The Nathan Principle

How To Convict the Sincerely Deceived of Religious Error

The Nathan Principle

II Samuel 12 THE KEY:

Get the prospect to make an objective decision before they become emotionally involved!!

How long is that line?

Is it being narrow minded to say there is only right answer?

The Bible is our rule. Religion is based upon authority (Col

3:17) Let’s agree never to say, “I think so,”

“I was always taught,” “My church teaches.”

Three things have nothing to do with Truth . . . . (Jn 8:32)

The Amount of Time . . . The Number of People . . . The Degree of Sincerity of the

believers . .

What’s the difference? Between Baptist, Methodists, and Catholics

and those of us who are undenominational? We all believe in God . . . We disagree on how we come to terms with that

God . . . Denominational people say: “Go to the church

of your choice, come to terms with God on my terms . . .”

Undenominational perspective: “Go to the church of His choice, come to terms with God on His terms, not mine.”

Ecc. 5:1

“To draw nigh to hear (listen) is better than to give the sacrifice of a fool not knowing they are doing evil.”

Undenominational = Not divide, but unit on God’s truth.

Do not say:

Church of Christ people C of C preachers I’m trying to convert him to the

Church of Christ The Church of Christ teaches We “Church of Christers” are good

people

Romans 16:16

“The churches of Christ salute you.” Donates a relationship . . . Not a universal exclusive proper name

Nothing wrong with this scriptural term, must be used in scriptural ways.

Noah was saved by . . .

Grace -- Gen 6:8 Faith -- Heb 11:7 Obedience – Gen 6:22 “All that

Jehovah asked him to do, so did he.” Faith, Grace, Obedience … are not

mutually exclusive

The Law of exclusion God commanded gopher wood.

Was any other type of wood acceptable? God commanded 300 cubits.

Would he have obeyed if – 301 cubits? What if 299 cubits?

Later: Multiple applications NT – Lord’s supper: Fruit of the vine, unleaven

bread specified. OT – Mech. Instruments authorized in temple

worship, so not used anywhere else. NT – Only vocal music used in worship 700

years!

Jacob and Joseph Gen 37:31-35 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid

of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; 32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

Jacob and Joseph

Notice: Jacob hears a lie (deceived) and believes it!

Results in an extreme emotional response!

22 years pass . . .

Jacob and Joseph Gen 45:25-28 Then they went up from

Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. 26 They told him, saying, "Joseph is still alive, and indeed he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." But he was stunned, (his heart fainted KJV) for he did not believe them.

Now Good news –the truth – has no emotional response! Strange…

Conclusion:

Our emotional response to a message has nothing to do with whether or not the message we heard was true or false!

However, once Jacob saw the evidence he lined up his feelings with the facts!

Notice:

27 When they told him all the words of Joseph that he had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 Then Israel said, "It is enough; my son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die."

Future application: “I know I’m saved because …

Prayed through . . . “Burning in my bosom” Feeling better felt than told!

Jacob thought he knew for sure Joseph was dead too!

I don’t doubt.. emotional experience, but does that experience prove you were right?

Moses and the Red Sea . . . Exodus 14: 13 “ And Moses said unto

the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today ..

Exodus 14:29 “The children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”

I Corinthians 10:1-4

Elements of Baptism: “The sea and the cloud.”

Cloud

Red Sea

Red Sea

The Baptism of the Sea and the Cloud

Ex. 14:30 “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore:

vs 31 “And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians; and the people feared the Lord.”

$64,000 Question . . .

Where they saved before they went into the “baptism of the sea and the cloud” (crossed the Red Sea) or afterwards? AFTER WARDS…

Are we saved before we are baptized or afterwards?

The Brazen Laver --

Ex. 30: 18-21 – “Placed between the altar and the holy place; the priests are to wash their hands and feet in it lest they die.”

The Tabernacle . . .

Brazen Laver

Brazen Altar

The Tabernacle . . . Heb 9:23 “Copies of the things in heaven.”

Placement is significant Purpose of the brazen laver:

For washing/cleansing. I Peter 3:21 “Not the putting away of the filth

of the flesh, (not the washing at the Brazen laver) but an appeal a good conscience toward God.”

The Holy place =Church The Holy of Holies = Heaven

Copies of the Heavenly . . .

Table of Shewbread – Lord’s supper Altar of Incense – Prayers Golden Candlestick – Teaching Brazen Laver? -- Baptism

Brazen Laver

Brazen Altar

If you are baptized after you are saved and in the church . . .

Brazen Laver

God’s plan, right way . . .

Brazen Laver

Brazen Altar

I Cor 12:13

Understanding simple undenominational church organization

Isa 1:26 A prophecy concerning the coming kingdom: “And I will restore thy judges as at the

first, and thy counsellors as a the beginning.”

The Judges = The “Dark Ages.” What is there about the judges that will

become a part of the NT church?

The Governmental Structure—Judges

Tribal Independence Only Bond they had . . .

Related—of the same family Followed the old law --covenant

God Alone was their King.

Governmental Undenominational Structure today!

Tribal Independence Congregational Autonomy

Only bond they had was they were of the same family and same covenant. Brethren of “like precious faith.” Follow the New Testament

God Alone was their King Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Lessons from JerichoJoshua 6

City was a gift (2:16) Later the gift was taken away

because of disobedience. Faith was not blessed until

manifested in compete obedience No Logical connection between the

action required and the promise received.

Conclusion:

Keep your discussions as objective as possible. Use the Nathan principle and

overcome one of the greatest barriers to personal teaching.