THE
BIBLE, OUR AUTHORITY
The overall theme for these next
few posts is “The Bible: The Word of God.” The general meaning of “word” in
this context is: “a promise; affirmation [positive, solemn declaration], as ‘He
gave his word as assurance.’” Since this applies to men’s word, how much more
so to God’s Word. We have His Word in written form, which we call “The Bible.”
“Bible,” or biblios in Greek, means THE BOOK. We would say THE BOOK OF ALL
BOOKS. From these definitions we can say the Bible is both THE BOOK and THE
WORD. There is no other word like God’s Word. Therefore, the Bible is the WORD
OF GOD.
David said in Psalm 68:11, “The
Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” It is
God’s Word because He is the One who gave it. It is ours to publish, which
means: “To make publicly known; announce, proclaim, divulge, or promulgate
[make widespread]; to issue a printed work to the public” (Webster). We do this
with confidence because it is authoritative; it came from the original
source—GOD. “In the beginning was THE WORD, and the Word was with God, and THE
WORD WAS GOD” (John 1:1). Nothing else has authority like that! There is no
authority above God!
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but
THE WORD OF OUR GOD SHALL STAND FOREVER” (Isa. 40:8).
I. THE BIBLE, THE CHURCH’S
AUTHORITY
Genesis 1:3
3 And God said, Let there be
light: and there was light.
Psalms 119:89
89 For ever, O LORD, thy word
is settled in heaven.
Deuteronomy 4:2
2 Ye shall not add unto the
word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may
keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
A. The Church’s Eternal Light
(Gen. 1:3; Psa. 119:89): With His Word, God spoke physical light into this
world. John has written, “…God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1
John 1:5). So He who is the totality of light (physical, intellectual and
spiritual) has spoken His Word. He came into this world in the person of His
Son who is “that Light…the true Light” (John 1:8, 9).
In Christ, who is both, “that
Light” and “the Word” (John 1:1), “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”
(John 1:14). And that Word is “settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89); that is, it is
unchangeable. It cannot be altered; need not be altered; will not be altered
without dire consequences to those who endeavor to change it!
B. The Basis of the Covenant
Relationship (Deut. 4:2): Covenant relationships are prominent throughout the
Bible. Some were for a particular period of time, others continue until now.
Any covenant entered into with God is sacred. The Lord adds members to the
Church by covenant. The individual agrees, in the presence of God and
witnesses, to accept the Bible as the Word of God, to believe and practice its
teachings, and to walk in the light.
The Abrahamic Covenant is still
in the process of fulfillment. It was initiated before the law was given; it
continues with Israel even until now; it was extended to all nations in Christ;
and it will be totally fulfilled in the future.
Addressing the Galatians—the
Apostle Paul shows the binding obligation of a covenant—any covenant:
“Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant
[such as a business agreement or contract], yet if it be confirmed [made
valid], no man disannulleth [can cancel, change or invalidate], or addeth
thereto” (Gal. 3:15). How much more binding is our covenant with God! He sets
the terms and expects them to be honored. There will be no compromise on His
part—His Word is the authority.
Men break their part of the
covenant at their own peril! Sacred history reveals that men have been prone to
fail in their part. Some had lapses of faith but returned to resume their
promise to God. Others sinned and became reprobates, and God gave them up to
their own devices (Rom. 1:18-32). Even Israel, God’s chosen nation, wearied and
provoked God until He gave them into the chastening hands of their enemies.
They failed to respect the sovereign authority of God!
II. THE CHURCH’S SOLID GROUND
Luke 4:32, 36
32 And they were astonished at
his doctrine: for his word was with power…
36 And they were all amazed,
and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and
power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
Matthew 7:28, 29
28 …the people were astonished
at his doctrine.
29 For he taught them as one
having authority….
Matthew 28:18
18 …All power is given unto me
in heaven and in earth.
A. The Astonishing Doctrine (Luke
4:32, 36; Matt. 7:28, 29): The Church was organized with the twelve apostles on
the solid ground of the authority of God through His Son.
When He spoke to the people He
amazed them, or astonished them. They recognized His divine power in the
authority of His Word: “What a word is this!” They saw unclean spirits come out
at the command of His Word. They possibly remembered “the worlds were framed by
the Word of God” (Heb. 11:3): the same Word as spoken by the Father in the
beginning.
The Church must understand what
it means to accept the Bible as the Word of God; to believe it and put it into
living practice. We cannot afford to underestimate this solid ground in every
jot and tittle. Jesus Christ “the Word” is our Chief Cornerstone. He was the Church’s first
teacher with three and a half years of in-service instruction and training, the
record of which is recorded in the Book we accept.
The church must and is committed
to the doctrine and the principles of “righteousness and true holiness” (Eph.
4:24). We must honor that commitment based on the eternal authority of a
never-changing God.
B. Our Commissioned Authority
(Matt. 28:18): We have our commission from the mouth of Him to whom the Father
has given all power and authority. His commandment is “Go…teach…and preach the
gospel” (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15).
He has promised to be with us all
the way (Matt. 28:20). What more can we ask? What more do we need?
III. THE FAVOR OF GOD
Acts 2:47
47 Praising God, and having
favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.
There were periods of time when
Jesus, the Head of the Church, had favor with the multitudes, but later He was
crucified as a falsely accused blasphemer. But He was never out of favor with
God. For a brief period, the early Church had “favour with all the people,” but
soon persecution became the order of the day. However, they had the favor of
God because they would not compromise or conform to the world. Persecutions and
executions could not persuade them to handle the Word of God deceitfully (2
Cor. 4:2). These things only increased their determination to be faithful and
loyal to the Highest Authority of all.
Today, times have changed, and
people have changed with the times. But the Bible has not changed; therefore
God’s requirements are unchanged. Nobody, man or woman, has the authority to
relax those requirements, nor to take “the daily cross” out of “the daily
walk.” Though lustful and worldly men plead “grace” and “freedom” of a kind,
that is neither grace nor freedom. God’s attitude toward sin and disobedience
remains the same as in the very beginning. If we would reach our desired “haven
of rest,” we must let the Bible be our absolute authority.
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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