Q&A

“If members of the Trinity agree on all points, then why do teachers of today and yesterday disagree so often, teachers we would say are filled with the Spirit?”

The Trinity is in complete agreement. The Trinity is also absolutely perfect. But men and women are not.

Scripture has the answer. Second Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (NKJV).

We are all a work in progress. Even Spirit-filled Christians are not perfect. There will come a day of complete knowledge: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). But that time is yet future.

Unfortunately, this extends even to our interpretation of the Bible. When two people differ on the Bible’s clear essential teaching, such as Christ as the only way to salvation (John 14:6), the one who denies that is a false teacher. However, differing on some aspects of prophecy is understandable and is not an essential matter for salvation.

The Bible remains the only way to truly test an answer to any question. We must firmly hold to clear, essential doctrines. We should have grace regarding nonessential doctrines where sincere Christians differ.

The oft-quoted dictum “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love” is hard to improve upon.

— Ken Horn is the editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.

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