Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical theology and Christian doctrine, the term "refuted" often pertains to the act of disproving or countering false teachings, erroneous beliefs, or misconceptions about the faith. The Bible provides numerous instances where false teachings are addressed and refuted by prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ Himself.
Old Testament InstancesIn the Old Testament, the prophets frequently refuted idolatry and false worship practices among the Israelites. For example, the prophet Elijah refuted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, demonstrating the power of the one true God over false deities (
1 Kings 18:20-40). Elijah's challenge and subsequent victory served to refute the belief in Baal and reaffirm the sovereignty of Yahweh.
New Testament InstancesThe New Testament contains several examples of refutation, particularly in the context of the early church. The Apostle Paul is a prominent figure in refuting false teachings. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul refutes the Judaizers who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be saved. Paul writes, "I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing" (
Galatians 2:21).
In
Acts 17:11, the Bereans are commended for their diligence in examining the Scriptures daily to verify the teachings they received, thus refuting any false doctrine by holding it against the truth of God's Word. This practice of testing teachings against Scripture is a model for refutation.
Jesus Christ's TeachingsJesus Christ Himself refuted the Pharisees and Sadducees on numerous occasions, challenging their legalistic interpretations and traditions that contradicted the spirit of the Law. In
Matthew 22:29, Jesus says, "You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God" , refuting their misunderstanding of the resurrection.
Apostolic WritingsThe epistles of the New Testament frequently address the need to refute false teachings. In
1 Timothy 1:3-4, Paul instructs Timothy to "command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer" . Similarly, in
Titus 1:9, Paul emphasizes the importance of holding firmly to sound doctrine so that one can "encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who oppose it" .
Role of BelieversBelievers are called to be discerning and to refute false teachings with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 encourages Christians to "always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" . This defense involves refuting misconceptions and presenting the truth of the Gospel.
ConclusionThe act of refuting false teachings is a vital aspect of maintaining doctrinal purity and upholding the truth of the Christian faith. Through Scripture, believers are equipped to discern and refute errors, ensuring that the Gospel message remains untainted and faithfully proclaimed.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Refute.
Greek
1246. diakatelegchomai -- to confute completely... White, , 122). Word Origin from dia, kata and elegcho Definition to confute
completely NASB Word Usage
refuted (1). convince. Middle
...Strong's Hebrew
3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove... correct (2), decide (3), dispute (1), make a decision (1), offer reproof (1), plead
(1), prove (1), reason (2), rebuke (6), rebukes (2),
refuted (1), render
...Library
Post-MillennialismRefuted.
... III. Post-millennialismRefuted. The post-millennial position rests largely
upon a mis-translation. In Matt.13:39 we read "The harvest...
The Doctrine of ApellesRefuted, that Christ's Body was of...
... Chapter VI."The Doctrine of ApellesRefuted, that Christ's Body Was of
Sidereal Substance, Not Born. Nativity and Mortality are...
Charge of AtheismRefuted.
... Chapter VI."Charge of atheismrefuted. Hence are we called atheists. And
we confess that we are atheists, so far as gods of this...
ScribesRefuted.
... Book I. Chapter LVIII."ScribesRefuted. "And, behold, one of the scribes,
shouting out from the midst of the people, says: The...
SadduceesRefuted.
... Book I. Chapter LVI."SadduceesRefuted. "But the party of the Sadducees,
who deny the resurrection of the dead, were in a rage...
PhariseesRefuted.
... Book I. Chapter LIX."PhariseesRefuted. "Then a certain Pharisee, hearing this,
chid Philip because he put Jesus on a level with Moses....
SamaritanRefuted.
... Book I. Chapter LVII."SamaritanRefuted. "But a certain Samaritan, speaking
against the people and against God, and asserting...
SimonRefuted.
... Homily XVIII. Chapter XIV."SimonRefuted. "But if, as you say, it will
be possible to know Him, because He is now revealed to...
Heresies HithertoRefuted; Opinions of the Docet??.
... Book VIII. Chapter I."Heresies HithertoRefuted; Opinions of the Docet??.
Since the great body of (the heretics) do not employ...
The Pelagians areRefuted by the Case of the Twin Infants Dying...
... Book II. Chapter 16."The Pelagians areRefuted by the Case of the Twin Infants Dying,
the One After, and the Other Without, the Grace of Baptism....
Thesaurus
Refuted (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Refuted (2 Occurrences). Acts 18:28 for he powerfully
refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
...Refute (6 Occurrences)
Unanswered (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not answered; not replied; as, an unanswered
letter. 2. (a.) Notrefuted; as, an unanswered argument....
Refuting (1 Occurrence)
Demonstrating (3 Occurrences)
... WEB). Acts 18:28 for he powerfullyrefuted the Jews, publicly showing by
the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (See NAS). Romans...
Debate (13 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Acts 18:28 for he powerfullyrefuted the Jews, publicly showing
by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (See NIV)....
Powerfully (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:28 for he powerfullyrefuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures
that Jesus was the Christ. (WEB WEY ASV YLT NAS RSV)....
Publicly (31 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:28 for he powerfullyrefuted the Jews, publicly showing by the
Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (WEB ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Answerable (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Capable of being answered orrefuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.
3. (a.) Correspondent; conformable; hence, comparable....
Shavsha (1 Occurrence)
... shav'-sha (shawsha'; in 2 Samuel 20:25, Kethibh, sheya', Kere, shewa', English Versions
of the Bible "Sheva," arerefuted by the Septuagint; in 2 Samuel 8:15-18...
Resources
What was the Pneumatomachian heresy / Macedonianism? | GotQuestions.orgHow is belief in God any different from Flying Spaghetti Monsterism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is continuationism? What is a continuationist? | GotQuestions.orgRefuted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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