Where
In The Bible Will I Find:
The
Importance of Bible Authority?
If
we have no authority for a practice done religiously, the practice is vain.
Only that which is done by faith in the Old and New Testaments is acceptable
to God (Heb. 11:6). It seems the majority of people think, that if they have
approval of the majority thoughts of men, their practices in religion are
approved of God. Friends, we should not let the devil fool us like that! Did
Jesus mean what he said, after His death, burial and resurrection, "All
authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth"? (Matt. 28:18).
Was there any authority in the Christian dispensation left in the hands of
men? The blood of Christ sealed all the teaching of Christ, and none of the
additions or subtractions of men (Matt. 26:28; Rev. 22:18-19).
The
matter of authority was likewise settled by God on the Mount of
Transfiguration when He said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased; hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5). The point Jehovah was
making was that there was no authority for Moses or the prophets, but His
Son only. Paul later wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom…and whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him"
(Col. 3:1617). No synod, council, convention or pope has any authority in
religious matters today. Jesus is "the blessed and only Potentate,
the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (I Tim. 6:15). Those who
ignore and reject the Lord's teaching for their own "sacraments"
today, the Bible says they "worship in vain" (Matt. 15:9).
John
wrote conclusively on the matter of authority, "Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He
that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid from God-speed: For he that biddeth him
God-speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (II Jn. 9-11). Please
notice ten dangers of man's assumptions about Bible authority: 1. "I
think." 2. "I feel." 3. "I just know in my heart."
4. "God does not care either way." 5. "Grace covers us no
matter what." 6. "That's just semantics." 7. "I
guess." 8. "We can never know. " 9. "Just as long as you
are sincere." 10. "I do not care." These ten sayings are
spoken by men on a daily basis! None of these sayings (excuses) will be
acceptable to God or stand in the Judgment (Rom. 14:11-12). Remember Jesus
said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one
that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him the
last day" (Jn. 12:48). "And ye shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32).
--Gary Colley
