Disputable Matters

Image with me for a moment if you will, exactly what it would be like, trying to play professional sports in the wrong venue or arena. Let’s say for instance that two Major League Baseball teams were forced to try to compete against each other… on an Olympic Alpine Ski Mountain course. How would that work? There would be no foul lines, no bases, and parameters…

Or, what if two NFL teams were told they had to play on a baseball diamond… with no alterations? Let’s see, that would mean that one team’s end zone would be only as big as the width of home plate, while the other’s was from foul pole to foul pole (which end would you want?) and there would be no goal posts so no one could score a touchdown anyway. So, how would that work? Or what if the two NFL teams had to play in the ice hockey rink arena? That’d be a hoot wouldn’t it?

Or let’s see; what other absolute and complete absurdities in the form of sports analogies can we come up with? What if NASCAR was told they had to have their drivers compete, cars and all, in a college wrestling ring? Or what if Olympic divers were told that their diving competition at the next summer Olympic games were going to be held in the same arena and on the same court where the basketball games take place – a dive into a hardwood floor from the top of the rafters let’s say?

And now let’s add one final element to the above absurdities and insanities… the losers of any of these competitions will be put to death…

It is blatantly and painfully obvious to anyone whatsoever, that all of the above scenarios are completely impossible. The reason why is because the rules and boundaries which comprise and control the competitions in each of these cases simply cannot be applied when these competitions are taken to the wrong arena. Nothing but complete chaos would arise as a result. And yet… that is exactly the insanity that many Christians allow themselves to be forced into on a daily basis… and why nothing but complete confusion occurs as a result.

For example, I was recently reminded of this once again when I was asked to review a nine page excuse sheet, quoting the same, old, tired and worn out excuses that have been biblically refuted by the faithful of our brotherhood for the past thousand years or so, when it comes to the bane of unauthorized and biblically unacceptable instrumental music in our praise to God as N.T. Christians. Near the bottom of the first page it said something along the lines of (so similar to what I’ve seen and heard so many times before from those with absolutely no biblical case whatsoever for the implementation of their desired will-worship): “Please understand that we are not attacking you or your perspective because we know that you are sincere as well and we would not want you to violate your conscience. But this is certainly a disputable matter and…” (emphasis added – DED). STOP RIGHT THERE! Reading the rest of the paper just became an exercise in complete futility. Did you see what they just did? Did you notice what they just attempted? They just sought, in no uncertain terms, to drag this discussion into an absolutely inappropriate and absurd couple of other arenas, within which this discussion has no business whatsoever of occurring under any circumstances! A couple of arenas wherein the biblical rules of interpretation and application cannot be appropriately applied (anymore than the complete absence of foul lines on an Alpine Ski mountain would make MLB play there anything other than absolutely impossible), and where the outcome cannot therefore be anything other than politically-correct, everyone’s right, wrath of God demanding disobedience!

The two arenas they sought to take this discussion into? The two arenas of “your conscience,” and “disputable matters” (See Romans 14). And this is where many Christians fail – not because of their biblical understanding and reasoning in the end at all, but because they allow themselves to be manipulated into the wrong arena to begin with!

The kind of worship music God has demanded and requires of His N.T. children here on earth is not a disputable matter (or “matter of opinion”) whatsoever. Whether or not a Christian can play cards or board games, what time services will be scheduled to be held on Sunday by each congregation, what color the carpets or songbooks are going to be – these are the discussions to be held in the arenas and under the auspices of matters of conscience, opinion, or disputable matters. Why? Because God has not specifically addressed them one way or the other, but left them pretty much up to us. Anything that God has said absolutely nothing about, pro or con, for or against, positive or negative, or addressed in any way whatsoever within the pages of sacred Scripture, THESE we can discuss in THOSE two arenas.

However, anything that God has addressed one way or the other, either for or against, even if He only addressed it ONCE, is NOT a matter of opinion, but of Revelation – and the faithful child of God must never allow himself and His defense of the truth to be dragged into any other arena other than the “thus saith the Lord” one when it comes to any such thing. It is not a “matter of conscience” but of obedience or disobedience as soon as God says anything about it! And God clearly, concisely, and consistently showed His N.T. earthly children not once, not twice, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven, but a grand total of eight times in the N.T, EXACTLY what kind of music He wanted, desired, and demanded of them to give to Him – EIGHT times total (Matt. 26:30; Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16; Hebs. 2:12; and Jms. 5:13).

This “appropriate arena response” reminds me of the denominational lady who recently said to me when she had exhausted every other reason in her unbiblical arsenal that she could unleash in defense of the indefensible and unauthorized addition of instrumental music into our singing praise to God, “Well, I just don’t think God would condemn people to hell for having a piano in the building.” Whoa! Wrong arena! To begin with, any sentence beginning with the words “I think,” I don’t think,” “I feel,” “I don’t feel,” “I believe,” or “I don’t believe” instead of a book, chapter, and verse, “thus saith the Lord” approach is hugely suspect from the start (Isaiah 55:8-9). And secondly, the correct arena for this discussion is not whether or not God would condemn anyone for having a piano in the building, but whether or not He would condemn anyone for substituting or supplementing their own desired elements, either for, or into, what He has clearly commanded and required. And anyone who knows anything about Scripture could only answer that He definitely would – and will (Matthew 7:21-27).

The lines of this arena, and in which this discussion must exclusively take place, are the “Book, chapter, and verse” truths of Scripture. Without them, in the areas and arenas of opinion, conscience and disputable matters, lies more chaos, confusion, and condemnation than the pain and suffering of trying to have an Olympic Diving Competition on a basketball court. And this is far more than just a mere matter of life and death; it is a matter of eternal life and death. Make sure yours is decided in the proper arena when it comes to the discussion and rules of engagement on instrumental music: The “book, chapter, and verse” arena of indisputable, biblical, “thus saith the Lord” truth.

And if you need additional help staying in that arena, please see: www.clevelandcoc.com/?page_id=161, or go to www.clevelandcoc.com, click on “Bible Studies,” and download a copy of: Instrumental Music in Christian Worship/Gatherings Is a Direct Violation of the Word and Will of God.

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Hardened Heart and Calloused Conscience

One of the greatest dangers of Christians today is the development of a hardened heart and a calloused conscience. Indeed, Paul warned us: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:1-2, emp. SW). When we think about the danger of developing a hardened heart, certainly Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, comes to mind in Exodus 7-9 (as a matter of fact, we could look at many of the Egyptians themselves in the same situation—Ex. 14:17-18). Yet, when we see the context of such, and know that Pharaoh declined to know the God of Joseph (cf. Ex. 1:8), then we truly see that he and others who follow his example are without excuse (cf. Rom. 1:18-32). How serious of a problem do we really have? Am I simply being an alarmist? How may one be in danger of developing such?

One may develop a hardened heart and a calloused conscience when he knows to do something, but resists in doing so. Every preacher struggles with the conclusion of every sermon, wherein he offers an invitation. Every preacher knows that there are often individuals in the assembly who need to respond to the divine invitation but resist doing what they know they ought to do. James said it succinctly, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Every single time I resist doing what I know I ought to do, my heart becomes a bit more hardened, and my conscience becomes a bit more seared. Then, every successive time I resist doing what I know I ought to do, I feel a little less guilt. Such is the great temptation to every Christian! In speaking concerning the Jews, Paul exhorted,

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. [Rom. 2:4-5]

In other words, instead of repenting, which was the intended response of the goodness, forbearance and longsuffering of God (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9), they refused to do what they should and thus developed hardened hearts.

One may develop a hardened heart and a calloused conscience when he knows not to do something, but persists in doing it. By its very nature, sin is addicting (cf. John 8:34), and oftentimes, Christians get caught up in sins that they know are wicked and unrighteous, but the light of the word does not shine through to motivate them to quit as it should (cf. Psa. 119:11). Thus, with each and every occasion, as long as the person fails to quit, the feelings of guilt will diminish with every occurrence, and the heart begins to harden and the conscience becomes more calloused. Thus, God wants soft and tender hearts and consciences that respond appropriately. This is the major difference between King Saul and David—Saul repetitively sinned through rebellion against God (his apologies never meant anything), but David sincerely stopped when presented with guilt (cf. 2 Sam. 11-12; Psa. 51). We all sin (1 John 1:7-9), but will we repent, confess and change our lives? If not, then our persistence to sin will be detrimental to our souls!

One may develop a hardened heart and a calloused conscience when he lives hypocritically. One cannot read the accounts of the gospel of Jesus Christ without seeing the hardened hearts and calloused consciences of the Jewish leaders of His day. Yet, one of the primary reasons for such was their hypocrisy, which Jesus infamously took to task in Matthew 23. Anytime we become hypocritical—saying one thing but living differently—we only continue the process of hardening the heart and searing the conscience with callouses. Parents who think that they can rear their children with the attitude, “Do as I say, but not as I do,” will have a rude awakening should their children become adults. Hypocrisy quickly leads to hardened hearts and calloused consciences.
One may develop a hardened heart and a calloused conscience when he judges hypercritically. Jesus addresses this in Matthew 7:1-5:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Anytime one attempts to correct the faults of others through hypercriticism, extracting a speck with a beam of his own protruding forth, he is showing his own neglect for his own life, and his heart will harden and he will sear his own conscience. His attention is only on the faults of others and not himself. David is a great example of this in his condemnation of a fictitious rich man from Nathan’s story (2 Sam. 12), in that he failed to see the exact fault of which Nathan was addressing by God in his own life, but was quick to judge so in others!

Rather than developing hardened hearts and calloused consciences, may we all seek to mold tender hearts and consciences (cf. 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Chron. 34:27) by allowing the word of God to become active in our lives—we will do what God says and we will refuse to do what God says not to do; we will not live hypocritically, neither will we judge hypercritically. In this way, we will all draw closer to God!

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Pray for Me

Brethren, Pray For Me

Paul was a man who fully understood the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian. He began so many of his epistles with an affirmation that he was praying for those addressed. He believed in the importance of prayer. He told this to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, the Thessalonians and Timothy. Paul really believed in prayer.

There is a remarkable request he made to the church in Thessalonica. After urging them to pray without ceasing, he then said, “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thess. 5:17, 25). He believed that the prayers of brethren on his behalf would make a difference in what happened in his life. Because of this, I ask of you, “Brethren, pray for me.”

I believe with all my heart that God has blessed me because of those who have told me over all of these years that they are praying for me. I am thankful that many, especially widows in the church, have prayed for me, and their prayers have changed the events in my life. Some are now deceased, like Evelyn and Ludell, but they prayed for me until the end of their lives. I think of Willette, who, at age 99, still prays for me every day as she has for the past forty years. There are others who pray for me, and I owe each of them a debt. “Brethren, pray for me.”

In Colossians chapter four, Paul urged those brothers to continue in prayer and then mentions some specific things which he wanted them to include in that prayer. “I ask you, my brethren, to include these in your prayers for me.” He specifically asked them to petition God, “That God would open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.” Think of it! Paul believed that if the church in Colosse would pray that there would be opportunities for him to teach others, it would happen. “Brethren, pray for me.”

He added to this another request. “That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Col. 4:4). Truth is absolute and eternal. Yet, for it to change the lives of those who hear preaching, it must be manifested to them. It must be presented in such a way that it can be understood. Without this, preaching ceases to be preaching. “Brethren, pray for me.”

I want each of you to know that in private prayers I am praying for you. Some are mentioned specifically by name, for I know of special needs you have. I so often pray that God bless the brotherhood and that He would work in the lives of my brethren around the world.

Now if Paul, the great apostle, believed so firmly that the prayers of brethren helped (see 2 Cor. 1:11) and asked others to pray for him, then, from the depths of my heart I ask, “Brethren, pray for me.”

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Smoking

Smoking as well as many other things are habit forming, yet does the Bible say anything directly about smoking? Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

Now the question is: “Is smoking a good work which glorifies God?” Our lives are to be of service to God. Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:1, 2)

Therefore, since one is to glorify God and we are to present ourselves holy and acceptable to God, what verse does a smoker use to justify his use of tobacco? Perhaps he uses the verse, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:17) Perhaps he tells others of the scriptures that say, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

Did Jesus smoke? Does smoking spread the kingdom of God further? Now, some may say that ‘those who are obese and eat too much is just as much of a sin as smoking, right?’ Well, the answer to this is No. Severe gluttony can damage the body, but smoking does so much more damage. First of all we must consider what is obese. For, in the world today obesity is measured by athletes and the perfect body of lean muscles and little to no fat. However, these standards are ever changing for only 100 years ago one who was considered average then, would today be classified as clinically obese.  Secondly, smoking unlike eating causes harm to other people.  Tobacco itself has been labeled a drug and those standing around you or riding in the car with one that smokes has no greater health than one who wraps his lips around a car’s exhaust pipe.  Tobacco is a deadly drug that harms, destroys, and denigrate himself not to mention the influence that one displays to others.

Tobacco has power over the user. The apostle Paul mentioned that he would not be brought under the power of anything, except the power of God. (1 Cor. 6:12) Paul knew that when something has power over us that controls us meaning that we cannot do without it, it has too much power. Therefore, we need to “Exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:13) And there are 3 facts of sin. The power of it which allures and fascinates. (Rom 7:21) It decieves sowing pleasure, but conceals the pain and shame. (1 Tim 2:14) It enslaves and leads men into captivity by paralyzing their will and blinds the intellect. (Gal. 4:3)  The stain of it which is not seen on our reputation, but on the body because disease leaves its fingerprints on the soul and stains the conscious. (1 Tim 4:2) The guilt of it not only from a man’s own conscious, but from the Heavenly testimony and what the Lord will hold against us as we stand guilty of the sin that was done. (Rom. 3:23)

But, what about those who smoke for recreational purpose or once in a while and do not smoke several packs a day . . . that should be O.K., wouldn’t it? Tell me, why would anyone ingest a product containing poison like cyanide, arsenic, insecticides, disinfectants, and fertilizers? There is nothing attractive about a human chimney, puffing noxious fumes and poisoning the public. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1) “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:20)

If smoking has power over us that we cannot quit and if it does not glorify God, then it is sin for all things should be done to the glory of God. We are to let our Christians lights shine before all men, not a lighted cigarette before all men.

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Modern Day Revelation

What Does the Bible Say about Modern Day Revelation? 

Not long ago, we received an email from one of our website visitors who made some comments regarding a lesson he had downloaded and listened to.  He based his opinions on the belief that God is still making his will known through the means of modern day Revelation.  In other words, it is his belief that God communicates directly with man today through prophets and/or apostles just like He did in the past. 

The purpose of this lesson is to examine what the word of God teaches regarding modern day revelation in order to ascertain whether or not this is the truth.  The purpose of examining any doctrine which is different than our beliefs is so that we can ultimately compare it with our own and if need be, make any necessary corrections.  Paul commanded the Christians in Corinth to, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). We are to subject ourselves to a critical self examination.  Our beliefs and practices must be “in the faith“, meaning according to God’s will.  

We have before us today a doctrine which claims modern day Revelation.  We in the churches of Christ believe that the written word of God is the inspired and complete Revelation of God, and that it is accurate, authoritative and sufficient to give us the information required for salvation.  In short, we believe everything we need to know in order to be saved is contained within the written record of God’s word.  It cannot be both ways, one or the other is truth.  What does the Bible teach about this? 

1).  The Bible states that God’s complete will for man was revealed in the first century when the church was established. 

Peter wrote in his second epistle chapter 1 starting in verse 2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,  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:”   According to Peter, all things that pertain unto life and godliness through knowledge of God was delivered at that time.  Peter stated in words impossible to misunderstand that all knowledge which was necessary to live a life of Godliness had already been given. 

If we will turn to Jude 3, we will find an interesting verse.  Jude 3, “...it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”  The word I want to call our attention to in the original language is “Hapax” which is translated in the KJV and as “once” delivered.  This Greek word has a very specific meaning.  It carries the meaning of “once for all” of what is of perpetual validity, not requiring repetition.  Simply stated, The faith that was “once for all” [hapax], “delivered” is forever valid, and it will never need to be repeated.

The Bible plainly teaches that all we need to know in order to live a godly life has been fully revealed, is forever valid and does not need to be revealed again.  One must ask why additional revelation today would even be necessary since we know the early church had all the knowledge they needed revealed to them almost 2000 years ago? 

2).  The Bible states that scripture is inspired and sufficient.  

Now if we will consider 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which reads, “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, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  “All scripture”, meaning there is no scripture left out, is “inspired”, meaning revealed by God.  So we see now that everything we have recorded for us in the Bible is revealed by God.  That means all scripture is accurate, authoritative and trustworthy.  Paul went on to say that the man of God may be perfect, meaning complete.  Thoroughly furnished, or equipped, unto all good works.  When one is equipped with the knowledge required for all good works, that means there are no good works out there for which we are not equipped.  The Bible claims to be complete.  The Bible claims to be sufficient. 

So far we have learned that the Bible teaches that all we need to know in order to live a godly life has been fully revealed, is forever valid and does not need to be revealed again.  And what has been recorded for us by the direct revelation of God can make us complete and furnishes us totally.   Why would additional revelation be required today since the Bible teaches that everything we need to know was revealed and recorded almost 2000 years ago?

3)  The Bible teaches us that the word of God lasts forever.  

Since the Bible teaches that everything we need to know was revealed and recorded, the only other possible reason for revelation today would be if what was revealed and recorded has been corrupted and that we don’t have an accurate account of what was revealed in the first century.

Let’s consider 1 Peter 1:23-25, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (NKJV).  Peter taught that the word of God is living and abiding which means continuing in its present condition.  He then taught that it endures forever which means to hold out against damage or corruption for all of time.  

If what we have today is not what was revealed and recorded in the first century then God’s word did not abide (continue on its present condition) and it did not endure (hold out against damage or corruption) for all of time.  1 Peter 1:23-25 is our assurance that what we have recorded for us today is what they had revealed for them in the first century. 

The Bible teaches us that everything we need to know for a life of godliness was revealed and recorded in the first century and preserved for all of time.  Since everything we need to know was revealed, recorded and preserved, then there is no reason whatsoever for additional revelation.  The early Christians had what they needed and we have today what they had then. 

4)  The Bible claims to be the exclusive source for truth.

Not only does the Bible teach that it is inspired, accurate, authoritative and sufficient, it also forbids going to any other source other than itself for instruction.  The inspired writers commanded their readership to not think, or go, beyond what has been written (1 Corinthians 4:6).  John wrote in  2 John 9, “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (NASB). I used the NASB translation because it more accurately communicates what the original language meant.  The Greek carries the meaning of going beyond where one is authorized to go.  One can depart and abide not in the doctrine of Christ if one goes beyond, or goes too far. 

In Revelation 22:18-19 we read of God’s curse on those who add to or take away from His words.  This attitude echoes His sentiments regarding the Old Testament law as well.  In Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32 we see God’s express command not to add to or take away from the law of Moses.  Concerning this very thing, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”  We do not live under the law of Moses today, but we can surely see from an examination of scripture that additions or subtractions of God’s will from any covenant was, and is, forbidden.  

5) The Bible teaches us that we are to reject the teachings of men. 

The Bible gives us severe warnings over perverting the gospel message.  Paul pronounced a curse on any who teach a gospel other than the one delivered in the first century (Galatians 1:8-9).  When John warned his readership not to go too far in 2 John 9 he went on in verses 10 and 11 to forbid any association with false doctrine at all.  2 John 10-11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds” (NKJV). 

Which doctrine is John talking about here?  John says “does not bring this doctrine“.  Which doctrine is “this doctrine“?  This doctrine is the one John had, which was, and is the complete revelation of the knowledge of God’s will for man at the dawn of the Christian age.  This doctrine is the faith that was once for all delivered.  This doctrine is the one that thoroughly furnishes us unto all good works.  This is the doctrine that is capable of making complete and thoroughly equipping us for every good work.  This is the doctrine that lives and abides forever.   The scriptures teach us to reject anyone teaching any other doctrine and then warns us that if we do, we are a partaker in their evil. 

If a doctrine does not come from God, it has to come from man’s additions or subtractions from God’s word.  The Bible also teaches us that our worship is vain if we follow as doctrine the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7). 

The only way I know of to assure myself that I am not worshipping according to the commandments of men is to adhere strictly to the Bible which claims to be inspired, or coming from God. 

If there is divine revelation today, then the scriptures which recorded all the knowledge required to live a Godly life in the first century cannot be the exclusive source for truth which it claims to be.   If there is divine revelation today, then we would have to transgress the word of God in order to follow it. God is not the author of confusion.  He is not going to forbid going to any source other than what was revealed and recorded in the first century and then 18 centuries later, turn around and reveal something we need to know and then expect us to violate His original word in order to live faithfully.

So now are we to believe we have two sources for God’s truth, separated by 1800 years?  The oldest one claims to be inspired, accurate, authoritative, sufficient, perpetual and forbids us to go to something else for instruction.  And now, are we to believe that roughly 1800 years later we have… something else for instruction?  We have the new testament from the first century which forbids us to go to another testament and now in the 21st century we have another testament? 

Conclusion:

The Bible teaches us that we do not need modern day revelation.  When God delivered the knowledge necessary to live a Godly life, He delivered it all.  (2 Peter 1:2)

The Bible teaches us that the scriptures are inspired.  God inspired them all.

The Bible teaches us that the scriptures are sufficient and equip us to every good work.  Concerning the works of righteousness and obedience to God’s will, we have it all.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  We do not need additional Revelation.

The Bible teaches us that God’s word will endure and is preserved for us.  He preserved it all and it endured it all.  (1 Peter 1:23-25). We do not need additional Revelation.

The Bible claims to be the exclusive source of God’s word today.  Concerning any teaching more than or less than what can be found in the Bible, it excluded all.  (1 Corinthians 4:6, 2 John 9, Revelation 22:18-19)  There cannot be any additional Revelation.

The Bible is our sole instruction manual for living a godly life.  Any teaching which is less than what can be found therein is incomplete.  Any teaching which is more than what is revealed and recorded is too much.  Our course of action is clear and true.  God says his word is complete, we believe Him.  God says His word completely equips us, we believe Him.  God says His word is recorded by His inspiration, we believe Him.  God says His word endures forever, we believe Him. 

People living in the first century who obeyed the word of God then were saved.  They had what they needed, they were complete, they lived according to the revealed truth and were saved.  We have what they had.  We can obey the same faith they followed, believe how they believed, worship the way they worshipped and live how they lived in absolute assurance of the hope we have in Christ. 

Invitation:

God’s complete, inspired, enduring, accurate and authoritative word teaches us in Hebrews 11:6 that, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (NKJV).  We must believe and and have faith.

God’s complete, inspired, enduring, accurate and authoritative word teaches us in Acts 17:30 that God now “commandeth all men every where to repent“.  We must repent, “turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).  

God’s complete, inspired, enduring, accurate and authoritative word teaches us in Matthew 10:32-33
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (NKJV).

God’s complete, inspired, enduring, accurate and authoritative word teaches us in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (NKJV).  It also teaches us in John 3:5
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (NKJV).  We must be baptized, born again of the water and the Spirit if we are to have any hope of living in the kingdom of God.  Obedience to baptism is the only way God will forgive anyone of their past sins who are living today after the crucifixion of Christ on the cross.

God’s complete, inspired, enduring, accurate and authoritative word teaches us in Hebrews 5:9 that Jesus is the author of salvation for all who obey Him.  And in Ephesians 6:6 that our obedience must not be “with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (NKJV). 

And Finally, God’s complete, inspired, enduring, accurate and authoritative word teaches us in Revelation 2:10 to “Be faithful until death, and I [Jesus Christ] will give you the crown of life” (NKJV). 

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