Introduction
In Matthew 16:6, the Lord Jesus warns His disciples to “watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Similarly, in Mark 8:15, He instructs them to “take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” During the Lord Jesus’ time on earth, many human teachings and traditions about the Word of God were in place, and today we face a similar situation. Throughout the Gospels, the Lord Jesus repeatedly teaches His disciples the importance of being cautious about traditions and false teachings. This message is just as relevant for us today. Mixing the Bible with traditional teachings and human theories is prevalent in our society today. Throughout Christian history, we can look back fist at the book of Acts to see that the teachings of the Apostles, delivered through the Holy Spirit, were clear, focused, and adhered to the fundamental doctrines of the Trinity, the deity of the Lord Jesus, His bodily resurrection, and His bodily ascension to heaven. These teachings also included the practice of water baptism by immersion and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in angelic tongues. Over the years, these practices and doctrines, including the Trinity of God, have faced challenges and attacks, some of which have originated from within the church itself. In this blog article, we encourage all readers to reflect on the Bible passages in Mark 8:13-21 and Hebrews 6:1-8.
There is Only One True Teaching about the Lord Jesus
In Mark 8:13-21, the Lord Jesus teaches us that there are various teachings in the world, and we need to be cautious about what leaven we digest. The Lord Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man and the only Savior of the world. To remain true to the teachings of the Lord Jesus, we must repent, be baptized in water in the name of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Additionally, we should seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit and meditate daily on the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Below, we present the Bible passage from Mark 8:13-21 along with some of our insights.
Mark 8:13 And having left them, He again entering into the boat departed to the other side.
14 And they forgot to take loaves; and they had not in the boat with them except one loaf.
15 And He instructed them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
Comments Mark 8:15. For this verse, please refer to Comments Matthew 16:12.
16 And they reasoned with one another, because, they have no loaves.
17 And having known it, He says to them, Why do you reason because you have no loaves? Do you not yet perceive, nor understand? Do you have your heart hardened?
18 Having eyes, do you see not? And having ears, do you hear not? And do you remember not?
19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? They say to Him, Twelve.
20 Also, when the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up? And they say to Him, Seven.
Comments Mark 8:20. There is no hidden meaning in the disciples’ answer. The disciples did not think further about the words the Lord Jesus spoke; they were just thinking about them, forgetting to bring bread. The disciples were simple people, with simple minds, but pure hearts.
21 And He said to them, Do you not yet understand?
Comments Mark 8:13-21. For Mark 8:13-21 see also Matthew 16:5-12.
One might wonder whether, when the Lord Jesus says, “the leaven of the Pharisees” and “the leaven of Herod,” we should understand this as referring to two different kinds of teaching. Indeed, these two types of people have two types of teachings, and they stand against each other. Between those two, their teaching cannot be combined as each group lifts itself up. But the Lord Jesus’ teaching is one teaching only. Among the Father, the Lord Jesus Himself, and the Holy Spirit, there is one teaching only, no difference: Three in One but unity in the Father.
Today, as followers of the Lord Jesus, it is essential for us to recognize that there are many teachers of the Bible promoting various teachings. But ultimately, we are personally responsible for adhering to the teachings of the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit rather than by human instructors. We need to go to the true Teacher of the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and ask His guidance in all things. That is the true teaching which we can’t deny, the teaching that comes through prayer and meditation and guidance from the Holy Spirit. In Hebrews 6:1-8, the Lord instructs us to grow in faith and remain firm in our teachings, especially if we have experienced the heavenly gift of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Below, we present the passage from Hebrews 6:1-8 to underscore the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and remaining firm in the fundamental doctrines laid out in the Bible.
Hebrews 6:1-8: Therefore, leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the land which has drunk the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth herbs fit for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near to being cursed; whose end is to be burned.
Conclusions
The Bible passages themselves touch the hearts of all seekers and believers. All should have clarity of mind and remember that the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, was born as a human. He has lowered Himself to be human, yet humans have crucified the beloved Son of God, instead of appreciating and glorifying Him. Humans nowadays look at the cross and know who has been crucified, and the reason for being crucified is for whom. But humans still try to put Him through more suffering by refusing to acknowledge and accept His mercy. To save humans, He suffered far more than any human can understand. The beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, with love for humans allowed humans to crucify Him, because in the heart of the beloved Son of God Himself wants to save all human souls, and bring them to glorify the Father. He accepted Himself to be crucified for the sins of humans in order to present them as an offering to the Father. His suffering on the cross is offered as a repentance for the sins of the world, so anyone who believes in Him will be able to receive forgiveness from the Father Himself. We serve One God and follow one teaching, which calls us to live in unity (Ephesians 4:4-6). We invite anyone who reads this blog to receive the Lord Jesus’ mercy, repent, and be baptized in water by immersion in the name of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Additionally, it is essential to read and meditate on the Word of God daily and to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit to grow and remain steadfast in faith.
Meditation Tasks
- We encourage all readers to reflect on their relationship with the Lord Jesus. For those who have not yet accepted Him as their Lord and Savior, we invite you to commit to becoming His follower. Additionally, we recommend reading our blog article titled, “Who Is Our True Teacher?”
- The Bible teaches us everything about being a Christian; however, there are some fundamentals of Biblical doctrine related to who the Son of God, the Lord Jesus, is for us and to the work of the Holy Spirit. Please explore our core faith statements at: “The Followers of Jesus Christ, the Beloved Son of God.” Additionally, we invite you to read our blog article, “The God We Serve.”