The Older the Book …
A sister in Christ, a dear friend, contacted me this past week and confessed to me her “change of mind” regarding several things she calls “traditional convictions.” Without detailing our more than two-and-a-half-hour-long conversation, her interest proved that many brethren are supportive of their present convictions because of “traditional practices” rather than “proven scriptural authority” for all things (Colossians 3:17). While she admits this remains “a work in progress,” the wonderful thing is that she is learning GOD’S AUTHORITY must be the sole foundation of all truth and righteousness.
She has learned this truth by reading from the older preachers of the gospel of Christ; some of whom taught themselves what was errant within the religions they once supported. For example, Thomas and Alexander Campbell left the “common religion” of their native country in favor of “speaking where the bible speaks, being silent where the bible is silent, calling bible things by bible names and doing bible things in bible ways.” Barton W. Stone left the Presbyterian religion after many years of supporting it because he learned from the study of God’s word that there are no “synods” where rules and regulations of what should be believed and preached, and how individual congregations of that same conviction were answerable to a higher man-made power and not to God. Other noted “restoration preachers” left religions they long supported after carefully studying the bible and the bible only, discovering there is no authority for the things these man-made religions demanded: viz. instrumental music, communion only three or four times a year, tithing, the hierarchy of elderships and/or preachers, various modes of baptism, etc.
Her study of the writings of these preachers has indeed had a positive effect on her thinking! When she asked how they gained this knowledge, I told her, “They had only their bibles to use for proof of their convictions. These held the highest respect for God’s word, and so without confirming their beliefs with book, chapter, and verse from God’s uncompromised truth, they had no choice but to reject the convictions of men in favor of the unerring counsel of God and His word! The older the book, usually the more accurate the truth they relate because there were fewer “scholars” with which to compare thoughts. Therefore, God’s word, being the oldest of proven religious guidance, remains the authority!”
These emboldened words grant this fact! Hebrews 1: 1 – 2 teach us the Author, chapter 2: 1-4 the penalty for neglecting the Author’s work and from John 6:63 we learn the words of man profit nothing, but the words spoken by our Lord are spirit and life. Most importantly is the fact that Jesus said, “All power (authority) in heaven and earth is given unto me.” (Matthew 28:18) He also said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12: 48 – 50) Question: Is there any greater AUTHORITY than God through His Son Jesus Christ? If not, then Colossians 3:17 demands a much greater adherence than most presently seem to consider. It most certainly eliminates all “opinions” and “traditions of men” regardless of how well-intended!
Further, if we concede that the older books regarding sermons and articles that search for truth and righteousness used only the Bible for reaching these conclusions, then is there a religious book older than God’s word from which to find the truthful answers we seek? Granted, some still distort God’s truth, or simply misunderstand its content, as did the eunuch (Acts 8:26 – 40). But when Philip began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus (vs. 35) answers came, resulting in obedience to God’s word and not man’s! The same diligent study of God’s word will result in the same conclusion: truth and righteousness leading to obedience to what God says and not man!
The older I get and the more I read from God’s word, the more convinced I am that no one needs anything more than the bible to teach us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Yes, I know Paul used other materials in his work (2 Timothy 4:13), and yes, I know there were other letters and books we don’t have (like the book of Jasper and Paul’s letter to Laodicea.) But I believe emphatically that God has provided us with ALL we need to know to learn to do His will and not man’s. It is HIS word, HIS church, HIS plan of salvation, HIS promise of eternal life if we remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10). By direct commandment, apostolic example, and necessary inference to fulfill either commandment or example, we establish the authority for all we say and do (Colossians 3:27.) But you must read the oldest of books – THE BIBLE!