Does It Matter if It's Not in the Bible?
This week's inside article, as well as last week's, highlights the fact that many words used in "Christian" circles are not in the Bible. It is also pointed out that many concepts are also lacking, but some people may wonder, "What if it's not in the Scriptures? What difference does it make?" These are important questions, and they relate to an important issue: How do we determine what God wants of us? Some things are easy to understand. God forbids stealing under both the old and new covenants (Ex. 20:15; Eph 4:28). He also prohibits adultery under both covenants (Ex. 20:14; Heb. 13:4).
Other matters are more complex. Since God does not mention a pope or Joseph Smith or Muhammad, does that mean they don't have authority in religion? No man has authority to do anything but what the Scriptures teach. The words of Jesus and those inspired by his apostles and prophets in the first century are authoritative. "All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God…" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Someone might reply, "But the pope speaks ex cathedra. And the plates Joseph Smith found contain Scriptures, and Muhammad delivered the Muslim Scriptures." There are two errors in such thinking. The first is this: The Scriptures were completed in the first century, and no "additional" ones were foretold or authorized.
The Bible teaches that the spiritual gifts, which involved the revelation of God's Word, were going to be done away soon (1 Cor. 12:4-11, 28-31; 13:1-10). Prophecies were inspired; speaking in tongues was another method of proclaiming God's Word; and knowledge (without having to study) also came through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But they all ceased when that which is perfect came—the complete revelation of God. It was through God's Divine power that He gave us "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). Likewise, Jude exhorted brethren to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (verse 3). Thus, there is a promise that inspiration would cease when everything was revealed—and two confirmations that all of it was revealed.
The second objection to listening to those claiming inspiration through the centuries (or today, for that matter) is that they all contradict each other. Catholicism teaches that Jesus is the Son of God (which He is), but Muslims disagree. Catholicism teaches monogamy (which is correct), but Muhammad taught that a man could have four wives. Joseph Smith disagrees with himself: In the Book of Mormon, he clearly taught monogamy, but in Doctrines and Covenants, polygamy is suddenly okay. The New Testament is our only authority in Christianity; it is sufficient for all that we teach and practice. Anything that contradicts it is erroneous. The New Testament is our sole authority for correct worship, also.