The instructions and writings of spiritual men

(Letters of John Newton)

"Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Remember your exalted privilege — you have the Bible in your hands, and are not bound to follow books or preachers any farther than what they teach agrees with the Oracles of Truth. We have great reason to be thankful for the instructions and writings of spiritual men — but they are all fallible — even as ourselves. One is our master, even Christ — what He says, we are to receive implicitly — but we do not owe implicit subjection to the best of our fellow-creatures.

The Bereans were commended because they would not implicitly believe even the Apostle Paul — but searched the Scriptures to see whether the things which Paul taught were true. May the Lord give us a spirit of humility and discernment in all things.

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11