Finding Christ as a Living Matter vs. Biblical Doctrinal Knowledge

 

Finding Christ as a Living Matter vs. Biblical Doctrinal Knowledge

Matthew 2:2 "Where is he who was born king of the Jews? For when his star went out, we saw it and came to worship him."

Matthew 2:4-6 Then Herod summoned all the chief priests and the scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ must have been born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judah, for this is what is written by the prophets: 'You are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, Bethlehem, for out of you will come a ruler to shepherd my people Israel.'"

John 5:39-40: He examined the Scriptures but refused to come to the Lord for life. 

Aspect	Finding Christ — a Living Matter	Biblical Doctrinal Knowledge
Meaning	Finding Christ is a matter of living revelation and a living vision (the star), resulting in a present, experiential encounter with the living Christ.	Biblical knowledge is the objective understanding of Scripture, doctrines, and prophecies, which in itself does not equal meeting Christ.
Reason	God reveals His Son to those who are open, seeking, and dependent on Him, even outside religious systems.	Man prefers certainty and control, replacing dependence on God with accumulated knowledge.
Distinction	Governed by the living, present star that leads to Christ’s exact location.	Governed by letters, chapters, and doctrines, often stopping short of Christ Himself.
Illustration	The magi followed the star to the street and the house where Christ was.	The priests and scribes knew Bethlehem, but never went there.
Explanation	The star appeared far from the religious center, showing that God’s revelation is not confined to religion.	Scripture without living revelation becomes dead knowledge (2 Cor. 3:6).
Mutual Relationship	Living vision follows and is corrected by Scripture (Matt. 2:4–6, 9).	Biblical knowledge requires living guidance to bring people to Christ (John 5:39–40).
Examples	The magi: no Scripture, but a star; they found Christ, worshiped Him, and returned by another way (Matt. 2:9–12).	Priests and scribes: full Scriptural knowledge, yet no vision or seeking heart (Matt. 2:5–6).
Warnings	Even with vision, following natural reasoning (going to Jerusalem) can cause serious damage (Matt. 2:16).	Knowledge alone can produce fear rather than joy at Christ’s coming (Matt. 2:3).
Application	Believers today must follow present, living guidance, not merely stored knowledge.	Bible reading without intimate fellowship enlarges the mind but not the way.
Burden	God’s people must see the living star and be delivered from religion to find Christ.	We must beware of being “biblical” yet lacking the Lord’s presence.
Prophesying Guidance	Emphasize not “Is it correct?” but “Where is the Lord now?”	Expose knowledge that does not lead people to Christ Himself.
Conclusion	Finding Christ is living, present, and relational; once Christ is seen, a different way must be taken.	Doctrinal knowledge without revelation ends in religion and letters.
Related Scriptures	Matt. 2:9–12 — The star led them to the child; they rejoiced greatly, worshiped Him, and returned by another way. Isa. 45:15 — God is a hidden God. Exo. 33:14 — My presence shall go with you.	Matt. 2:3–6 — Knowing Scripture yet being troubled and inactive. John 5:39–40 — Searching Scriptures but refusing to come to Christ. Micah 5:2 — Accurate prophecy that can become dead knowledge.

Core Summary:

To know Christ is not a matter of knowledge but a living matter — not merely knowing Bethlehem, but being led by the living star to the very place where Jesus is.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Thanksgiving International Symposium on the All-Inclusive Christ Revealed in the Gospel of Matthew, Part One: The Vision of the Present, Immediate, and Living Heavenly Christ as the Living Star.