What is knowledge? Knowledge is regarded as the result of a search for truth. After a thorough search, we obtain a clear perception of a truth and thereby obtain knowledge. Ignorance, on the other hand, is the lack of knowledge. The engineer, the mechanic, the salesman must have a knowledge of their jobs to be successful. They are acceptable to their employers mainly because they have this necessary knowledge. If these same men were ignorant of their jobs, they would be unacceptable to their employers and would be refused employment.
Is not the situation the same in the Truth? Knowledge brings acceptance. Ignorance brings refusal or rejection. But who are the ignorant? Is it only those who are atheists or who are not active members of some church? I don’t think so. I think the question regarding knowledge and ignorance comes down to the age-old saying, “Does it matter what we believe?” Isn’t it enough if we lead good lives, if we do more things right than we do wrong, if we do more good than bad ? Won’t we then be acceptable to God?
Let us search the Scriptures to find our answer, for we are told in 2nd Timothy that the Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation. Let us begin with Matthew 7:13, 14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it.” These words are familiar to all of us. What do they tell us? The way is narrow. These words are uncompromising. These verses refuse to include within the fold of discipleship those who feel that salvation ought to be for any religious body with broad-minded lip service.
Need Knowledge of Truth
What is needed, then, is knowledge of the truth. How do we get this knowledge? We get it by becoming students. Just as the first disciples were students, we, too become wise by learning. Our Teacher and theirs is the same. “. . . And when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them . . .” (Mathew 5 :1, 2) . He was a teacher. In John 3:2, He is called “a teacher come from God.” What does He teach? His teaching is righteousness and goodness. He shows us the Father. He holds out to us a way which will lead to everlasting life for those who will faithfully follow it. His subject is the Gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of God, of the coming day when God’s glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, when God’s will shall be done on earth as in heaven, and when true disciples shall obtain salvation.
Who can be disciples ? There is no exclusion on the ground of race, color, or sex. In Galatians 3:28 we are told: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” There is no upper age limit, but there is a lower age limit, not limited to years, but to maturity. For how clear are the words of a serious passage in Luke whose deep meanings cause even the most faithful to search their hearts. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Ad whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-33). The importance and scope of these words make most disciples somewhat uncomfortable. The immature are not ready to accept this responsibility. If we are to build our tower upon the rock of faith in Christ’s unchanging Word, it is an adventure not to be taken lightly because our life depends upon it.
Qualification of Students
What are the qualifications for students? Intellectual distinction is not needed. In fact, if it is joined with pride, it could be a hindrance. Average human intelligence is enough to grasp the elements of Christian faith. Were not most of the twelve fishermen of average intelligence only? Let us read from 1st Corinthians 1:26-29: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; That no flesh should glory in his presence.”
The prime pre-requisite which should be evident in students is teachableness, docility in the true sense of the word . . . “Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). This passage does not mean that we must be young in years in order to be saved. It does mean, however, that we must have sincere trust in our God, just as a child has trust in his parents. We must be able to be molded into something fine and acceptable just as a child is molded into a fine young man or woman. To enter into this course, we must first do three simple things: we must believe, we must repent, and we must be baptized. There must be absolute agreement between teacher and pupil on fundamentals in order to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2nd Peter 3:18). Any serious difference on major matters prevents such growth and also fellowship with Him. Basically we must believe that man is sinful and mortal and in need of salvation from sin and death; we must believe that God is righteous and immortal and determines man’s salvation. We must believe that Jesus is the obedient Son of God, and that He overcame sin and conquered death. We must believe that He is now immortal and waiting for the time when He will bring salvation to those who are associated with Him by faith, by baptism, and faithful discipleship. And, to these faithful, upon His return, He will give everlasting life in His kingdom which He will set up upon the earth.
Obey from the Heart
Although this belief must be an intellectual conviction, it must be more than that. We are told in Romans 6:17 “. . that form of doctrine” which is “delivered” unto us, must be obeyed “from the heart.” At the beginning we might have a belief such as is referred to in Hebrews as “the substance of things hoped for: the evidence of things not seen.” The assurance will grow from year to year as we feed upon His Word. Only when we believe with deep sincerity will we begin to grow. Only after we believe like this can we be ready to repent. For such a belief convicts us of sin and convinces us of our utter dependence upon God for our salvation. Repent! The word rings out like a bell. It is universal in its importance for all people at all times. From the birth of Jesus down to the present time, the call to repentance has gone forth. After John was cast into prison, we are told in Mark 1:14, 15 that “. . . Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, saying: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel.” Another time after Jesus’ death, Peter on the day of Pentecost renewed the call: “. . Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ . .” (Acts 2:38). The passing days and years have only increased the need for repentance, and even the more so as the time of the end draws near. If our religion is but a means to seek comfort, peace and security, a sort of fairy-godmother to clear up any unholiness, then there is no need for repentance. But if our religion is true, then it calls for immediate action as it did for true believers in times past. The Kingdom of God is, indeed, now at hand. As certainly as Christ was crucified, buried and raised again, so certainly at the times of restitution God will send Jesus Christ, and only those who have heeded the call will have their sins blotted out. The day draws very near that God has appointed, when He will judge the world in righteousness. As this day approaches, we must remind ourselves that repentance is not a one-time effort. It is a work that must continue from day to day as we constantly seek to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We are told in Matthew to “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” in other words, to let our lives prove our change of heart.
Baptism is Essential
One of these fruits or changes in our lives is baptism. New Testament baptism is complete immersion after the confession of belief. We know it is a burial in water to associate us with the death and resurrection of Christ, so that we rise to a newness of life. In baptism we clothe ourselves with the garment of His righteousness, so that our sins are covered from God’s sight when we put on Christ and become sons and daughters of God. In baptism, our past errors are forgiven. We become as little children and draw near to be taught the ways of righteousness.
In one sense, the method of being taught and gaining knowledge has changed, in another, it is always the same. For the twelve, it was by Jesus’ personal contact and direct teaching. He taught them to pray, gave them warnings, answered their questions, told them parables, and gave them object lessons. And so John, many years later, could begin his first lesson by saying: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life . . . declare we unto you” (1 John 1:1-3). After the ascension, it was the Holy Spirit that taught them all things and brought to their remembrance whatsoever He had said unto them, guiding them into the truth, stimulating their spiritual understanding, and directing them to write the New Testament Scriptures. From their completion until now, the Scriptures became the textbook for each succeeding generation. But throughout the apparent change, the method remains the same for all. In John 8:31 Jesus tells us: “. . . If ye continue in my word . . . ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Peter tells us to “desire the sincere milk of the Word that we may grow thereby.” True students of Christ know that the Scriptures were written for their admonition. But, for all, it is a practical method of obtaining knowledge. It is the way of love. John 13:35 states: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It is also a method of learning by doing. John 15:7 tells us: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
What is the Way?
The ways of righteousness are not spelled out for us simply as 1 – 2 – 3. A definite set of rules has not been laid out for us. As we increased in knowledge, to do this would have made it either too easy or too difficult: too easy, because we could check them off as we kept them and would feel we were making excellent progress; too difficult, because we could never have kept them all, and our failure to do so would discourage and depress us. Instead we have our own convictions to do whatever He has commanded us to do. With our knowledge of the Master, we say: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
One simple commandment which, after our baptism we must keep, is that we must break bread and drink wine in remembrance of our absent Lord, to bring to mind His sacrifice and His resurrection, looking forward until He comes. In that simple act, by reading, prayer, and self examination, we shall prepare ourselves with others of like precious faith. With our students we shall share the same gratitude, make the same confessions, utter the same prayers and look to the same end, fulfillment of God’s purposes in His Son. For it is the end that matters, and our thirst for knowledge will continue until the Teacher’s return or until death shall close our book. There is no summer vacation from this education. In Matthew 10:22, we are told: “. . . He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” We must take up the cross daily and follow Him. The end, therefore, influences all actions and emotions as we live in the world, but are not of it. In Romans, the writer tells us that we must subject ourselves to principalities and powers, obey magistrates, and submit ourselves “to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake”, rendering “to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:1-7). In other words we must be law-abiding citizens. Where, on the other hand, human law conflict with the divine, we must firmly follow Peter’s example and say that we ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 4:19). We must take no active part in helping to create the governments of this world nor in forming or carrying out their policies. Christ is our true King. It is for God’s coming kingdom that we must daily pray until the “kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15).
Use Vigilance
While looking for the glorious appearing of the Master, we must use vigilance “lest coming suddenly he find us sleeping.” We must learn that greater gifts bring greater responsibilities. We must also learn the danger of relying on last-minute, hurried preparations for our salvation. His teaching and behavior when He was on earth assure us of the futility of attempting to hide anything from His searching eye In Hebrews 4:13 we read: ” . . All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.’
All His words should make us humble, knowing that even if we have done all we should do, we still have to acknowledge ourselves as unprofitable servants, and that only by His mercy shall any of us be accounted worthy. And it is only when we are counted among the worthy that we shall be students no longer, for then and only then, shall we know with perfect knowledge. Those things in our experience which we have failed to fully understand will then be made clear to us. And not only shall we know, but we shall become teachers also, to teach the nations righteousness throughout the millennial reign of our Master, Jesus Christ. It has been said, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. In the eyes of God, knowledge of the Truth makes it mandatory to stand before the judgment seat. How we have used this knowledge will determine whether we are accepted or rejected.
Is knowledge important? Everlasting life depends upon it.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One