The said clip claimed that it is not right or godly to be biblical, because Jesus was not biblical, and that the Bible is not “truth,” but rather only a “book with truth written into it.” This implies that the Scriptures only “contain” the truth, are not wholly the truth. But I would take the word of God over the word of man.
I would submit that Jesus countered this in His prayer to God the Father,“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). I was asked to write, confirming that the Bible is the word of God and that living biblically is right. This should be the easiest thing in the world. God is very clear in the Scriptures when He is speaking of the written word, and when He means the living Word.
First-
Reading John 1, we find that Jesus is the Word, the Son of God, that all things
were made by Him, and that He was made flesh to be able to die for the sins of
the world. Anyone who will believe on His name shall be saved. When the
Scripture is speaking of Jesus as the Word, the word “Word” is capitalized.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (I John 5:7).
Second-
When the “word of God” is not capitalized, then it is speaking of the Scriptures,
the written word. Take a look at one of my favorite Psalms. I only have 150
favorite Psalms. Psalm 119 has 176 verses, and nearly every verse contains at
least one word describing the Scriptures. Here is a sample list of the words:
law, testimonies, statutes, commandments, judgments, precepts, word…
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).
“Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Psalm 119:160).
“My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteous” (Psalm 119:172).
After reading the Bible, there should be no doubt to any honest person that the written
word of God is the Scriptures, the Holy Bible. The person who denies this most likely
has an ulterior motive for such a denial.
Now, concerning the video sent to me, I find that arguing with a fool is usually
not a wise course: “If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or
laugh, there is no rest” (Proverbs 29:9). His statements are such that “even a babe
in religion should be able to answer a hundred such questions” as Christian in
Pilgrim’s Progress told Byway and his fellows.
However, it is good to have an answer for those who may wonder at his words,
thinking them unanswerable. So I put my hand to further add to the brethren’s
ammunition supply. I would say that there are MANY things wrong both with the man’s
premise and his arguments. But let us take 3 points, to establish the fact of existing
problems with the whole.
Point ONE
The man in the clip claims that Jesus was not biblical. Yet, Jesus said that He came to
fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17). Read through Matthew, for instance, and you will
find numerous times that it speaks of how the Scripture was fulfilled in His life.
Here are a number of them:
*Born of a virgin – Isaiah 7:14 = Matthew 1:22-23
*Born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 = Matthew 2:5-6
*Time in Egypt, coming out of = Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15
*Weeping for children in His time – Jeremiah 40:1 = Matthew 2:17-18
*Called a Nazarene – Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12 = Matthew 2:23
*Healing sicknesses – Isaiah 53:4 = Matthew 8:17
*The Gentiles would trust in Him – Isaiah 42:1 = Matthew 12:21
*Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver – Zechariah 11:13 = Matthew 27:9-10
*Would be crucified – Psalm 22:16 = Matthew 27:26
When Philip found Nathaniel, he told him about Jesus: “Philip findeth
Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and
the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45). How did Philip
recognize Him as the Messiah? Philip realized who He was because Philip knew the Scriptures.
He quoted Psalm 22:1 while on the cross = Matthew 27:46. While on the cross also He said He was thirsty, so that they would give Him vinegar
to drink, fulfilling Psalm 91:21. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst” (John 19:28). He did this so that the prophecy would be fulfilled.
In turn, I would ask, “In what ways was Jesus NOT biblical?”
When He was tempted, He said, “It is written,” and quoted Scripture (Matthew 4:4,7,10).
When he was questioned and examined of the scribes, Pharisees, etc., he answered with Scripture (Matthew Mark 10:5-9; 12:26,36, Luke 10:26).
Consider that in the verse below, Jesus rebuked the Sadducees, not for being biblical, but for
NOT knowing the Scriptures!
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not
the Scripture, nor the power of God” (Mark 12:24).
Behold also how many times it is recorded that Jesus asked, “Have ye not read?”
Matthew 12:3,5; 19:4; 22:31; Mark 12:10,26; 6:3 = Seven times in the Gospels!
When Jesus spoke with the two on the way to Emmaus, He revealed the truth to them by opening
and expounding the Scriptures. Wouldn’t that have been something to hear? Jesus preaching Jesus! “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27).
Later Jesus did the same for the rest of the disciples.
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet
with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses,
and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” (Luke 24:44).
Paul declared that Christ’s work of salvation was just exactly what the Scriptures had foretold:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to thcriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:” (I Corinthians 15:3-4).
The man in the clip claims that since not all that Jesus said and did is recorded for us in the Bible,
we do not have to go by what the Bible says. These are two verses that he
believes supports this argument:
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples,
which are not written in this book:” (John 20:30).
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which,
if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).
But let us consider that…
1. God chose to preserve THESE words for us, that we may know what is true. See John 20:31-
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
and that believing ye might have life through His name.”
2. That nothing of the other things which Jesus did or said would contradict or void these
recorded things. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).
3. That nothing Jesus said or did would contradict or violate the volume of the Book. And the very fact that God chose to preserve THESE words, shows us that these were the ones He wanted us to have and know.
Point TWO
The man in the clip claims that because the religious leaders (scribes, Pharisees, lawyers, etc.)
were biblical, they hated and killed Jesus. But the fact is that those who rejected the Christ were NOT biblical!
Here the man in the clip makes a misleading remark: He quotes Jesus as rebuking the Jews for going by the Scriptures. These are the man’s words-
“You search the scriptures because in there you want to find eternal life, but
you would not come to me and have life”
But if you watch it again, it seems that he gives but a part of John 5:39, which
says in its entirety: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
Jesus was not telling the Jews that they were searching the Scriptures.
He was not getting after them for searching the Scriptures.
He was COMMANDING them TO search the Scriptures!
It should be pointed out that there are at least 3 points that demonstrate that the
“religious leaders” were not biblical:
1. They taught the traditions of man instead of the commandments of God:
“…But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”
(Matthew 15:1-9).
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
(Mark 7:7).
When you read these two parallel passages, you find that the Pharisees and others were
putting the traditions of the elders before the commandments of God. Their keeping of
Corban for instance allowed a man to keep from supporting his aged parents, thus breaking
at least two of the 10 commandments: “Honor thy father and thy mother,” and “thou shalt
not steal.” That is not biblical.
2. They must not have truly believed Moses, or they would have believed on Jesus:
“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me” (John 5:46).
So if they rejected Jesus, it follows that they rejected the Scriptures that spoke of Him. How is that being biblical?
“Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he
said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they
be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:29-31).
3. Some of the religious leaders did eventually believe and follow Jesus Christ, such
as Nicodemas and Joseph of Arimathaea. Many others realized Who He was and believed
He was the promised Messiah of the Scriptures, but did not take Him as their personal
Saviour because they loved the esteem of men more than they loved God. Therefore they
broke the greatest commandment: “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). How can
that make them “biblical”?
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the
Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43-44).
Point THREE
This man says that you should only go to God for true wisdom, citing James 1:5. This is so. The Lord is
the only true source of wisdom. No doubt about it.
However, God the Holy Spirit teaches us through the word of God and never teaches
anything contrary to the volume of the Book. Therefore, if you feel led to do something that
is contrary to the Bible’s precepts and principles, you can know that it isn’t the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit has spoken to me at times, prompting me to go somewhere, say something, do
a certain thing. The Scriptures always will confirm His leading. If a spirit tells you
to do something that the Bible God gave us clearly forbids, then mark it down: this spirit is
not the Holy Spirit. All that is spiritual is not godly.
Consider how the Lord in His word (the Scriptures) talks about getting wisdom in connection with the Scriptures…“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they
that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever” (Psalm 111:10).
Does it not make sense that if the Bible was inspired by God and preserved for us today, that
we can learn more of His thoughts and gain wisdom by letting His word dwell in us richly?
When we are thinking and taking in His words, the Holy Spirit can teach us wisdom, in providing
God’s point of view in various areas.
What is the longest Psalm, let alone chapter, in the Bible? Yes, Psalm 119. I urge you to read
and meditate on the whole Psalm, so that you may see how blessed and needed the Bible is for
our lives. But we shall look for now at one octate of the 119th psalm.
MEM-
“O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
We are to love the Scriptures and meditate on them continually.
Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
God can make us wise as we keep the Scripture always before you.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Meditation on the Scriptures will multiply our understanding in other areas.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
It will also open up understanding that perhaps those who came before didn’t completely realise.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
It can help us to stay away from evil.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
We can be firm for the truth, because God is our Teacher.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
We should delight to take in the Scriptures, the written word.
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:89-104).
Godly understanding comes from studying the Scriptures. And when the Spirit has taught us the truth, that which is false will be abominable to us.
SALVATION AND THE SCRIPTURES
God the Holy Spirit even uses the Scriptures to make us wise unto salvation (help us learn how to be saved): “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 3:15).
“Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation according unto thy word”
(Psalm 119:41).
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” (James 1:18)
SPIRIT-FILLED MEN AND THE SCRIPTURES
1. Stephen of Jerusalem
“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith
and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas,
and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:” (Acts 6:5).
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people”
(Acts 6:8).
Stephen, the deacon, was a man full of faith AND the Holy Ghost. He was led by the Spirit
and was used to work great wonders. And he was wise in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Those who rejected the gospel argued with him but could not withstand his wisdom and spirit.
So they falsely accused Him of violating and blaspheming Moses who wrote the Law down and
God Who inspired the Law. The council took Stephen and questioned him.
“Then said the high priest, Are these things so?” (Acts 7:1)
How did Stephen, the man full of the Spirit, answer? Just peruse his defense (Acts 7), and you will clearly see that he answered according to the Scriptures. He quoted many passages, including Genesis 12:1, 15:-14, Deuteronomy 18:25, Amos 5:25-27, and Isaiah 66:11. It is a message encompassing 52 verses, filled to the brim with the written word of the living God, going through the law and history of Israel, demonstrating that the gospel of Jesus Christ is completely biblical.
2. Peter of Galilee
Peter was a disciple of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle. He was a leader in the early church and wrote 2 books of the Bible. Peter also died a martyr, crucified upside down.
When The Holy Ghost came upon Peter and the rest in Acts 2, and the multitudes were stirred in confusion and wonder, Peter rose to declare the reason for this occurrence and the Gospel. Did he simply say, that the Spirit was enough testimony? Did he rely on miracle alone to affirm the event? Not at all. He backed it up with Bible (Joel 2:28-32; Psalm 16:8-11; Psalm 110:1). He did the same in the next chapter after the lame man was healed (Isaiah 53; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Genesis 22:18).
In his second epistle, Peter tells Christians to beware being led into error, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (II Peter 3:18). How are we to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord? He gave the answer how to grow in Christ – through His word “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (I Peter 2:2).
Peter was inspired by God the Holy Spirit to write about how the Scriptures were written. He gives testimony of what he himself, heard and saw concerning the Person and work of Jesus Christ, his own personal experience. But he goes on to tell of the importance of the Scriptures: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (II Peter 1:19). Here Peter says, there is a “more sure” testimony. The written word of God is a foundation on which our faith rests. The Gospel is “according to the Scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4). It confirms what is truth and exposes what is not truth.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation” (II Peter 1:20). If we didn’t have the written word of God, then we’d have each man doing what was right in his own eyes, saying, “Well, God told me…” and “But the spirit told me to do it this way…” God didn’t leave us without help. The word of God will make sure the leading of the Spirit of God. We need to take Him at His word. The last verse shows that the Scriptures were not written because some men thought of some profound things that they wanted to pass down: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21).
3. Paul of Tarsus
Paul is one of the greatest, most spirit-filled men of the New Testament church.
This apostle, missionary, evangelist, and martyr was the instrument to used by
the Spirit to write most of the books of the New Testament:
Matthew – 1
Mark – 1
Luke – 2
John – 5
Paul – 14 (counting Hebrews)
James – 1
Peter – 2
Jude – 1
Yet, when this mighty man in the Spirit was preaching in Berea, the people
there didn’t just take his word for it, but checked his preaching and teaching
by the Scriptures. Did Paul say, “Hey! You don’t have to make sure it is
biblical! Doesn’t the Spirit speak by me? Just go by what the Spirit bears
witness to your spirits”? No, he didn’t! These are the words describing these
“biblical” thinkers: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that
they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures
daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11)
In II Timothy, Paul explained that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (II Timothy 3:16). The Scripture were given by God, and to be used in teaching, reproving wickedness, correcting wrong thinking and behavior, and instructing for righteous living. To what end? The next verse provides the answer: “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:17). Through the scriptures, the man of God can grow to maturity and follow God with his whole being. It will equip him to do service for his Lord.
Hmm…Paul wrote two epistles to Timothy. What did he have to say about the written word of God?
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Timothy 4:1). How amazing it is that the Holy Spirit tell us in His word that in the latter times, some would depart from the faith, giving heed to the leading of “spirits!” Then He gives examples of such, affirming that we can know what is right in that area, “For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (I Timothy 4:5).
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine” (I Timothy 5:17). The leaders of a church should be laboring in the word and teaching the truths of the faith found therein. They who do should be honored.
“Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (II Timothy 2:9). Even when people are bound and kept from being free to reach and minister, the word of God will accomplish its purpose. Why should we neglect so great a weapon at our disposal?
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). Studying the word of God prepares God’s people for the work, so that we need not be ashamed of what we are doing, for we know it is right. As we study the volume of the Book, God will teach us to rightly divide and use the Scriptures.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2). We are to preach the word. We should be diligent in knowing the Bible, in order to be ready at any time to present the truth wherever and whenever it is needed.
In his defense speech before Festus and Agrippa, Paul explained that he used the Scriptures to witness. Paul showed that the fundamentals of Christianity were the fulfillment of the Old Testament:
“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come” (Acts 26:22).
In Rome, Paul used the Bible again to verify the truth of the Gospel:
“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23).
FINALLY…
Some will claim that you don’t need the Bible. Just follow the Spirit. But the truth is that both walk hand in hand. You see, the Scriptures were inspired by God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved men to pen the words of Scripture (II Peter 1:20-21). Therefore, how can the Scriptures be against the Author?
It is the Spirit that opens the understanding of the written word. The natural man is not able to perceive the full meaning unless the Spirit opens his eyes. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (I Corinthians 2:14). The written word of God is the sword of the Spirit. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (Ephesians 6:17). He uses the word to convict the lost of his condition, of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Then the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures makes sense as the way of salvation. The Spirit also wields this word to work in the hearts of Christians and draw them closer to Him. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). How then can the Spirit be against the Scriptures, which are His sword?
When Jesus our Lord was tempted, He gave us an example. He did NOT say, “Satan, I am God the Son. The Holy Spirit is upon me. Therefore, I will not do that sin.” He could have said that. But Jesus went right to the Scriptures – “It is written!” Let this mind be also in you and me.
Some say we should only do what the Spirit teaches. But what did Jesus tell us the Spirit would teach?
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26). Therefore, the Spirit’s leading and teaching will NEVER violate the words of Jesus, nor the volume of the Book (which are the words of God). Remember that Jesus is God.
Keep in mind that NOT all that is “spiritual” is of the right “spirit.” But if something is truly biblical, it IS of the right “spirit.”
I could go on and on, but this should suffice, and I suggest the true disciple of Christ to dig deeper.
Kevan Myers
Psalm 119:139
There is still time to win a battle before the sun goes down.
