1 Timothy 1:4 (KJV)
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
One of the most important responsibilities of the preacher is to teach others to teach and preach. More importantly is what to teach and preach. Timothy was charged to “charge some that they teach.”
· Not all – for not all are called to it.
· Not all – for not all are capable of it.
· Not all – for not all will do it.
Charge some. Some others just won’t hold onto sound doctrine.
Among those things he was to charge them with was that they do not give heed to fables, and the matter I want to focus on today: endless genealogies. This is no doubt a reference to the Judaizers. Jews were very focused, for biblical reasons, on keeping genealogies. The problem was that those genealogies had become corrupted through time and the dispersions. I doubt any of the ten northern tribes have a credible record of their genealogies. I doubt they had them in Paul’s day either. Paul did recount his genealogy in Galatians, but then he said he counted that as loss. It was of no matter to him any longer for the sake of Christ.
Now we have groups such as the Mormons, who have made up false claims concerning the lost tribes of Israel, and once again make much of their genealogies.
Even among some Baptist groups, too much is made of the genealogies of churches. I agree that Jesus’ churches trace outside of Catholicism and Protestantism and to the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. I agree that there is a historical connection between the Anabaptists of old and the Baptists today. But I do not believe that the records are critical to prove. It’s been my observation, and that of most that I know, that those who attempt it are not inclined to be part of the thing the Word of God emphasizes - “godly edifying which is in the faith.”
Building up, strengthening, and encouraging those of the faith.
Charge some, those who will allow you to do it, to focus on building up the brethren while, at the same time, faithfully holding sound doctrine.
#GodlyEdifying #SoundDoctrine #PreachTheWord #FaithOverFables #BuildingUpTheBrethren
Rejecting Genealogies and Focusing on Faith: Five Keys to Godly Edification
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