BY WHAT AUTHORITY?

Can we know the mind of God (i.e., God's will)? Has God given mankind authority in religious/spiritual matters today? His word, the Bible, should be the authority men seek out in all matters spiritual. Jesus reminded his followers of the position of authority his words carried. "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 in the last day" (John 12:48).

The Bible says it is able to get one to heaven: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost: (2 Peter 1:20-21). "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). "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). If the Bible were not sufficient to get one to heaven, then it would not be reliable, and would be completely rejected. If not, why not: It is not by a direct, personal calling, but in the scriptures, God has directed man today. That's why there is not need for a direct leading or calling today, because those functions have been directed BY God THROUGH His word. Consider: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (First Corinthians 1:18). "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Second Thessalonians 2:14).

The message of the inspired writers (the Bible) IS:

Authoritative - "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (First Thessalonians 2:13).
Reliable - ". . . receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21).
Complete - "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, ". . .earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3), ". . .If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things, that are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18-19).
Powerful - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation. . ." (Romans 1:16). The Bible is able to accomplish everything that God intended for it to do. God, through Jesus, has paid the price for sin ". . .but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:14). But what does He expect of us? How do we contract the blood of Christ? How are we to worship God acceptable? How are we to live our lives? Since the Bible does give us "all things that pertain unto life and godliness," and can equip us to "all good works," then what is lacking?

What has God reserved to do directly to my heart that His word has not be designed, by HIM, to do: Please be as the noble Bereans who "received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

Earl D. Reed,

Cheyenne, OK