Course (Lesson One)

     As was demonstrated last time, the New Testament that we have today was written during the first century by the men whose names are attached to the various books.  Having established this, we can turn to the Bible itself to decide what importance we should give the Scriptures.  Some would say it is a good book, much like the writings of other world religions.  Others would claim it is an uninspired account of first-century happenings.  Still others would propose that it contains the word of God, but is not to be taken in its entirety as THE Word of God.
     There is a principle of logic known as the "Law of the Excluded Middle."  Basically, it requires that a thing  must either be or not be the case.  For example, something is either true or it is not true.  It is not "kind of true" and "kind of false."  Applying this to the Bible, either it is the Word of God or it is not.  Either it is THE Good Book, or it is not a good book at all.  So what does the Bible claim for itself?
     To start with, the Bible claims to contain eye-witness accounts of the things recorded.  Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:16 "we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty."  John said in 1 John 1:1, "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life."
     The Bible claims to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, as stated in passages such as Acts 4:25, Hebrews 10:15-17 and especially 2 Peter 1:21.
     Peter says that Paul's writings are among the Scriptures, 2 Peter 3:16.  Paul says that the things he writes are the Lord's commandment (1 Corinthians 14:37-38).  John boldly claims in 1 John 4:6, "We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
     We must follow the Bible in order to be disciples of Jesus, since only in it do we find the words of Christ.  He says in John 8:31, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of mine.".
     The New Testament claims to be complete, allowing no room for future revelations or modifications (2 Peter 1:3, Galatians 1:6-9, Jude 3, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Revelation 22:18-19).  It asserts that the Gospel is what leads to real knowledge and guides us in leading a Christian life (Colossians 1:5-12).  It maintains that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16 & 10:17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11).
     Sound doctrine is synonymous with following what is recorded in the New Testament (1 Timothy 1:3-11, 4:1-8 & 16, 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 1:13).
     We are ordered not to exceed what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6).  Anyone who goes beyond the Bible in what he teaches is said to not have God and to be participating in "evil deeds," and we are not to receive him (2 John 9-11).
     What, then, is the Bible?  It is the Word of God or it is not.  Just as Jesus could not be "just a good man" since no good man would mislead his friends to the point that they would die defending his claim of deity when he was, in fact, a mortal, no book could falsely make the claims we have mentioned and still be classified as "good."  Jesus is God, or He is a lier.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God, or it is a book of lies.
     If you believe the latter, that it is a book of lies, you are probably wasting your time listening to this program.  But if you know that it is the God-breathed Word of Truth, you are well on your way to enjoying the freedom available only through it.  Find something to write with and a piece of paper while we listen to this song, then be ready to answer some questions about the Word of God.

     Here are some questions or statements to help you as you decide what importance you should place on the Bible and its teaching.  After each statement or pair of statements, I will give you at least one New Testament verse.  You should go to your Bible and read the verses BEFORE replying.  Some of the statements have two parts, but these are not multiple-choice questions.  All answers are simply "true" or "false."
1) a. All Scripture is from God.
   b. The Gospel is the truth of God.
   (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 1:5)
2) a. We can use revelations outside the Bible.
   b. It is good to have a written code.
   (Galatians 1:8; Jude 3; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Revelation 22:11-19; 2 John    9)
3) a. We can each have a different interpretation of a scripture.
   b. People can study the Bible on their own.
   (2 Peter 1:20-21; Acts 17:11)
4) a. To understand the word of Jesus one must have a humble heart.
   b. One must be very intelligent to understand the Gospel.
   ( Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31)
5) a. We will be judged by the words of men.
   (John 12:48)
6) a. Scriptures can be used to correct men and give them sound doctrine.
   (2 Timothy 3:16)
7) a. There are things other than those found in the Gospel that can save    us.
   (Romans 1:16)
8) a. We can use the Bible to uncover false teachers.
   (Jude 17-19; Galatians 1:6-8)
9) a. The Word of God is living.
   b. The Word of God judges thoughts and intentions.
   (Hebrews 4:12)
10) a. Without the written word it is possible to stray from the truth.
    b. We must follow doctrines that we don't find written in the Bible.
   (2 Peter 1:14-15; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Matthew 15:1-9)
11) a. We should follow a religious leader who tells us to do things that       differ with those we read in the Bible.
   (Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Matthew 15:9)
     If you would like to have a free copy of these questions, be sure to write us at Box 1622 in Watertown.
     Are these questions trivial?  Are these questions unimportant?  After Jesus explained to some of the Jews in John 8:31-32 that they should abide in His word and that the truth would make them free, he tried to communicate with them more about the importance of following His teachings.  But they did not want to listen.  In verse 43 He exclaimed "Why do you not understand what I am saying?  It is because you cannot hear My word."  In verses 45-47 he adds, "But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.  Which one of you convicts Me of sin?  If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me?  He who is of God hears the words of God."
     Let's ask ourselves: which one of us can convict Jesus of a single sin?  If no one of us can answer in the affirmative, we must all accept His words.  Are you of God?  Are you listening to His words?
     Paul wrote to Timothy in his second letter, verse 15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth."  He went on in chapter 3, verses 14 and 15, "You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have know the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
     Paul says "handle accurately the word of truth"...and it will make you free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."