The Authority Of The Bible In Ethics

The Authority Of The Bible In Ethics

Authority refers to "the power or right to act or command." Ethics has reference to "a set of moral principles or values; the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group." 

The BIBLE is “biblios” meaning “book” ; “manuscript” etc. The Bible is refered to as “Book”, in the Bible:

Deut 28:58; 30:110; Josh 1:8; 8:31; 24:26; Psalm 40:7; Mk 12:26; Luk 3:4,17,20; 20:42; John 20:30; Act 1:20; Gal 3:10; Rev 1:11.

The chief priests and elders of the people came to Jesus and asked Him, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?"(1) Though they themselves may not have been honest at heart, at least they recognized two things: (1) the need for religious authority; and (2) the fact that such authority must come from the proper source. Jesus, of course, taught by the authority granted to Him from the Father. The will of God, as revealed in the Bible, is our authority in doctrine and practice. It serves as the Christian's guide in dealing with human conduct. As Paul said to Timothy, "that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."(2)

The Bible Is Authoritative

In every situation we should learn to answer these Bible questions: "What saith the scripture?", "How readest thou?", and "What is written?" Paul tells us that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all goods works.(3) Peter writes, "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."(4)

We can realize how authoritative His word is from the fact. that it will serve as the criterion by which we will be judged in the last day. Jesus stated, "The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."(5) The apostle Paul speaks of the judgment as "the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."(6) (Paul's gospel, of course, was the gospel of Christ). At the opening of the books in Rev. 20, the dead are judged out of those things which are written in the books, according to their works.(7)

Though the standards of men may change; and though the presumptuous may "call evil good, and good evil," and "put darkness for light, and light for darkness,"(8) the word of the Lord is settled forever, in heaven.(9) It is the rule by which we are to live; for it will definitely be the standard by which we are to be judged.

The Bible Offers A Pattern For Human Conduct

It offers clear principles to help the Christians make decisions in all areas of conduct. Gambling, for instance, is not dealt with per se; but there are principles which relate to the saint's action in such matters. Abortion may not be specifically dealt with; but the principles which require chaste behavior will take care of the problem before it arises. And the sacredness of life is upheld throughout the Scripture. The New Testament is not designed to be a Book of "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots"; but there are no circumstances that we face which are not covered therein. The Bible offers a clear voice, and throws light on a straight path. It contains "present truth" for "such a time as this." We are told that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men; "teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."(10) And note again, what Peter wrote; "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."(11)

The world about us makes little effort to follow the principles of the word of God, and many even scoff at its authority. But the Christian has no other alternative but to submit to the Lord. If we reject His standard, we are in the same position that Simon Peter was when he asked: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."(12) In matters pertaining to our morals, we must subscribe to the will of God. As the apostles, under fire, remarked, "we ought to obey God rather than men."(13) We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds.(14) We are admonished, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."(15) We should continue to look up; and keep our eyes on Jesus. In this world of sin and lawlessness, the outlook may be dark; but the up-look is always bright.

The World Rebels At Divine Authority

The sinful world has always condoned such practices as dancing, immodest apparel, profanity, gambling, sexual immorality, and the use of alcohol. This is why godly parents have a continuing responsibility to train their children in the way of the Lord. This is why all of God's people are to watch and pray. That which is accepted by the world becomes a double-threat to the saint. Young people, especially, do not want to be "different" from their peers. So the challenge to "come out and be separate" becomes even greater as more and more vices are made legal by man's laws, and become "respectable" in the eyes of society.

Abortion, drug-abuse, pornography, fornication, adultery, and homosexuality are being legalized by a godless generation. As more sins are sanctioned and made legal, the bigger the problem becomes for our country, for the average law-abiding citizen, and for all God-fearing people who are but strangers in a hostile world. But faithful Christians will continue to swim up-stream; even though the rest of civilization may be rushing headlong into the sea of destruction.

Man may be smart enough to split the atom, invent all sorts of gadgets, fly backwards, and walk on the surface of the moon; but he has not authority to legalize sin and speak for God! Philosophers; sociologists; authors; scientists; psychologists; psychiatrists; denominational theologians; legislators; government officials; school teachers; college professors; special interest groups; Hollywood, Las Vegas, and Broadway entertainers; the television and other mass medias must not be allowed to become the Christian's standard and authority in ethics! They cannot and they do not speak for me. Like Joshua of old, I say, "As for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah."(16)

This Is No Time For Compromise

Whatever we do in word or deed we are to do all in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ.(17) Only His truth will make men free.(18) And the truth is the word of the Lord.(19) (As we go forth with the truth we can afford to give no quarters to sin; yet we must continue to show patience and compassion toward the sinner. After all, our service and our worship, must always be governed by two divine principles: spirit and truth(20)).

But this is no time for the trumpet to give an uncertain sound. This is no age for fence-straddling on matters affecting our morals and spiritual welfare. Today we certainly do not need soft preaching and compromise. And it is no time for silence on moral issues.

"I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me."(21) God made this statement to Ezekiel when Israel was being torn asunder by idolatry and immorality. It was during the period when the religious leaders had violated God's laws, and were putting no difference between the holy and the profane, between the unclean and the clean.(22)God's law in every age has been set up to distinguish between things that differ, and approve of that which is excellent.(23) When that same prophet (Ezekiel) foretold the return of Israel from captivity, he recorded this admonition: "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean."(24) God's word does that for us today; and we dare not compromise its truths. It is high time for all Christians to unsheath the sword of the Spirit and move forward with the fight against moral decay. You are to "cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."(25) Let us always remember that "the battle is the Lord's."(26) And if God be for us, who can be against us.(27)

Despite the Lord's plea in the garden of Gethsemane (Jn. 17:20-21), today's religious world is tragically divided. This situation exists because people hold to many different standards of authority. Catholics look to the Pope. The Mormons base their doctrines on the writings of Joseph Smith. The Seventh Day Adventists follow the teachings of Ellen G. White. Other denominations have their creeds, manuals, disciplines and confessions of faith, traditions, and human doctrines. The resulting confusion is obvious, when there is no accepted standard.

A. The Nature of Religious Authority

Are we going to look for the right standard of authority in the subjective or the objective realm? Shall we rely on our own feelings or upon the revealed word of God?

1. Subjective religion is based on man's will. Many people approach religion subjectively. That is, their convictions are based upon personal feelings. They say, "This is how I feel. . . . This is what I think. . . This is what I believe." Yet, man cannot direct his steps in the area of religious truth (Jer. 10:23). The heart cannot be trusted because it is often deceitful (Jer. 17:9).

2. Objective religion is based on God's will. The final court of appeal in religion is higher than man. We must put our faith in something greater than ourselves. In religious matters, it is not our own views that are important, but rather what God has revealed. Truth is not subjective, i.e., it does not originate with a person's own thinking. The Bible is an objective standard that must be studied and obeyed (2 Tim. 2:15; Jn. 8:32). Recognizing that the creeds and opinions of men are not authoritative, let us focus on the divine standard of authority, the Bible.

B. The Source of Religious Authority

1. God. The ultimate source of all religious authority is God. As Creator of the universe, Jehovah has inherent authority (Gen. 1:1). Since God is the potter and we are the clay, he has the right to mold and make us after his will (Isa. 64:8).

2. Christ. God has delegated authority unto the Son (Matt. 28:18-19; Jn. 5:19-23; Heb. 1:1-2). He now sits at the Father's right hand, as King of kings and Lord of lords. Because of his exalted position, it is imperative that we respect the authority of Christ (Acts 3:22-23; Col. 3:17).

3. The Apostles. Christ delegated authority to his apostles (Matt. 18:18; Jn. 13:20). Before his crucifixion, Jesus promised that they would be given the Holy Spirit. In this way, they would be given a perfect remembrance of his teaching and would be guided into all the truth (Jn. 14:25-26; 16:12-14). The apostles and prophets did not claim originality for the things that they wrote. Instead, they received their message by revelation (Gal. 1:11-12; Eph. 3:1-5).

4. The Bible. Today God speaks to us through the New Testament (1 Thess. 2:13). The Scriptures are "inspired," which literally means "God-breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). To guard against any possible mistake, God was active throughout the whole process of revelation (2 Sam. 23:1-2; 1 Cor. 2:1-13). As originally delivered, the gospel message is infallible and inerrant. Furthermore, through divine providence man continues to have access to the inspired word of God.

Some have argued that the Bible cannot be understood. Yet, salvation is contingent upon knowing and obeying the truth (Jn. 8:31-32). If men cannot understand the Bible, God didn't clearly reveal his mind unto mankind. If this is so, the final judgment will not be fair because man will be judged by God's word (Jn. 12:48). In reality, the Bible is clear and understandable (Psa. 119:105; Eph. 3:3-5). God's revelation is perfect (Jas. 1:25), complete (2 Pet. 1:3), and final (Jude 1:3).

Because of its divine origin, we must accept and obey Bible truth (Matt. 7:21; 2 Thess. 1:7-9). Those who seek to please Christ will look to the Bible as their only source of authority in religious matters. God's word will judge us in the last day. Thus we must recognize the sinfulness of adding to or taking away from the word of God (Deut. 4:2; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Jn. 1:9).

The idea that God will accept any and every form or activity that is offered as worship is entirely foreign to the Scriptures.

God seeks people to worship him who will do so in spirit and in truth. Jesus promised his apostles that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (Jn. 4:24; 16:13). The New Testament is the complete will of God and it contains all that pertains to life and godliness (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). The only place that we can find worship that is pleasing and acceptable to God is going to be in the New Testament. Anything that is added to the worship that is found in the New Testament cannot be according to truth.

God Does Not Accept All That Is Offered As Worship

The fact that God does not accept everything that is offered as worship is forcefully demonstrated in the Bible. Nadab and Abihu are two men who took it upon themselves to after the form of worship which God had delivered and "fire went out from the Lord" and devoured these two men as a lesson that he is to be sanctified by those who come near him (Lev. 10:1-3). The worship of the Pharisees was in vain because the traditions and commandments of men had perverted the true worship which God would accept (Matt. 15:1-9). The worship of the woman at the well in Samaria was in ignorance and the Lord pointed her in the right direction (Jn. 4:21-24). These are enough examples to prove the point that all worship is not acceptable with God, but only worship which conforms to the pattern given by him in his word. We must have authority from God for everything that we do in worship and it must be offered from a willing heart (Jn. 4:24).

We find authority in the Bible for five specific acts of worship: singing (Eph. 5:19), partaking of the Lord's Supper each Lord's day (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-26), giving on the first day of every week as prospered (I Cor. 16:1-2), teaching God's word and praying (Acts 2:42). Those who are familiar with the Lord's church know that instrumental music is not part of the worship of the church which we read about in our New Testament; therefore, we do not use instrumental music because such would pervert the worship which God has authorized and cause it to be unacceptable in his sight. Just as we could not acceptably add honey butter to the Lord's Supper to make the bread more desirable to our taste, we cannot add instrumental music to our singing to make it more pleasing to our ears. We honor and obey God by obeying his will in our worship services.

This same appeal to the Scriptures must be followed when teaching someone the plan of salvation. God has revealed in very clear and distinct language the conditions we must meet in order to be saved. We are not saved and added to the Lord's body until we meet each and every condition which God has given in the gospel. We must believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that God raised him from the dead, confess our faith in Christ, repent of our sins, and be baptized for the remission of our sins (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:38). When we are obedient to these conditions the Lords adds us to his body (Acts 2:47). These conditions are absolute and we either have obeyed them or we have not. We are either saved or lost, there is no middle ground. After obedience to these conditions we either worship God according to his will or we do not. Just as the acts of worship of the first century church are specific, the conditions of salvation are specific and we either obey our Lord in these matters or we do not. Obedience is absolutely necessary in order to please God (Heb. 5:9).

A Pattern for All Things

Just as God has given a pattern for the worship of the church and a pattern for entrance into the church, he has given a pattern for the work of the church. The church falls into apostasy when it violates the pattern which God has given. There is authority for the local church to help needy saints and support the teaching of the gospel from its treasury (Acts 6:1-7; 11:27-30; 2 Cor. 11:8-9; Phil. 4:14-16). Another part of the work of the local church which does not concern the treasury is that of corrective discipline. The church is commanded to withdraw from those members who are walking disorderly (2 Thess. 3:6-15).

There are numerous congregations in this country, state, county, and even this city which are in apostasy because they have added to the work of the church things which God has not authorized. We call churches which handle God's word in such an irreverent manner apostate, liberal, or digressive. There are congregations which have not burdened the church down with unscriptural works, but are guilty of treating the word of God in an unholy or unsanctified manner by avoiding or ignoring God's teaching on corrective discipline, allowing worldliness to take over the flock, disregarding the qualifications laid down in the Scriptures concerning the elders, or some other such departure from the truth. If all the members of a church such as this are content and not working to bring about repentance, then this church would be as digressive as those which have added unscriptural practices to the work. We must be obedient to God in all things (Jas. 2:10).

Fairlane Day Care Center

The Fairlane Church of Christ owns and operates the Fairlane Christian School as a separate corporation from the church. Their recent bulletin (10-18-90) states that "the elders have the final say in matters pertaining to the school" and the church provides the building without charge to the school. This seems like such a good work since there are many families in which both parents must work that quality day care is needed for their children. There are so many good things that can be said about a day care program such as the one run by the Fairlane Church of Christ, but where is the Scripture that gives the authority for the Lord's church to own and operate a day care center _________? Just fill in the blank if such a Scripture exists.

Authority From God for All That We Do

The church has authority to build a building to teach the gospel because Jesus commands that we assemble to edify one another (Heb. 10:25). But, where is the command for the church to own and operate any business? Someone says, "Well they are not charging for the building and it would just sit there empty all week, so what's the harm?" Could the church allow one of the deacons to operate a "Christian" car business out of one of the classrooms? How about one of the ladies operating a "Christian" travel agency out of another? Well, we could have a "Christian" minimall on the church property during the week. What's missing in all of this is authority! We must have authority for everything that we do. "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" (Col. 3:17).

Should One Leave an Apostate Church?

The question might come to mind, "Can I serve God acceptably in an apostate church, even though I don't agree with the unscriptural practices that are going on?" We might ask, "What is the reason that one would stay in a church that is going beyond what is written in the New Testament?" Is an active effort being made to correct and bring to repentance those who are in error? We are to "prove all things" and to "hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). Are we searching the Scriptures daily as did the Bereans in Acts 17:11 to verify everything that we are taught and are practicing as a body? As Christians, we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God and we are to be ready at all times to give those who ask an answer for the hope that lies within us (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Pet. 3:15).

Every Christian in every congregation is to study for himself to make sure that he is in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). If a congregation decides to add to the worship some form of entertainment, such as choirs or instrumental music, then those who are loyal to God must stand in opposition to these unauthorized practices. If they drift along with the crowd and blame the elders or preacher for these innovations but do nothing to prevent them from being added, they are in sin as much as the elders or preacher who brought them in. Apathy is the cause for many people remaining in a local congregation when they know that it is engaged in practices which are unknown to the New Testament. Ignorance is another cause but if we are obedient to God's command to grow in knowledge then we will study our way out of error. Those who are faithfully following God cannot remain silent in a digressive church.

In Revelation 2 and 3 there are admonitions by our Lord to the seven churches of Asia to be zealous and repent (Rev. 2:5,16,22; 3:3,19). He said to the church of Ephesus, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." This was a church with many good qualities for which Christ commended them, but they were in danger of losing their candlestick unless they repented.

If we are in an apostate church and doing nothing to bring about its repentance then we are in sin and danger of condemnation. If we attempt to teach the truth to bring about repentance and are silenced or commanded not to speak on these matters then there is only one recourse and that is to leave and serve God in a congregation that respects the authority of the Scriptures. If a congregation cannot be found in a given area, then a new work should be established so that others may hear the gospel and be able to meet with those of like precious faith to serve God.

Why Don't Some Who Know Better Speak Out Against Apostasy?

We have already noticed apathy and ignorance as reasons why some Christians do not oppose sinful practices in the local church. But, another reason that may keep us from going to the elders or men of the congregation and calling for repentance is sin in our own life. We know that we are not living as we ought to live and that if we point to some problem that needs correction and urge repentance, others may well point to us and say, "Who are you to tell us we need to repent?" Possibly we have allowed worldliness to infiltrate into our lives or we do not faithfully assemble with the saints as we are commanded to do or some other sin that is apparent and we know that we cannot be the one to lead others to repentance. The solution to this sin is to repent and admit the error or errors that we have been guilty of and then press on in the battle for truth (1 Jn. 1:9; Acts 8:22).

God will not overlook sin in our private life or the sins we commit or participate in as a congregation. Repentance is necessary in both cases if we are to be saved. Those in the first century who were commanded not to speak prayed to God for courage and then went out and taught the world the gospel (Acts 4:29-31). Let us do exactly what God commands in every facet of our service to him, both individually and as a congregation of the Lord.

Human (False) Standards of Authority

I.  IT WORKS: The end justifies the means.  

  1.  Do evil that good may come, Rom. 3:5-8.

    a. “You can’t argue with success!” (Whose definition of success?)

    b. Such reasoning is condemned by God, Rom. 10:1-3.

  2.  Saul and the Amalekites (1 Sam. 15): God’s command, 15:3; Saul’s confidence, 15:13; “It worked”, 15:15; Saul’s rationalization; 15:19-21; God’s judgment; 15:22-23.

  3.  Do you want to base your salvation on the same logic Saul used?

 

II. TRADITION: It has been practiced for so long.

  1.  Human tradition does not establish divine commands, Mk. 7:1-13.

  2.  Tradition is wrong: When given binding power (7:4, 8) and when it nullifies God’s commands (7:13).

  3.  By binding the tradition they were rejecting God’s commands.

  4.  Elevates human decisions above God’s law.

 

III. THE SILENCE OF THE BIBLE: The Bible doesn’t say “not to.”

  1. Be content with what Christ has revealed, 2 Jno. 9 (Deut. 29:29).

  2.  Heb. 7:12-14: If proper standard of authority, men of Judah could be priests under LOM; “Moses spoke nothing” – not approved.

    a. God said what He wanted (Levi…sons of Aaron), Num. 3:10.

    b. Silence does not give consent! **

 

IV. NUMBERS: Surely so many people cannot be wrong.

  1.  Jesus says the majority is wrong, Matt. 7:13-14.

  2.  Once, entire human race was wrong (except 8), Gen. 6:5-6.

  3.  Only 2 out of 2 million entered Promised Land, Num. 14:28-30.

  4.  It was the majority that crucified Jesus.

  5.  This view bases salvation upon man, pure and simple.

 

V.  LITTLE THINGS: Those issues are not important; and/or, If I do some important things right, these other things won’t matter.

  1.  Did belief make up for not confessing Jesus?  Jno. 12:42-43

  2.  Did their good make up for their lie?  Acts 5:1-4

  3.  Did God misunderstand?  Ezek. 18:21-24 (Must live by all of God’s word; if we sin our good does not eliminate judgment.)

  4.  Uzzah kept the ark from falling; why didn’t his good outweigh this one “little thing”? 2 Sam. 6:6-7 (1 Chrn. 15:13-15)

  5.  Anything done without God’s approval is a big thing; it is sin.

 

VI. KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’S: They are doing it and so can we.

  1.  Not content with God’s way, 1 Sam. 8:4-7, 19-20.

  2.  “Look at what the denominations are doing…we have to be like them or we won’t survive.” (cf. Rev. 3:1-3)

 

VII. EMOTIONS: It makes you feel good, so it must be right.

  1. That is a description of justifying sin, Heb. 11:25 (Jas. 4:3).

  2. For something to seem right doesn’t make it right (Prov. 14:12; 28:26).

 

VIII. LOSING TOUCH WITH REALITY:  I’d rather do it wrong than do nothing.

  1.  Would this logic work in sports?  2 Tim. 2:5

  2.  Another alternative: Do God’s work in God’s way (1 Cor. 15:58).

The Word Of God Meets The Needs Of Modern Man

Space does not permit us to do much more than simply demonstrate that this is so. What are man's basic needs and how does the Bible meet those needs?

Of course the Bible does not meet the physical needs of man. That is not its purpose. But as Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4) Man has a dual nature of body and spirit. When a man satisfies only the body and ignores the spirit, he is bound to be frustrated. He is bound to yearn for that which is still missing. That is why people who are rich, famous and popular are often still unhappy and unfulfilled. Only the Bible can truly satisfy the spiritual needs of man.

1. Man Needs To Be Loved. How does the Bible meet that need? By telling us that no matter who we are, what our station in life may be, or what others think about us, God loves us. (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Jn. 15:13). God has loved us with the greatest love ever known to man. With an unselfish, sacrificial love He gave Himself for us to save us from condemnation.

What is more, the Bible teaches us to love God with all Our heart, soul, and mind (Mt. 22:37) and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mt. 22:39). Try as it might, we know that human wisdom has never been able to supply this kind of love "for all the world."

2. Man Needs Peace. If there is anything the world longs for, it is peace. And yet the most important and valuable peace is available now through the gospel. Peace of mind, peace with self, and peace with God is found through Jesus Christ. Even if the world will not turn from selfishness and war, this peace can be ours (Jn. 14:27; Rom. 5:4, Gal. 3:15). And who can deny that if all men would live according to the teaching of the Prince of Peace there would be no more War of any kind.

3. Man Needs Important Work. He needs a reason for living. It seems that only a few people are destined to do anything that can be viewed as truly lasting and important. Not many of us will ever be a president, senator or even a town mayor. We will not likely be the head of some great company or find the cure to some dread disease. But if we are Christians, our work is of eternal importance. There is no greater work in all the world than that of serving God faithfully. Every Christian has an important mission in life to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mk. 16:15). Furthermore, Paul said in Ephesians 6:7, "With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men." With that view of life all work becomes important. Everything the Christian does, he does to please God. What could be more important?

The Bible Answers The Problems Of Modern Man

1. The Bible Answers Social And Moral Problems. Who can deny that if men lived according to the teaching of the Scriptures there would be no more lawlessness and rebellion (Rom. 13:1-7). If both citizens and government recognize that they will give an account before God as to how they execute their civil responsibilities, there would be no more injustice or anarchy.

If men lived according to Bible principles, there would not be one drunkard or dope addict (1 Cor. 6:19,20; Gal. 5:21). There would not be one prostitute, unwed mother, or case of venereal disease (Gal. 5:19; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). There would not be one case of robbery or murder (1 Cor. 6: 10); Rom. 1:20). There would be no more problems in the home between husbands and wives or children and parents (Eph. 5:23-25; 6:14).

Racial prejudice would not be a problem if all men followed the golden rule and treated others as they would want to be treated (Mt. 7:12). If we would acknowledge that we really are "soul brothers" with all men, made in the image of God, we could hold no animosity toward one another. We would not see each other as unequal or less important.

2. The Bible Answers Ecological Problems. Surprised? It's true. Would we have a pollution problem if all men recognized that the "earth is the Lord's, and all it contains" (Psa. 24:1)? If we recognize that God is the owner of the universe and we are but caretakers and stewards of a small part of it, surely we will be more careful with our environment. And if I love my neighbor as myself I will not be dumping my garbage in his back yard.

3. The Bible Answers The Problem Of Sin. Of all the solutions and answers the Bible gives to the problems of life, none is more important than this - the Bible answers the spiritual problem of man, that being sin. The Scriptures provide the only viable solution to man's guilt. It is the only answer that God will accept. The Bible is, above everything else, a story of redemption and salvation from sin. It provides an escape from our past failures, direction for the present in the path of righteousness, and a hope of eternal life in the future.

The gospel tells of God's great sacrifice upon the cross to atone for the sins of the world (Isa. 54; Mt. 27; Eph. 2). It tells how men may be saved through the blood of Jesus by faith in Him and obedience to Him (Rom. 1:5, 16; 5:1; Acts 2:30; 22:16). Thus James proclaimed, "Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted which is able to save your souls" (Jas. 1:21).

 

Conclusion

1.  Every human source of authority puts greater value on man’s thoughts, desires, emotions, etc., than on what God says.

2.  NT is our only authority; we must have NT authority for every belief, teaching and practice to be right with God.

3.  Must give up everything that is not from NT to be right with God in Christ.