Topic(s): Bible Authority, Church, Denominationalism

The New Testament is the only standard of the Lord’s church in faith and practice. In the first century church, there were no human creeds. The apostles were guided by the Spirit “into all truth” (John 16:13). They left us the fully revealed, written Word of God (Ephesians 3:3, 5; Jude 3). The early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42).

No person is to add to the Word nor subtract from it (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19; 1 Peter 4:11). The omniscient God does not need man’s input. His Word needs no revision (Matthew 24:35).

The Holy Scriptures are all-sufficient for man’s salvation. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God’s Word contains “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Thus, there is no continuing revelation or direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of sinners or Christians today. The faith “was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). The Spirit operates today only through the Word, His sword (Ephesians 6:17). The Gospel “is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16).

We can understand the Bible, and we can understand it alike. Otherwise Jesus would not have said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Some say, “You see it one way, and I will see it another.” However, this has the Bible teaching opposite positions. Truth never contradicts. The Lord does not require some things of one person and entirely contradictory things of another. “For God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14.33). Paul said that we should “. . . all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you: but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). If we cannot understand the Scriptures alike, it would be impossible to obey this verse.

While abroad, a man from China purchased a powerful microscope. Returning, he looked at contaminated rice through the microscope and saw tiny living creatures crawling all over it. He did not like what the microscope revealed; rice was his favorite meal. What did he do? He smashed the microscope to pieces!

Johoiakim did not like what was revealed in God’s Word. What did he do? “He cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire” (Jeremiah 36:23). Yet, the Word remained (36:28, 32). It remains today; “The word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:25). We will be judged according to the Word (John 12:48).

If a religious organization holds some other book as its standard in faith and practice or perverts the Truth, it is not the church of our Lord (Galatians 1:6-9; Colossians 2:8). —Andy Cates