The Authority of Jesus

Matthew wrote: “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, by what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority” (Matthew 21:23)? Here we find two questions that these chief priests and elders asked Jesus concerning all the wonderful things that He did. They wanted to know by what authority He was able to do the things He did and who gave Him the authority in the first place. We know that God is the one who has all authority. The apostle Paul said “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). God later gave this authority to His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus said: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). God told all men to listen to His Son (Matthew 17:5). 

Why Must We Receive Instruction from Jesus?

First of all we MUST listen to the words of Jesus and obey Him because it is He that has all authority to instruct us in righteousness today (Matthew 28:18). We learn from the Word of God that Jesus is the head of man and therefore we must obey Him. Paul writes in Colossians 1:18: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” See also Colossians 2:19.

In addition, we are commanded to do everything as Jesus has instructed us. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). If we do not receive our instruction from Jesus or change it to suit our own needs or wants, then we WILL be destroyed. “And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:23). See also Matthew 7:21-23; Galatians 1:7-9; and 2 John 9-11)). The prophet referenced here is in fact the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

What Has Jesus Authorized Us to Do?

There are several things that Jesus has authorized us to do by His authority, given to Him by God, and passed on to the Holy Spirit, who instructed the apostles what to record in God's book, the Bible. Jesus has authorized us to preach the word to all creation. In Mark 16:15, Jesus told His disciples to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” See also Luke 24:47. We also need to lead people to believe (Acts 10:43), and to repent. In Luke 24:47, Jesus told His disciples “That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” We know this was done when Peter preached His first sermon on the day of Pentecost, and many responded to the gospel by repenting and being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). It is also necessary for us to confess Jesus (Philippians 2:11), and to be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:48). 

But that is not all, Jesus has authorized us to worship Him (Mark 7:7; Hebrews 1:6), and to do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Those that do not obey Jesus and insist on doing their own thing, contrary to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, must be disciplined. The inspired apostle Paul addressed the Corinthian brethren that were having fellowship with a brother who was committing fornication. He instructed the church in Corinth to discipline that brother so he will be shamed into repenting and doing what is right before God (1 Corinthians 5:4-5). Let us ensure that whatever we do and whatever we say that we are doing and saying those things to the glory of God (Colossians 3:17). Are you acting by Divine Authority in everything you do in the name of religion? If not, won't you repent and follow Jesus Christ, the one who has ALL AUTHORITY?

What Constitutes Obedience?

A passage of scripture comes to mind when I hear the word "obedience" and that is from 1 Samuel 15:22 which says: "And Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, {And} to heed than the fat of rams". We all need to understand that to obey the voice of the Lord is our first obligation. The truth is what guides us unto salvation and all men should obey the truth of God (Galatians 3:1-5; 1 Peter 1:22). We can learn from the scriptures that no man was saved by obedience to anything other than God's word. King Saul obeyed the voice of the people and that led to his downfall (1 Samuel 15:21). Adam obeyed the voice of Satan (Genesis 3:1-6). Saul of Tarsus obeyed the voice of his conscience (Acts 26:9). Only when one obeys the commandments of God is one able to be saved.

So how do we obey the truth? Before answering this question, let us first see how we disobey it. We disobey the truth by refusing to do anything at all (John 5:40). We disobey the truth by adding anything to it that God has not commanded or allowed. The Proverb writer says: "Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar." (See also Revelation 22:18; 2 John 9) Besides adding to God's word we disobey Him by taking away that which He has instructed us to do (Revelation 22:19; Deuteronomy 4:2). The only way that we can obey the truth is by doing the exact thing that God commands for us to do. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:21-23). Some may think they are doing God's will because it "feels right", or "it is a good work" but that does make it right!

This point is driven home by the example of Moses when he struck the rock when he was not commanded to do so (Exodus 20:7-12). It seemed such a small thing when Uzza touched the Ark to stabilize it, yet it caused his death (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). If we offend in one point, we are guilty of all "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one {point,} he has become guilty of all" (James 2:10). Let us strive to do ONLY those things which ARE AUTHORIZED by God!

The Purpose of Miracles

God does not do things without a purpose. All of His work is planned, purposed and orderly done. This was true with His work with reference to performing miracles. Let us examine and answer this question; “What was the purpose of miracles during the days of the apostles and Jesus Christ on earth?”

Revealing the Truth

One purpose of miracles was to reveal the truth unto all mankind. If God speaks to man, then He must choose some medium. Rather obviously that medium must be in ways that man will understand. So God spoke to man in words adapted to man's understanding. In 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit gave unto the apostles what he wanted the apostles to reveal to man. Here is what Paul wrote: “But as it is written: “EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” The Holy Spirit revealed unto the apostles the words that God wanted them to speak. Listen to Him: “These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches.” Miracles had to be performed for man to know the truth.

Confirming the Word

Another purpose of miracles in the first century was to confirm the word. By this we mean that the apostles did miracles in order to prove they were truly speaking from God, that they were not imposters. These men claimed to be spokesmen for God. But how were the people to know for sure? Miracles were done to prove it. These miracles were signs. Other miraculous manifestations were called "wonders" or "miracles." There were differences in the design or purpose of the kinds of miracles. "Signs" were proof of divinity or proof of authority. "Wonders" had to do with the great power manifested in the miracles. In John 2:11 we read: “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” The turning of water into wine was proof that Jesus was divine. You remember Nicodemus said: “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” (John 3:2). Yes, signs, or miracles, were proof of the genuineness of the person speaking from God. But still, even seeing all these signs, wonders, and miracles, people would not believe. The gospel of John is filled with miracles for the purpose of getting people to believe in Jesus. John wrote: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). Do you believe in Jesus Christ? I certainly hope so because unless one believes that Jesus Christ is the son of God and is buried with Him in baptism, they cannot have eternal life. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

No Evidence of Miracles Today

Now think about this. Since the Bible, the Word of God, is now revealed, and since the confirmation has already been made, what need have we of miracles? There is no valid evidence today that men can do miracles as they did in the first century and that is because it is not needed today as it was then. Do we need more truth revealed to us? Is not the Bible enough? Would you charge that the Bible is insufficient? Is there something lacking in God’s book? Do we need more light now than the people did in Paul's day? If one faithfully follows God’s book today, wouldn’t he be saved? If so, then what do we need with added revelation? Since the Bible is proven to be from God, why do we need more confirmation?

Be Determined to Follow Christ

Sunday will be the first Lord's Day of 2023. Have we determined within our hearts to follow Christ in all that we do this year? Have we thought about making any personal and family changes that would be better in our service to Christ? I would encourage each of us to be more determined than ever to devote personal time in the studying of our Bible. Paul told Timothy to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Each child of God has the same responsibility in their service as a Christian. Before we can be an effective example and an effective teacher, we must know the Word of God. We can only be approved of by God when we learn those things in which He has instructed for us to do in our life and then carry them out with the love of our Lord and one another.

We need to be more like the Bereans and search the scriptures daily to make sure that we are in compliance with God's will. When we understand and accept that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God then we will be on our way to carrying out the commandments of God. The basic fundamental principles of Bible authority are recognizing the "need" for authority and having "respect" for authority. We respect the Word of God when we DO what God asks of us. Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Do we recognize the need for authority? Do we respect God's Word? If we do, then we must determine now to follow the commandments of Christ in our lives not only in 2023, but in all the days to follow.

 

Christ's Authority and the Sending of the Holy Spirit

We learn from the Bible that Jesus Christ has ALL authority. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, grew up into adulthood, and began to preach at thirty years of age. About three years later, he commissioned the apostles to preach. He said unto them: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus had constantly taught that He came from the Father, and brought His message to man. He came to do the Will of the Father. In John 6:38-40 it says: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The inspired apostle Paul later wrote: “For He has put all things under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:27). This expression is an idiom meaning God placed all authority in His hands, in His care. We need to understand then that Christ’s authority is God’s authority. At the transfiguration God announced: “....This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5) We must ensure then that everything that we do religiously is based upon the authority of Jesus Christ, and not the doctrines of men because Christ said: “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). 

Christ Sent the Holy Spirit to the Apostles

Have you ever heard anyone say that they were being directed by the Holy Spirit? Sure, you have. But let’s see if Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to any or all men. Jesus states in John 15:26-27: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” This is what Jesus said as He was talking to His chosen apostles. He never promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit on any person except these. Outside of the apostles and Cornelius in Acts chapter 10, no one ever was baptized with the Holy Spirit. If they were, they could do the very same things that the apostles could do. In reading Acts 2:1-4 we find that Christ’s promise was fulfilled. It says: “Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

It says in John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” This passage of scripture clearly says that the Holy Spirit came to the apostles, sent by Jesus, to guide them into all truth. While many have claimed the power of the Holy Spirit in a direct measure, those who so claim are not properly informed as to whom the Spirit was to be sent to in the first place. Luke, the writer of Acts, wrote the words of Jesus in Luke 24:49 which says: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high". Before Christ’s ascension into Heaven, He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. They received the Spirit in Acts, chapter 2.

The Bible will not mean anything to anyone if one does not believe that Jesus Christ was given all authority by God the Father and that Christ later sent the Holy Spirit to the Apostles. The Bible is truly the inspired Word of God, and that is why it is so very important that we believe it and do the will of God in our lives; because, in the end, it is the very words of the Bible, the words of Christ, that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Have you allowed God’s word, the Bible, to form your life? 

Our Feelings and the Creeds of Men

Our Feelings

We will never unite on matters religious unless we have the same standard. Referees in a football game would never be able to agree on what was or was not a penalty if they did not use the same rule book as their standard. Whether in the secular or religious realm, we must use the same standard if we are going to come to the same conclusion. If our standards are different, then our practice MUST be different. If our practices are different, then maybe our standard is different. Is God a god of confusion? In 1 Corinthians 1:10 it says: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." In order for us to be able to speak the same thing, and not to have divisions, then we must make sure we are receiving God's instructions from His inspired Word, the Bible.

While most people claim the Bible is their guide, the facts in the case deny it. For example, we might hear one say, "I know I'm saved, for I feel it." For one to make a statement like that would mean that their inner feelings have become their authority because the evidence of salvation is in their feelings or conscience. The Bible is not their authority, even though they may say it is. Many people (because of teaching), have different feelings. One says I feel like I'm saved when I believe. Another says, I feel like I'm saved when I repent, and another says I feel like I’m saved after I am baptized. Can feelings REALLY tell us when we're saved? Or shall we have God's Word as evidence on whether or not we are REALLY saved? 

The Creeds of Men

Did you know that human creeds have long been the curse of society, a major cause of religious division and an instrument for causing families to be alienated. What a blessing it would be if we could have a great big book burning and destroy every human creed in existence. But of course this will not happen, because men love their religious creeds and family traditions more than the Holy inspired book that God gave us, the Bible. When men go to the source, the standard in religion, the Bible, and do those things that are contained therein, we have unity. But when men add to the Bible and start writing their own creeds, manuals, etc., then we have division. God never intended for there to be division in the area of religion, that was something man came up with! Jesus prayed: "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:" (John 17:21-22).

Still, many have their own belief, traditions, and creeds. One denomination has a discipline that teaches the doctrine of "faith only" as wholesome and full of comfort. Yet the Bible clearly says in James 2:24: "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." Faith only implies, and men will say, that no acts of obedience are necessary, whereas Jesus said: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). I invite you to make an honest choice when it comes to the area of religion. You can determine within yourself to serve a human creed, or simply rely on the Word of God, the Bible. Which will it be? Only the Bible offers what you and I need for eternal salvation. We can't get to heaven any other way except through obedience to God's Word, and His Word ONLY. It is always my hope and prayer that one will truly investigate and meditate on the Word of God and make the right decision to obey God in all things based on the Bible, and not on personal feelings or the creeds of men. Our eternal destiny depends on it.

The Bible is Needed, and It Directs Our Way

Are we in need of any additional revelation from God today? Or is the Bible complete? I have been told that there have been and still are divine revelations from God since the Bible has been written. As a student of God's Word, I want to know whether everything I need to know is contained in the Bible as I now have it. Therefore, to find out whether the Bible is complete or not, let us go to the source, and that is the Bible itself for the answer. We can turn over to Jude 3 and read where it says: "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." The Greek scholars are quick to point out that the expression "once for all" means, "Once, one time ....used of what is so done as to be of perpetual validity and never needs repetition" (Thayer). This says that the scriptures (that which is written from God) were given one time - one time for all time- and there is never a need for repetition. Therefore, any claim of inspiration from anyone since the inspired men died during the first century is a false claim.

The apostle Paul speaking to Timothy tells us that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:16). That seems to say it all right there. Every piece of Scripture that we have was given to us through God's inspiration for the purpose of providing doctrine, reproof, correction, and instructing in all righteousness. Don't let anyone tell you differently, nothing but the Bible is needed because the Bible is our complete and perfect guide providing us with everything we need to know on how to be saved. 

The world without the Bible would be worse than a trip through Carlsbad Caverns without a lantern. David said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Psalmist also wrote, "The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple" (Psalms 119:105, 130). The Bible stands as a complete and final revelation from God giving spiritual light to dispel darkness in our individual lives as well as in the world. The Bible lights our way here and shines to show the way to heaven. Truly then, it is a lamp shining in darkness. In the midst of wickedness, sin and selfishness, the Bible shines as a giant beacon showing the way of God like a lighthouse, standing proudly on shore, shining its bright rays to the lost ship at sea.

However, we have got to let the Bible be that shining light for us. It is only going to be able to show us the way if we open it and read what God's Word tells us (Romans 10:17). We must be determined to let God direct our every step through life. The prophet Jeremiah wrote: "O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). When we let the Bible direct our way in our daily life, we are in essence letting God direct our steps because the Bible is God's inspired revelation to man. Have you turned to God's Word, the Bible, to direct your life here on earth? If not, why not? There's no better time to start letting God lead your life, than today. Having an eternity with God depends upon it!

The Bible Contains No Errors

Jesus claimed that He fulfilled all Messianic prophecies, that is, prophecies about the Messiah. These were written in the Old Testament hundreds of years before Christ was born and stand as solid evidence that these men were writing by the inspiration of God as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 which says "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." In the book of Acts we can read where these Old Testament prophecies applied to the Christ of Galilee. It says in Acts 3:18: "But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled." The apostles realized and understood that the prophecies that they had heard about were being fulfilled.

There are literally many dozens of prophecies made of Christ, and when we realize every one of them came to pass exactly as predicted, we begin to ask ourselves the question, "How did these men know of this person hundreds of years before He was born?" In Jeremiah 31:15 it says: "Thus says the LORD: A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more." This prophecy of Jeremiah did not occur until 600 years later when Herod committed this cruel act. We can read of where it was fulfilled in Matthew 2:17-18 which says: "Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:"A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." How then could Jeremiah know of the "weeping" of the people over their slain babes as he predicted? The only explanation is that God was speaking through Jeremiah and all the prophets, concerning the things that were to come to pass. The Bible was truly "given by inspiration of God". 

There are no errors in the Bible and there are no errors in geography concerning the Bible. The Bible is not a geography book; but it is an astounding fact that every single statement the Bible makes about the earth and its make-up has been shown to be true. Yes, it is a fact that the Bible, the Word of God, contains NO errors in the fields of geography and science.

How did Solomon know about 1,000 years before Christ that there was a sphere when man did not? Man, as a result of his own experiments and wisdom, did not know this for hundreds of years. Notice carefully the words of Solomon in Proverbs 8:27: "When He prepared the heavens, I was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep." The first to give arguments for the earth's round shape was Aristotle who lived from 384-322 B.C. Few people accepted his idea then. Most people believed that the earth was flat until the invention of the compass, which made such voyages as that of Columbus and Magellan possible. When we sailed around the world, we knew then that Solomon in Proverbs 8:27 had told us the truth, nearly a thousand years before man discovered it. This could only have occurred through the mighty God Himself!

Evolutionists would have us to believe that the Bible is scientifically inaccurate. But did you know that many scientists are turning away from the idea or organic evolution? And many more are finding out that the Bible is accurate in each statement that it makes relative to science. Again, while the Bible is not a book of science, it has in each case proven to be accurate.

For example, in the field of sanitation, Moses, as he led the children of Israel through the wilderness, gave some laws of sanitation and food contamination that medical science did not discover for over a thousand years after Christ was born. How did Moses know of these laws of sanitation when man's wisdom did not discover them for thousands of years? Read the book of Leviticus for some of these medical practices far in advance of their time. How did Moses know these things? The only explanation is that God was with him.

In the area of oceanography, Matthew Fontaine Maury, known for charting the ocean currents, wrote a book which became the first textbook of modern oceanography. He became interested in finding the ocean currents after hearing his son read from a book which told of these currents. The currents are of great value to commercial fisherman since they discovered that schools of fish pass through them searching for food. The book Mr. Maury's son was reading was the Bible. 3,400 years before Maury's discovery, David wrote in Psalm 8:8: "The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas." David was not an oceanographer, sailor, or fisherman, but he spoke with certainty of the paths, or currents, in the ocean, and of the fish that passed through them. How could he have spoken with such certainty? The only explanation is that God revealed these facts as He was was with him. 

Do you believe in the Bible? Do you truly believe that the Bible contains no errors? No errors have ever been found in the Bible. In the areas of prophecy, geography, or scientific facts, no errors have been found in the Bible. It contains no errors because the Bible is truly the “inspired Word of God.” Now, let us live our lives for God, believing and understanding that He created and knows all things, and will judge us when we come to the end of our life (John 12:48).

The Bible - Prophecies, Archaeology, and Survival

The predictions of men, based on facts of the past and logical conclusions drawn from them, are sometimes right, but more often are in error. Even weather predictions, with all the sophisticated equipment and a storehouse of knowledge, often are wrong. But the difference in human predictions and Bible prophecy is that no man who spoke from God was ever wrong. These men prophesied of men - even mentioning their names and events, hundreds of years before such events came to pass, and concerning things which were obviously beyond the scope of human knowledge and wisdom at the time they were written.

The prophet Isaiah prophesied during the days of the divided kingdom of Israel that Cyrus “shall perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, You shall be built, and to the temple, Your foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28). He names Cyrus by name, yet he’s telling of an event that would happen over 200 years later. Cyrus was king of the Medo-Persian empire that allowed the children of Israel to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and temple. Isaiah prophecies this before Judah was taken into Babylonian captivity. Babylon would later be destroyed by the Medo-Persians under king Cyrus. Furthermore, how could Micah know the Savior would be born in little, insignificant Bethlehem when he wrote 700 years before Christ was even born?  And Jesus in Mark 9:1 prophesied that the kingdom would come with “power” which came about in the second chapter of Acts. The prophets could prophesy these things because God was with them. Christ could prophesy because He was God (John 1:1,14).

Besides all the 300 plus prophecies concerning Christ, there are many archaeological and other proofs that the Bible is the product of an all-powerful creator. Scientists digging into the ruins of the past, have uncovered amazing corroborative evidence to verify the Bible account of cities and events, many of which were doubted and even disputed by skeptics. The uncovering of battle records, names of kings and cities, all correspond with the Biblical account of the same events. We have old copies of Bible writing, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are known to have existed long before the fulfilment of these prophecies actually occurred and became facts of history.

Ancient Babylon is a good example. In Isaiah the 13th chapter (written about 700 years before Christ), the prediction is made that the city would become desolate, even to the point that the wild beast would not lie there. Neither would the Arab pitch his tent there. Visitors to this site verify the truthfulness of this statement.

Isaiah, in speaking of God, stated in Isaiah 40:22: “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” The Hebrew word that Isaiah used for “circle” is the word khug. It literally means something with “roundness”, a “sphere.” But, of course, the people of Isaiah's day (and in fact, for many generations to come) thought the earth was flat. How did Isaiah know that NOT to be the case? There is scientific foreknowledge in the Bible which is years ahead of its time. How could the Bible writers have known these things and countless more - except God, who created the universe and knew every detail of it, told them! No rational, sane person would believe that such foreknowledge could have come through just men. All this had to come from only one source, and that is God almighty!

If a few uneducated men wrote a book today, what would be the odds of its being a best seller for hundreds of years? Imagine then the odds against the writings of a few uneducated fishermen and uneducated Jews in a captive Roman province surviving the persecutions of the Jewish authorities and the pagan religious leaders, to say nothing of the determined efforts of the Roman Empire to stamp them out! But such writings have not only survived, but they continue to be the best seller of all books. The Bible has not only survived in early days, but it has withstood the blows of the skeptics and the infidel’s best efforts to destroy it through the centuries. If the Bible is not from God, then how do we account for such phenomena? If it is from God, these things are easily understood - God saw to it that it did survive! The Bible (the inspired Word of God), has survived into the 21st century, and will continue to do so until the end of time. 

The Bible - Its Moral Standard

The Old Testament writers lived in a country surrounded by and influenced by heathen religions. New Testament writers were in the midst of the immoralities and vices of pagan Rome and Greece. Yet the moral standards which these writers set forth were far in advance of anything known at that time. This is again evidence that the Bible is from an omniscient God. The inspired apostle Paul addressed the sins of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 when he wrote: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

One must ask, how can the skeptic account for the fact that the world’s greatest literature and the highest moral standards came, not from the geniuses of Rome or the philosophers of Greece, but from a hand-full of Jewish fishermen who never went to college nor published a book. Christianity is the one standard that admits of universal application without destroying the world. No other religion elevates all mankind as does Christianity. The Bible says: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). When we practice what Jesus would have us to do as stipulated in His Word, the Bible, then our moral standard will be above reproach.

Appealing to the Spiritual Interest of Man

According to Matthew 10:28 we can read where man consists of a soul and a body. We can learn from this reading that the soul is more valuable than the body. Jesus said “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The soul is more valuable because the soul is eternal and body is mortal. The soul of man is that part which was made in the image of God, while the body was made from the dust of the earth.

In the first book of the Bible we read: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). The Word of God, or the gospel, is that which appeals to the soul, and as the soul is more important than the body, we must present to everyone the gospel, which is God’s power to save the soul from eternal condemnation. The inspired apostle Paul wrote: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). What is it that has the power to save souls? It is the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Therefore, we must learn and understand that it is our soul that is to be cherished. Jesus again tried to make this very clear when Matthew wrote His Words in Matthew 16:26. Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Have you really thought about this question that Jesus asked? Could it be that you have exchanged your soul for the material wants and desires of this world?

While the Christian is taught to care for their body, the thrust of the gospel of Christ is directed toward the saving of the soul. Too many churches today overemphasize the material, the social, and even the political. But that is not the mission of the church that Jesus built, and was bought and paid for by His blood (Matthew 16:18). Jesus said that He came to “...seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The church which belongs to Christ is to do the very same thing today; to seek, teach, and save lost souls. May God richly bless you as you nourish your soul daily with the precious words of Jesus.

The Truth

Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Whatever the truth may cost (time, money, lands, houses, family, friends, or physical suffering), it is well worth the price; and once obtained, should not be sold for anything.

Truth Is Necessary in the Practice of Pure Religion. It matters little what we think, feel, imagine, suppose, or would like to believe; the truth is what counts. Apollos was an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, bold, convincing; however, he lacked the one thing which all need in order to be successful in preaching - the whole truth. Priscilla and Aquila had to take him aside and explain the way of truth more accurately (Acts 18:24-28).

There Are Many Deceivers in Our Religious World Today. Ephesians 4:14 says: “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” Like people who find themselves victims of professional gamblers, so are the unlearned before the winds of error. Dishonesty and trickery are the name of the game for false teachers. They use an assortment of trickery, craftiness, and deceit to disguise their teaching as divine truth. Ephesians 4:15 says: “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—.” Let us always be on guard against those who lie in wait to deceive. Continue to speak the truth in love and grow in Christ.

Do Not Ignore Error. Let us not think that by ignoring someone's error we are being kind to them. The truth, and only the truth, can make us free from the bondage of the traditions and doctrines of men. If anyone has been overtaken by error, let us seek to save them from eternal death (James 5:19-20).

To disregard, neglect, ignore, reject, shun, or deny the truth can prove fatal to our souls. Let us have a genuine love for the truth, daily seeking to be thoroughly acquainted with it, for only the truth can make us free, and lead us to the joys of heaven. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

Being Real

An antique dealer thought that the wrinkled old baseball card that she found might be worth $10.00. After posting it on eBay, she began to wonder if it might be more valuable than she had thought. She removed the posting and consulted a professional evaluator who confirmed that the photo on the 1869 card showed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first professional baseball team in the United States. The card sold for more than $75,000. Even though the card was creased and discolored, the most important thing was its authenticity – it was real!

The apostle Paul and his companions suffered greatly while spreading the gospel of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6 he listed their outward trials, their inward traits, and their spiritual resources: “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left” (2 Corinthians 6:4-7).

Please try to imagine the circumstances in which all these things interacted: The beatings, the patience, the prison time, the kindness, the distresses, and of course the great love. Although broken physically, depleted emotionally, and tested spiritually, the authenticity of their faith in Christ clearly showed through! He goes on to write, “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Corinthians 6:10).

In our walk with Christ, there’s no substitute for spiritual authenticity – being real! It is not lip service that God wants, what He wants is our authentic love and devotion for Him which shows itself in our day to day living as we let others “see” Jesus in us through the lives we live — again, just being REAL Christians!

What the Word of God Will Do

Many people don’t turn to God or rely upon God because they just don’t have an understanding of what God’s word can do and will do for them. The Hebrew writer says that “...the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). No person on earth can do what God’s word can do for us. Therefore, we must let God’s word penetrate our heart so that productive and needed change can take place within us. Here is what God’s word will do for every person if they will read it, “C” it, and meditate on it:

It will CHARGE us. When one reads the Bible they will learn why Jesus Christ came to this earth. He performed many miracles to help people believe that He truly is the Son of God. The Israelites of long ago should have believed in Jesus but many turned from Him. Peter’s sermon on Pentecost charged them with sending Jesus to the cross to die when Jesus was just trying to get them to learn the truth. Peter said, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know — Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:22-24).

It will CONVICT us. The best thing that can happen to us is to read the Bible and allow it to convict us of unrighteousness (sin). As Peter preached his sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts, chapter 2, the Jews who were gathered there began to understand that they were guilty of sending Jesus to the cross to die. They were convicted of their sin! Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

It will CONVINCE us. After we are convicted of sin, then we can be convinced that we need to do something about it. The Jews on Pentecost knew they had sinned but did not know what to do. They asked the all important question of Peter that day: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). This is the very same question that all of us should be asking now. Knowing that we have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we must now do what God instructs us to do in order to gain true peace of mind in Christ our Lord.

It will CONVERT us. Upon understanding that we are in sin and knowing we must do something about it, then and only then, can we be led to true conversion. The Jews, after asking Peter “what shall we do?” received the best answer ever by the beloved apostle Peter. “...Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The answer they received, is the same one we receive. What God’s word instructs of us is not difficult to do. If we truly want our sins forgiven and to be able to live with true peace of mind in Christ, we must obey God’s commands. We learn from this passage of scripture that we need to repent (turn from sin), and be baptized (immersed in water), in order to receive forgiveness of our sins. When we do that, then we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which is the promise of salvation to all who are obedient to God’s commands. Another passage of scripture that mirrors Acts 2:38 is Acts 3:19 which says, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). This passage also states that we must repent, be converted (baptized), to receive forgiveness of sins, and we will be refreshed knowing that we have the promise of eternal life if we remain faithful until death (Revelation 2:10).

It will CHANGE us. As the Jews experienced a changed life after they were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:41-47), we too will experience a new life in Jesus Christ! It is such a blessing to walk through life daily knowing that through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ, fully and completely, that we can look forward to eternal life with Him after we pass from this life.

I encourage all of us to examine the Bible and see what the Word of God will do for us. May God richly bless us as we diligently seek Him and allow Him to change our lives in a positive way through the power of the gospel message. Paul was convinced of it, and so should we! “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

God's Word

Have you ever had something you valued very highly and were afraid that you might lose it? Most of us take great care in protecting what we highly treasure, and try to learn the best way to protect it. Sometimes our efforts to preserve and keep our treasures are useless due to ignorance or neglect of the correct measures to be taken. Therefore, that which provided great benefit and was of much value is lost and can't be recovered no matter how hard we try.

Atheists, secular humanists, and others who don’t want to hear anything about God or His standard for living, enjoy all the benefits that come from a society that mostly practices the teachings of the Bible. These people are willfully ignorant of the knowledge that the Bible and its teachings restrain evil and bring order to society. They’re ignorant that the Bible sets forth the individual as being very valuable. This country was based upon this very idea, and its laws were constituted to protect the individual.

If, as the Atheists and others in ignorance desire, Bible teaching is removed from the great majority of our society, that removal will eventually destroy the value of the individual. When the value of the individual is destroyed, our orderly society and freedoms will be gone. Anarchy, violence and lawlessness will replace order and freedom, and a dictatorship or other type of oppressive government will take over.

Do you value God's word? Do you want your children, and grandchildren to grow up with the freedom to practice what the Bible teaches? If you do, store up the word of God in your heart, and teach your children God’s word, morning, noon and night (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It all begins with each one of us. Before our homes can function properly, we must first function properly in the ways and teachings of God. When we are practicing godliness and are truly loyal to Christ, then our homes will reflect that. When our homes reflect Christ, then our local congregations will also reflect Him. It all starts with “ME.”

God’s people long ago were instructed to put Him first above others and all things (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). In the New Testament, Jesus said “And you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' this is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ there is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). If we will truly value God’s precious word in all aspects of our lives, we will never regret it. Let us all strive to keep God's Word sacred in our heart so that our children and grandchildren will learn of God and value His word!

Bible Study

When Paul was on the European continent, he traveled from Thessalonica to Berea and found some of the Bereans to be more noble-minded than many he had encountered in Thessalonica.

In Acts 17:10-11, Luke says, “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.”

I wonder, if the determining factor was our eagerness in receiving the word of God and daily searching of the Scriptures, would Luke think you or I to be fair-minded?

2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…” 2 Peter 3:18 says, “...But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Bible study is important and essential for those who wish to receive God’s approval. It is through the revelation we call the Bible that we learn of Christ and how we can receive eternal life. Let us examine the Scriptures daily so that we can grow in the grace and knowledge of God, making sure we are doing His will and not the will of man.

 

Where's the Bible?

Have you ever found yourself asking at the conclusion of a church service “where’s the Bible?” Have you gone to church services, taken your Bible with you, and then realized after leaving that you never were asked to open it? In many churches today, sermons are given with little to no scripture included. Many times lessons are developed and presented around the events of the day. This can help us to learn to deal with life, but it does not teach us, from the Bible, how to live our life.

In our society, many churches have tried all kinds of things in an effort to bring people to church services. The one thing that is usually missing in most of these efforts is an appeal for people to come and learn more about the Bible. You may have even felt that churches seem to emphasize how the Bible should be made to fit our lives, rather than how our lives should be made to fit the Bible. Many churches today practice various doctrines and traditions that are not found anywhere in the Bible (Matthew 15:8-9). It would seem that if one is trying to please God in all aspects of their life, then one would want to make sure that everything that they are doing religiously is in accordance with the Bible — the Word of God (Matthew 7:21).

If you are interested in knowing this wonderful book of God, the Bible, we encourage you to visit the Poudre Valley church of Christ where only the Bible is preached, taught, and practiced. Many people today are interested in church sponsored entertainment to fulfill their needs. We, however, emphasize the necessity of learning and knowing the Bible; we emphasize the need for Christ in our life based upon His Word. We teach only the Bible because we understand the importance of what Jesus said in John 12:48: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.”

The Poudre Valley church of Christ is a place where you can attend and learn the Bible. In our Bible classes, we study the words of Jesus and the inspired apostles. In this way, we can learn what individuals had to do back in the first century in order to be saved and then make those same applications to our lives. Today, most denominations trace the establishment of their church to a specific person on a specific date: anywhere from 600 A.D. to present time. However, Christ promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18), and we learn from the Bible that His church was established on the first Pentecost after His resurrection (Acts 2). The church of Christ is the church in which we belong; therefore, we strive diligently to practice only that which is authorized by God in His Holy inspired Word, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We want to encourage you to come and visit the Poudre Valley church of Christ where you will quickly realize that the Bible is emphasized above all else. You will leave feeling loved and appreciated, not having to ask yourself “where’s the Bible? 

Fellowship

The book of 1 John, chapter one has some valuable information that is important to us. Sometimes we use the term "fellowship with one another" too lightly. We can only have fellowship with one another if we are walking in the light as Jesus "Himself is in the light" (v. 7). We know from verse 5 that "God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all." Therefore, how can we say "we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness?" If we do "we lie and do not practice the truth" (v 6). Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Most everyone that is a Christian realizes that Jesus is the light and that He is without sin. The emphasis in this chapter is that God does not associate with evil and darkness is not in Him -- He is only light. Therefore, if we are following Christ we must do so on His terms and that is to not associate with darkness but to walk in the light as "He is the light".

If we walk in the light we are told that "the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin" (v. 7). Aren't we all striving to do the best we can so that we can someday be with our savior in heaven? We need to be free of pride so that we can "confess our sins" (v. 9) so that we can be "cleansed from all unrighteousness." Yes, we all sin (Romans 3:23), but what we have as Christians is the avenue of prayer to ask God for forgiveness, knowing that He will "forgive our sins" (v. 9) if we are walking in the light. In the right relationship with God, we have "fellowship with one another!"

Doing It "My Way"

When it comes to things religious, it seems like many people today have the attitude of "I'm going to do it my way." This attitude is not new. This was the very attitude that separated the Israelites from their heavenly Father. "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Based on these passages of scripture, we can see that if we take the attitude of "I'm going to do it my way," it will ultimately result in spiritual death. There are two ways in which this can happen: 1) Out of ignorance. We can decide to remain ignorant by not studying the scriptures so that we can "do it my way." But God will not accept our ignorance. "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). 2) Out of rebellion. We can know what the will of God is and simply rebel by saying "I'm going to do it my way anyhow." We rebel against God when we knowingly violate His inspired Word by the way we worship (instrumental music, Lord's Supper once a month, etc.), in our recreation (gambling, drinking, practicing worldly things), in our speech, in our dress, and whatever else we may do that violates the teaching of God. God will not accept our rebellion; we must do it His way: "not my will, by Yours be done." Our creator and righteous God also said, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17), and "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). May we all strive to ensure that we are practicing the things of God with a submissive attitude that says, "I'll do it God's way!"  

The Drawing Power of God's Word

Let’s face it; people do not always come to a Bible classes or worship services to hear the word of God. Some come to please someone else. Others come with an expectation of being entertained. Still others come looking for a chance to object to whatever is said or done. These are ungodly traits. Others do have ears to hear, and come in order to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and intently hear, learn and live the gospel of the Savior (Luke 8:8; 10:38-42).

God’s inspired word is designed to draw sinners to God and to the salvation in His Son. It is sufficient to the task (Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me” (John 6:44-45). To deny the power of the word of God to draw sinners to Christ is to deny the power of God.

Brethren must trust the word of God to draw the lost and to preserve the saved. It is the message that must draw the lost to salvation (1 Peter 1:22-25). For example, why is it some brethren prefer to use recreational activities to advertise and encourage young people to attend special services intended for their spiritual benefit? Are young people only interested in hearing the gospel when it is associated with wiener roasts, volleyball and overnight lock-in games and activities? I do not believe so, and those who are interested in feeding their souls will not be lured by offers intended to feed the belly (John 6:26). It is revealing that in the same context in which people thought they could come to Jesus to have their stomachs fed that Jesus said He feeds the soul as the bread of life (John 6:27-38). Jesus did not use food to draw people to Himself; we dare not attempt it today.

Some, while emphasizing faith in Jesus, tell us not to put our faith in the Bible. We cannot do one without the other. Jesus is “the Word” we must hear and follow (John 1:1-3, 14-18; 14:6). The inspired Psalmist said, “I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word” (Psalms 119:42). He put his faith in God’s word. We must, too. Jesus teaches us truth (Ephesians 4:20-21). Faith in Jesus is not and cannot be separated from faith in His word, the Bible (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Like the apostles, we must go and “speak to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). We need not add games and gimmicks to the drawing power of God’s word. Divine truth is sufficient to draw good and honest hearts to Christ (Luke 8:14-15; Acts 17:11-12).

Written by: Joe Price