Articles
No Other Gospel
If the religious world would use the Bible and the Bible only for its source of authority, there would be peace and unity. My friend, is God asking too much of us? Would God ask of us something that can’t be done? It is my fervent prayer that we all be one in Christ; that there be no divisions among us; that we all be united "in the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). Do you have the same desire?
The Bible warns us all not to add to the Word of God. Moses said, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2). The wise man said, "Add thou not unto his words" (Proverbs 30:6). John records, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18).
The Bible warns us not to substitute human ideas in the place of the Word of God. Jesus said, "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men" (Mark 7:7-8). Many today hold their "church traditions" or the "traditions of the fathers" above the Word of God. Jesus said this is "vain"!
The Bible warns us to preach and teach only God's Word. Paul told the young evangelist Timothy, "Preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Timothy thus knew not to preach doctrines of men; traditions of the fathers; philosophies of men; worldly ideas; but ONLY the pure Word of God. The apostle Peter said, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11). There would be no divisions if men would just preach the Word of God and leave the rest out!
The Bible warns us not to believe no other Gospel. Paul said, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8). There are some in the religious world who claim angels have spoken to them and even given them "more of the Word of God". And they teach these "added truths" along with the Word of God. The apostle Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, said concerning the angel or anyone else that teaches another gospel, "let him be accursed"! Let us throw away these "added truths" from angels, men, or whoever! Let's get back to the Bible, the one and only source of authority in religion.
My friend, what are you using for a standard of authority in religion? Are you using the creeds, manuals, catechisms, traditions of the fathers as your authority in place of the Word of God? Listen to the apostle Paul, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). Someone might say, "Oh, I go by the Bible. And I also believe it's alright to use creeds, manuals, etc. to help us understand the Word of God better". Listen again my friend to the apostle Paul, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4). Did God command us all to be one and to follow only His Word and then make it so difficult or impossible to understand? My friend, follow the Words of God, not the words of men.
