Bible Thoughts October 24, 1999
"For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was
reckoned unto him for righteousness"(Romans 4:3).
From the beginning of man, God has revealed His will to mankind. In Eden, God spoke to Adam and gave him directions in caring for the garden and warned him against eating of a forbidden fruit. So long as Adam believed God and respected His word, all was well. When he failed to heed the Lord's instructions, punishment followed.
The Lord continued to reveal his will to mankind by speaking directly with those who lived during the age of the Patriarchs. When Jehovah fulfilled his promise to Abraham, the Hebrew nation was given the "Law of Moses." The law became the source for authority under that dispensation. The scriptures were revealed to Moses and others who were inspired of God. When the law served its purpose, it was taken out of the way(Colossians 2:14). The Lord has permitted us to be able to read and study the Law for the history contained in it, as well as the many lessons drawn from that past revelation. The quote from Romans (above) is an example of a proper use of the old law.
In every age of mankind, the appeal has been to the revelation of God, that is, the scripture. Whether in verbal communication or written, the way to learn of God's will was through the scripture(that is, the words from God). No matter what man discovers, advocates, or teaches, nothing originating with man can be compared to the revelation of God. Men's discoveries and wisdom may help one in this life; the Lord's word prepares one for eternity(John 6:63).
Jesus Christ came into the world to make known to mankind the good news. Part of that good news was that he died on the cross for all of humanities' sins. When he died, his will was to be made known through the gospel(good news). The plan that Jesus instituted was for the duration of the world(Mark 16:15). What he taught and ordained was for all the years that would follow. For almost 2000 years, Christians have been concerned with that plan as it is taught in the word of God. In spite of the efforts of false teachers, agnostics, atheists, modernists, and erring brethren, that plan still exists in the scriptures.
The appeal to scriptures is all that we have. The apostles appealed to scripture and every faithful disciple since that time has made the gospel of Jesus Christ his only appeal for authority in religion(Romans 1:16). The word of truth has not changed since the last inspired man laid down his pen. It will continue until the day that God will bring to an end the existence of humanity.
All preaching, all literature, all approaches, all works, and everything that we do in religion must be justified and/or upheld by the question, "What saith the scripture?" The Lord's people have respected this approach for 2000 years; it was right on Pentecost and it is right today.
The Bible is not an out-moded book that needs the writings and sayings of men to make it modern. It is as fresh and informative as it was in the day when Timothy studied the scriptures. The vitality and the contents do not need to be "modernized" into a book that has little meaning and application for those who live today and in the future. When the principles of truth in the Book of God are applied in every moral and religious situation, the answers to every spiritual need can be found. Those who become unhappy and dissatisfied with the book may attack its contents, ridicule its commands, and despise its truths, but it stands today with the same message that was preached by the apostles of Jesus Christ.
The Lord's people do not spend their time trying to restore New Testament times. Christians want to restore the respect for the scriptures that is so often lost by men, even by some brethren. Disciples desire that all Christians have the profound respect for the scriptures that will lead them to demand Bible authority for every teaching, every practice and every action in religion. "Pure and undefiled religion"(James 1:25) can only be had by seeking to find the Lord's will on every subject and in every action(Colossians 3:17). Not all of the books written by men(including brethren) can take the place of the one book that God gave for our salvation. No man can, or will, improve on God's revelation. If a teaching or practice is not authorized by direct command(Mark 16:16), apostolic example(Acts 20:7), or necessary inference(I Corinthians 16:2), there is no authority for the teaching and/or practice.
Those who cry for a new interpretation(new hermeneutic) of the scriptures are paving a path that those who follow will abandon the teachings of the New Testament. The same teachings that saved the people of Pentecost will save men today. The same church that one was added to in the days of the apostles is the same church the scriptures will produce today(Luke 8:11). The same organization, worship and work of any church of Christ will be the same as in the days of the first century Christians, if the scriptures are followed. The new path some seek leads back into denominational error for it is built upon the same foundation: a disrespect for the scriptures and an elevation of the wisdom of men. "There is nothing new under the sun" as men who are dissatisfied with the ways of God have existed from the beginning. Let us not become victims of those who would destroy the respect for the power of God's word.
The "new hermeneutic"(science of interpreting scripture) often promotes changes in worship(choirs, chorus, etc.), livening up services(especially for young people), the role of women in services, and many other digressions of the same stripe--denominational and sectarian error wrapped up in a new gown. Most notable of such changes can be found among the churches who followed the route of building and supporting human institutions to do the work of the individual and the local church.
Borrowing the words of Joshua, "As for me and my house," we will serve Jesus Christ, honor his law, respect his church, and do all that we can to live a life that will take us to heaven. Will you not take the journey to eternal life with us by making sure that any practice, any teaching, and any position is approved by the New Testament? Can a Christian walk any other path?