Articles
The Bible Our Only Authority
Why should we use the Bible as our ONLY standard of authority in religion?
1. Because the Word of God is COMPLETE. James said, "But whoso looketh into the PERFECT (emp LS) law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deeds" (James 1:25). The word "perfect" means complete. The apostle Peter said, "According as his divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS (emp LS) that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). If I give you all the apples that I have, how many do I have left? None! Zero! God has given us "all things" that pertain to life and godliness - how much did He leave out? NONE! Therefore, we should use the Bible as our ONLY STANDARD OF AUTHORITY IN RELIGION!
2. Because the Word of God is FINAL. Jude said, "earnestly contend for the faith which was ONCE (emp LS) delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). The word "faith" is used here for the sum total of the Word of God and Jude says that it was "once delivered unto the saints". A similar phrase is used in Hebrews 9:27-28: "And as it is appointed unto men ONCE to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many" (emp LS). How many times are we to die? ONCE! How many times did Christ die for our sins? ONCE! How many times was the complete Word of God delivered unto the saints? ONCE! "What's the point preacher?" The point is, the Word of God was ONCE for all, and ONCE for all time delivered unto the saints. Can you not see my friend that this eliminates latter day revelations? There is no need for God to give us any more revelations today - He's already spoken to us: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
3. Because the Word of God is ETERNAL. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Peter said, "the word of the Lord endureth for ever" (1 Peter 1:25). I've heard it said that we do not have the complete Word of God that the first century Christians had. "O ye of little faith" (Matthew 6:30). Did not Jesus say that "my words shall not pass away"? I, like Paul, "believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25). I have faith in God that He has preserved His Word for us today and will continue to do so forever! Do you?
4. Because the Word of God is INSPIRED. Paul said, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). Inspiration means literally, "God breathed". The Word of God is literally the breath of God. Peter said, "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). And Paul said, "God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God...even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received...the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
I believe these are good reasons to use ONLY THE BIBLE AS OUR STANDARD OF AUTHORITY IN RELIGION. What about you?
