taught by Apollos?).
      Paul corrects them and they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
   2. IF it doesn’t matter what we believe, why bother correcting them?
   3. The truth is that it does matter what we believe.
   4. NOTE: As an aside here, WHY they were baptized matters as well!   Most denominations teach baptism, but for the WRONG reason.   When one learns the truth, what should they do?   According to this example, they should be baptized for the RIGHT reason – in the name of the Lord Jesus (and for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38, 22:16, etc.). It is interesting that the term, “rebaptized” or “baptized again” is not used. The point being, they were only baptized ONCE for the right reason.
9.   Other considerations:   IF it doesn’t matter what we believe…
   1. Why do we find continual warnings against false teachers – Acts 20:29-31 – the Ephesian elders were warned to watch for wolves that would devour the flock.   2 Peter 2:1-3 warns against false teachers.
      Understand that while some false teachers were teaching foreign gods (e.g. Demetrius in Ephesus), many believed in Jesus but taught error about Him and/or His law.
   2. Why are we continually warned against associating with idols – e.g. false gods and ways.
      1 Corinthians 10:14, 20-22, Ephesians 5:11, etc.
   3. Why do we need to vigorously defend our faith? 1 Peter 3:15. Many use the premise of this lesson to dismiss the need to convince others of their need to repent (change and follow God’s law).   They just don’t’ think it is necessary.
   4. Why are we challenged to test the teachings of others? 1 John 4:1 – we are called upon to test the spirits whether they come from God.
   5. Why do the scriptures emphasize ONE and true unity? Ephesians 4:4-6, John 17:20-21, Galatians 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 1:10, etc.   Again, it does matter what we believe.
   6. Why does it matter HOW we handle the word of God?   2 Timothy 2:15

Many other examples and verses could be added to these, but this is sufficient to show that it DOES matter what we believe.     Yes, we are living in times of ecumenism, but just because this is the popular view doesn’t make it right.   In fact, we have shown in this lesson that it DOES matter.   What about you? Are you willing to accept His will, His way?   Think about it!