ìAnd the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night
unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the
Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched
the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.î Acts 17:10-11
Even when the Lord Jesus walked the earth, He encouraged doubters to
search the scriptures.
ìSearch the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me.î John 5:39
However, in the mind of Paul Crouch, anyone that follows this admonishment
from the Lord is a heresy hunter!
Judge Not
Going hand in hand with the touch not mine anointed heresy, you will often
hear ìWe are not to judge!î referring to the following scripture in Matthew.
ìJudge not, that ye be not judged.î Matthew 7:1
High-minded hypocrites that seek to discourage anyone from pointing out their
doctrinal error also use this scripture fervently. But this too reflects the use of fear
and intimidation to keep the truth at bay.
Contrary to the preaching of the religious elite, exercising scriptural judgment is
completely acceptable and necessary for the Body of Christ. Concerning judge
not, the whole of what Jesus said must be taken in context.
ìJudge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye
judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall
be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote
that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in
thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull
out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine
own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine
own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out
of thy brother's eye.î Matthew 7:1-5
Jesus never commanded believers not to judge (make an assessment)
concerning doctrine or a personís conduct. He was admonishing his disciples to
make sure they themselves were not living in error or sin before they started
correcting others for doing the same thing.