June 15, 2004, Vol.3, No.12.

The Authority of the Scriptures

Keith Sharp

A preacher I met who had been very successful in teaching home Bible studies shared with me how he would begin his first study with a new contact. He would ask to study at the kitchen table. When he had noticed a bowl in the kitchen, he would draw his host’s attention to the bowl and ask how large it was. Whatever answer his student gave, he would politely disagree. Then he would suggest the host get a ruler and measure the bowl. After the host had done so, the preacher would still disagree and hold to his original opinion. Hopefully before the host became too angry, he would explain this is how most people discuss religious questions. They have their own opinions. They realize the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. But if you show them what the Scriptures teach on the subject being discussed, they still disagree and hold to their original opinions. And religious beliefs are a lot more important than the size of a bowl! What should the Scriptures mean to us? 

Authoritative

Since the Scriptures are the word of God rather than man, they are authoritative. “Authority” is “the power of one whose will and command must be obeyed by others.” (Vine. 1:89) The authority of a written message is no higher than the authority of its author. If a lieutenant receives a written message from the general commanding him to attack, he does so without hesitation. If he receives a written communication from a private ordering him to attack, he arrests the brazen usurper for insubordination. Since the Scriptures are the communication of the will of God, the Creator, to man, the creature, they possess the highest possible authority. They constitute the rule, the standard, by which we must measure our lives.  The Law of Moses, God’s communication of His will to National Israel (Deuteronomy 5:1-3), was the ultimate authority for Jews who lived under it. Thus, Jesus explained:

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

The “jot” and “tittle” were markings under Hebrew letters similar to the dotting of the “i” and crossing of the “t” in our alphabet. Even the smallest part of the Law was binding, and no one was to teach that it was unnecessary to obey any part of it. Jesus’ statement in verse eighteen is parallel to what a union member on strike would say: “Till heaven and earth passes away, we won’t go back to work until our demands are met.” What if the demands are met? They’ll go back to work. The Law was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:19-25), and, having been fulfilled, it has ceased. Jesus didn’t destroy the Law. That would have negated it’s purpose. But He did fulfill and abrogate it. But while it was in force, Jews were obligated to observe every part of it, down to the most minute detail.

The New Testament, the expression of the will of the Christ, the Son of God, to all mankind, is our ultimate authority today. Paul commended the brethren in Thessalonica:

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. 

(1 Thessalonians 2:13)

That message was written down for us in the apostolic letters (Ephesians 3:1-7), and these letters were later collected into the book we call the New Testament.

Complete

The Scriptures constitute the complete revelation of God’s will for us. Jesus promised His apostles that the Holy Spirit would lead them into all truth (John 16:13). We must not add to or change that gospel message (Galatians 1:6-9). It has been “once for all” revealed, and we must “earnestly contend” for it (Jude verse 3).

Sufficient

This revelation is completely sufficient for our needs (2 Timothy 3:16-17). No other revelation is needed or has been given from God. Neither the Qu’ran, nor the Book of Mormon, nor any other supposed later revelation can add one iota to our spiritual needs. The Scriptures inspired of God are sufficient to make us complete. What, then, are our obligations to the Scriptures?

Believe

We must believe the Scriptures. The apostle Paul believed “all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.” (Acts 24:14) He didn’t stumble over the creation account in Genesis chapters one and two. He taught, “For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” (1 Timothy 2:13-14; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:8-9) We must likewise believe the words of the apostles of Christ, the New Testament. Paul commanded Timothy, “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13) We must have faith both in Christ and in His Word, the New Testament.

Obey

But the Lord also demands we obey the Scriptures. God commanded Israel to obey all His commandments given through Moses always (Deuteronomy 5:29,33), to do so carefully (verse 32), earnestly (Deuteronomy 11:13) and with all their hearts and souls (Ibid). And the Lord Jesus Christ, when He sent out His apostles to all nations, commanded them to teach disciples “to observe all things that” He commanded (Matthew 28:20). It is vain to call Jesus Lord and not obey Him (Luke 6:46). In fact, salvation is limited to those who obey Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:8-9).

Follow

The Lord demands that we follow the Scriptures in all matters, patterning our lives by them. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) We are to believe as the Scriptures teach (Romans 10:17), speak as they direct (1 Peter 4:11), and act in accordance with their directions (2 Timothy 1:13). We shall be judged by the New Testament, the Word of Christ, on the last great day (John 12:48).

 Conclusion

Sometimes we who emphasize the necessity of following the Scriptures are accused of worshiping the Bible. Some charge us with “bibliolatry.” Nonsense! I worship God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. But I cannot accept Christ while rejecting His Word. “But why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) Rejecting Christ and rejecting His Word are the same thing. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48) A soldier who scoffs at and disobeys the word of his commanding officer is rejecting that officer. The consequences are severe. Those who scoff at and disobey the Scriptures reject the Lord Jesus Christ. I shudder at the consequences.