Month: January 2022

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Understanding the Holy Spirit

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

The subject of the Holy Spirit is one of the most misunderstood of all religious topics. Many people claim to have the gift of the Holy Spirit, but don’t know in what measure they have it. Others say that it is impossible to get it all, and still others that only a select few can obtain it. And then there is disagreement about how one will react if he does have it. For that reason, we propose to review it with you now.

I. The Gift Through The Laying On Of Hands

This gift of the Spirit is entirely distinct from the one just noticed. The above gift always immediately followed baptism. The laying on of hands always imparted supernatural power; the gift just discussed never imparted supernatural power. Only Apostles could impart this gift of supernatural power. It was imparted through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands.  There were nine such gifts. Please turn in your Bible and read I Cor 12:8-12. The nine gifts may be outlined as follows:

1. THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF WISDOM.
2. THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE.
3. THE GIFT OF SUPERNATURAL FAITH.
4. THE GIFT OF HEALING.
5. THE GIFT OF THE WORKING OF MIRACLES.
6. THE GIFT OF PROPHECY.
7. THE GIFT OF THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS.
8. THE GIFT OF TONGUES.
9. THE GIFT OF THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.

Let us now find an example of this type of gift of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. In Acts 8: 14-19 it reads,

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was not fallen upon any of, them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid their hands. On them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the Apostle’s hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power thalt on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”

This example of laying on the apostles laying hands on people and imparting the power of the Holy Spirit unto them. Realizing the possible gain from such, Simon wanted to buy the power. But of course he couldn’t. We need to emphasize the fact that nobody, other than the apostles, had this power of imparting these gifts.

II. Baptismal Measure of the Holy Spirit

Now we wish to study the highest form of spiritual gifts. This is the ultimate gift of the Spirit. It was never imparted through the laying on of the apostles’ hands to anybody at any time, but always came directly from God. It was never commanded of anyone, but was merely a promise to the apostles. Thus, those who claim that a reception of it is necessary to salvation, just do not understand the teaching of the Bible on this subject. There are only two cases of it in the entire Bible. Let us notice both of them carefully: Acts 2:1-5,

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.”

This case of Holy Spirit baptism is given to the apostles only. It enabled them to preach and perform miracles in spreading the gospel of the kingdom. They also spoke in “other tongues” which happened to be other languages. However, this speaking in tongues was not some non-sense which could not be understood. It was not some jabber incoherent to both speaker and hearer. The next case of Holy Spirit baptism is in Acts 10:44-48 and takes place at the conversion of Cornelius and his household. The purpose is to show that God has accepted the Gentiles, and given them every right and privilege to obey the gospel of Christ, as given to the Jews. In fact, Cornelius was told by the angel, as referenced in Acts 10-11, to send for Peter “…who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Notice Acts 10:44-48,

“While Peter yet space these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

This covers the two examples of Holy Spirit Baptism in the New Testament. To confuse this gift of the Holy Spirit with the other two is a very serious mistake that is responsible for much of the confusion in the world today.

Since the apostles, and those in Acts 10, are the only ones who ever received Holy Spirit Baptism, we have no reason for supposing that it still exists today. No one, except the apostles, Was ever promised it. It never was a general promise to all people. Also, since the apostles were the only ones who could lay hands on a person and impart spiritual gifts, it logically follows then that when the last apostle died, this power ceased. When the last man died upon whom an apostle had laid hands, then there were no longer miraculous manifestations of the Spirit in existence. This leaves only the common gift of the Spirit in existence today. That gift which every obedient baptized believer receives. However, remember that even in the days of the apostles, this common gift carried no miraculous power with it. Thus, there is no reason to assume that it carries any with it today, regardless of the fact that some people claim to do miracles that are just an illus ional shadow of what Jesus and the apostles did.

In John 16:7-14, we have a list of things set forth that the Holy Spirit would do as a part of His work. The following things are mentioned: l)He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment; 2)guide the apostles into all truth; 3)bring to the remembrance of the apostles all that Christ said; and 4)He will glorify Christ.

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS NOT GIVEN TO MAKE PEOPLE BRAG or BOAST OF THEIR POWER.

Simon in Acts 8:9-12 is a case in point. This man was somewhat of a magician. He dazzled people with his works and power. He was, however, converted to Christ. As he followed the Apostles around he saw not only their miracles, but their power to lay hands on people, thus imparting to them the power to work miracles. Simon wanted that power so much that he offered the Apostles money in order to receive it. His motive was wrong. He was told, “Thy money perish with thee.” Today, we see and hear many who boast of their power to heal the sick, raise the dead, etc. Some even write books about their “Greatest Miracles.” The Holy Spirit doesn’t make people boast of their ability to work miracles. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ, not Himself (John 16:14).

2. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS NOT GIVEN TO KEEP PEOPLE ALWAYS WELL.

The idea that God never allows His people to get sick and does not want them to seek medical help when they are sick, is against Bible teaching. Paul told Timothy to “drink …a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” – 1 Tim. 5:23. Paul did not say “just have faith” or “the Holy Spirit will heal you.” Notice also that Paul left Trophimus at Miletum sick (2 Tim. 4:20). Why didn’t Paul heal Timothy? The answer is simple, the power,of the Holy Spirit was never for the purpose of just making sick people well. Even Paul himself had infirmity of the flesh, according to Gal. 4:13. Why then does the Bible speak of people being physically healed by the power of God? The answer lies in the purpose behind miracles. Notice John 11:15, “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe.” The real motive was to produce faith. Today God’s Word produces faith according to Rom. 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We do not need miracles today to produce faith since we have the Bible. But, miracles also confirmed the truth. In Hebrews 2:3-4, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?” In short, the scripture says that miracles certified the message by authenticating the messenger. Thus, by means of miracles Jesus was shown to be “…a man approved of God unto you…” – Acts 2:22. We are told in 2 Cor. 12:12 that Paul’s miracles were the “sign of an apostle.” Those today, who claim to have power to make sick people well, fail to realize why the apostles healed people in the first century. It was not just for the purpose of making them well, but served to confirm the word of God and produce faith in people’s hearts, and then obedience.

3. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT CAUSE YOU TO FALL AND ROLL AROUND ON THE GROUND OR INJURE YOURSELF.

With many, excitement is the name of the game. They run, shout, jump church pews, roll on the ground, get dirty and often injure themselves. Some even teach that rolling on the ground and getting dirty shows submission to the Holy Spirit. Others claim that rolling and jumping are actually a sign that the Holy Spirit has come upon them. However, note the behavior of the Apostles when they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46), there is no hint of this type of behavior. If we examine such behavior as it is given in scripture, we learn its true source. In Acts 19:13-16 and Mark 5:1-5 we find people hurting themselves and jumping on others. What caused them to act in such a way? The Bible says it was an “evil spirit”, not the Holy Spirit.

4. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT SAVE YOU SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE WORD OF GOD.

Some teach today that the Holy Spirit must work on you from within before you can be saved. They say, “It’s an experience better felt than told.” They claim that it is impossible for a man to come to God unless the Holy Spirit directly calls him. This teaching has led some to claim they have seen “bright lights,” or had “visions,” “heard voices in the night,” etc., all of which prove that the Holy Spirit has called them. However, in the matter of salvation, pardon comes from and takes place in the mind of God. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7. This being the case, any evidence of pardon must come from God and not from within ourselves. For me to say that “I have been saved because I saw a bright light”, means nothing since God has said nothing about such an experience being evidence of my pardon. Hence, the only way I can know that I have been pardoned is to comply with God’s laws that offer pardon.

5. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT PROTECT YOU FROM TEMPTATION, OR KEEP YOU FROM SINNING, WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

Some people claim to be immunized from temptation and sin by the Holy Spirit. And yet, many of us know people today who have, in time past, claimed the Holy Spirit’s leading and who are living in sin; some are even serving prison terms. We have Bible accounts of men like Peter and Barnabas, who received the Holy Spirit, who were tempted and sinned. However, this did not protect them from sinning. They, as we, have to cooperate with God by obeying His commands if we are to live above sin. Paul writes in 1 Cor. 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” There is no magical wand that the Holy Spirit waves over people to protect them from Satan. (See Gal.2:11-14 for reference.) To so teach is to mislead people and offer them hope that is false and unfounded.

6. THE HOLY SPIRIT DID NOT COME TO MAKE PEOPLE RICH.

There are some who teach “prosperity doctrines.” The idea is that God intends for none of his children to be poor. The promise of riches lures many of these men and their false doctrines. People who can ill-afford it often send in their last dollars, believing that their donation will somehow return making them rich. They are told to “plant a seed of faith.” This interprets into “send me some money.” The truth is that the only ones getting rich are the preachers of this false and misleading doctrine. They prey upon the innocent and unsuspecting. What a tragedy! Peter spoke of false teachers like these in 2 Peter 2:3, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…” These false teachers were motivated by personal gain. They used words artfully and skillfully forged for the occasion. Many are active in the same field today. The Holy Spirit did not come to earth to make people rich, and those who so claim misrepresent God’s Word.

May we all respect this third person of the Godhead. May we honor Him for revealing the blessed word of God, for the fact that He inspired the apostles and guided them into all truth.

Majola K
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What must I do to be saved

Listening to preachers, pastors, and priests today, one wonders if they could answer the question, “What must I do to be saved?” in a manner similar to the apostles.

What Must I Do to be Saved?

In the very first sermon recorded, Peter convicted the Jews of participating in the death of the Messiah. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). How would the religious leaders you know answer this simple, but vital question? I suspect the answer would not be like Peter’s. “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

How did the people respond? “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). And the result? “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

But what are people told today? “Salvation is by faith alone!” If that were true, why did Peter give a different answer which resulted in people being saved?

Consider another time when two Christians were locked up in a jail. The Lord released them by means of an earthquake and the jailer feared he would be blamed. He almost committed suicide, but Paul and Silas stopped him, noting that no one had left the jail. Here were unusual men and the jailer asked of them that vital question: “And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”” (Acts 16:30). This man was at a different point than those in Acts 2. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The jailer had yet to hear the gospel message. Thus the answer to his question: “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household”” (Acts 16:31). Were Paul and Silas saying that faith alone would save him? Well, no, because the man and his household had nothing at this point to believe in. “Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” (Acts 16:32).

So now they were saved? You might be given that impression if you stopped reading at verse 32, but continue to verse 33. “And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized” (Acts 16:33). Like the people in Acts 2, hearing the gospel resulted in a response. A response that people don’t mention much these days.

An early Gospel preacher met a man traveling down a road. The man was reading from the Bible. “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:30-31). Starting with the passage the man was reading, Philip taught the man about Jesus (Acts 8:35). Much more than just Jesus’ life was discussed. “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him” (Acts 8:36-38).

There is a consistent message found in the Bible. People heard the Gospel message, believed what they heard, and responded to that message with a desire to be baptized. Is that what your preacher, pastor or priest teaches?

What Must I Do to be Saved?

They have been told so many times that salvation is not of works a person does. Perhaps you have been told, “Salvation is by grace alone!” that there is nothing you can do. But in the very question of “What must I do to be saved?” is an understanding that there are things I must do in order to gain salvation. When people asked this question in the Bible, they weren’t told that there was nothing to be done.

Imagine that you are facing a closed door. You are told that a million rands is on the other side. All you have to do is walk in and claim it.

Now where did that money come from? Someone obviously must have put it there. Your opening of the door doesn’t put it there; it was there already. Your opening of the door doesn’t earn the money. You’ve opened hundreds of doors and have gotten nothing for it. Yet, if you don’t open the door and walk in, you won’t gain the money that is there. If you don’t really believe the money is there, then you won’t bother to open the door. But if you say you believe the money is there, but don’t open the door, can you truly claim that you believe?

Salvation is much the same. Salvation is a gift from God (Romans 6:23). The reason it is offered is because Jesus paid the price of sin on our behalf (Romans 5:15-18). That gift is freely offered to every person who lives. But the offer doesn’t mean everyone will receive the gift. God expects us to do something about the offer. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Being obedient to God doesn’t earn the salvation God is offering (Ephesians 2:1-9). We could never do enough to earn such a great gift. But that fact doesn’t relieve us of the need to obey God. “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10).

The truth of the matter is that the effort God requires of us proves our claim that we believe God. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18).

What Must I Do to be Saved?

Salvation is a personal issue. No one can make you be saved or lost. It is a choice that you alone must make. “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (Ezekiel 18:20). You won’t be saved because your parents were good Christians. You won’t be saved if you’ve raised good children. Your salvation depends on who you are. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

God offers the gift of salvation freely to everyone (II Corinthians 5:14-15), but He does not force anyone to accept the gift. When people ask, “What must I do to be saved?” they realize that God is waiting for them to do something to accept His offer. God doesn’t want any to perish (II Peter 3:9), but not everyone wants to be saved.

What Must I Do to be Saved?

The other day I got a free sandwich at a fast food place. It didn’t cost me a cent. All I had to do was buy one sandwich and they gave me the other one for free. Now some of you might argue that the second sandwich wasn’t really free – I had to met a condition that cost me something before I could get the second sandwich. True, but I still only paid the cost of the first sandwich. The price I paid for the second sandwich was still zero.

God offers salvation freely to all men (Romans 5:18), but God placed requirements which must be met. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (I John 5:3). The existence of those requirements doesn’t make the gift any less free. Nor does the free gift mean there isn’t anything necessary for me to do in order to be saved.

Despite all of God’s effort on our part, Paul noted, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel” (Romans 10:16). The failure to be saved is varied but it all comes down to the fact that each lost person failed to so what God required of him to be saved. “To those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil” (Romans 2:8-9). There are things God says you must do in order to be saved by Him without cost to yourself.

What Must I Do to be Saved?

Saved from what? When people ask, “What must I do to be saved?” they admit they need rescuing, but just what is it we are being saved from?

The problem is sin. Everyone of us has sinned (Romans 3:9-23). It isn’t because we started out sinful. It is because we choose to seek out sin. “Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). It isn’t because sin is inherited, but because every one of us succumbs to sin. “Thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).

Sin is breaking God’s law (I John 3:4), it is action on our part, and it carries the penalty of death (Romans 6:23). The reason you cannot save yourself is because you have already sold yourself into sin. The reason no one else can save you from your sins is because they are sold into sin as well. That is why it took the Son of God to come into this world, live a sinless life, and die on your behalf in order to pay off your debt (I Peter 1:17-25).

Isn’t it past time to accept the answer to your question? “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

Majola K

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The one true Church

WHAT IS A CHURCH?

The word “Church” is a translation of the Greek word ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia). Greek is the language in which the New Testament was first written. Ἐκκλησίαmeans “a called out assembly,” “a congregation.” It refers to God’s people who are called out of the world into fellowship with Him (I John 1:3; Acts 26:16-18;Colossians 1:13, I Peter 2:9-10). The church is God’s redeemed people (Acts 20:28; Titus 2:14; I Peter 1:18-19). It is a holy nation (I Peter 2:9). Members of the church are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Colossians 1:13; Philippians 3:20-21). The church is part of God’s eternal purpose in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:8-11). When Jesus said: “I will build my church,” He meant to establish His redeemed people who would be a holy nation, citizens of his heavenly kingdom (Matthew 16:18).

Since Jesus Christ Himself established His church, then no man on earth has a right to establish a church. Jesus said: “But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.” (Matthew 15:13). The Psalmist wrote: “Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1).

WHERE CAN ONE FIND SALVATION?

Since no man has a right to establish any church, it follows that only in the church which Jesus established is salvation to be found. Then Jesus promised, “I will build my church,” note that He was promising to build one church, not many. This one church began in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost day after His resurrection. Three thousand people heard the gospel. They believed and were baptized and the Lord added them to His church (Acts 2:36-38, 42, 47). Jesus Christ is the Saviour of His body, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23).

According to Acts 4:4, the church soon grew to number 5,000 souls. Jesus meant for His church to continue and to overcome all opposition. It was to go to the whole world (Matthew 8:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). But he intended for His church to be one (John 17:20-21). He intended that all believers should be of the same mind and the same judgment (I Corinthians 1:10).

HOW CAN WE KNOW THE CHURCH THE LORD BUILT?

This is an important question for one who wants to be saved. Jesus said: “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). No man can bring any truth today except that which is revealed in the Bible. The Lord only speaks to us in His Book (John 12:48; Hebrews 1:1-2). The Bible is a complete book. It has everything needed for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17). Speaking to the Father, Jesus said: “thy word is truth” (John 17:17). We must measure a church by the Word of God to see if it is the true church of Christ!

Please note the following:

The Bible teaches that if one is wrong on one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10). Therefore, any church which is wrong on any of the above points is not the true church of Christ! Do not teach the doctrines and commandments of men, but follow the Bible. Only those who do the will of God will be saved (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46). Obey the truth today and be added by the Lord to His one, true church (II Corinthians 6:2; Acts 22:16).

Adapted from the church of Christ site        Majola K

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God’s standard of authority

Concerning religion, there are only two sources of authority — God or man. Of these two sources, only one is the rightful source — God. The right standard of authority is important because when our authority is men, our worship is vain. Jesus said, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Thus, whatsoever we do in word or deed, we must do all in the name of (or by the authority of) the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17).

The Bible is from God


Since God is the only rightful source of religious authority, then how does God communicate with man? The answer is the Bible and only the Bible. Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). “Inspiration of God” literally means “God breathed.” Just as we breathe out words, God breathed out the words of the Bible. How did God accomplish this? Peter wrote that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). God is the originator and source, and holy men of God wrote His words as the Holy Spirit guided them. Thus, God is the author, and holy men of God such as Moses, the prophets, and the apostles were the writers.

Therefore, when we study the Bible, we are studying the creator’s will for His creation. We are studying God’s word. The Bible is not simply a book of words in which it does not really matter whether we read them or not. The Bible does not contain “words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth” (1 Corinthians 2:13). Paul further explained, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-6). The Bible is as David said, “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Bible is God’s authority, and to be approved of God, we must give diligence to the study of the Bible, handling it accurately as the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Bible Is the Complete Will of God

The Bible does not simply contain the will of God. It is the complete will of God. It is God’s standard of authority. The Bible, and it alone, is God’s communication with man. Peter wrote, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). Since God has provided “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” then there is nothing beyond what is found within Scripture that we need for spiritual life and godliness. The Bible is, therefore, God’s complete revelation.

Furthermore, since Jesus promised the apostles that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth would teach them all things, bring all things to their remembrance, and guide them into all truth (John 14:26; 16:13), then the apostles had all truth and revealed unto us all truth. The rejection of the apostles’ messageis a rejection of Jesus and God, the Father. Jesus said, “He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me” (Luke 10:16). Also, consider Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth, “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37). Since, the apostles received and recorded all truth, the Bible is, therefore, God’s complete revelation to man.

Additionally, since the Scriptures will thoroughly furnish the man of God unto all good works and bring him unto perfection (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then what more is needed? What more could something beyond scripture furnish us? Why would we need any more than that which can bring us to perfection? The Bible is, therefore, God’s complete revelation to man.

Even further consider this: In Revelation 22:18-19, God commands that we not add to nor take away from His word (see also Proverbs 30:5-6). If we do either, God will punish us by adding to us plagues or by taking away our inheritance. Why are we not to add to nor take away from the Bible? Because the Bible is the complete word of God and to change it by adding to or taking from it either adds more than what is necessary or takes away from what is necessary. To change perfection is to defile it and make it imperfect.

Since the Bible is from God and is complete, we must also understand that it is authoritative. Authoritative means that the Bible should be the standard for which all is done in matters pertaining to religion. To the church at Colossae, Paul wrote, “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” (Colossians 3:17). What does it mean to do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus”? To do something “in the name of ” another is to do it by his or her authority. In Acts 4:7, the priests and elders of the Jews asked the apostles, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” These Jews were asking about the source of the apostles’ strength and their authority to do miracles. Peter answer, “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth . . . this man stand here before you whole” (4:10). The apostles’ authority was Jesus. So, it should be with us. The Bible should be our source of authority.

In order to avoid chaos, a standard of authority is essential. This is true in our homes, our schools, our government, and in the church. An organization with too many chiefs is a “jumbled up mess.” There needs to be a head. In the church, Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23) and His word, the Bible, is the standard of authority. A failure to recognize this authority will result in division. This was the very problem in Israel during the time of the judges. “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Rather than recognizing the right standard of authority — God, their standard of authority was themselves. Sadly, such is too often true today.

BY: MAJOLA K 0727645414 South Africa