BIBLIOLOGY Authority Lecture 2

The following are excerpts from Robert Sargents ebook (Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine); Pastor Warner’s comments are in brackets.

1 Thess 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

[Probably the ‘hallmark’ Baptist distinctive is “Biblical Authority”. The Bible is the ‘supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried’. Baptists distinctly hold that the final authority for faith and practice is the Bible. Many Protestants will also hold to this conviction in their theology (Sola Scriptura), but in practice it is often abandoned for the sake of the ‘unity of the body’. Catholic documents state that ‘the Church’ places equal authority of Church traditions with the Bible. Charismatics place equal (or more) authority of personal revelations, visions, tongues, etc., with the Bible. The Cults do the same, in that they place equal (or more) authority of the writings of their ‘leader’ with that of the Bible. Baptists (non-Protestant, non-Denominational) really are the only ‘religious’ group that historically and consistently has placed the authority for their faith and practice solely upon the Bible.

Every lasting religious institution has to have a form of ‘authority’, or it won’t survive. When authority disappears, anarchy results; “and every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. And, today, we basically have ‘anarchy’ in Christendom, because the ‘authority’ is slipping away! This lecture deals with the Bible’s authority in matters of faith and practice. The Bible is (should be) the final authority on everything we believe or do, as Christians; it governs our whole life; it is not just for ‘what we do “at church”’.]

The question of authority actually encapsulates the major issue of human history: Who is in control? Is there a God? Is everything just left up to man and chance? The religious world has consistently refused to submit to the absolute authority of God, inserting human authority in place of, or over, the Word of God…God’s authority.

I. THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN: FALSE AUTHORITY A. Church Authority This kind of authority is best displayed in that of the Roman Catholic Church which has subjugated the authority of the Word of God to ‘the Church’ (the Pope and his Cardinals). Catholic dogma holds that the scriptures receive their authority from ‘the Church’ and that the power of interpreting them resides in ‘the Church’. As proof, they cite 1 Tim. 3:15 which states that the church is the ‘pillar and ground of the truth’. [Pillars and ground are supportive, but not initiative…they don’t produce, they just hold. The church(es) is the repository and protector of the truth… but not the legislator of it. The church(es) is not itself ‘the truth’; no, rather, the truth is the word of God…of which every true church is to wholeheartedly protect and support.]

The operation of this kind of Church Authority is found in: 1. Church Tradition: The Roman Catholic ‘Church’ has a long line of tradition behind its dogma: a. The Writings of the Fathers: Patristic writings, particularly those of Augustine (354-430 A.D.), are considered authoritative. For example, Cyprian (200-258 A.D.), the bishop of Carthage said, “He can no longer have God for his Father who has not the Church for his mother.” b. The Rulings of Church Councils: Both ecumenical and Roman councils have issued authoritative statements of Catholic doctrine. For example, the doctrine of transubstantiation was formally adopted by Lateran IV (1215 A.D.), and the Council of Trent (1546 A.D.) affirmed that the traditions of the church of Rome are to be received with the same affection as the Word of God. [The Vatican II Council affirmed that "both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal feelings of devotion and reverence" (Vatican II documents).]

Mark 7:9,13 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

1 2. The Decrees of the Popes: When pronounced “ex-cathedra” - from the chair [of St. Peter] - all papal decrees are considered authoritative. For example, Pope Pius IX decreed the doctrines of Mary’s ‘Immaculate Conception’ (1854 A.D.) and ‘Papal Infallibility’ (1870 A.D.). Scripture and the historical record refute the doctrine of papal infallibility. Ps 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. The Scripture alone is given by inspiration of God and is able to make the man of God perfect. Obviously nothing else is needed, then, beyond the Scripture. Catholic tradition [(papal decrees)]is not Holy Scripture, abd is not therefore inspired by God, and is not therefore necessary to make the man of God perfect.

B. Creedal Authority: This kind of authority is best seen within the various mainline Protestant denominations. While asserting the authority of the scriptures, these groups have in fact subjugated them to the great confessional creeds of Christendom. Creeds are standardized statements of faith that have been made binding upon the members of denominations.

Some of the better-known Protestant creeds are: 1. The Augsburg Confession — the Lutheran creed. 2. The Westminster Confession — the Presbyterian creed. 3. The Thirty-Nine Articles — the Anglican creed. 4. The Helvetic Confession — the Reformed creed. In addition to these denominational creeds, many ‘churches’ also subscribe to the so-called Apostles’ Creed and/or the Nicene Creed (two ancient creeds from the late Patristic age).

Note: Many Baptist churches publish a “Statement of Faith,” which is basically an expression of their understanding of the pertinent doctrines of the Bible — but there has never been a Baptist creed, something to which all must subscribe in order to be a Baptist. Baptists are a non-creedal people; they have ‘statements of their faith’ in order to protect their individual church from errors brought in from heretical groups; and, to boldly declare that they are distinctly different than the vast majority of so-called Christendom. However, a Statement of Faith is significantly inferior when compared to the authority of the Word of God. These statements of faith are not the ‘authority’; they are an explanation of ‘the authority’…the Word of God. Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

C. Cultic Authority: The pseudo-Christian cults are characterized by their extra-Biblical writings. While they loudly profess to be students of the Bible, they have in fact subjugated the authority of the Word of God to the dictates of their leadership or their own ‘inspired’ writings.

Some examples of this kind of authority are: 1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society controls the beliefs of its members through its own publications which authoritatively 'guide’ its subjects in the study of the bible (a gross perversion of the scriptures known as ‘The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures’). 2. The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints: Mormonism has its own ‘bible’ called the Book of Mormon (“Another [so-called] Testament of Jesus Christ”). This, along with other publications such as Doctrines & Covenants, constitutes the supreme authority for those in this system. 3. The Seventh Day Adventists: Mrs. Ellen G. White is considered a ‘prophetess,’ and her writings are held authoritative by adherents of this cult. 4. Christian Science: “Science and Health — The Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy is the authoritative ‘bible’ of this cult. Note: The marks of a cult involve a false gospel of works-salvation, the assertion of an infallible leadership that must be obeyed, the prohibition of its members to interpret the Bible for themselves, the placing of its writings and statements on a par with holy scripture, the claim to be the exclusive way of salvation, and the anathematizing of all who

2 reject its teachings. D. Charismatic Authority The modern Charismatic Movement appeals to the Bible but subjugates its supreme authority with human experience. One’s personal spiritual experience becomes the authority, and not the Word of God. Not only is scripture interpreted in the light of experience (tongues, prophecies, healings, emotions, etc.), but it is often set aside (especially through the so-called ‘Signs and Wonders’ manifestation). This practice is actually a form of mysticism. For example, many have expressed the belief that speaking in tongues (gibberish) is a functioning ‘gift’ for today’s Christian solely on the basis that some godly saint (or they, themselves) has experienced the phenomenon. The Mormons use the ‘burning of the bosom’ to be the decider to whether a prophetic word was true or not.

E. Cranial Authority Liberal Christendom subjugates the Word of God by bringing it to the bar of reason. That which appears reasonable is accepted — that which is unreasonable is rejected. Naturally, things such as miracles and faith are totally unreasonable to the unregenerate mind, so they are rejected. For example, an American infidel, the late Episcopalian Bishop James A. Pike, said, “What is true in the Scriptures, or what seems to ring true, whether a matter of fact or principle or ethic or inspiration or insight, is made true by its correspondence to what would seem to be plausible inferences from experienced reality.” James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

F. Conscience Authority In this case, the authority of the Word of God may be subjugated to man’s vain imaginations. “Let your conscience be your guide” is the common expression of this kind of authority. This is a very dangerous statement because the conscience may be weak (I Corinthians 8:7), seared (I Timothy 4:2), or defiled (Titus 1:15). Even when the conscience of a believer is transformed and controlled by the Word of God (Romans 12:2), care must be taken because the old nature is still present and is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). [You become the final authority; what’s right is all based upon what you ‘think’ is right; “and everyone did that which was right in their own eyes”.] Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

G. Critical Authority Here, the authority of the Word of God is subjugated to the views of the ‘scholars.’ In this case the scholars are not (necessarily) infidels, but are those who loudly affirm their belief in the inspiration and authority of the Word of God — yet effectively negate that reality by their low view of the doctrine of preservation. The most common statement of this point of view is,” We believe in the divine, verbal, plenary inspiration of the original Scriptures.” Because no one actually possesses a copy of the originals, scholars are free to correct the Word of God as they deem necessary on the basis of ‘older and better manuscripts’ and ‘a better translation would be. [Even though they say they believe in ‘sola scriptura’, the true authority really lies in their (scholar’s) opinion; what the best scholarship has concluded.] Jer 8:9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them?

II. “SOLA SCRIPTURA”: FINAL AUTHORITY The Latin phrase “sola scriptura” means ‘The Bible Alone’ and was one of the battle-cries of the Protestant Reformation. It has always been the position of Bible-believing Baptists from the days of Christ and the apostles. Ps 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

The supreme authority of the Word of God is: A. An Established Authority The Bible has been established as the final authority based upon its inspiration, its canonization, and its preservation. It is God’s words, not man’s. God is overseeing it and protecting it, not man. King James didn’t really authorize it… God did (though He did use the King to help it get established).

3 B. A Complete and Final Authority The Word of God is sufficient to bring the lost man to salvation and the saved man to perfection. Nothing can be lacking when we have the Bible in our hands. II Peter 1:3,4 declares that the precious promises of God give us all things that pertain unto life and godliness. The Word of God shows us our credenda (what we are to believe) and agenda (what we are to practice).

[We really need nothing else; however, most Baptist churches will have a Statement of Faith to further clarify their beliefs; but, it is only a clarification, and not an authority in that of itself; it has no authority outside of the Bible… whatever it is ‘clarifying’ has to be firmly grounded in the holy Scriptures.]

1 Cor 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. [How do we have ‘the mind of Christ’? It is via the Holy Spirit of God using the Bible to guide us into all truth; to guide us into all that is in the mind of Jesus Christ for us.]

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. [Our ‘faith’ was ‘once’ delivered unto us. Our faith is our belief system…the doctrine…the teachings of Jesus Christ. This ‘faith’ was delivered to the saints (of that first century) via the writings of the apostles (Paul, Luke, Peter, John…). It was ‘once’ delivered! Not to be repeated; a final and complete delivering (ending upon John’s penning of the Book of Revelation).]

‘A seal was placed on the final chapter of the final book of the Bible, signifying its completion and warning every man not to add to or subtract from it. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18,19). Those who claim to have a new revelation or a tradition equal to the Bible fall under the judgment described in this passage. The book of Revelation concludes and completes the Holy Scripture. Nothing is to be added or removed.’ (David Cloud) Deut 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Prov 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. These ‘words’ (i.e. the Bible) will be what we each person will be judged on ‘in the last day’. It is the authority in God’s eyes; the Bible will be actually open and used when the lost and the saved are individually judged by Almighty God (Jesus Christ)!

C. A Specified Authority Baptists are the only long-standing ‘religious’ group that places the authority for their faith and practice solely upon the Bible. Baptists truly stand on ‘sola-scriptura’; But, is that enough?! What?!... Today, there are over 100 versions of the Bible available to Americans. Is just placing the ‘final authority for faith and practice’ in any one of these Bibles sufficient? When one realizes that none of these 100 or so versions agree with themselves, nor do they agree even remotely with the King James Version Bible, it is found that this distinctive of Biblical Authority must be clarified even more.

[To clarify this, I have added my church’s (Faithful Baptist Church) Statement of Faith on the doctrine of the “Bible” : “We believe that the Holy Bible, consisting of sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation, is the divine revelation of God Almighty to man; that it is both verbally (each word) and plenarily (all the words) inspired by God (Ps 12: 6,7; 2Ti 3:16); that it was written down by holy men of God as they Ire supernaturally moved by the Holy Ghost (2Pe 1:19-21; Acts 1:16, 3:21, 28:25; 2Sa 23:2; Eph 6:17); that these words are free from all error and from all omission; thus every word is true and altogether infallible and inerrant; that it shall remain the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man (Ps 119:89, 160, 12:6; Lk 24:25-27, 44, 45; Is 40:8; 1Pe 1:23-25; Jn 10:35, 17:17; Pv 30:5,6; Ro 3:4; Rv 22:18,19); and that it is the true center of all Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (1Co 2:12,13; Mt 5:18; Ro 15:4; Jn 12:48; Hb 4:12; Ps 19:7-11; Jn 5:39; Ro 4 10:17; Jude 3). Thus, the Holy Bible is our sole authority in all matters of faith and practice in our church and in our individual lives. Also, God has supernaturally preserved the very words penned by the human writers of the holy scriptures so that mankind would always have access to the Word of God (Ps 12:6-7; 78:1-8; 119:89, 111, 152, 160; Is 30:8; 40:6-8; Ecc 3:14; Mt 4-4; 5:17-18; 24:35; 28:20; John 10:35; Col 1:17; 2 Ti 3:15, 1 Pe 1:23-25; 2 Jn 1:2). The King James Version of the Bible is the pure, preserved Word of God for English speaking people, without any error, and thus without any need for correction or retranslation. Its Old Testament is translated from the Hebrew Masoretic text; and its New Testament is translated from the “Textus Receptus”, specifically Stephanus’ 3 rd Edition. Previous translations Ire used for diligent comparison and include: Matthew, Geneva, Great, Luther, Olivetan, Diodati, and Waldensian Bibles. All so called versions of the Bible not from this pure, preserved line are to be wholly rejected (i.e. including, but not limited to, the New International Version, the New American Standard Version, the New Revised Standard Version, and the New King James Version). Furthermore, any translation that is based in part or in whole on the Westcott and Hort translation (including manuscript codeces’ Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus) is to be wholly rejected.”

In the above statement, some key points on “Biblical Authority” are found. The King James Version Bible is ‘verbally’ and ‘plenarily’ inspired by Almighty God. Thus, ‘all’ the words from Genesis through Revelation are God’s words to mankind, and carry the highest level of authority possible. These words are ‘altogether infallible and inerrant’; there is no possibility of error within that Bible’s pages. This “Biblical Authority” has been ‘supernaturally preserved’ throughout the ages by God. Today we have access to this inerrant supreme authority for our faith and practice. Many wrongly teach that this authority lies only in the “original manuscripts”. What good does that do us today?! If the standard for our authority is believed to be incomplete or with error, then how pray tell can it be relied upon to be ‘The’ authority?! It loses much, if not all, of its ‘power’. No wonder Protestants, Catholics, Charismatics, and the Cults, all lean to other sources of authority for their faith and practice. They have realized that what they have before them is not trustworthy, and therefore they are forced to find something that they can firmly place their trust in for being the supreme guide and authority in their belief system.

This Baptist distinctive of “Biblical Authority” cannot be left defined as simply being just ‘any’ Bible as the rule for our faith. It is imperative to soundly determine ‘which’ Bible holds this authoritative ‘distinction’! Which of the 100 plus versions is granted this? The King James Version Bible is the sole holder of this distinction (for English speaking people). May we Baptists never forget this, and always champion it in our conversations, writings, and sermons. Make sure that ‘your’ “Articles of Faith” clarify which Bible that you are relying on for the sole authority of your faith and practice!]

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