Standing on The Authority of the

Word of God

John 17:1 ¶ Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

      The Faith That Saves The Soul (the only true religion) is built upon authority, and without that authority faith is sheer speculation. If religion is nothing but human, fallible, probing guesswork, one man’s conclusions may be about as good and acceptable as another man's. Religion is absolutely nothing but guesswork when it is based on philosophical conjectures. If the faith is nothing but what a man may or may not think it to be, it is nothing. If there is to be real religion, somewhere, sometime, somehow God must speak. God must disclose Himself. Has God spoken? Yes. Has God revealed Himself? Yes. Where is that spoken word? Where is that revelation? In God's infallible book, the Bible! Upon this rock the true preacher of Christ can take his stand – and stand there in strength and in power forever.

       To seek and find God is but the expression of a universal instinct (Paul in Athens, Acts 17). If there is a God, he must surely reveal himself to these seekers. If there is a God anywhere in the universe and if we are sincere in our seeking, surely he would not leave us in doubt respecting the great problems which have to do with our spiritual and eternal salvation.

      In the Christian faith there are only three possible sources to which we can look for a revelation of God and upon which foundation we may build our hope for eternal life. One is human speculation, what the critics and the philosophers say that God is. The second possibility lies in the pronouncements of the hierarchy of an infallible church. The third alternative is the Bible. Let us look at them one at a time.

      I. Shall I build my faith on the shifting sand of philosophical or even theological opinion? Is my revelation of God to be found by means of the wisdom of this world? (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18-25). If I do I shall land in the cemetery along with all the rest of the "God is dead" theologians. Human reason is only one of our several faculties, and all these faculties have been affected by sin. No man by his own probing and thinking can find God. God is above a man's mind, and the truth of his being and personality are beyond human discovery.

      II. Shall I build my faith, then, upon the second possibility, upon a self-declared infallible church? Is the church the seat of authority? Are you willing to accept the concept of an Infallible Church with its infallible pope and its infallible board of cardinals, bishops and priests? I am not! And if you do, may God have mercy upon your soul, for you will need it! Have you ever debated a Roman Catholic Priest? Well, I’ve had extensive discussions with such, and I have never experienced such reasoning, and often downright deception.

      Those who avow the doctrine of the superiority of the church over the revelation of God in the Bible emphasize an untruth. The “church” existed before the New Covenant Scriptures, they say, and so the “church” gave birth to the Scriptures. This is a colossal error. We have but to review the “birth” and growth of the early church to see that it is grossly wrong.

       Was the early converts to Christ without the inspired Word? For those beginning years in Jerusalem, Samaria, Judea and throughout all the known world (Act 1:8) had they no Word of God? Indeed they had Scripture, the Old Covenant that predicted perfectly the coming Messiah, and the inspired apostles proved beyond any doubt whatever that Jesus of Nazareth had fulfilled every last one of these predictions. If someone had met one of the early day disciples of Christ and said, "You have no current Scripture, so you will have to let the “church” based in Rome Italy tell you what is right and what is wrong,” those disciples would have stared at you in undisguised amazement. Did the eunuch go to the “Church” to find out who Jesus was? Or, did he go to the Scriptures that predicted the coming of the Messiah – Christ and Lord?

      But you ask: "What about the Scriptures that relate to the New Covenant? These were not written at that time. How could they know the peculiarities of the New Covenant to be administered under Christ? Was it not the “Church” that guided them “into all truth?” It is true that they did not have the New Testament/Covenant Scriptures, but they had the spoken New Covenant message of salvation in Christ, delivered by the inspired apostles from the days of Pentecost onward, supported by signs and wonders (Heb 1:1ff., and there would be no “Church” but for the preaching of that inspired Word. This spoken, oral Word, believed and obeyed, brought the “Church” into existence. An honest person can easily see that the Truth preached by inspired apostles came before the “Church.” The revelation and self-disclosure of God working through the apostles was before the “Church.” The truth of the word created the church (study Acts 2; etc.). First it was spoken; then it was written. As long as the apostles were at hand, the spoken word was sufficient. But as they went from place to place and finally afterwards died, it was essential to embody the word in a retainable form. The spoken revelation came to be written in what we know today as the New Testament (or Covenant, same word).

      In this connection we might ask, did the “Church of Rome” write the Epistle to the Romans? Was the “Church of Rome” the maker of the Ephesian letter? It was an inspired apostle who wrote the epistle to the church at Rome (See Rom 1:1,7) and it was an inspired apostle who wrote the Epistle to the church at Ephesus (see Eph 1:1). And those epistles were authoritative, from the moment they were received from the hand of the apostles or their messengers. It was not the “Church” creating the Word, it was the church receiving the Word. There is a monumental difference between “creating” and “receiving!” The inspired Apostles, representing God and God’s son, Christ, who delivered first the spoken and then the written Word of God.

      The authority of our faith in Christ lies not in a supposedly infallible church or in any other supposedly infallible organization but in an infallible Word. God's Word antedated both the Jewish nation under Moses, and the Kingdom under Christ.

      In a discussion with a Catholic Church scholar I asked, “Where was the Catholic Church before the Word of the New Covenant was written down?” His answer was, “Right there in Jerusalem, with Peter as the first Pope.” Peter did indeed have the privilege of presenting the opening proclamation of Jesus being the promised Messiah, Christ and Lord, but was he – did he consider himself – the “Pope” (Papa, Father) of those being saved? This is ridiculous in its essence.

      The “church” controlled by Rome has made slaves of millions. They refused the Scriptures to the common man for centuries, and made binding commitments upon all who sought the guaranteed salvation that was offered. While most of us will never be a Lutheran as such, we owe much to Martin Luther who helped free generations from the yoke of bondage of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, which is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor Catholic!

      At this very moment the present Pope is about to promote to “sainthood” Mother Teresa, a nun who spent most of her life in India working with the downcast, many with leprosy. She is worthy of due respect for her sacrificial life and service to mankind. But, the Pope of Rome has no more authority to exalt this good woman above all others who have served mankind, than you or I, for the Lord has already stated through Paul, “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Co 15:57,58). But, all Roman Catholics must believe this dogma or be guilty of mortal sin.

      Many Catholics will admit that they close their eyes to all other considerations and just accept the dogmas of the church blindly. In a discussion with a young man, successful in the business world, and a Catholic, I mentioned that the Bible spoke against the possession of idols, and referred to Acts, Chapter 17. Sometime later in the afternoon he came to my office and stated that he did not believe what I had said was true. I showed him the references, and he acted surprised! However, most Catholics will quote their authorities and hedge and dodge around most any critical evaluation of the “church’s” doctrine.

      A highly respected Baptist preacher and scholar said, “Surely, surely, if the only authority we have for our faith is in the fallible pronouncements and promulgations of a fallible Church, we are indeed on a course that will finally result in the mountainous, monstrous follies and failures that we read on the pages of human history in the story of the Dark Ages.” I wholeheartedly agree.

      The Mormons (Church of Latter Day Saints) are among the fastest growing religious organizations in America, and possibly in the world. Are you aware of the beginning of this group, and the life of Joseph Smith who began it? What about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, another fast growing religious group? And it’s founder? There is absolutely no comparison – none – in the origin of our Lord and Christ and these humans who refused to accept the Holy Bible.

      The faith that saves the soul is not dependent upon any man, be he called a man of importance of the “church” today or not, but saving faith is in Jesus Christ, and all mankind is equal in his sight. As someone has said, “the ground at the foot of the Cross is level.” A beautiful song says, “Though millions have come, there is still room for one. There is room at the Cross for you!”

      Let it be clearly understood, that while the Roman Catholic Church is the predominant claimant to ultimate authority, there are many more who place “church” rules and regulations above the Scriptures. We have recently had the almost unbelievable story of the Episcopal ordination of a homosexual bishop. Several supporters have declared on national TV that the Scriptures are not the final word, that “new understandings” are arising, etc., etc. And while we cannot wish for any man to lose his hope of eternal life, the Scriptures speak clearly about those who would wrest the Scriptures!

      III. But there is another foundation for our faith, a rock upon which we can stand forever. That third alternative is the Bible. The Bible is our authority. If God has spoken, then, obviously, his Word is authoritative. “Where the word of a king is, there is power,” says Solomon (Ecc 8:4). The emphasis of our preaching must be built upon the studied foundation: that the Scriptures are the teachings of the divinely authenticated messengers of Jesus Christ. All of its doctrines arise from God's self-disclosure to humanity.

      We have no other final and ultimate authority in our religion than the Bible. God has spoken preeminently to us and has truthfully and fully revealed himself to us through the Bible. But someone will say, "Is this not what is called bibliolatry?" Well, we shall not be afraid of words. No, this is not bibliolatry. We do not impose the Bible between ourselves and our Savior. We use the Bible as the medium by which we come to know Christ. We know nothing of the personality of God except through his self-disclosure in Holy Scriptures. We could know nothing of value about Christ except through the Gospels.

      “The medium of our introduction to Christ is the Word of God. It is the same kind of a thing as our seeking to know the distant stars. Do we worship a telescope if we use it for that purpose? No. The telescope will be not a hindrance but a help. The Bible is the telescope by which we are enabled to see the Lord Jesus. If a boy were to receive a letter from his mother and his school friends were to say how perfectly absurd of him to trouble himself about a piece of paper like that, the lad could say: ‘It is not the paper; it is what is on it and from whence it comes that makes it meaningful to me. This letter represents my mother, my mother's interests, wishes, love, and so far from being a hindrance it is a very help of helps to know what my mother would have me know’."

      So the Scriptures do those two things. We do not worship them, but they provide truth for our acceptance and they provide material to guide our experience. They bring us face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ in order that we might see how far we have traveled either toward the truth or away from it. The Bible is our seat of authority. Do you remember the Bereans? They "were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Knowing the Word of God, we come to know God himself.

The Immutable, Unchanging Word of God

      The foundation of all true religion as it is in Jesus is to be found in the immutable, unchanging, and infallible Word. The law was to be read in the presence of the people (Deu 31:10-13). Joshua obligated the people to read the Scriptures (Jos 1:8). Obedience to them was urged upon the people (2Ch 17:9). The king was to have a copy by which he was to regulate his decisions (Deu 17:18-20). The basis of God's judgment of the kings was that Holy Word (1Ki 11:38). The captivity of Israel and of Judah was caused by disobedience to the Word of God (Neh 1:7- 9). The Holy Bible was taught to the returning captives by the great scribe Ezra (Neh 8:5-8). The prophets were equally recognized as inspired messengers who delivered the immutable Word of God (2Ki 17:13).

      When we turn to the New Testament, we find that the Bible is the basis upon which the church is to build its life and upon which the ministers are to preach. Paul admonished Timothy to give attendance to reading God's Book, not only personally but also audibly to the people (1Ti 4:14). Paul further admonished Timothy to preach the Word (2Ti 3:17 to 4:3). Revelation 1:3 has a blessing for those who read and those who hear the word of God's prophet. This is the ultimate authority and basis upon which the minister stands to deliver God's message.

      With God s Book in his hand the minister can proclaim with authority and power the living message of the living Lord. With great assurance he can call men to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. By the pledge and promise of the Word of God he can speak to the people regarding the great matters of faith, life, death, and judgment to come. Upon the authority of the Word of God he can baptize converts and upon the authority of the Word of God he can urge upon listeners to “give diligence to make their calling and election sure.” The Bible is the only testing ground of doctrine (Isa. 8:20, Joh 10:35). When the minister delivers God's message in conformity with God's will, the result will always be the building up of the household of faith, and the blessings for the people of the Lord will follow as promised.

      We need never equivocate or be apologetic when we stand up to preach the message of Christ on the authority of the Word of God. The very tone of the Bible is authoritative. It might be supposed that a book dealing with spiritual truths, all of which lie beyond the horizon of the physical senses, would speak with some measure of reserve or uncertainty. But it is the opposite in the Bible. There is not an "if," a "maybe," or a "hope so" in the Bible. A divine book, heavenly inspired, could not speak that way concerning truth and salvation, and if it did speak that way it would have no message for us. We want no guesses about life and death, heaven and hell. We must know and must know certainly. We want authority, and there can be no final authority with respect to these questions unless we find it in a divine revelation. Therefore, the Book of God, being God's Word, always says, "Yea," "Amen," "Thus saith the Lord," and "Verily, verily I say unto you." If we put an "if" into the Decalogue you lay a charge of dynamite under the morality of men and nations. If you put an "if" before the story of the manger of Bethlehem you destroy the Incarnation in human flesh by a preexistent Christ. If you put an "if" by the side of the cross of Calvary you cast doubt upon the hope of the forgiveness of our sins. If you put an "if" by the side of the story of the empty tomb in Joseph's garden, our visions of life and immortality vanish into thin air. But blessed be God, there are no "if's" in the Bible. It gives no uncertain sound. The trumpet call is clear and plain. The Bible speaks as the very oracle of the very God.

      Would I preach like Jesus? Then let me preach the Bible as he did. Would I preach like Peter? Then let me preach the Bible as he did. The example of these glorious representatives of Heaven as we see them in the New Testament are brilliant as they preach from God's Word in Nazareth or at Pentecost or in the pagan city of Lystra. Possibly the most eloquent man who ever lived was the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews – we don’t know who for sure he was. Would I preach like this eloquent author? Then let me preach the Bible. This is what he did and this is the immovable rock upon which a preacher can stand in strength and in authority forever.

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