Bible Authority—what Is It (Part 1)?
PENTECOSTALISM has so pervaded society that religion has become subjective rather than the objective view God intended. Spirituality and religion in general are more about one’s feelings than they are about the truth and how or when the truth should be ascertained. Most people believe it is their ‘pastor’ or ‘priest’ that is the authority when it comes to religion and its doctrine. Forget about God and His inspired Word (revelation) to man.
Paul enjoined in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through Him” (NKJV). In other words, in everything we believe, teach, or practice we are to have the Lord’s authority (approval) for it. In the name of equals by the authority of (Acts 4:7). All Christians are obligated (required, duty-bound) to “walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7). In Romans 10:17, we find that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Therefore, since God said we acquire our faith by hearing the Word of God, then common sense informs us that if there is no Word from God on any given subject, then there can be no faith, and when there is no faith, there is no pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6).
This matter is so important that individuals are jeopardizing their souls by being members of religious groups that care not about God’s authority—groups that have not taught their members about having Bible authority for what they believe, teach, and practice. Our purpose in all our articles is to bring to light subjects most of you dear readers have never heard or been taught. God has always required His authority in religious matters and daily living. You’ve heard the story of Nadab and Abihu in Bible classes, how they died for offering strange fire on the altar (Leviticus 10:1-2). Why did God consume them with fire? Because they offered “strange fire,” fire not authorized by God.
Our faith comes from hearing the Word of God which rests upon sufficient, conclusive, and compelling evidence that the Bible is exactly what it claims to be—the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and all-sufficient Word of the living God. Our faith is not a blind faith, but rests solidly upon conclusive and compelling evidence (Hebrews 11:1). Faith does not mean absence of evidence. Therefore, there can be no faith if evidence does not exist. Yes, Thomas refused to believe the Lord had risen, but when Jesus presented him evidence, Thomas believed (John 20:24-28). The evolutionist has faith, and as a Christian, I have faith, my faith just happens to be supported by evidence, which the evolutionist does not have.
[This is part one of an article published in The Heartland Herald (in Mexico, Missouri) on January 19, 2025.]