V1-27 Guesswork and Rebellion

What is Christian doctrine? Why should it not include “the precepts of men”? Are “rules taught by men” empty religious rituals? Why can’t they save us? How can they lead to false assurance? And how are rebellion and false teaching connected? These are just some of the questions to consider in this week's edition of the Walking Talking Bible Project.

Bible Passages

The following Scripture quotations from The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) are provided for your convenience. Please feel free to use the Bible and translation of your choice.

Memory Passage: Matthew 15:8–9

Matthew 15:8–9

8 ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

9 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Connection Passage #1: Isaiah 29:13–14

Isaiah 29:13–14

13 Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

14 Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

Connection Passage #2: Titus 1:10–14

Titus 1:10–14

10 For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,

11 who must be silenced. For the sake of dishonorable gain, they undermine entire households and teach things they should not.

12 As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith

14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.

Connection Passage #3: Hebrews 13:9–16

Hebrews 13:9–16

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.

10 We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp.

12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.

13 Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.

14 For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.

16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Click here to view or print the WTBP Study Guide.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Berean Standard Bible (BSB).