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The Bible ALONE is God's word written to us all
Many religions have a different opinion about the Bible being the only book that is God inspired. Equally distressing are those who are Catholic that challenge God's written word by saying where does the Bible say it alone is our source of truth and not tradition also.
“Christ gave his disciples no command to write, but only
to teach.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 5, p. 767).
As you read this please look at your heart and your
attitude toward what God has said, even if it challenges other teachings. Whenever
tradition or men say things such as the word is not all there is, they are
challenging what God himself said.
God is into communicating to man His heart His mind as instruction
for us. And has never left us without a witness. He has commanded those who He
revealed himself to, whether prophets, judges or Kings to write down what He has said.
We do know that the book of Job is from the Abrahamic period. from the time of Adam
until Moses we do not find God commanding anyone to specifically write what he
said down. During this period he was dealing with individuals and families, but when
we come to the time of Moses he starts to communicate with a nation that He will
eventually commission to go to all people. So it became necessary as God was going to
reveal himself and how man can approach him that his instructions be written. This
began with Moses when he went up Mt. Sinai to receive what is called the law. The
first installment God himself wrote down with
His finger on the tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18). He also spoke to Moses 603 other
commandments that were written down after he came off the mountain. Because of this
written word of God we have an accurate record today of what had been said. The term
“the Bible alone” was the principle given from God. God gave Moses the record
and it was written down so there would be no discrepancy. Exod.24:4 “And Moses wrote
all the words of the Lord.”v.12 “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me
on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and
commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.” Exodus 31:23
“The Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: Exod. 34:27-29, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these
words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with
Israel.” God told Moses to write all of His words down and put them in a book
because these words were a covenant between God and Israel.
Gods commands were written, so there would be no mistake but
it was later that traditions were added and Jesus said it were these laws of the
Pharisees that negated Gods.V.22 “These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly,
in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a
loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave
them to me. Deut. 13:4
“You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey
His voice.” Whatever he told Moses as instructions was written down. Obeying
God’s voice is equal to hearing it from Scripture. God’s commands are written, so
there would be no mistake. But it was later that traditions were added that Jesus said
were laws that negated God’s word. God also said Deut. 8:3
“that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man
lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” It is God’s
written word that Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are
life.” (John 6:63)
Exod.24:7, “Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read
in the hearing of the people.”
Deut.8:11 “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His
commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today.” Not
reading and studying what is written, is equal to forgetting God himself.
Deut.11:18-20, “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in
your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets
between your eyes.19 “You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when
you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise
up.” And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,”
To do this one would have a source to refer to so that everyone was not writing
different things, this is the same words God told Moses to write for all to have.
Deut.29:21, “And the LORD would separate him from all the tribes of Israel for
adversity, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this Book
of the Law,”This book was all the 10 commandments as well as the instructions for
the priesthood and the tabernacle and the cleanliness laws
Deut.28:15, “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD
your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command
you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you Josh 8:34,”
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings,
according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.” Obeying Gods voice is
equal to hearing it from Scripture
Num.15:40 “and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for
your God.” To remember means we read what was written to us otherwise we would
forget. The king made a covenant before the LORD, 2 King 23:3 “to follow the LORD
and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart
and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this
book.”( same recorded in 2 Chron.34:3)
Nehemiah's testimony shows that tradition does not help keep people in obedience or on
track Neh.8:2 they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses,”
Scribes were to copy the writings for the people to have.
Neh.8:14, “And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded by
Moses.” Neh.8:18, “ Also day by day, from the first day until the last day, he
read from the Book of the Law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the
eighth day there was a sacred assembly.”
Dan 9:13 “As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster
has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayer before the LORD our God, that we
might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth.” Where did Jesus say we
would find the truth “Thy WORD is truth.”
When we come to the New Testament when the wise men seek the birth of the Lord 2:2 saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the
East and have come to worship Him.” Herod asks where the Christ would be born. In
v.5 They responded to Herod by saying”, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it
is written by the prophet” and they quote Micah. Without Scripture they
would have never known this, as consistently seen in the New Testament we find Jesus referring
back to what is written.
Mary obeyed the written law Luke 2:22, “Now when the days of her purification according
to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present
Him to the Lord.”
We should respect the word no less than what Jesus did. He never referred to His own
authority by itself, but pointed back to the inspired prophets and the written word,
giving the correct interpretation when necessary.
He used terms toward the religious leaders as “search the Scriptures” (John
5:39), “is it not written in your law?” (John 10:34; Luke 10:25) “have you not
read?” (Matt.12:3; 12:5; 19:4; 21:16; 22:31), This clearly shows that the people
had access to and were recommended to read and interpret the Scriptures for
themselves not rely on their religious teachers. Since Jesus would argue often with
the religious leaders about their traditions outside Gods word.
Jesus always quoted the Scriptures as the final source of authority
(Matt. 22:29 32; Mark 7:9 13) he never appealed to his own authority alone. He always
showed the people how they had a wrong understanding because of their following the
religious teachers traditions, “You err, not knowing the Scriptures. This
eventually led the people Mark 12:10 “Have you not read this Scripture: 'The stone
which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”
“Jesus said, If a man love me, he will keep MY words:
and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine,
but the Father's which sent Me” (John 14:23-24) The Lord himself looked to the
authority of the Scriptures alone, as did His apostles after Him. They confirmed the
very message of the Old Testament. “The law of the LORD is perfect converting the
soul” (Psalm 19:7). No word no conversion, no salvation. The believer is to be true
to the way of the Lord, holding alone to what is written: “Thy Word is truth.”
Jn.4:23, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.,
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Jesus said he was the truth incarnate (the word), that his word is spirit and truth.
There is a correlation of life within the word when it is practiced and obeyed.
Luke 24:44 “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while
I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law
of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Notice where Jesus points
to for the fulfillment of his ministry, the OT prophets and writings. We would never
have been able to identify him without theses things written down. Ps 40:7, “Then I
said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.” His
purpose was to fulfill what was written of him by the prophets.
The prophets that wrote of Messiahs coming were commanded to record what was said by writing. Isaiah, “Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll, that it may be for time to come, forever and ever”(Isa.30:8) “Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you”(Jer.30:2). Jer. 30:2, “Thus speaks the LORD God of Israel, saying: 'Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.” Jer. 36:6, “You go, therefore, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the LORD.” “Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?” (I Kings 11:41) All of Israel's history and acts are written in the Chronicles of the Kings. I King 14:29, “Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?” I King 15:7, “Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did,” I Kings 15:7 “Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, I Kings 15:31, “Now the rest of the acts of Nadab,” I King 16:5 “Now the rest of the acts of Baasha.” I Kings 16:20, “Now the rest of the acts of Zimri.” I King 16:27, “Now the rest of the acts of Omri.” I Kings 22:39, “Now the rest of the acts of Ahab.” I Kings 22:45, “Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat. II King 1:18, “Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah.” II Kiings 8:23 “Now the rest of the acts of Joram.” II Ki.10:34, “Now the rest of the acts of Jehu” Esth. 10:2, “Now all the acts of his power and his might, and the account of the greatness of Mordecai”.
The point is...
All is written so that there would be no mistake. The question that
now comes up is whether what is written was ever authorized by God or only men, even
though it may be accurate. They would not have recognized who Jesus was unless they read their
Scriptures.
2 Tim. 3:16, “ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness,” ALL means ALL. Now we need to comprehend what is meant by this. The
Scripture written down from the beginning was all inspired by God meaning God
breathed, he moved the men, prophets scribes to write the words down. So it is not
on their own initiative but God instructed them and it is Gods communication to
mankind.
2 Pet. 1:20-21, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private
interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke
as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Prophecy as well as the writings are
all From God as the source.
The Catholic position is that the Scripture was Not intended to be circulated “Since it is clear from experience that if the Sacred Books are permitted everywhere and without discrimination in the vernacular (the common language of the people) there will by reasons of the boldness of men arise there from more harm than good...” (Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent, p. 274).
“As it has been clearly shown by experience that, if the holy Bible in the
vernacular is generally permitted without any distinction, more harm than utility is
thereby caused...” (Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII, pp. 412-413).
The New Testament starts off with this Acts 1:2-5, “ until the day in which
He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the
apostles whom He had chosen.” They were already following what the prophets did in
the OT by writing what were commanded down for all to have.
John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all
things that I said to you.”
Why is the spirit sent? To Remind the apostles
exactly what Jesus spoke, so they can write it accurately.
John 15:26-27 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. “And you
also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
Why is the spirit sent? To testify, give witness
of Jesus to all the ends of the earth. As we have seen God said to WRITE in the Old
Testament. He says the same in the New Testament.
John 16:12-14, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear
them now. “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you
into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come. “He will glorify Me, for He
will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Why is the spirit sent? To guide them into the truth he will speak
what Christ said when he was with them as well as things in the future.
The law was written by Moses Jn.1:14, Jesus said Luke 16:16, “The law and the
prophets were until John.” Jesus also referred to the law as his place of authority
to prove what he said and did was true “Or have you not read in the law” (Matt
12:5.)
Paul writes Rom. 3:21 “But now the righteousness of God apart
from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, Paul rebukes
the Jews who had the oracles of God as they copied it memorized it and taught others
Rom. 2:20-24, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of
knowledge and truth in the law. For “The name of God is blasphemed among the
Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. 'Paul even states Rom
4:13-15 “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not
to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
Yet he also makes the qualifying statement in Rom 10:17 “faith comes by
hearing and hearing comes by the WORD OF GOD.”
Paul said to the Thessalonians 1Thes 2:13, “For this reason we also thank God
without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard
from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of
God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” He's saying they accepted
what he said as what God has said and what God has written.
Paul had no less of a respect and authority in the word of Gospel Acts 24:14 “But
this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship
the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and
in the Prophets.” Notice what he refers to for his found faith,
Paul constantly referred to the word not tradition1 Cor.14:21 In the law it is
written: 1 Cor.14:37, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let
him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the
commandments of the Lord.”
2 Peter 1:20-21, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any
private interpretation. For prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but
holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”. The expression is
apparent that Peter makes it clear that Scripture was given to Gods chosen prophets
by God himself. To maintain the purity of God's instructions it became the written
word, the source is a pure source, the Scripture itself. Look what Peter says in v.19
previously, and so we have the prophetic word confirmed which you do
well to heed.” A more sure word of prophecy, which is written.
Gods word is unchangeable and pure. Matthew 24:35, And then again “Heaven and earth
will pass away, but my words shall not pass away” The word is not
as tradition that changes. Heb.4:12, 'the word is living, active” and powerful.
If one does not submit to the word they protest. Instead of the Protestants will not
submit to tradition not in the word.
John says 1 Jn.1:4, “and these things I write to you.” 1 Jn.5:13
“these things I have written to you who believe.” “I charge you by the Lord
that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.” (1 Cor. 1:2 and Eph.1:1)
1 Pt.1:23, “we are born again not with corruptible seed but with incorruptible seed
through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” Here
Peter states the word is not mans which decays and does not have staying power but as
from God “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they
should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain
the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25) The Apostle Peter speaks
about the writings of the Apostle Paul when he states, “even as our beloved
brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As
also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things
hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also
the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Peter also
declares that he was writing so that the believers could remember what he said. So he
wrote, “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these
things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth” (2 Peter
1:12).
Rev 1:11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and,
“What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches
which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to
Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Rev 1:19 ”Write the things which you have seen, and the things
which are, and the things which will take place after this.”
Rev 2:1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These
things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of
the seven golden lampstands”
There is only one time Jesus specifically tells John not to write,
Rev 10:4, “Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write;
but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven
thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
Rev 14:12, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Both of these statements are connected
with the Scripture itself. Rev 22:14, “Blessed are those who do His commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates
into the city.” Only those who are obeying His Word will be able to enter.
Rev 14:13, “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write:
'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'“ “Yes,” says the
Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
Rev 19:9, Then he said to me, “Write: 'Blessed are those who are
called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'“ And he said to me, “These are the
true sayings of God.”
Rev 21:5, Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and
faithful.”
The book ends with Revelation 22:18-19”For I testify unto every man that heareth the
words of the prophecy of this book: 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 the book 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 which
are written in this book” This is not just about this book, Revelation is
the consummation of all prophecy, as Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Luke 1:3, “it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most
excellent Theophilus, “Remember all that is recorded as Scripture is God authorized, not just an undertaking of man.
Paul's recommendation for our spiritual health, “that ye might learn in us not to
think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be
puffed up for one against another.” 1 Corinthians 4:6, “Do not exceed
beyond what is written exceed beyond what is written.”
Means that the word alone is to be our guide. When we do not esteem the word as our
authority and look to something other than Scripture it becomes prompted by pride.
All those who add to the Scripture do this whether it is the book of Mormon, Science
and Scripture, the NWT of the Jehovah's Witnesses, or tradition that is claimed to be
equal with or a supplement to Scripture.
He has given it to all, to you. The question is what will you do with it?
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