Is the Bible a safe guide in matters religious? I suppose that practically every person who claims to be religious
would answer that question in the affirmative. And yet, the vast majority of people don't believe that it is necessary
that we follow the Bible only.
Many claim that one's conscience is a safe guide. As long as they do not violate their conscience they think
everything is all right. While they freely admit that the Bible should be used they feel in addition that one should
have the right to do whatever he feels is good, even though the Bible may not teach certain things. Still others
believe in following their feelings. Their reason for believing they are saved is that they "feel it." They too will agree
that we should follow the Bible, but in certain instances if you "feel you are saved," nothing else matters. Then we
are reminded by some of the value of church creeds, disciplines, confessions of faith, etc. They argue that these
are necessary to a proper under standing of the Bible. They also claim that they help pronounce and define certain
Bible doctrines that are rather obscure. Of course, they don't completely object to or reject the Bible, but they
definitely feel that these additional helps are necessary. At the extreme end of this position are those who claim that
other books, such as the book of Mormon, the Koran, and the writings of Mrs. Ellen White are inspired like the Bible
and are to be taken with equal weight and consideration.
However, in view of all the facts, we are constrained to stand opposed to all the foregoing reasoning. We believe
that the Bible only should be accepted and followed by man. Anything else constitutes an addition or a change in
that which has been given and approved by God. We believe that:
The Bible Completely Furnished Us to Every Good Work.
2 Peter 1:3, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue..." If in the Bible we have been given all things,
then there is no need for additional creeds or books. Notice 2 Tim. 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God
may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." If the Bible furnishes us to all good works, what need is
there for further revelation? What can a church creed or discipline do for us that the Bible cannot? Such questions
in the face of such scriptures make readily visible the uselessness of human works. Another objection that we have
to human creeds is the fact that they:
Change Every Few Years.
Since this is true, one never knows from year to year what he will believe about a certain thing. Recently a leading
denomination that for years had held to the idea that infants were born totally depraved, and thus needed to be
sprinkled, bad a meeting of the church council and completely changed their view. Now all the people who subscribe
to the doctrines of this denomination will be forced to change their views. Can we afford to anchor our soul and hope
of heaven on anything so unstable? So as a result of this:
Human Creeds Cannot be Defended.
A human creed is objectionable if it contains more than the Bible.
A human creed is objectionable if it contains less than the Bible.
A human creed is objectionable if it differs from the Bible.
And if a human creed is the same as the Bible, it would be useless since it would contain the same thing that the
Bible contains.
Upon what grounds then can we defend and insist upon the use of human creeds? The answer is none. They
cannot be defended under any circumstances:
Human Creeds Cause Division.
Human creeds are responsible for much of the division in the religious world today. They have erected walls and
barriers that include all who agree with their teachings, and exclude all who disagree. Not only do they cause
division, but they also perpetuate it. If all these human documents could be removed, a great stride in the direction
of unity will have been made.
Why the Bible Only?
Perhaps you are wondering just why we insist upon the Bible only. There are several good reasons which we shall
give you just now:
1. It is the seed of the kingdom Luke 8: II, "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." A seed is an
amazing thing. It contains the germ of life; and the power of reproduction. Without it we could have no life: plant,
animal, or human. God decreed in the beginning that every seed would bring forth after its own kind. In keeping with
this natural law, when we plant beans we reap beans. Since every seed produces after its own kind, and the word of
God is a seed, then it follows that the Bible produces or brings forth after its kind; or in other words, the Bible
produces Christians only. Another thing about a seed that we should notice is that it brings forth only one thing.
Never have you seen a seed that produces two things. There is no vine in existence that produces beans and peas
at the same time. It just cannot be. So it is with the Bible. It produces but one thing. But someone says what about all
the different churches in existence today? The answer is forceful and simple. The Bible did not produce them. They
exist as a result of another seed being planted. The seed of the kingdom is not responsible for them.
2. It is a light. One of the most powerful forces known to man is light. It banished darkness immediately. Wherever
there is light, there is no darkness. David said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," Ps.
119:105. Again in verse 130, "The entrance of thy words giveth light..." It is the Bible that lights the dark corners of
the pages of history. Such questions as, "Whence came man," "Where is he going," "Is there life after death," are all
answered in the Bible, but nowhere else. The brightness of this light has dispelled the darkness of ignorance, error,
fear, and death.
3. It is the sword of the Spirit. Heb. 4: 12, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two
edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." A sword is a weapon of warfare. It may be used to defend one's
self or to defeat the enemy. However, one unskilled in its use, might do great harm to himself. The Word is much like
this. It is the Christian's defense, and destroys the false and untrue. However, many who do not properly handle it
use it to their own destruction. In the language of Paul they "wrest the scriptures." This is both dangerous and
serious. Many an enemy of the Lord has felt the keen razor sharp edge of the Spirit's sword. It can do what no other
sword can: penetrate to the depths of the human heart, even divide asunder soul and spirit, joints and marrow.
4. The bible is the mirror of the soul. James 1:25, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." By
looking into the Bible we are able to see ourselves as we really are. No mirror shows our reflection as we would like
to see it, but exactly as it is. If I look in a mirror and see that my tie is soiled, I don't get mad at the mirror and blame
it, for I realize that it is only reflecting what is there. Why then should I get upset when I see something in my life that
shouldn't be, shown me by the Bible, and try to change the Bible instead of self? This should not be. Used as God
intended, the Book can aid and help us greatly in living a life pleasing to Him.
Yes, friend, we must follow only the Bible. We have no need of human creeds and manuals. It alone is able to
lead us through this life and ultimately to the pearly white city.
