The authority for what we believe

 

 

Let’s start with the divide that we have: 

 

God is infallible, objective and absolute authority 

– 

we are fallible, subjective and subordinate!

 

None of us has an infallible hotline from God. No one person has all truth or all knowledge. Yet God is all-knowing and absolute truth. What we need to decide for ourselves is – how do we know what is God’s truth/God’s pure knowledge, and not just our own wishful thinking, invention or deceit. In other words, what is the authority for what we believe?

Throughout church history, the church and Christians have recognised the authority of Scripture. Some may have seen it only as a starting authority while others have seen it as central. In the Church of England's Articles of Faith, for example, the 66 books that make up our Bible are affirmed as Holy Scripture.

What do we mean by Scripture? If we look at what the Bible itself says about Scripture, we get a clear definition:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16

Scripture comes from God. This is why it is often referred to as the word of God. Not only are we told where Scripture comes from, but also its purpose: to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness, so that we will be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

For Salvation

I once heard someone giving a talk to a church who said that as far as the Bible was concerned, the Church of England's 39 articles say that it is only of concern as far as salvation goes! One immediate rebuttal to this would be - who is the Church of England to dictate limitations on God’s word? However, if we look at the article in question, we can see that he had twisted its meaning.  

The sixth article: "Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation”

“HOLY Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation”

Let me put that in more modern English:

“The Bible contains everything we need for salvation. Anything that’s not in the Bible, nor can be proved by the Bible, is not required by anyone, and shouldn’t be included as a Christian belief. That is to say that anything that is not in the Bible is not required or necessary for salvation.”

To me, it’s quite clear. It's not saying we only need to bother with the Bible as far as salvation is concerned. It is saying that as far as our salvation is concerned, it must agree with what Scripture says about salvation.

Let’s put that into context of what we experience. Let’s say you meet someone who says they are a Christian. As a matter of conversation and mutual interest you ask them how they became a Christian and they say any one of these:

. I was brought up in the church.
. I have always been a Christian.
. My parents were Christians.
. I think it’s nice to have a sense of worshipping something higher than ourselves.
. This is a Christian country, aren’t we all Christians?
. I’ve been going to church for years.

None of these are ways in which the Bible says we become Christians. We become Christians by responding to the Gospel. We accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. That is to say that we accept His death as the only and necessary means of forgiveness for our sins. We invite Him into ourselves. We believe in Him in our hearts. We confess with our mouths that He is Lord. These are the things the Bible says are required and necessary for salvation.

Now, of course, we cannot know whether a person has or hasn’t accepted Jesus personally. They may well have done that and not remembered (if that is possible!). But, as statements there are things the Bible clearly says are required for salvation.

The Centrality of Scripture

Not only does the Church of England recognise the Bible as "HOLY Scripture" but it also says this is what must be preached in church:

The 19th Article, "Of the church" opens with, “The visible Church of Christ is a congregation . . . in the which the pure Word of God is preached.”

This comes from 2 Timothy 4:2:

"preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching." 2 Tim 4:2

Not the opinion of the preacher. Not human reason. Not the preacher's unbelief or lack of faith, but the pure word of God. I think the first thing any would-be preacher should ask themselves is whether they believe in the pure word of God.

Scripture and Christ

An important issue to address is that some think that others are raising Scripture to the level of God, as if they worship Father, Son and Holy Scripture. I would say that is because they believe they can have God or Christ apart from Scripture.

If you believe you can have Christ apart from Scripture then He is formed by your own imagination, which you can mould to your own intellectual satisfaction.

Christ is the word of God made flesh - Scripture is the word of God written down. They are both the word of God. They are inseparable from one another. Christ is revealed in Scripture, not just in the person of Jesus but throughout all Scripture. Also, Christ in the person of Jesus is revealed as a demonstration of Scripture lived out.

Scripture is the means God has given to us to know who He is and what He desires.

The New Testament is Scripture

So, the church has accepted that all 66 books of the Bible are Scripture. Yet still, there are always people who say that when the New Testament writers wrote their letters they were only referring to the Old Testament as Scripture. What does the Bible say about that?

Peter recognises Paul's letters as being part of the Scriptures:

“Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you, as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Pet 3:15-16 

 Peter recognises his own writings as Scripture:

“We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Pet 1:19-21

Paul recognises that what he is teaching is the commandment of God:

“If anyone thinks themself to be a prophet or spiritual, let them recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.” 1 Cor 14:37 

The New Testament can be seen as the tradition of The Apostles written down. This tradition is not continually evolving. I’m sorry if you feel left out! “It’s not fair, God spoke through the Apostles, why can’t I say He speaks through me as well?!!!” 

If we look at The Apostles, we could argue that it is the same as with Israel. (I’m using capitals “The Apostles” only for clarity). God did not choose them because they were more special than anyone else. They were "more special" because God chose them. From the very beginning, the church recognised that The Apostles were given a special job to do by God in laying the foundation of the faith. 

However, The Apostles are not the point. The point is that God wanted us (including you and me) to have His word. Every word of it: 

“Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” From Deut 8:3 & Mat 4:4

God found a means for that to happen and now we have His word. We can rejoice in that. What you have in the Bible are the very words of God, the whole lot. Even though the devil’s words are recorded in the Bible, God is the author of the book, not the devil. What the devil said isn’t truth, but it is true that he said them. 

Consider this: the very first recorded words of the devil, in the disguise of the serpent, are, “Did God really say?” (Gen 3:1). The whole fall of humanity and the world is hinged on someone throwing doubt over the word of God. 

The original message 

Each generation of Christians has received the Bible in one form or another. It is as if at the same time we have played that children's game of whispering the message. You know how the whispering game goes, the children sit in a line and someone whispers a message to the first. The first whispers it to the second and so on until it gets to the last child who says the message out loud. Usually, the message said out loud is nothing like the original message. Sometimes, the message is misunderstood by a person and passed on in error. Sometimes it is deliberately changed. However, in this game of church history, as each generation whispers the message to the next person they pass on a piece of paper with the original message written on it. So, whatever they are told, they can check to see whether the message they are told has strayed from the original message. 

Here’s the amazing thing, some of the people who stand out in the history of God’s people as heroes of the faith simply bothered to check what they were being told by reading the original message. Most notable for us is possibly Martin Luther. 

But bear in mind Martin Luther isn’t Scripture. He is remembered because he brought the church back to Scripture. 

Only Scripture is scripture 

The definition we have from Scripture is that Scripture is God-breathed. In other words, Scripture is God’s word. When it came time to bring the books of the New Testament together they had tests that each book had to meet. It is a mistake to think anyone decided for us what books became the New Testament as if it were a political conspiracy. They simply affirmed what was Scripture. One of the tests was whether the church as a whole received the book as Scripture. From that, we would have to say the Roman Catholic Church is not Scripture. The Church of England is not Scripture. The Baptist Church is not Scripture.

The Church of England agrees that it is not Scripture. In the 20th Article, "Of the Authority of the Church" they state: 

"The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another."

Not only is no denomination Scripture but Paul (God’s word) tells us that those who think in terms of denominations are mere infants in Christ, acting like mere unsaved people (1 Cor 3:1-5).

When asked the question, “What denomination are you?” many will give the answer, “I don’t consider myself to be any denomination, I see myself as a Christian and that’s it.” That is the right answer. If someone insists that you be of a denomination, then you have someone who is not fit for grown-up food but only fit for baby food. Paul said he could not speak to them as mature but as infants. So, “Aren’t you gorgeous, ba ba ba!” is probably as much as you could say to them! 

No Bible teacher is Scripture. No church leader is Scripture. No meeting of church leaders is Scripture. No venerated saint is Scripture. Our fallen human reason is not Scripture. "God told me!" is not Scripture. Church tradition is not Scripture. Philosophy is not Scripture. Only Scripture is Scripture. We can study these things, of course, but they need to be evaluated by Scripture and not the other way around. I find it very useful to study many different things, it helps me to get a broader understanding of subjects. That in turn helps me to see things and depths in Scripture that I missed before.

A person who wants to elevate themselves and demean Scripture might say that the Scripture writers were influenced by Plato. But God exists and He inspired people of faith through the Holy Spirit to know His truth. Plato was just one of many people taking wild stabs at how he thought the universe was ordered. 

When we look at characters or churches we can ask, are they pointing us to Scripture or are they leading us away from Scripture? We can ask whether they are adding or taking away from Scripture, or are they simply affirming Scripture? 

Many people who say they accept Scripture as the authority for what they believe often fall into the trap of accepting other things as if they are Scripture. 

Is accepting Scripture intellectual suicide? 

What does Scripture say about those who see Scripture as foolish: 

“Now the natural (soulish, worldly, intellectual) person doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, and is judged by no one.” 1 Cor 2:14-15 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God;” Rom 8:5-7a 

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another,” Gal 5:17a 

What does Scripture say about the wisdom of this world? 

“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.” 1 Cor 1:20-21 

“Let no one deceive themself. If anyone thinks that they are wise among you in this world, let them become a fool, that they may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.” And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.” 1 Cor 3:18-20

“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” Rom 1:22 

What does Scripture say about using the mind to judge Scripture? 

“For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any

sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Heb 4:12

It is not our thoughts that judge Scripture. It is Scripture that judges our thoughts. 

What does Scripture say about us dying to our "old self"? 

“So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Rom 7:4 

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.” 2 Cor 5:17

“I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.” Gal 2:20 

“Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.” Gal 5:24 

What does Scripture say we should do with our minds? 

Renew our minds: 

“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:2 

“Throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Cor 10:5

("Knowledge of God" can also be translated as "wisdom of God." As in "God's knowledge/wisdom." So we could read 2 Cor 10:5 as:

“Throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against God's wisdom and knowledge and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”)

“If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.” Col 3:1-4 

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.” Col 3:16 

 

Spiritual gifts and ministry are not Scripture 

Apostles 

Let’s start with apostles. The first Apostles held a special ministry. They were to take the Gospel message of the new covenant out to the world. For them, there was no “New Testament.” However, they eventually came to write what we have as our New Testament. I do not want to get bogged down on who were "The Apostles" here. Simply to say that certain people for a certain time acted as the New Testament in person. 

It may surprise you to know that for the next few hundred years after The Apostles, (John being the last to die) no one took the title of apostle. Instead, they had such reverence for the writings of The Apostles that they said Scripture alone was the authority for what they believed. 

Prophets 

In the Old Testament, we see prophecy as God’s Word being spoken to God’s people. These words were then written down for all of God’s people. When we come to now, we do not see this type of prophecy, even though some may lay claim to it. Once again, for it to be recognised as Scripture it needs to be received as such by the church as a whole. 

New Testament prophecy has a different nature from Old Testament prophecy. It is no longer speaking forth God’s word. In other words, it is not the words that are important. It strengthens, encourages and comforts (1 Cor 14:3). Let me clarify; in the Old Testament, prophecy came with the “Thus says the Lord” kind of speech. It was an important message, either of God speaking to the people’s behaviour, or telling the people what God would do. However, the way prophecy is described in the New Testament it comes more like the coach of a sports team giving a pre-match pep-talk. 

This is not to belittle prophecy. It is to elevate our need to be strengthened, encouraged and comforted. In the book of Acts, for example, we see The Apostles praying for boldness again and again. The point is, in the Old Testament God needed to say certain things to the people at certain times. The Old Testament was still being written. God does not need to give us fresh teaching or instruction because we have the whole Bible. However, just as Jesus called the Holy Spirit "the comforter", that is what God knows we need.

We could say that in the Old Testament prophecy was given to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness so as to equip God's people. But now that is the function of Scripture. Now prophecy has a special place to strengthen, encourage and comfort.

Whether a person’s teaching is apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic or pastoral, they will not be given the brand new, inspired word of God as if it is new Scripture. Rather they will be teaching, applying and explaining Scripture. 

God has given us everything we need

There is a line in a worship song that says, “We need another Pentecost!” If we needed another Pentecost, God would give us one. We don’t, Pentecost happened. If we read the Scriptures we have been given everything we need for life and Godliness (2 Pet 1:3). He has given us every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3). We don’t need more Spirit. We are not leaky. The Holy Spirit is not some liquid that slops around with no self-control. He is perfectly capable of staying put. God has sealed us with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13). If we read the Bible, we are told He will be with us forever (John 14:16). We don’t need more power. We need to start appreciating what God has given us instead of always whining for more. 

The Holy Spirit inspired people to write the Scriptures. God is never changing and always true. God is not now going to contradict what He has already told us. Why expect a fresh word from God until you have got to grips with and exhausted what He has already said? That's like a child refusing to eat their dinner and whining for dessert!

What I see around the church are people for whom God’s word is not enough or good enough. The amount of Holy Spirit they have is not enough. The “every spiritual blessing” we have received is not enough. The “everything we need for life and godliness” is not enough. Jesus in us is not enough, “More of you in our lives Lord!” The sacrificial work of Jesus is not enough.  

Proverbs tells us, “As a person thinks in their heart, so they are.” (Prov 23:7). If you think God has left you lacking and the only way to get what you think you need is to continually grovel, week in week out, then you will feel that God has left you lacking. 

The sad thing is when you have an attitude that what you have is not enough, then you obviously do not know what you have been given. It follows that if you don’t know what you’ve been given then you cannot be grateful for what you have been given. However, when you appreciate the enormity of what you have been given you cannot help but live a life brimming with thankfulness.

 

Can you have more than one final authority?

You can have more than one final authority as long as they both agree. If they agree then why do you need more than one? If you have more than one then one is probably being informed by the other. For example, if we say that a church decree is an equal authority to Scripture. That would be fine if they agreed. But as Scripture came before the church decree, the decree was informed by Scripture.

If they disagree, then you will have to choose one over the other. Sadly, people usually choose the new one, otherwise, why would they create it in the first place?

Another test that was given to the books of the New Testament was whether their teaching was in agreement with the rest of Scripture. So, whether it is church decree, human reason or a claimed fresh revelation, if they disagree with Scripture then we are forced to choose.

The word "canon" means "a general law, rule, principle, or criterion by which something is judged." The church refers to Scripture as canon. Ironically, some churches refer to their own decrees as canon! At best a church decree can affirm Scripture. However, there is always a danger that they will affirm a misunderstanding of Scripture. If something like that is placed into church law, then it will hinder people from finding the truth of a passage. How can Scripture and church decree both be canon? It's like having two strict parents who disagree. One telling you to grow your hair long and one telling you to cut it short! You can't please both.

Scripture is received as such by each generation of Christians. Church decrees come and go. Which church's decrees should we obey? Human reason changes. New claims come and go. For the past 2,000 years, there have been all kinds of things that have sought to place themselves above Scripture. Yet every generation still receives the preserved, unedited Scripture.

 

Authenticity 

Imagine you are watching the football (soccer) World Cup final when someone picks up the ball, runs to the end of the pitch and touches it down. That person is playing by the rules of rugby football. Surely, it’s still football? But that’s not football. Everyone would recognise that. So, what happens if we step outside of the “rules?” What if we start playing by something other than Scripture? Surely it’s no longer Christianity. People are free to play rugby but you wouldn’t call it soccer. Likewise, you can play by whatever rules you want, but that doesn’t make it authentic Christianity.