ASIAN SEMINARY FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 102 Valero St.

Salcedo Village, Makati

THE BIBLE: Final authority for faith and practice

In partial fulfilment for the course of Introduction to Scripture Seminar under the Master of Divinity Program

By

MANUEL A. OCAMPO JR.

10 March 2010

Manila

INTRODUCTION What should a Christian follow when it comes to his everyday life and engagement not only with people but also with God? On the one hand, there are people who will say that we must follow traditions handed down from the early generations of believers. On the other hand, some will say that only the Scripture should be the standard by which a Christian must live. While others will say both are needed or we need to adapt to the lifestyle of modern society and fashion that we have today. Though there may be different voices telling us what to accept and receive as truth from God, we need to have a determined and clear answer in order to live a life that will give honor to the One who gave His life for us. We need to have a definite stand on how to live as a believer so that we will not be swayed by different forms of doctrines and lifestyles. A serious Christian, one who is fully aware that his life does not belong to himself but to God, must have a clear-cut understanding on how to live according to Gods standards and manner by which He prescribed. Otherwise, we may end up living a life that fell short of His expectations. Remember: God will not lower His standards. We must live according to it. In this study, we will try to attempt to prove that the Bible is the sole basis or we may say final authority for the faith and life of a believer in Jesus Christ. We will give biblical foundations for this thesis as well as historical backgrounds and other needful evidences to give credence that there is no other standards acceptable to God except what is written in His holy Word.

Biblical foundations All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is no ordinary book. Even though it was written by more than 40 writers in the span of more than 1,500 years and in three languages, there is no single contradiction from beginning to end and has a unified theme. The reason for this was, truthfully, there is a single author of the Bible and that is God. The Bible itself was God-breathed in its fullness together with its words. The very inspiration of the Bible as coming from God is enough reason to make it our final authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This was made possible by the Holy Spirit as He worked through the lives of the holy writers thus preserving the original writings free from errors (2 Peter 1:21). Other than inspiration, the revelation of God through His Word concerning Himself and His will is another reason to make the Bible as mans guidance in all questions of faith, practice and modes of worship. Yes we can know that God exists by merely looking at creation (Psalm 19:1) and even in History, but it is only through the Bible that we know Him and His will specifically. When Moses gave the law to the Israelites, it revealed the will of God and it became the standard for their way of life (Deut. 6). Those who followed received blessings but those who disobey received a just punishment (Deut. 28). The Book of Revelation concludes and completes the Holy Scriptures, placing a seal and gave a warning not to add or take anything from it (Rev. 22:18-19). No amount of traditions or extra-biblical revelations can change what has been declared in the Word of God. Rather, all others must be in line and confirmed with what has been written in the Bible. The Bible is complete and therefore worthy to be obeyed, believed and received.

The Historical background In dealing with the historical background, so we can establish that the Bible is the final authority in matters of life and practice, we need to mention that the Old Testament already have its final canon when the church begun. The Jews and the early Christians used the same thirty nine (39) books we use today as part of the Old Testament and treated them as Holy Scriptures. But the canonicity of the New Testament books was determined only after a series of councils in order to determine its authority. Despite that there were so many writings in circulation in the early years of the church, the apostolic fathers were able to compile the canonical books of the New Testament and with the Old Testament, combined it to what we call the Bible today. The compilation of inspired books was used by the Catholic Church to determine what Jesus and the Apostles taught in order to battle against heresies such as Gnosticism and Marcionism that were so prevalent during the early church. It was also used to preserve the oral traditions handed from one generation of believers to the next in order for it not to be lost. And as the disciples and teachers of the Word went to different places, copies of these inspired writings were carried and taught to people in order to be saved and learn how to live a Christian life. When the Reformation begun in Germany, Martin Luther, who was saved after reading from the Bible that the just shall live by faith, stood on the statement of Sola Scriptura, meaning by Scripture alone. It is the doctrine that the Bible is the only infallible and inerrant authority for Christian faith, and that it contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness.1 It is what separates the Protestant churches when it comes to the Holy Scriptures from the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches who regarded traditions above the Word of God.
1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_scriptura (accessed, March 6, 2010)

Experience and Reason Personally, when it comes to the treatment of the Bible, I receive and believe it not to contain the words of God but the very Word of God. I was taught by my Bible teachers in the early days of my Christian life to study, meditate and consult the Bible in whatever situation I have. Because through the Word of God, He can speak to me regarding His will and guide me in accordance to His purpose and plan. Until today, this is my practice and even teaches it to others so that we can base our lifestyle to the stated will of God in His Word. Through preaching the Word, as the Book of Romans said, faith will come as we hear the Word of God.2 It is only through the Bible that people will know the truth about Jesus as Gods way to salvation. It cannot be denied that countless lives were changed and transformed when they received and believed in the Word of God. Not to mention those who were healed and delivered from sicknesses and vices that enslaved them. The Bible indeed has a dynamic and transforming power which was made possible because it is truly the Word of God. And if people are saved, healed and delivered because of the message of the Bible, is it not only proper to use it as our standard for faith and practice? It is vital to mention that the Bible will not only give proper guidance on how to live but will also lead you to a closer relationship with God. The Bible has the imprimatur of Gods authority in every commandment which demands complete obedience and every promise which requires unwavering trust for its fulfilment. And considering that the Bible is infallible or free from error, to reject any part of it is tantamount to rejecting God Himself. Therefore, in understanding the supreme authority of the Holy Scriptures means that there are no other recognized sovereign over our affairs. As John Wesley said, In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church.3

2 3

Romans 10:17 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_scriptura (accessed 9 March 2010).

CONCLUSION It has been established that the Bible does not contain the words of God but rather it is the Word of God. For the reason of being the Word of God, it is sufficient to say that we have to accept it as final authority in matters of life and practice of our faith. No amount of traditions or extra-biblical revelation must ever challenge the infallible truth of the Word of God for a Christian. By the testimonies and statements of the Scriptures itself, it is clear that it is the only rule that we need to follow. Its message is clear as well as its accuracy when it comes to the fulfilment of every prophecy. It is the very truth of God as Jesus said in John 17, Thy Word is truth. And no one can go against the truth. Throughout church history, believers stood on the truth of Gods Word and defended the faith that was once delivered to the saints. They did not compromise their conviction which was based on the Word despite of the persecutions and attacks which they faced to the point of being killed. They did not bow down to the demands of their attackers but rather stood their ground because they know that the One who promised is faithful. And because of what they have shown, many others believed in the Word that they proclaimed. With all these things, can there be other bases for our faith and life? Will there be other authority that we must follow except the Word of God? I agree with the statement of Martin Luther before the Diet of Worms when he said, Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barclay, William, The Making of the Bible, Nashville: Abingdon, 1961. Duffield, Guy P. and Nathaniel M. Van Cleave, Foundations of Pentecostal Theology, OMF Literature, 1990. Harris, Laird R., Inspiration and Canonicity of the Bible, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980. Keathley, J. Hampton III, Attitudes or Viewpoints Toward the Bible, http://bible.org/seriespage/attitudes-or-viewpoints-toward; accessed March 5, 2010. Reid, George W., Is the Bible Our Final Authority? July 1990 http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/documents/Bible Final Authority; accessed March 5, 2010. Steinmueller, John E., A Companion to Scripture Studies, New York: Wagner, 1952.