1. The Nathan Principle How To Convict the Sincerely Deceived of Religious Error

2. Nathan Principle 2 Samuel 12:1-7 – Goal: 2 Samuel 12:1-7 – Goal: To help someone accept the Truth before pride & emotions get in the way. To help someone accept the Truth before pride & emotions get in the way. To establish the Truth as a foundation before making the personal application. To establish the Truth as a foundation before making the personal application.

3. Nathan Principle._____________________. How long is this line? How long is this line? One opinion is as good as another. One opinion is as good as another. Use an accurate std. of measurement. Use an accurate std. of measurement. Is that being too narrow minded? Is that being too narrow minded? It’s foolish to reject the correct answer. It’s foolish to reject the correct answer.

4. Nathan Principle Bible – the rule of faith & practice (2 Tim 3:16-17). Bible – the rule of faith & practice (2 Tim 3:16-17). Israel: Law of Moses, 10 commandments. Israel: Law of Moses, 10 commandments. Church: Word of Christ (Col 3:16-17). Church: Word of Christ (Col 3:16-17). Not “I think” or “My church teaches”. Not “I think” or “My church teaches”. But “Jesus taught” or “the apostles wrote”. But “Jesus taught” or “the apostles wrote”.

5. Nathan Principle Jesus equated Truth with His Word, & knowing the Truth with keeping His word (Jn 8:31-32). Jesus equated Truth with His Word, & knowing the Truth with keeping His word (Jn 8:31-32). 3 things that don’t relate to Truth. 3 things that don’t relate to Truth. The amount of time something is believed. The amount of time something is believed. The number of people who believe it. The number of people who believe it. The sincerity of people who believe it. The sincerity of people who believe it.

6. Nathan Principle “To draw nigh to hear is better than the sacrifice of a fool” (Ecc 5:1). “To draw nigh to hear is better than the sacrifice of a fool” (Ecc 5:1). Many have & will continue to make impressive sacrifices to God. Many have & will continue to make impressive sacrifices to God. But we must LISTEN to what God wants before we attempt to worship/serve Him. But we must LISTEN to what God wants before we attempt to worship/serve Him.

7. Nathan Principle - applied “I am saved by grace…or …faith…or …works!” “I am saved by grace…or …faith…or …works!” Noah was saved by all three (Gen 6:8; Heb 11:7; Gen 6:22) Noah was saved by all three (Gen 6:8; Heb 11:7; Gen 6:22) So are we today (Eph 2:8; Acts 19:1-7; Jas 2:24)! So are we today (Eph 2:8; Acts 19:1-7; Jas 2:24)!

8. Nathan Principle - applied “God will accept what I offer him, because I’m sincere!” “God will accept what I offer him, because I’m sincere!” Law of exclusion: “When God specifies, everything else is forbidden.” Law of exclusion: “When God specifies, everything else is forbidden.” Noah had to use gopher wood & build the ark to precise dimensions (Gen 6). Noah had to use gopher wood & build the ark to precise dimensions (Gen 6). God has specified singing (9 NT passages). God has specified singing (9 NT passages). Immersion of penitent believers (Ac 8:35-38). Immersion of penitent believers (Ac 8:35-38).

9. Nathan Principle - applied “My emotions or feelings tell me that I’m right!” “My emotions or feelings tell me that I’m right!” Jacob - emotional state - believed a lie (Gen 37:32-35). Jacob - emotional state - believed a lie (Gen 37:32-35). Jacob later refused to believe the truth (Gen 45:26). Jacob later refused to believe the truth (Gen 45:26). Jacob’s emotional belief was proven false by the evidence (Gen 45:27). Jacob’s emotional belief was proven false by the evidence (Gen 45:27).

10. Nathan Principle - applied “Baptism has no part in salvation!” “Baptism has no part in salvation!” Israel “waited” for salvation (Exo 14:13). Israel “waited” for salvation (Exo 14:13). God “saved” Israel (Exo 14:30). God “saved” Israel (Exo 14:30). God did a “great work” (Exo 14:31). God did a “great work” (Exo 14:31). When Israel was “baptized” (1 Cor 10:2). When Israel was “baptized” (1 Cor 10:2). When we are baptized (Col 2:12). When we are baptized (Col 2:12).

11. Nathan Principle - applied “One church government is as good as another!” “One church government is as good as another!” The period of “Judges” characterized tribal autonomy under the Law of God. The period of “Judges” characterized tribal autonomy under the Law of God. But the people wanted a king (1 Sam 8). But the people wanted a king (1 Sam 8). The Lord promised to restore His system of government in the church (Isa 1:26). The Lord promised to restore His system of government in the church (Isa 1:26).

12. Nathan Principle - applied “I’m saved by grace through faith, not by strict obedience!” “I’m saved by grace through faith, not by strict obedience!” Jericho was a “gift from the Lord” to Israel (Josh 6:2) Jericho was a “gift from the Lord” to Israel (Josh 6:2) They received the gift “by faith” when they obeyed God (Heb 11:30) They received the gift “by faith” when they obeyed God (Heb 11:30) No logical connection between the action & the gift. No logical connection between the action & the gift. The gift was eventually taken away. The gift was eventually taken away.

13. Nathan Principle - applied “I know what the Bible says, but this way is more effective!” “I know what the Bible says, but this way is more effective!” Samuel’s sons were wicked so Israel wanted a earthly king (1 Sam 8) – Two wrongs don’t make a right. Samuel’s sons were wicked so Israel wanted a earthly king (1 Sam 8) – Two wrongs don’t make a right. Members not hospitable, so…fellowship hall. Members not hospitable, so…fellowship hall. Singing is poor, so…instruments. Singing is poor, so…instruments. Need more money, so…fundraiser. Need more money, so…fundraiser.

14. Nathan Principle - applied “As long as I’m doing it for the Lord, it shouldn’t matter what I or how I do it!” “As long as I’m doing it for the Lord, it shouldn’t matter what I or how I do it!” Samuel told Saul, “to obey is better that to sacrifice, & to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:20-22). Samuel told Saul, “to obey is better that to sacrifice, & to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:20-22).

15. The Nathan Principle Teach the Scriptural principle as THE foundation before making THE application (judgment). Teach the Scriptural principle as THE foundation before making THE application (judgment). Invite the person to apply the principle to his or her point of view. Invite the person to apply the principle to his or her point of view.