Researched and prepared by Ruth Magnusson Davis
This post belongs to the series “Principal Matters from the 1537 Matthew Bible.” The purpose of the series is:
(1) To get to know the Table of Principal Matters in the Matthew Bible.
(2) To learn through bible studies from the Reformation.
“As the bees diligently do gather together sweet flowers, to make by natural craft the sweet honey, so have I done with the principal topics contained in the bible.”
So began John Rogers’ introduction to the Table of Principal Matters in the 1537 Matthew Bible. This Table was a concordance set at the front of the book. It set out bible topics in alphabetical order with short statements of doctrine. It also cited bible verses for further study. This series proceeds topic by topic following the order of the Table and sets out the bible verses in full, taken from the Matthew Bible.
To find former topics, on the main blog page search under “Principal Matters Series” for the subcategory with the appropriate letter. For example, for “Abomination,” look under Principal Matters Series/ Principal Matters A/Abomination.
Accusation
(1) One ought to accuse his brother to the church if he does not amend after he has had a brotherly admonition.
Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother trespasses against you, go and tell him his fault between him and you alone. If he hears you, you have redeemed your brother. But if he does not hear you, then take along with you one or two others, so that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not hear them, tell it to the congregation. If he does not hear the congregation, take him as a heathen man and as a publican.
(2) No accusation ought to be received against the minister except under two or three witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive no accusation except with two or three witnesses.
(3) We are accused before God by the malice of Satan
Job 1:7-11 And the Lord said to Satan, From whence do you come? Satan answered the Lord and said, I have gone about the land and walked through it. Then said the Lord to Satan, Have you not considered my servant Job, how he is an innocent and virtuous man, such a one as fears God and eschews evil, and that there is none like him in the land? Satan answered and said to the Lord, Does Job fear God for naught? Have you not preserved him, his house, and all his substance on every side? Have you not blessed the works of his hands? Is not his possession increased in the land? But lay your hand upon him a little – touch once all that he has – and (I hold) he will curse you to your face.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying, Now in heaven is made salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. For he is cast down who accused our brethren before God day and night.
(4) We are also accused by our own sinfulness.
Jeremiah 2:19 Your own wickedness shall reprove you, and your turning away shall condemn you, so that you may know and understand how evil and hurtful a thing it is that you have forsaken the Lord your God and not feared him, says the Lord God of hosts.
(5) Also by our own conscience.
Romans 2:14-15 For if the Gentiles who have no law do by nature the things contained in the law, then they, having no law, are a law unto themselves. They show the deeds of the law written in their hearts, while their conscience bears witness to them, and also their thoughts, accusing one another or defending…
(6) Also by the Scripture.
John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to my Father. There is one who accuses you: even Moses, in whom you trust.
(7) Let us, therefore, accuse ourselves.
Proverbs 18:17 The righteous accuses himself first of all. If his neighbour comes, he will find out the truth about him.
This painting of the prophet Jeremiah is by Michelangelo. Jeremiah is known as the “weeping prophet” for the grief he expressed in his oft rebukes of his apostate people, Israel.
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Notices:
– New Testament Scriptures are from the October Testament, the New Testament of the New Matthew Bible. The Old Testament Scriptures and Apocryphal writings are taken directly from the Matthew Bible, with obsolete English gently updated.
– Information about the New Matthew Bible Project is here.
– Sample scriptures from the New Matthew Bible are here.